Summmer in London: 15+ things to do in London in July 2025
July is one of the best times to be in London, with a wide range of events taking place across the city. Catch world-class tennis at Wimbledon, dance into the night at Wireless Festival or BST Hyde Park, and enjoy open-air cinema with skyline views. The month also brings the return of Sculpture in the City, along with new exhibitions at the Tate Modern and Somerset House, and fresh productions at the National Theatre. From quirky celebrations like the Soho Village Fête to major cultural highlights, here’s our guide to the best things to do in London this July 2025.
Wimbledon 2025
The Wimbledon Championships, the crown jewel of tennis tournaments, return from 30 June - 13 July 2025.
#FLODown: Strawberries and cream season is upon us, with Wimbledon 2025 returning from 30 June to 13 July at the iconic All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London. Fans can look forward to seeing defending champions Carlos Alcaraz and Barbora Krejčíková, rising stars like Coco Gauff and Jannik Sinner, as well as established players such as Iga Świątek, Novak Djokovic, and Emma Raducanu competing on the pristine grass courts under the famous all-white dress code. And if you’re not able to head to the tennis, there will be plenty of places throughout the city where you can catch all the action live.
Click here to discover where to watch Wimbledon 2025 in London.
Date: 30 June – 13 July 2025. Location: All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Church Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 5AE. wimbledon.com
Somerset House Summer Series 2025
Image: Somerset House Summer Series © James Bryant.
#FLODown: Somerset House transforms into a vibrant open‑air concert stage for eleven nights this July, celebrating its 25th year as a hub for cultural innovators. The headline line-up includes homegrown favourites Rizzle Kicks (10 July), Freya Ridings(11 July), Jacob Banks (12 July), and Parov Stelar (13 July), followed by an exclusive screening of rituals: unionblackwith live score (14 July), plus acclaimed artists Joy Oladokun (15 July), six-time Grammy winner St. Vincent (16 July – her only London show), energetic Scottish indie group The Snuts (17 July), Australian folk-rockers The Paper Kites (18 July), London R&B trio FLO (19 July), and UK rap heavyweight Giggs & Family closing events on 20 July.
Date: 10 –20 July 2025. Location: Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA. Price: from £27.50. Book now
BBC Proms
BBC Proms returns to the Royal Albert Hall. Image credit Krisztina Anna Berecz
#FLODown: The BBC Proms returns this summer with an ambitious 2025 season packed with world premieres, collaborations, and standout performances from global stars and rising talents. Running from 18 July to 13 September, the season opens and closes with conductor Elim Chan, who makes Proms history leading the all-female Last Night, joined by trumpeter Alison Balsom, soprano Louise Alder, and new works by Rachel Portman and Camille Pépin. Other must-see moments include pianist Yunchan Lim performing Rachmaninov, a debut orchestral work from Anoushka Shankar, and Joe Hisaishi presenting his symphonic epic The End of the World. There’s also a late-night Prom hosted by Claudia Winkleman, themed around The Traitors, and an overnight Prom curated by organist Anna Lapwood. With world-class orchestras, international stars and tickets starting at £8, it’s a major moment in the UK’s summer calendar.
Date: 18 July – 13 September 2025. Location: Royal Albert Hall and across the UK. Click here for the full programme of events.
Emily Kam Kngwarray
Emily Kam Kngwarray, Untitled 1977. Juila Murray, Founder Utopia Women's Batik Group, Utopia Women's Batik Group. © Emily Kam Kngwarray/Copyright Agency. Licensed by DACS 2025
#FLODown: Tate Modern will host Europe’s first major solo exhibition of Emily Kam Kngwarray, a senior Anmatyerr woman and one of the most significant figures in international contemporary art. Born around 1914 in the Northern Territory of Australia, Kngwarray began painting in her seventies, transforming her deep ceremonial and spiritual connection to her ancestral Country, Alhalker, into a distinctive visual language. Organised in collaboration with the National Gallery of Australia, the exhibition will bring together over 70 works spanning her brief but prolific career—many being shown outside Australia for the first time. From early batik textiles to monumental acrylic paintings such as Emu Woman (1988) and The Alhalker Suite (1993), the display traces her evolving style and profound cultural expression. Late works including Untitled (awely) (1994) and Yam awely (1995) reveal her mastery of gesture, colour, and sacred symbolism.
Date: 10 July 2025 – 11 January 2026. Location: Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG. Price: £20 (concessions available); under-12s free with a paying adult; Tate members free. Book now.
Deptford X Festival
Rafat Zajko, Techno Harvest, Deptford X Parade 2023, Photo Stephanie Ojo.
#FLODown: The 26th edition of the Deptford X Festival takes place this July and returns as a free event. This year, the festival adopts an exciting new biennial format, expanding to 18 days of extraordinary art. It features over 500 participating artists across more than 100 artist-led Fringe projects, eight brand-new artist commissions, and a participatory street parade created in collaboration with Lewisham schools.
Date: 11 – 27 July 2025. Location: Lewisham. deptfordx.org
BST Hyde Park
Image courtesy of British Summer Time (BST) Hyde Park.
#FLODown: BST Hyde Park is back until 13 July 2025, bringing the best of summer live music to the heart of London’s iconic park. This year’s line-up features chart-topping pop star Olivia Rodrigo, legendary soul icon Stevie Wonder, rock legend Neil Young, the timeless sounds of Jeff Lynne’s ELO, indie favourite Noah Kahan, and rising star Sabrina Carpenter.
Date: 27 June – 13 July 2025. Location: Hyde Park, London W2 2UH. Price: from £79.95. Book now
Il trovatore
Il Trovatore ©2023 Camilla Greenwell
#FLODown: Il Trovatore opens at the Royal Opera House in July, unfolding a gripping tale of love, jealousy, and dark secrets. Troubadour Manrico and the jealous Count di Luna fiercely compete for Leonora’s heart, while Manrico’s mother, Azucena, haunted by a harrowing past, reveals a devastating truth that will change everything. Director Adele Thomas brings the drama vividly to life with a striking production inspired by the chaotic visions of Hieronymus Bosch and rich medieval lore, weaving a powerful story of desire and an all-consuming curse.
Date: 8 – 19 July 2025. Location: Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9DD. Price: from £13 - £270. Book now
Dance Your Way Home
We Should Have Never Walked On The Moon, France, Paris, 2022-11-02. We should have never walked on the Moon, performative and danced exhibition of (LA)HORDE with the Ballet National de Marseille BNM at the National Dance Theater of Chaillot. Photographie de Amaury Cornu / Hans Lucas.
#FLODown: Dance Your Way Home is the Southbank Centre’s summer celebration of the dance floors, real and imagined, that bring people together. Inspired by Emma Warren’s book Dance Your Way Home and curated in collaboration with her, this vibrant multi-arts programme explores how dance connects communities, whether it happens in clubs, kitchens, or public spaces. The season features dozens of free events, including DJ sets from Deptford Northern Soul Club, JAZZ RE:FEST, live Dabke performances, and a musical journey through dubstep with The Outlook Orchestra. Other highlights include Fuse ODG’s Azonto anniversary show, choreographer Jeremy Nedd’s London debut, reflective talks with Caleb Femi and Jordan Stephens, and the cathartic Grief Rave.
Date: 23 July – 29 August 2025. Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX. Click here to discover the full programme of events.
Wireless Festival 2025
Wireless Festival. July 2023. Photo by Jahnay Tennai.
#FLODown: Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Wireless Festival 2025 returns to Finsbury Park with a landmark edition headlined by Drake across all three nights, the first time in the festival’s history. A major event for fans of hip-hop, R&B, and grime, this year’s line-up also features PARTYNEXTDOOR, Summer Walker, Burna Boy, and Vybz Kartel, with a special set on Saturday billed as “Drake and The Mandem.”
Date: 11–13 July 2025. Location: Finsbury Park, London N4 2NQ. Price: Day tickets to go on sale 30 June 2025. wirelessfestival.co.uk
Sculpture in the City
© Ai Weiwei Studio. Courtesy Ai Weiwei Studio, Lisson Gallery and neugerriemschneider, Berlin.
#FLODown: Sculpture in the City returns for its 14th edition in 2025, transforming the City of London into an open-air gallery with striking new works by internationally renowned artists Ai Weiwei, Andrew Sabin, and Jane and Louise Wilson. Curated in partnership with the City of London Corporation and cultural studio LACUNA, this year’s edition continues the programme’s legacy of placing world-class contemporary sculpture within the Square Mile’s historic and modern architecture.
Date: 16 July 2025 onward. Location: City of London (various outdoor sites including St Botolph without Bishopsgate, The Leadenhall Building, and 70 St Mary Axe). Price: Free. sculptureinthecity.org.uk
Kaleidoscope Festival 2025
Kaleidoscope Festival.
#FLODown: Kaleidoscope Festival returns to Alexandra Palace Park on 12 July 2025 for a day of music, comedy, and family-friendly fun, all set against sweeping views of the London skyline. This one-day festival will feature a line-up including Faithless, Goldie, Eats Everything, Sara Cox, DJ Spoony, Sleeper, and comedy from Shappi Khorsandi and Andrew Maxwell.
Date: 12 July 2025. Location: Alexandra Palace Park, London N22 7AY. Price: from £13.33 (prices may vary by platform). kaleidoscope-festival.com
Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta®
Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta®, 2019. Image credit: Exclusive Ballooning.
#FLODown: Following several cancelled dates earlier in the year due to unfavourable weather, the Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta® is now on standby for Sunday 20 and Sunday 27 July 2025. As the official ballooning event of the City of London, this breathtaking spectacle sees up to 50 hot air balloons launch across the capital at sunrise, led by the Lord Mayor’s Appeal balloon carrying the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress. The Regatta raises awareness and funds for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, offering a rare and beautiful sight over London’s skyline, weather permitting. Check updates and social media for the latest confirmation.
Standby Date: Sunday 20 & Sunday 27 July 2025. Location: Central London (launch site typically Battersea Park). lordmayorsballoonregatta.com
Virtual Beauty
Hyungkoo Lee. Altering Facial Features with WH5 (2010). Courtesy of the artist.
#FLODown: Virtual Beauty, opening at Somerset House, is a thought-provoking exhibition exploring how digital culture and emerging technologies are reshaping traditional definitions of beauty. Featuring works by over 20 international artists, it will examine the impact of artificial intelligence, social media, and virtual identities on self-image through interactive installations and pioneering artworks.
Date: 23 July – 21 September 2025. Location: Terrace Rooms, Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA. Price: Pay What You Can. somersethouse.org.uk
Click here to discover more art exhibitions opening in London in July 2025.
The Soho Village Fete
Image credit The Soho Society
#FLODown: The Soho Village Fete returns on Sunday 20 July 2025 for its 50th anniversary with a full afternoon of quirky, community fun in St Anne’s Gardens, Soho. From 12 to 6pm, enjoy six hours of live entertainment, the French House Bar, snail racing, a spaghetti-eating contest, the Human Fruit Machine, a dog show, raffle, and the much-loved Soho Waiters’ Race! With a tug of war between Soho Police and Fire Service and plenty of stalls and surprises, it’s a free event with a true Soho twist. Capacity is limited to 500 people, so arrive early; priority is given to Soho Society members with VIP wristbands.
Date: 20 July 2025. Location: St Anne’s Gardens, Wardour Street, Soho, London. Price: Free.
The Estate: a new play by Shaan Sahota
Adeel Akhtar Image credit Gavin Li.
#FLODown: The Estate is an intense new political drama by Shaan Sahota, premiering at the Dorfman Theatre (National Theatre, South Bank) from 9 July to 23 August 2025. BAFTA winner Adeel Akhtar stars as Angad Singh, a British-Asian politician who unexpectedly becomes the frontrunner to lead the opposition after a scandal topples the previous leader. The play examines how far Angad is willing to go to win, from inheriting his father’s estate to keeping his outspoken sisters silent—as it explores the brutal intersection of family, power, privilege and the lies we tell ourselves. Directed by Daniel Raggett (Accidental Death of an Anarchist), this debut is a razor-sharp examination of politics and identity.
Date: 9 July – 23 August 2025. Location: Dorfman Theatre, National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX. Price:Regular tickets available; plus £10 Friday Rush tickets available every Friday from 4 July. Price: from £20; plus £10 Friday Rush tickets available every Friday from 4 July. Book now
Play Make Do
Play Make Do is a new summer festival at the Barbican
#FLODown: Play Make Do is a new summer festival launching at the Barbican on 13 July, offering a vibrant mix of creative activities and performances for all ages. Families can try circus skills in the Conservatory, explore a sensory forest in the foyers, join Tai Chi by the Lakeside, and take part in communal dance sessions, including an inclusive ceilidh in the underground spaces. The programme also features storytelling with Chitra Soundar and Usifu Jalloh, alongside workshops in illustration, kite-making and animation, plus creative camps for young people. Many events are free, though booking is recommended.
Date: 13 July - 16 August 2025. Location: Barbican Centre, Silk St, London EC2Y 8DS. Click here to discover the full programme of events: barbican.org.uk
Performance of Entrapment
Image credit Jason Alden
#FLODown: Performance of Entrapment is a new installation by Jane and Louise Wilson, opening at London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE from 17 July 2025. The work explores the layers of history beneath the City of London through rare archaeological finds, including 2,000-year-old oak stakes uncovered during excavations near the Roman Temple of Mithras. Using microscopic imagery of the oak’s grain, the artists have created large-scale works that combine screen-printing, resin, and carved wood. The exhibition draws parallels between the Temple of Mithras and Japan’s Ise Jingu shrine.
Date: 17 July 2025 - January 2026. Location: London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE, 12 Walbrook, London EC4N 8AA. londonmithraeum.com
Pride Parade
Image credit Semyon Borisov
#FLODown: Pride in London 2025 takes place on Saturday 5 July, with singer Chaka Khan headlining the main stage at Trafalgar Square. Known as the Queen of Funk, Khan will perform hits like I’m Every Woman and Ain’t Nobody. The event features six stages across the city, hosting over 100 performers and celebrating LGBTQ+ icons. The main parade starts at Noon from Hyde Park Corner and ends at Whitehall Place, with more than 33,000 participants from over 500 community groups and businesses. London Mayor Sadiq Khan will lead the cavalcade, and speeches by activists will take place at Trafalgar Square.
Date: 5 July 2025. Location: starting at Hyde Park Corner and finishing at Whitehall Place. prideinlondon.org
Rooftop Film Club
Rooftop Film Club, Bussey Building in Peckham. Image courtesy of Rooftop Film Club
#FLODown: Summer in the city calls for outdoor cinema, and Rooftop Film Club is back with classic films and incredible views of the city’s skyline. Whether you’re in Peckham or Stratford, enjoy cult classics and recent releases under the stars. Upcoming screenings include 28 Days Later on 16 July at Peckham and Set It Off on 19 July at Stratford. Tickets start from £14, and each venue offers a unique atmosphere with bars, street food, and cozy deckchairs.
For more information and to book tickets, visit rooftopfilmclub.com.
An escape from London
Henley Royal Regatta 2025
Henley Royal Regatta 2025
#FLODown: Henley Royal Regatta returns this July, offering six days of thrilling rowing and quintessential British summer charm at Henley-on-Thames, just a 35-minute train ride from London Paddington. It’s the perfect day trip for anyone wanting to enjoy world-class sport, delicious food, and a lively riverside atmosphere. Official hospitality packages range from relaxed lounges with DJs and seasonal menus to exclusive private chalets and a luxury private island, all providing superb dining, flowing drinks, and prime race views. These packages include gourmet meals, champagne, live entertainment, and attentive service within the Fawley Meadows Enclosure and on Temple Island.
Click here for our guide to Henley Royal Regatta 2025.
Date: 1 - 6 July 2025. Location: Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, UK. Prices: from £36–£60 per person (children under 14 go free with an adult).
Hospitality Packages:
There are several options for a special experience, including private pavilions starting at around £126 per person for groups, riverside lounges, exclusive dining on Temple Island, and more. Prices vary depending on the package. For more information and to book, visit prestigevenuesandevents.sodexo.com
