30 Cool Things To Do In London This Weekend: 31 July-2 August

Summer is in full swing, and we're loving all the fun things that August is bringing. 

But what to do in London this weekend? There's an Aperol Spritz button in London Bridge for the continuing good weather, and you can even visit the UK's first open-air library in Victoria Park. If you're looking for the weekend's family-friendly things to do, then the Disney Pixar experience at Wembley Park is for you.

Check back each week to uncover the best things to do in London this weekend and book on DesignMyNight, from free things to do in London this weekend to the most luxurious and unusual.

What Are The Best Things Happening In London This Weekend?

2. Discover The UK's First Free Open-Air Library

• When: 31st July - 1st August 2026
• Location: Victoria Park
• Price: free entry
• We recommend for: bookworms, free activities 

A leafy reading paradise is popping up in East London for one glorious weekend only. To mark a decade of the Kindle Storyteller Award, Amazon is opening the UK's first open-air library dedicated entirely to self-published authors right beside Victoria Park's iconic bandstand. 

You can pull up a spot in the grass and lose yourself in hundreds of indie titles, spanning everything from past award-winners to breakout smashes from literary powerhouses like Colleen Hoover and Freida McFadden, who both launched their careers independently. 

The UK's first open-air library is coming to London.

3. Swim In A Free Lido At London's Royal Docks

• When: from 24th July - 16th August 2026
• Location: Royal Docks, E16 1AG
  
• Price: free 
• We recommend for: hot weather, spots, relaxing

When the London sun shines, the city’s standard lidos quickly become packed and occasionally pricey, but Summer Splash 2026 is returning to the Royal Docks to offer a brilliant, budget-friendly alternative. Completely free to use, this unheated outdoor pool provides a refreshing escape paired with some of the most spectacular city views in the capital.

Part of the wider At The Docks summer programme - which features free comedy nights and street theatre - the venue is packed with amenities, including deck chairs, sandpits, a children's shallow area, a sauna, and water sports like paddleboarding and wakeboarding. 

Find Out More About The Lido Here. 

This free outdoor pool also has an on-site sauna, sandpit and deck chairs to sit back and relax.

4. Dine With Julius Roberts At The Last Supper

• When: 31st July 2026, 6pm - 11pm
• Location: The Royal Exchange, Cornhill, EC3V 3LL
• Price: from £95.40 per person
• We recommend for: foodies, lovers of seasonal produce

Clear your Friday night and head deep beneath the grandeur of the Royal Exchange for the second instalment of The Last Supper. Hosted at The Libertine, Volume 2 sees social media sensation, first-generation farmer, and chef Julius Roberts take over the kitchen.

Known for his field-to-table ethos and effortlessly rustic cooking, Roberts will be serving up a bespoke seasonal three-course feast that champions the very best of British produce. Beyond the food, you'll get an intimate look into the inspiration behind each dish as Julius hosts the room, all paired with ice-cold Stella Artois. 

Book Tickets To The Last Supper - Vol 2: With Julius Roberts Here.

Julius Roberts (pictured). 

5. Check Out This Funfair And Roller Rink At Battersea Power Station

• When: 29th July - 31st August 2026
• Location: Battersea Power Station
• Price: varies
• We recommend for: daytime dates, families

Squeeze every last drop out of the sunny season with Battersea Power Station as it's serving up nostalgia on tap with its brand-new seaside-inspired takeover, Electric Summer. From late July through the August bank holiday, Power Station Park and the Coaling Jetty are transforming into a boardwalk playground complete with classic fairground staples, like a giant wheel offering sweeping skyline views, classic dodgems, nostalgic arcade games, and chic riverside pétanque courts.

The star of the show, however, is the massive central roller rink hosting everything from all-abilities daytime sessions to late-night Thursday date skates and Saturday evening silent discos. There's also a rooftop Boardwalk Bar, waterside food stalls serving up artisan bites, and plenty of alfresco drinking spots right on the Thames.

Discover More About Electric Summer In Battersea Here.

6. Drink And Dine At One Of These Amazing Bottomless Brunches

• When: usually held on Saturdays and Sundays
• Location: locations across London
• Price: prices vary depending on the brunch
• We recommend for: tasty cocktails and delicious dishes

Name something you'd rather do on the weekend than a bottomless brunch...we'll wait. Unlimited drinks are now a weekend staple, and mean you can keep track of your pennies without overspending. 

There's a whole host of bottomless brunches available across the city, with everything from ABBA-themed affairs in Covent Garden to multi-award-winning brunches entirely centred around Eastenders star, Pat Butcher. Whatever you're looking for, there's something for everyone.

Book A Bottomless Brunch Here.

London has everything from Taylor Swift bottomless brunches to ABBA.

7. Experience A Spellbinding Trip To Hexmoor: Wizarding Prison

• When: all weekend
• Location: 127 Hackney Road, Unit 11, Hackney, E2 8GY
  
• Price: tickets from £49.50
  
• We recommend for: immersive experiences and quirky cocktails

The world's first wizarding prison bar is opening its doors this weekend. From the creators of Alcotraz, Moonshine Saloon and Avora, this brand-new immersive experience will see you conversing with dark arts wizards and prison guards from the wizarding world. 

Hexmoor is an immersive theatrical experience combining film-like set designs, three amazing cocktails and magical special effects that are set to blow you away. And you even get your own prison jumpsuit to fully get into character. 

Book Tickets To Hexmoor: Wizarding Prison Here.

Step inside the magical world of Hexmoor prison for the ultimate immersive cocktail experience.

8. Whisk Up A Storm At Big Bakes

• When: various dates
• Location: 38 Tooting High Street, SW17 0RG and Lee Street, E84ED
  
• Price: from £32.40 per person
• We recommend for: double dates, group activities, and baking fans 

Channel your inner pastry chef at The Big London Bake, South and East London's award-winning answer to the ultimate baking challenge. Perfect for those with a competitive streak and a love for sweets, this 90-minute extravaganza pairs you with a baking bench buddy to whip up, decorate, and present a masterpiece based on a monthly rotating theme.

With all pre-measured ingredients, professional instructions, and a Head Baker on hand to guide your station, the experience is designed to be entirely stress-free - right down to the fact that they even handle the washing up. 

Book Big Bakes In London Here.

Get your bake on in South and East London.

9. Attend Labyrinth On The Thames 2026

• When: August 2026
  
• Location: Old Royal Naval College, SE10 9NN
• Price: varies by event
• We recommend for: live music, unique experiences 

If dancing against a backdrop of 17th-century Baroque architecture while watching the sun sink behind the Thames skyline sounds like your ideal summer evening, get Greenwich on your radar. Electronic music series Labyrinth on the Thames is returning to the Old Royal Naval College for a run of open-air shows that show off cutting-edge sound, visual art, and immersive light displays within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Running across the first three weekends of August, this year's stacked series features heavyweight headliners including Peggy Gou, Overmono, Moby, and Michael Bibi. 

Following a brilliant debut last summer, the series returns to London.

10. Throw Shapes At A Bottomless Hoedown Brunch

• When: Saturdays
• Location: Tequila Mockingbird Covent Garden, 42 William IV Street, WC2N 4DD
• Price: from £52.92 per person
  
• We recommend for: a fun time dancing, brunch enthusiasts, a weekend with friends

Dust off your cowboy boots and get ready for a Saturday like no other, as Tequila Mockingbird transforms your weekend into a high-octane Bottomless Hoedown Brunch. You can look forward to a two-hour celebration of boot-scootin’ burlesque and dazzling drag performances, complete with country classic sing-alongs and a competitive round of Hoedown Bingo.

Indulge in 90 minutes of bottomless service, featuring everything from margaritas and pornstar martinis to ice-cold beers and bubbly, while teetotalers are well-catered for with signature mocktails like the Spring Fling and Prom Queen. There'll be plenty of pizza, too. 

Grab Your Tickets To Tequila Mockingbird's Bottomless Hoedown Brunch Here. 

Saddle up for this brunch.

11. Enjoy Some Music At Sky Garden

• When: various dates
• Location: 1 Sky Garden Walk, City of London, EC3M 8AF
  
• Price: from £15.95 (includes a drink)
• We recommend for: date nights and brilliant views 

Elevate your weekend plans with Sky Garden’s Music Nights, an exclusive rooftop residency that pairs 360-degree skyline views with a curated soundtrack of live DJs and ALR Music performances.

Whether you’re looking for a high-energy night out with friends or a sophisticated date spot, the experience offers everything from standing access tickets, which include a welcome drink and panoramic vistas, to the ultra-premium VIP viewing platform for those seeking private service and an upgraded menu.

Book Your Tickets To Music Nights At Sky Garden Here. 

Pair epic vistas with live music. 

12. Visit An Unusual Museum

• When: various dates and times, depending on the museum
• Location: museums across the capital
• Price: depends on the museum
• We recommend for: quirky art displays and history

It's no secret that London is home to some of the best museums in the world, but if you're bored of all the usual suspects (though we know you really can't go wrong with the Natural History)? We've got just the thing. 

These seven weird and wonderful museums are a great way to spend your Saturday or Sunday (especially if you're looking for free events in London this weekend). Whether you fancy checking out the Freud Museum in Hampstead or heading to Bethnal Green to discover a collection of curiosities throughout history, this list will sort you out. - Kiera Chapman

Explore More Unusual Museums Here.

Experience the wacky and wild collections that London has to offer.

13. Do Aqua Aerobics or Yoga With Skyline Views

• When: various dates
• Where: 1 Electric Blvd, Nine Elms, SW11 8BJ
• Price: from £27.50 per person
• Perfect for: unique exercise ideas and stunning vistas 

Designed by the visionary Jaime Hayon, art'otel London Battersea Power Station offers a cultural escape. This March, the hotel’s rooftop becomes a hub for wellness and leisure, kicking off with aqua aerobics sessions, followed by skyline yoga and breakfast for those looking to find zen above the city.

For a more melodic weekend treat, the hotel hosts afternoon tea with live music, providing the perfect blend of sophisticated dining and artistic atmosphere. Whether you're diving into the rooftop pool or enjoying the curated events, art'otel stands as one of the city’s hippest vantage points for food, fitness, and the arts.

Book art'otel London Battersea Power Station Here.

Head up to the roof for some yoga.

14. Celebrate 25 Years Of Harry Potter

• When: until 7th September 2026
  
• Location: Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, Watford, WD25 7LR
  
• Price: from £58.50 per person
• We recommend for: Harry Potter fans

25 years ago the Philosopher's Stone film was released, and to this day Harry Potter remains one of the most popular children's stories of all time. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London are celebrating this anniversary with a brand new experience, First Year At Hogwarts, opening this week.

Re-live all the most iconic moments from the first film, complete with breathtaking sets and original props. See everything from the Hogwarts Express to the golden snitch, filled with magic throughout. Plus, you can expect magical challenges and impressive audiovisual shows.

Book Tickets To First Year At Hogwarts Here. 

Explore the amazing sets at the Warner Bros Studio.

15. Attend The Jazz Cafe Festival 2026

• When: 2nd August 2026
  
• Location: Burgess Park
  
• Price: from £45 - £65 per person
• We recommend for: live music, jazz lovers

Following a sellout debut, the team behind Camden’s legendary venue is taking over Burgess Park once again to bring the distinct, soulful spirit of the Jazz Cafe outdoors. Spanning four stages, this one-day summer celebration curates the ultimate selection of RnB, hip-hop, electronic, and contemporary jazz.

Soul powerhouse Ari Lennox leads a stacked, genre-defying lineup alongside acts like Smino, Greentea Peng, Nightmares on Wax, and Durand Bernarr. It's also packed with street food traders and craft bars, and is a must-attend staple for anyone who values smooth vocals, live instrumentation, and boundary-pushing grooves.

If you love jazz, then you'll love this festival. 

16. Watch Love's Labour's Lost At The Globe

• When: until 13th September 2026
• Location: The Globe
• Price: from £5 per person
• We recommend for: Shakespeare lovers

Coming to The Globe this summer, Love's Labour's Lost is a classic Shakespeare comedy that has been reimagined in this performance. Expect a flamenco-inspired production full of rhythm and romantic tension, displaying the joy, longing and melancholy of the play.

Indiana Lown-Collins makes her Globe Theatre directing debut, telling the story of four women who arrive in Navarre on a diplomatic mission. Nab tickets for as little as £5 if you're standing.

Head to The Globe this summer.

18. Watch The Brilliant High School Musical Heathers In London

• When: until 22nd August 2026
• Location: The Arts at Marble Arch
• Price: from £50 per person
• We recommend for: musicals, theatre

The ultimate high school dark comedy is back, and it's bringing some serious fun to the capital. Following smash-hit, record-breaking runs from New York to Melbourne, Heathers the Musical is making its highly anticipated return to London this summer.

Described by critics as High School Musical's darker, dirtier cousin, this outrageous, irrepressible production is setting up camp at The Arts at Marble Arch for a strictly limited run of 52 performances before launching a massive national tour. 

Book Tickets To Heathers The Musical Here. 

Heathers (pictured) comes to London this week.

19. See Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait

• When: until 6th September 2026
  
• Location: National Portrait Gallery
• Price: from £25 (free for members)
  
• We recommend for: art lovers
  

Honouring the 100th birthday of a Hollywood icon, Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait is coming to the National Portrait Gallery this weekend. This exhibition explores Monroe's life, career and legacy through portraits created by some of the greatest photographers and artists of the last century.

Expect to see works by Andy Warhol, Pauline Boty, Marlene Dumas and many other artists, as well as over 20 photographers. It will also feature a number of personal belongings, including scripts and clothes.

Book Tickets To The Exhibition Here.

Learn more about Marilyn Monroe at this striking exhibition.

20. Check Out London's Best Parks

• When: anytime
• Location: London's most famous green spaces
• Price: from free
• We recommend for: free things to do and wholesome experiences

When the weather's looking good for the weekend ahead, there's nothing better than chilling in a beautiful green space, and it's one of the many free things to do. This city has plenty of parks (and is actually made up of 40% public spaces), which is why it's only natural that we've put together a guide to the very best parks across the capital.

We've got all areas covered, from Hampstead Heath to Clapham Common or Greenwich Park - perfect for picnics, alfresco drinks and soaking up the sun among Grade II-listed buildings or picturesque Japanese gardens. - Kiera Chapman

Explore More Parks Here.

Free-roaming deer inhabit Richmond Park.

21. Explore The Newest Restaurant Openings

• When: various opening times
• Location: varying locations across the city
  
• Price: prices of food will vary
  
• We recommend for: incredible food and dining out
  

• When: until 5th September 2026
• Location: Theatre Royal Haymarket
• Price: from £30
• We recommend for: fans of the film

Thirty years on from the classic film, Trainspotting The Musical is taking to the stage this summer. The world premiere is on the 15th July, so you can be the first to see it this week. Written by Irvine Welsh and directed by Caroline Jay Ranger, with music and lyrics by Stephen McGuinness and Irvine Welsh, it's set to be fantastic.

Continuing the themes of the original story, the musical highlights how the world has changed since 1996, highlighting power, wealth and addiction in the modern day.

See this iconic story on stage.

23. Check Out The Capital's Best Cocktail Bars

• When: open now
• Location: 30 Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, W1K 6AN
• Price: prices of food and drinks vary
  
• We recommend for: American-Italian dining and date night

Looking for the perfect spot to sip something special this weekend? London’s cocktail scene is overflowing with stylish bars serving up expertly crafted drinks in unforgettable settings. Whether you're into smoky old fashioneds, tropical tiki creations, or something totally experimental, there’s a bar for every taste.

Head to Swift for sleek sophistication, SOMA for minimalist Japanese-inspired mixes, or Nightjar for vintage vibes and live jazz. If you’re after something quirky, try Callooh Callay for playful menus and bold flavours. It’s the ideal way to elevate your weekend plans - one cocktail at a time.

Explore More Of London's Best Cocktail Bars Here.

London is home to some of the best cocktail bars in the UK.

24. Check Out Some Of London's Top Sunday Markets

• When: varies (some take place every day) 
• Location: all around London
• Price: from free
• We recommend for: food, drink, trinkets, and wholesome things to do

Sunday in London is defined by its markets, offering the ultimate weekend excuse to browse with a coffee in hand. 

Foodies can choose between the historic, bustling arches of Borough Market or the quieter, insider-favourite Maltby Street Market in Bermondsey for world-class artisan produce. Further afield, the stunning, historic settings of Greenwich Market and Camden Market provide the perfect backdrop for crafts, curios, and scenic canal or riverside strolls, while Notting Hill's Portobello Road pivots on Sundays to a gentler, vintage-focused fashion hub.

Discover Sunday Markets Here. 

Pick up some flowers from a market on Sunday. 

25. Visit These Stunning Rooftops

• When: throughout spring, summer and autumn
• Location: across London
• Price: food and drink prices vary
• We recommend for: summer date ideas

As the days get longer and warmer, there's nothing better than slinking up to one of London's fabulous rooftop bars across Covent Garden, Soho, Shoreditch, and beyond, and enjoying a cocktail around golden hour, or as the sun sets. 

Some of our favourites include 1864 Rooftop Bar, located on the 6th floor of John Lewis, featuring gorgeous foliage, private booths, and a menu full of tempting light bites. It's a go-to after a day of shopping around Oxford Street. Looking for something a little more lively? How about London Bridge Rooftop - these guys know a thing or two about a fabulous bottomless brunch, and you'll find bargain Aperol spritzes to enjoy with views of the Shard. And for those keen to stay in the city, Sabine Rooftop Bar is a wonderful shout. With St Paul's Cathedral as your backdrop, you can delight in espresso martinis galore. Want more? Found on The Royal Opera House's fifth floor and one of London's true hidden gems, Cicoria promises unbeatable views over Covent Garden.

Check Out These Rooftops Here. 

Enjoy a cocktail at these rooftop bars.

26. Visit The Wallace & Gromit And Friends Exhibition

• When: until 15th November 2026
• Location: Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA
• Price: from £12.50 per person
  
• We recommend for: families

Young V&A in Bethnal Green are opening their Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit And Friends exhibition this weekend. This explores the world of animator Aardman, and how he created these iconic characters, with lots of behind-the-scenes insight.

From Wallace & Gromit to Shaun the Sheep and Morph, you'll get to see all your favourites come to life here. Plus, they've even got a family design challenge you can get involved in.

Book Tickets To The Exhibition Here.

See your favourite characters come to life.

Buckingham Palace opens its State Rooms for a few weeks every summer.

28. Mundo Pixar Experience

• When: until November 2026
• Location: Wembley Park, Fulton Road, Wembley, HA9 0TF
• Price: £29 per person (£20 for children)
• We recommend for: family-friendly fun

The world’s largest immersive Pixar exhibition, the Mundo Pixar Experience, can now be found in Wembley, following successful runs in Madrid, Barcelona and Brussels. Here, you can explore all your favourite films brought to life through interactive exhibits and amazing photo opportunities.

Lose yourself in life-sized scenes like Andy's bedroom in Toy Story and Carl's floating house from UP, across 3,500 square metres of space. What's more, they've even unveiled a brand-new room, created exclusively for London.

Immerse yourself in Pixar films.

Need more inspiration? Check out the best things to do in London for more ideas.