The heat is on as summer is in full swing. Warm, long, dry days ahead to enjoy fabulous festivals and outdoor events in London. Something is happening every weekend.
Check out our guide about things to do in London in July and make it an unforgettable month.
14 Things To Do in London in July
- 🏳️🌈 Pride in London Parade is taking place on the 1st of July.
- 🌳 Various events are lined up at BST – Hyde Park throughout July.
- 🎸 Somerset House Summer Series is scheduled from 6th to 16th of July at Strand.
- 🎪 Wireless Festival will be happening at Finsbury Park from 7th to 9th July.
- 🌺 Kew The Music at Kew Gardens is set for 11th to 16th July.
- 🌈 Kaleidoscope Festival is planned for Alexandra Palace Park on 15th July.
- 🎵 Higher Ground at Roundhouse will also take place on 15th July.
- 🇯🇵 Hyper Japan Festival at Olympia is dated from 21st to 23rd July.
- 🎾 The Championships at Wimbledon are scheduled from 3rd to 16th July.
- 🍹 Rum Show 2023 will be hosted at Glaziers Hall, London on 14th and 15th July.
- 🍴 National Geographic Traveller Food Festival is set for 15th and 16th July at the Business Design Centre.
- 🍗 Wing Fest is happening at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from 28th to 30th July.
- 🌼 Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival is happening from 4th to 9th July.
- 🦢 The Royal Swan Upping will occur on the River Thames from 17th to 21st July.
Festivals
Pride in London Parade, 1st July
July in London begins in a superb, flamboyant extravaganza with the Pride in London Parade. It is an event that showcases the fabulous diversity of the LGBT+ community.
This year’s parade starts in Hyde Park from 12.00 pm until 8.00 pm. The route takes in key areas, such as Trafalgar Square, Golden Square, Leicester Square, Dean Street, St Giles in the Fields, and Soho Square.
A lineup of artists will give dazzling performances, speeches, and entertainment. There are many food and drink options and stalls where proceeds go to LGBT+ charities.
A Parade Map indicates the best place for spectators to experience the parade. Or, for the best seat in the street, Grandstand tickets are available for £50.00.
The Pride Parade in London is the biggest in the country and a spectacular all-inclusive event. Full of vibrance and cheer, Pride in London Parade is a must-visit festival.
BST – Hyde Park, Various Dates in July
British Summer Time in Hyde Park continues into July, with headlining acts like Take That, K-Pop sensation Black Pink, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, and Lana del Rey.
There’s still time to ensure you don’t miss out on this summer festival with ground-breaking performances in the sunshine.
Somerset House Summer Series – Strand, 6th – 16th July
The Somerset House Summer Series returns for its 20th year for 11 nights at the beautiful, historical setting of Somerset House. The event brings an intimate vibe to its concerts with artists from across the globe, like French psych-rock group La Femme and South London neo-soul singer Greentea Peng.
Tickets for the 6th July are £32.25, including fees.
Drinks and street food are available in the courtyard.
Wireless Festival – Finsbury Park, 7th – 9th July
The annual music festival returns to London for a line-up of urban music, including popular rap artists such as Playboi Carti and Travis Scott, and Hip-Hop Duo D-Block Europe taking to the main stage on separate days over the weekend.
Tickets are selling quickly, so grab one while you can.
Kew The Music – Kew Gardens, 11th – 16th July
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, makes a splendid setting for a picnic concert. A favourite attraction in London and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, they have held summer concerts for over 30 years.
This year’s lineup includes Bastille, The Vamps, Jack Savoretti, Human League, Haçienda Classiçal, Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.
There are several ticket options, starting from £66.00, including fees for General Admission Standing for the first night’s concert, Bastille.
As it is a picnic concert, you can bring a picnic, folding chairs, and blankets. Kew the Music has partnered with Panzer’s Delicatessen in St John’s Wood to provide hampers.
Kew the Music is one to see for a summer festival in stunning surroundings.
Kaleidoscope Festival – Alexandra Palace Park, 15th July
Kaleidoscope Festival returns to the impressive Alexandra Palace and Park with a fantastic music lineup on the Hill Top and Cloud 10 stages, including Hot Chip and George Fitzgerald. The Fringe Stage presents award-winning and hilarious comedians.
The Victorian Basements, a network of cellars, take you deep on a mysterious journey.
You can boogie to a live Brass band and chill to jazz music and Colombian folk on the Bandstand.
The festival is a family event with pirate ships, magic, storytelling, bubble tricks, rap and poetry, and beatbox music.
Tickets start from £10.75.
Higher Ground – Roundhouse, 15th July
Higher Ground is a one-day festival in London that is returning for its second year. It celebrates singer-songwriters with an all-female lineup. Performing this year is the indie-folk trio of sisters, The Staves, the indie-rock band, The Orielles, and alternative soul singer Tawiah.
Keep checking their website for more details on a festival celebrating women in music.
Hyper Japan Festival, Olympia, 21st – 23rd July
The Hyper Japan Festival is the largest of its kind in the UK and showcases all things J-culture. It brings traditional culture to modern Japan and is brimming with exhibitors, workshops, seminars, entertainment, food and drink. For an idea about a traditional Japanese cooking method, check out our Teppanyaki Restaurants.
Over 30,000 people visit the festival, and 99% are non-Japanese.
Ticket prices start from £17.50 + VAT.
Sports Events
The Championships – Wimbledon, 3rd – 16th July
Wimbledon is one of the highlights of Britain’s sporting events and the oldest tennis tournament in the world. The Championships attract 42,000 tennis fans every day.
The public ballot closed in December 2022, so how do you buy tickets for this prestigious event?
The British have a reputation for queuing, and tennis fans do it in style at the famous Wimbledon queue, where you can purchase tickets for the day’s matches. There are up to 500 available on the day. People join the line the evening before, and you even receive a handy ‘Guide to Queuing.’ There’s a fun atmosphere; many people bring a picnic and camp overnight.
There is the ticket resale option. If you miss out on ‘the queue’ tickets, then there is a chance you can buy a Show Court ticket. Sometimes they go for as little as £5.00.
If you entered the ballot and were unsuccessful, you might be lucky to receive a returned ballot ticket.
Finally, there is what some call the best seat in the house, on Henman Hill, or, more recently, called Murray Mound. There are 1,000 free places available, and the atmosphere is fantastic.
Food and Drink Festivals
Rum Show 2023 – Glaziers Hall, London, 14th – 15th July
The Rum Show is for the rum enthusiast, providing over 200 rums to sample. There are Masterclasses to try some of the finest rums in the world and discover some of the biggest names in the industry.
The main stage presents demonstrations, talks, Q&As, and other entertainment.
Tickets are £50.00 for Friday and £65.00 for Saturday. A multi-day ticket is £99.00.
National Geographic Traveller Food Festival – Business Design Centre, 15th – 16th July
The event provides an opportunity to sample worldwide food all under one roof. The Food Festival has demonstrations and talks from famous international chefs, authors, and experts.
Last year’s event brought together exhibitors from Italy, Greece, Azerbaijan, Wales, the US, Montenegro, Ecuador, and the Seychelles.
The festival offers a unique food and drink experience. Tickets cost £26.00 for one day or £37.00 for both days.
Wing Fest – Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 28th – 30th July
Tuck into chicken wings at Wing Fest, the largest chicken wing festival in the world. The tournament is between over 40 flaming hot street food traders, BBQ teams and restaurants serving over 200,000 wings to gain the title of the winner of Wing Fest 2023.
So, if your mouth is drooling, prices start with Early Bird tickets at £25.00. You will receive a signature trucker hat and have access to games, rides, and entertainment.
Best of the Rest
Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival – 4th – 9th July
The Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival provides an opportunity to see inspiring and stunning gardens created by highly-skilled designers.
There is a display of simple, low-cost gardens to encourage new gardeners.
A marquee blooming with plants and flowers showcases exceptional nurseries. This year’s chosen is Calamazag, a family-owned nursery in Looe, Cornwall.
A lineup of talks, demonstrations, and music will entertain you while you enjoy the summer sun with a chilled drink, tea, and cake. Or, discover unique products at the hundreds of trade stands.
Numerous hands-on activities are available for children, so all the family can enjoy the garden festival.
Ticket prices start from £28.85 for non-members and £23.85 for members.
The Royal Swan Upping – River Thames, 17th – 21st July
The Royal Swan Upping is an annual ceremony that takes place over five days and has been for hundreds of years. The goal is education and conservation.
Swan Uppers steadily row from Sunbury Lock Cut on the 17th until reaching Abingdon Bridge on the 21st July. When they spot an adult swan or cygnet, they shout, ‘All Up!’ They measure, weigh, and check swans for injuries, while cygnets are ringed and given an identification number.
There are observation opportunities, and children are encouraged to get close to cygnets and ask questions.
Keep an eye on the Royal Swan website for timings.
FAQs: Things To Do in London in July
Is London hot in July? July is the hottest month in London. You might need a light jumper for the cooler evenings and a light jacket for the occasional shower.
Can you wear shorts in London in July? Yes, definitely. However, if you’re dining out, check the restaurant has a dress code.
