Best Things To Do In London This Summer

We made it! Winter was great and god knows we love the charming wet weather of spring, but by darn it's summer - and luckily for you there are loads of sunshine-appropriate bars and cool events going down. From pop-up parties to urban beaches, tasty street food to rooftop wonders; this city has them all. In no particular order, check out our recommended top 20 things to do this summer in London.

For more inspo, check out our guide to summer in London.

Last edited by Kiera Chapman

Last updated on 27th March 2024




Play Boules With Cocktails And Street Food

@ Boulebar London on Saturday 30th March 2024 and 13 other Saturdays

Get on down to Jack & Boule in South Bank for a brilliant bottomless brunch event this summer, taking place every Saturday. Boasting eight urban boules courts, you and your pals can get stuck into a game before devouring tasty Mexican street food from Rico Burrito. You'll also get to enjoy 90 minutes of unlimited prosecco or Siren Craft Brew beer, all for just £40 per person.

Watch Some Polo After A Champagne Brunch

@ Megan's By The Green (Parsons Green) on Fri, 7th Jun 2024 @ 9:30 - 11:00

If you're looking to spend the day in a sophisticated manner, clinking glasses with your friends and wearing your favourite outfit, then Megan By The Green's Polo in the Park Champagne Brunch is for you. From £75 per person and taking place on Friday 7th June, you can enjoy an array of the pretty restaurant's signature dishes like shakshuka or open kebabs, scattered with pickled cabbage and grilled halloumi, alongside a side of your choice, plus three glasses of either Lanson rose or Pere et Fils Champagne. Lovely. 

Try Out The City's Best Chicken Wings

@ London Stadium, on Friday 26th July 2024 and 2 other dates

One of our city's best food-based events this July has got to be the London Wing Fest 2024, a three-day festival where there will be over 80 different types of chicken to try, with the chance to vote for your favourites across three categories. Don your free trucker hat on arrival and get stuck into eating competitions, cooking demonstrations, axe throwing and live music, taking place at London Stadium for as little as £25 per person.

Head To A Summer Festival

There's no better way to enjoy the hot weather than with a good old festival, whether it's all about the live music or a local food and drink event you're after. We've got some of the best, from Latin cultural celebrations to open-air beer fests - and if you're looking for free things to do this summer in London, some of them don't even charge entry.

Set Off On A Silent Disco Tour

@ The Marquis of Granby on Various dates from Saturday 30th March 2024

Boogie your way through the city with a West End Musical Silent Disco Walking Tour, setting off from The Marquis of Granby every single weekend. Grab your own personal headset and groove through the streets of London, while singing along to some of the best showtunes around. There will be an entertaining host to guide you through the experience, providing commentary along the way.

Play Bingo & Eat Brunch In A Fabulous Garden

Vauxhall Food & Beer Garden ain't just your usual alfresco space. Oh no, the heaving South London favourite is also bringing you drag queen bingo, themed bottomless brunches, live sports screens and plenty more. The cocktails here are pretty impressive too, with tasty street food from Wagyu Burger, French Tacos and other popular vendors to go with them. They've even got all-day happy hours on Monday and from 12 until 7pm from Tuesday to Friday, so what are you waiting for?

Live Your Wild West Fantasies

@ Moonshine Saloon on Various dates from Thursday 28th March 2024

Inspired by tales from the notorious Wild West, the immersive Moonshine Saloon: Western Cocktail Experience is one of the best things to do in London this summer. Smuggle in your favourite bottle of liquor and let expert mixologists craft some snappy cocktails for you, but be sure to avoid the Sherriff. This experience starts from £36.50 per person, which includes all the mixers for your drinks and plenty of interactive fun.

Venture To London's Iconic Ball Pit

Get balls deep in a range of fun-packed events at Shoreditch stalwart Ballie Ballerson, touting their iconic pink ball bit. From hilarious bottomless brunches touting cocktails galore to hip hop-themed parties and DJ sets galore, this venue is a real staple come summertime. And if you head there on a Tuesday? These guys are even offering two for one pizza and drinks for a little midweek summer fun.

Score A Seat At The Hottest Euro Screenings

Catch every minute of the action with our list of the best pubs, bars and pop-ups showing the Euros matches for 2024. We've got pubs and bars that will going football mad this summer from Hackney to Acton, and everywhere in between. So whether it's a huge outdoor screen with a cracking atmosphere or your own private booth to really focus on the game, get your tickets here.

Zoom Down The River Thames

@ London Eye Millenium Pier on Various dates from Thursday 28th March 2024

After summer evening activities in London? Thames Lates is the speedboat experience that hurtles you down the river, with both modern and throwback bangers playing in the background, great views of the city, drinks at sunset and a laugh-out-loud comedian as your host. This 50-minute experience includes a refreshing cocktail on the more chilled-out journey back, starting from £54.95 per person.

Play A Lifesized Game Of Monopoly

Explore all of London's most famous destinations from an equally iconic board game at Monopoly Lifesized. You'll complete escape room-style challenges, build your own houses and you might even go to jail, before crowning your winner and taking a seat at the Top Hat Bar and Restaurant. They've got themed cocktails and classic British dishes like fish 'n' chips or burgers, making it an all-round perfect activity for those pesky rainy days this summer.

Enjoy A Bottomless Drag Brunch On The Beach

@ The London City Beach on Saturday 15th June 2024 and 2 other Saturdays

The only thing that can make the beach and brunching at the same time even better? Drag Me To The Beach, where you'll get entertained by a hilarious MC before a star headline act (yet to be announced) takes to the stage. Stick your toes in the sand while munching street food, sipping 90 minutes of bottomless drinks, and being thoroughly wowed by Awesome Events at London City Beach.

Try The Best Pop-Up Cinemas in London

From The Rivoli Ballroom in Crofton Park to Rooftop Film Club in Stratford and Peckham, pop-up cinema events are taking over some of the finest outdoor spaces in the capital to bring you a line of only the most epic films. Whether you fancy watching old-school cult classics like Carrie and Ghostbusters or a more modern release such as Barbie or Wonka, these spots have got you covered with great movies and tasty snacks aplenty.

Check Out Sky Garden's Events

On the hunt for summery things to do with pals? Boasting gorgeous views of London from the city's highest public garden, Sky Garden is promising everything from sunrise yoga sessions to seasonal parties and music nights with resident DJs spinning tunes. Events here start from as little as £9.50 per person, meaning that you can enjoy great scenery and rooftop drinks without breaking the bank.

Get ready for VR

There's a whole wealth of VR experiences in London, but none quite like Otherworld. Like something out of the mind of Charlie Brooker, this VR wonderland blends experience pods and street food for the ultimate night in Hackney and Victoria. they've got 16 unique simulations to choose from, which you can explore with friends to earn as much Dreamcoin as you can - which you can even use to get money off at the bar.

Drink At Some of London's Best Boat Bars

Ride the waves this summer at London's finest boat bars, canal cruises and river retreats. We've got everything from silent discos while cruising down the Thames to anchored pubs in our city's most beautiful riverside spots. Whether you're after lunch, dinner, drinks or a boozy brunch, these floating hangouts have got it all, plus some stellar views along the way. 

Check Out London's Best Rooftop Events

Go sky-high this summer at some of London's top rooftop events, which include sunrise yoga with a view or wild late-night parties at venues all over the city. From non-stop raves touting live music sets from some of the best in the biz to afternoon teas with cider, whiskey and showstopping scenes of the city, our guide has it all.

Enjoy A Few Rounds Of Social Darts

Occupy your London summer months with non-stop social darts at Flight Club. With venues dotted across the capital, from Shoreditch to Victoria or Bloomsbury, this is the perfect place to get stuck into a few games, all before digging into unlimited pizza slices and a whole bottle of prosecco each at their brunch socials, with prices starting from £30 per person for these two-hour sessions, an hour of which will be spent at the oche.

Prove Your Baking Credentials

Perfect for any amateur bakers out there, The Big London Bake is the quirky cooking event taking place this summer across venues in Tooting and Haggerston. You'll be set a number of challenges by talented professionals in order to find out who is London's true baker, with all the ingredients provided in your ticket price - which starts from £36 each. There's also a cake-themed bar to relax in afterwards, serving up cocktails and snacks. What more could possibly you knead?

The BBQ Club - 2024

@ BBQ Club on Various dates from Thursday 25th April 2024

Gather your friends or book a spot for you and your partner to The BBQ Club this summer where it'll be presenting a six-course tasting menu dedicated to some of the best artisan suppliers and local produce the city has to offer. For £60 per person, you can learn where each element of these decadent dishes come from and watch them prepared in front of you over an open fire. The menu boasts scrumptious plates like maple-smoked chalk stream rainbow trout with squid ink tartare sauce and chermoula lamb leg shish, drizzled in a wild garlic sauce.

Explore A Magical New World

@ Roscorp Laboratories on Various dates from Thursday 28th March 2024

Step into a mystical new world at Avora: A New-World Cocktail Experience at Roscorp Laboratories in Hoxton. This immersive cocktail bar begins begin with a briefing on your mission from Dr C. Shelly, before you explore the magical woodland setting as a group. Don your custom-made jumpsuit and set off, chatting to the locals and sipping three bespoke concoctions along the way, one of which even changes colour as you drink.

Play Some Bingo

When it comes down to things to do in London this summer holidays, Dabbers Bingo is sure to impress. Whether you fancy karaoke in Hackney or comedy nights and brunch clubs in the City, there's something for everyone here. Get stuck into a range of events across the city, which will have everyone quaffing bottomless prosecco and enjoying hilarious entertainment from the hosts.

Go On A Treasure Hunt

@ Wellington Arch on Various dates from Thursday 28th March 2024

Need plans for summer in London this 2024? Then test your orienteering and problem-solving skills with Hyde Park's Fun Puzzle Treasure Hunt. Grab your closest pals (and your sunnies) to explore the surrounding area in a bid to find the X. Tickets start from just £19.99, and this experience is suitable for up to eight people which makes it perfect for group days out.

Make A Splash At An Outdoor Pool

It's hot, you're sweaty and in need of something cool to throw your perspiring self into. Fortunately, London is awash with pools and outdoor spots for swimming, from Tooting Bec Lido to the much-loved Hampstead ponds. We've got our favourites here, along with the best places for well-earned brunch nearby. You can thank us later.

Visit The Capital's Best Ice Cream Spots

For all of the inside scoop on London's best ice cream destinations, check out our roundup right here. Whether you're more into authentic Italian flavours or loaded sundaes topped with salted caramel, there's sure to be something for you in this guide. From gelato retreats touting plenty of flavour to American-inspired hotspots that stuff their doughnuts with sweet treats, we have got the entire city covered.