Best Summer Pop-Ups In The UK

If you are hunting for unique open-air events to round out your seasonal calendar, the upcoming outdoor screenings at The Old House Inn offer the perfect late-summer escape. Boasting fantastic transport access across London, West Sussex, and Surrey, this charming timbered inn is playing host to the Butcombe Cinema Tour under the stars.

Moviegoers can catch the iconic The Devil Wears Prada or return for the heartwarming comedy Mrs Doubtfire. Tickets are a steal at just £5.50 and include a free alcoholic or soft drink to sip while you watch the big screen glow. To make a complete day of it, you can arrive early to sample their award-winning real ales in the garden, book a table to enjoy a menu packed with fine seasonal produce, or even book one of theirsix6 luxury en-suite bedrooms to enjoy a relaxing weekend getaway.

Wing Fest 2026 transforms London Stadium, Hoclkey Social Club, Lloyds Amphitheatre, Victoria Baths and Peddler Market into the ultimate chicken wing celebration. This three-day festival offers a mix of competitive eating, music, and entertainment centred around one question: who really does the best wings?

With 45 contestants presenting 90 different wing varieties, you can sample wings across three fierce categories - Best Buffalo Wing, Best Wild Wing, and Best BBQ Wing - all priced at £1.50 per piece to encourage tasting as many flavours as possible. Alongside the wing battles, the event features live BBQ demos, bourbon masterclasses, street entertainment, and DJs spinning summer vibes well into the evening. And the Splash Zone adds a playful twist with water games and activities, plus there's free axe throwing to keep the fun going.

We all love a good film night, and this summer you can ramp things up by attending an outdoor screening. These take place in parks, out on terraces and more, perfect for date night or a trip with friends.

We've rounded up all the best spots to find outdoor cinemas across the country, so you can enjoy your favourite titles on a big screen while enjoying the warm weather.

Get on down to The Old Crown in Birmingham for their lineup of Food Fests. Swing by the best-loved boozer to get your smackers around scrumptious food, from juicy burgers to enticing Indian eats, complete with live music, DJs and free entry.

One of the UK's prettiest summer pop-ups, The Lawn Club is the Manchester hangout designed with sunny days in mind, whether you're taking a seat on the foliage-covered terrace or lounging on their sprawling grass area. Head over to Hardman Square and get sipping on refreshing spritz cocktails and craft beers from the outdoor bar, while relaxing on comfy bean bags or cute deckchairs. 

Head to The Swan at Streatley in the Reading area for COPPAFEST, a family-friendly day out that's perfect for summer. They're promising a day full of live music, entertainment and activities, as well as tasty street food and drinks.

Local artists will be performing all afternoon, before headline act Platinum Queen bring you Queen's biggest hits in the evening, followed by DJs. There'll also be complimentary boat trips and paddleboarding, alongside fireworks towards the end of the night.

A fabulous pop-up bar in London, Brixton Jamm has had its summer makeover and it's ready to host. Head down to the South London haunt for beach vibes and brunch parties with some of the coolest DJs in the city, as well as quizzes, drag bingo and other fun events.

If you're looking for a delightful weekend activity that the whole family will love, pack up the kids and head to The Mayflower in picturesque Lymington for a magical afternoon screening of Zootropolis 2. Taking place on Saturday the 15th of August 2026 as a highlight of the Butcombe Cinema Tour, this lovely coastal pub provides a relaxed, cosy environment for a family day out.

Tickets start at an affordable £5.50 per person and even include a complimentary soft drink or fruity water for the little ones (and something a bit stronger for the adults). For something more geared towards adults, don't miss their showing of The Devil Wears Prada on the 13th in the evening. 

Alcotraz presents a unique outdoor prison yard experience in Liverpool's city centre, blending immersive entertainment with craft cocktails and a playful prison theme. You'll enter the open-air Yard, where you can enjoy signature drinks served in inventive vessels like repurposed oil cans and modified prison boots. The 'tool shed' acts as the covert bar where visitors and inmates alike can trade the prison's currency - contraband cigarettes - for your favourite libations.

You can engage in a variety of activities, including basketball on the yard or hanging out in themed areas, all while soaking up the atmosphere. Alcotraz offers multiple booking options ranging from small group visitor passes to full inmate experiences complete with prison uniforms and drink tokens, as well as private hire for larger groups.

Giving the old Digbeth Arena a fresh face, Luna Springs is the UK summer pop-up to check out this year. Located in the heart of Birmingham's coolest quarter, the outdoor bar and event space is bringing you a season of movie nights, bottomless brunches and live music.

It wouldn't be peak season without the return of one of the best summer pop-ups in the UK. The Lockdown Lodge is back for 2026, reclaiming its coveted spot on the banks of the Thames.

Renowned for its fleeting, exclusive nature and high-calibre execution, this temporary waterfront haven perfectly captures the essence of a British summer. With multiple start times and dates stretching from mid-July, it's a seasonal must-visit that effortlessly outshines static, brick-and-mortar dining spots.

If you are looking to round out your late-summer schedule with premium entertainment, the upcoming open-air screenings at The Bower Inn make for the perfect Somerset pitstop. Conveniently located just off the M5 near Bridgwater, this beautiful historic venue is hosting the Butcombe Cinema Tour for a brilliant double-feature lineup.

Film fans can catch the chic classic The Devil Wears Prada on Thursday the 27th of August, or sit back for the heartwarming, hilarious Mrs Doubtfire on Sunday the 30th of August. Tickets are highly affordable at just £5.50 and include a free alcoholic or soft drink from the bar to sip while the movie rolls. 

This summer, head on over to Bel & The Dragon Wendover, a wholesome pub that's classy and modern. Outside, you'll find its cinema in the garden events showing some cracking films from July onwards, such as The Greatest Showman, Much Ado About Nothing and more. Secure your tickets and look forward to refreshing pints and some gastro delights. 

London's urban beaches offer the perfect city staycation with a mix of sandy escapes, vibrant bars, and delicious street food. From The Montague On The Gardens' Bahamas-inspired tropical pop-up with palm trees and bottomless cocktail masterclasses, to Walthamstow-On-Sea's classic British seaside vibe complete with beach huts, draft beers, and fish and chips, there's something to satisfy every beach lover.

For a Mediterranean twist, the Marzamemi Festival in Richmond channels Sicilian coastal charm with live music, authentic Italian eats, and family-friendly fun. Meanwhile, LIMIN Southbank serves up Caribbean sunshine with bold flavours and a beachy outdoor terrace, and Pont Plage at Le Pont de la Tour transforms the Thames riverside into a French Riviera-style retreat, complete with sand, pétanque, and chic French bites. Croydon's Costa Del Croydon rooftop brings summer fun with real sand, live entertainment, and a kid-friendly zone, making London's pop-up beaches a must-visit this season.

The upcoming woodland cinema at Basildon Park offers the perfect late-summer adventure. Located just 30 minutes from London by train, this historic Berkshire property is hosting an open-air film festival curated by Secret Adventures on Saturday the 5th of September 2026. 

You'll follow a scenic path through the estate's rolling hills and twilight forests to discover a hidden cinema space showcasing a brilliant double-bill of short features, including the sub-zero diving film Johanna Under Ice and the extreme sailing documentary Of a Lifetime.