Looking for the best things to do in London in July? We’ve got you covered with this guide to the best things to see and do in the capital this month.
Summer in London rarely disappoints, but this year looks set to be a corker. July is bringing plenty of festivals, cool pop ups, and quirky things to do to the capital, and we can’t wait to share our favourite picks with you.
Ready?
Things to do in London in July
Check Out the New Museum of Childhood
Bethnal Green
From the 1st of July
Having been shuttered for a couple of years, the Museum of Childhood is set to reopen this July after an extensive refurbishment job and rebranding by another major London museum, the V&A.
Reopening as the Young V&A, the museum’s new style gives the place a breath of life, making exhibitions more intuitive for children (it is a museum of childhood afterall). None of that means that an adult won’t get a good kick out what you can see there.
Those items include vintage superhero costumes, toys from the many decades ago that we were all children and heaps more. That also includes additions made from the V&A’s archives…
Join the Pride Parade
Soho
1st July
July marks the start of Pride Month and the celebrations kick off with the massive London Pride Parade through central on the first day of the month.
The parade is always a spectacle to behold with thousands turning out in costume and celebrating in the streets. By the end of the day attention turns to partying and the bars and clubs of Soho heave with jolly punters.
If you want a good time in London in July, this is not one to miss.
See Shakespeare in a Pub Garden
Citywide
From the 3rd July
This month sees the kick off of a new run of Shakespeare in the Garden. If you’ve not been to one of these shows before, they’re a brilliant way to take advantage of the balmy summer evenings for a bit of al fresco theatre.
The premise is simple: These fine people take over spacious pub gardens around London and put on performances of Shakespearean plays for your enjoyment alongside a pint or two of something nice from behind the bar.
This summer they’re running Twelfth Night from the 3rd of July to the 24th of August and Romeo and Juliet from the 24th July to the 15th of September.
Is this a ticket I see before me?
Learn a Thing or Two About Science
St. James’
From the 4th – 9th July
You know about the Royal Society right? It’s only one of the finest institutions this country has ever produced – an organisation that has had some of the sharpest minds in history at its helm, pushing at the boundaries of all human knowledge.
Yeh them, they’ve got a Summer Science Exhibition on in July where you can go walk in the footsteps of scientific genius and learn through a bunch of talks and interactive exhibitions with hundreds of scientists on hand to explain.
It’s always a pretty eye-opening event, and one that never fails to impress.
Feel the Tennis Fever at Wimbledon
Wimbledon, and bars citywide
Until 16th July
July is the month of what’s arguably the most important tennis tournament in the world, Wimbledon. The event will be running until the 16th of July with plenty of reasons to get excited.
As usual you’ll be able to head down to the grounds and catch the games on big screens outside if you haven’t got any tickets.
There’s also going to be screenings at the King’s Cross Canal Screen, in Canary Wharf’s public spaces, Canada Square Park and Cabot Square, and probably coolest of all, in the market building in the centre of Covent Garden.
Drink Cocktails in the City
Holborn
6th – 8th July
July also sees the first of three major cocktail events from Cocktails in the City. These events are all pretty much paradise for cocktail-lovers. What happens is, Bedford Square Gardens gets taken over for three days of drinking expertly mixed drinks in what will hopefully be blissful sunshine.
Some of the city’s best barmen show up to do their thing so you’ll be drinking from the likes of Florattica, Hutong, Nightjar, Oriole and heaps more. Of course it would be plain rude from all those drinks not to be accompanied by live music and street-food pop ups. And with all that, what more could you actually need on a hot July day?
Hit a Summertime Festival
Citywide
Multiple dates
As we’re sure you well know, summertime in London is a season of festivals, and July might just be one of the best months for them.
This month you’ll be able to catch the tail end of Hyde Park BST Festival with concerts from greats like Lana del Ray and Bruce Springsteen among others. That runs until the 9th of July. Coinciding with that, Wireless Festival takes over Finsbury Park from the 7th to the 9th.
You’ll also have a whole week of concerts at Kew the Music from the 11th to the 16th, with folks like Jools Holland and Bastille for your entertainment.
Last but not least you won’t want to miss out on Ally Pally’s very own Kaleidoscope Festival. It’s got a line-up of acts ranging from musical superstars to literary greats and comedy geniuses.
Check Out Our Full Festival Guide Here: The Best London Music Festivals in 2023
Attend The Proms
From 14th July
David Arnold’s A Circle of Sound
Nothing says summer in London quite like The Proms – 8 weeks of stellar classical performances at the Royal Albert Hall.
This year the line-up is looking better than ever, with top picks including: Prom 1, First Night of The Proms (obvs); Prom 3 A Benjamin Grosvenor piano recital; Prom 7: Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony; Prom 16: The Hallé performs Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphon and of course the Last Night at The Proms (also an obvious addition).
Whether you’re a stereotypical lover of classical music or not, it’s worth checking out the iconic proms as they have a tendency to sway even the biggest classical haters.
Listen Up at Woolwich Words and Sounds
Woolwich
15th – 31st July
Woolwich Works is set to host the second Woolwich Words & Sounds Festival this July in London, a celebration of live music, stand-up, and spoken word poetry.
The lineup boasts both big names and up-and-coming artists, poets, and comics – including The Sugarhill Gang and Sofar Sounds – alongside plenty of street food and booze in the pop up bar in the courtyard.
Gorge at the National Geographic Food Festival
15th – 16th July
The National Geographic Food Festival returns to the capital this month – and what a treat it looks set to be.
Taking place at the Business Design Centre in Islington, the festival showcases the very best of the culinary scene right now, with some of the world’s leading chefs hosting workshops (cough, cough Jean-Christophe Novelli).
There’ll be plenty of chances to sample an abundance of dishes as well as live demos from the likes of British chef Nathan Outlaw (who we absolutely adore, FYI) and MasterChef maestro John Torode.
Grab your tickets here – they’re selling fast!
Eat, Shop and Party at Hyper Japan Festival
Kensington
22nd – 24th July
Taking place in Kensington’s Olympia London venue, Hyper Japan Festival brings all the best bits of Japanese culture to the capital – we’re talking food, music, anime, and fashion.
While we’re quite clearly most excited about scoffing delicious Japanese food by the likes of Matchado, Rice Guys, and Oishi Don, there are plenty of stalls for gamers and anime lovers, as well as Harajuku street-style fanatics to enjoy.You’ll want to nab your tickets here ASAP before they sell out.
Celebrate at the Body Movements Festival
Multiple Locations
July 30th
Looking for the ultimate fun activity in London this July? Body Movements is a multi-venue London festival Celebrating Queer dance music this summer. And trust us when we say you’re going to want to get involved.
The likes of Boudica, Bitch, Please! Chapter 10 and GGI will be taking to venues such as Colour Factory and Studio 94, so expect the parties to last until the early hours of the morning.
Catch a Free Film at The Screen on the Canal
Throughout July
In our humble opinions, there’s no better way to soak up the gorgeous weather than by heading to an outdoor cinema, glass of bubbly in hand. Agreed? Head to the steps at Granary Square throughout July to catch a free film on a giant floating screen. Yes really.
July’s highlights include Casablanca on the 9th (it’s a total classic that everyone must watch at one point in their life), Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet on the 23rd, and The Wind Rises on the 29th.
Take an Outdoor Cooking Class
Kensington
July 20th
As summer brings many ingredients into full bloom we start to see our eating habits changing too. Down in South Kensington this July you can learn how to incorporate a few of these ingredients into your kitchen repertoire.
The classes take place in the garden of the Kensington townhouse Number Sixteen – a charming place for it if we do say so ourselves. The classes run once a month until September with July’s being the first.
At the class you’ll learn how to use flowers in your cooking, picking up a recipe for fried courgette flowers as well as one for a floral vinegar that makes a great topping on stuff like roasted veg.
Party at Sky Garden
The City of London
July 28th
If you like to live it up, there’s a party on this summer that will probably get you very excited. It’s happening at the very top of one of London’s most iconic buildings, in one of its most iconic venues, the Sky Garden.
The event is their summer party, a soiree of epic proportions that unfolds with some of the most impressive views of the city sprawling below you. They’ve got live bands to play the party into full swing and a bar turning out cocktails, one of which will come free with your ticket.
Chow Down at Wing Fest
Stratford
28th – 30th July
Love chicken wings? You’re going to love this one. Wing Fest is the world’s largest chicken wing festival and it’s coming to London at the end of July.
Just how big is it? Well they’re taking over an entire football stadium just to get enough space. The grounds of the Olympic Stadium will be turned into a haven of chicken wing lovers with some of the best in the business turning up to showcase their wings.
There’s plenty of activities to keep you entertained too – including a massive wing eating competition, live music and stands knocking up cocktails and pulling cold pints. See you there.
Practical Tips for Exploring London in July
- July’s weather is warm and sunny (with the occasional shower – it is the UK, after all). Bring a light jacket for evenings and comfy walking shoes – you’ll thank us later, we promise.
- If you’re looking for more things to see and do in London, check out our guide to summer in London, it’s jam-packed with incredible things to do in July.
