August is here, and it's arguably London's favourite month to show off. The days are long, the parks are green, and the whole city seems to spill outside - onto riverside terraces, into bandstands, and along canal towpaths. Whether you're a Londoner staying put for the summer or a visitor timing your trip just right, this is the month to see the capital at its most sociable.
And with so many Londoners escaping to the coast or the countryside, the streets fill instead with visitors from everywhere else, which somehow only adds to the buzz. Here's our pick of what's on this August, and how to make the most of your stay…
1. Notting Hill Carnival - 29th to 31st August
Europe's biggest street festival returns for the August Bank Holiday weekend, and it remains one of the most thrilling things London has to offer.
Saturday at Notting Hill Carnival brings the UK National Panorama steel band competition (ticketed), before the streets of West London erupt on Sunday and Monday with the Children's Day parade, J'ouvert, and the main Carnival procession.
Expect elaborately costumed Mas bands, thundering sound systems, and calypso to pour out of every corner of Notting Hill. The food alone is worth the trip - jerk chicken and rice and peas taste better here than anywhere else in the city, we promise.
It's completely free, it's utterly chaotic in the best way, and two million people can't be wrong.
2. The Proms - Ongoing through 12th September
No August in London is complete without a trip to the Royal Albert Hall for the Proms. Now in its 132nd year, this classical music marathon offers eight weeks of world-class orchestras, conductors and soloists from the UK and beyond, at prices that are refreshingly reasonable - a standing "Promming" ticket on the day will set you back just a few pounds.
Whether you fancy sitting in the grand tiers or standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow Prommers in the arena, there's a concert for every mood this month, from big American-themed programmes to late-night specials. And if you're feeling committed, the Last Night on 12th September is a rousing, flag-waving institution all of its own — book early, as it sells out fast.
Rule Brittania!
3. Greenwich+Docklands International Festival - 21st August to 6th September
One of London's best free outdoor arts festivals returns, spreading dance, circus and theatre across Greenwich, East London and beyond. The Greenwich+Docklands International Festival opens in Woolwich on 21st August with a large-scale dance spectacular, before the ever-popular Greenwich Fair takes over Greenwich Park on the 22nd and 23rd with a weekend of free family-friendly street theatre and performance.
Elsewhere in the programme, expect immersive productions that turn ordinary streets into film sets, an audio-visual installation tucked away in Thamesmead, and a mass community dance finale to close things out. It's ambitious, inventive, and - brilliantly - entirely free to watch.
4. A Midsummer Night's Dream - Shakespeare's Globe, until 29th August
Catch the last few weeks of this joyful, audience-embracing production of a Midsummer Night’s Dream before it closes at the end of the month. Directed by Emily Lim, this staging of Shakespeare's best-loved comedy has been winning over critics and first-time theatregoers alike with its warmth, humour and sense of communal celebration.
There's nothing quite like watching Puck cause chaos among the lovers with the open sky above you and the Thames just beyond the walls. Standing tickets are the way to go if you want to feel part of the magic — just be sure to book before the run ends. Afterwards, take a stroll along the South Bank and stare across the great River Thames.
5. Swing Dance Sundays - Regent's Park Bandstand
As part of the Regent's Park Music Festival, which runs every weekend right through to 20th September, a handful of Sundays are given over to swing dancing at the bandstand, with the next ones falling on 2nd, 23rd and 30th August. Turn up, take a free lesson, and jive along to a live big band, or simply find a spot on the grass and watch everyone else give it a go.
It's a wonderfully old-fashioned way to spend a summer afternoon, and - like the rest of the festival - costs nothing at all. Regent’s Park itself is one of London’s finest - take a stroll through the Queen Mary Rose Garden if you have time, or hire a boat and enjoy rowing on the water.
6. Everyman on the Canal - Free Outdoor Cinema, King's Cross
Running until 16th August, this free open-air cinema takes over the canalside steps at Granary Square, with a screen set up across the water and astroturfed seating for sprawling out with a picnic. The programme mixes cult classics, cinema history and recent releases — think Grease, Casablanca, and Paddington in Peru — with screenings from around midday through to the evening.
No booking, no ticket, just turn up early for the popular ones and grab your spot by the canal. It's one of the best-kept secrets of the King's Cross summer.
7. Hampton Court Palace Food Festival - 29th to 31st August
To round off the Bank Holiday in proper style, head out to Hampton Court Palace — once Henry VIII's home — for a weekend of food, drink and gardens. Over 150 independent producers set up shop in the East Gardens, serving everything from street food to craft beer, and this year brings a brand-new addition: live cookery demonstrations from well-known chefs in the Regina Kitchen.
There's plenty for children too, with face painting, fete games and arts and crafts, and — best of all — your festival ticket includes entry to the palace and grounds, so you can explore the Tudor state rooms and famous maze while you're there. A proper day out for the whole family.
Finally, if you're looking for a place to stay whilst in London, then why not head north to leafy Hampstead, to our comfortable, family-run and family-owned guest accommodation. La Gaffe is just three minutes' walk from the tube, a quick stroll both to the lush, green Heath and charming Hampstead Village, and we offer you a warm welcome and a great breakfast cappuccino…
To find out more or to book a room directly, contact us by email or phone. We'll be glad to hear from you!