A rooftop beach opens in south London. Image: Glenn Foster / Centrale and Whitgift centre
SUMMER HOLIDAYS: With schools closed, we've put together a guide to spending the summer holidays in London, packed full of family-friendly events, exhibitions and outdoor activities. On a budget? There are plenty of free things to do in the summer holidays. In the mood for a show? Here's our pick of family-friendly musicals and theatre productions in London over the summer.
DUNKIRK LITTLE SHIPS: Start your month by the water, as a fleet of 16 Dunkirk Little Ships drops anchor at St Katharine Docks next to Tower Bridge. The vessels taking part in Dunkirks at the Docks are just a handful of those which were involved in Operation Dynamo, rescuing Allied troops from the beaches of northern France in 1940. FREE, 1 August 2026
ROUNDHOUSE COMEDY FESTIVAL: Chuckle your way through the first half of August at Roundhouse Comedy Festival. The legendary Camden venue hosts the likes of Joe Lycett, Katherine Ryan, Alexei Sayle and Ayoade Bamgboye, offering a mix of established and up-and-coming talent. 1-18 August 2026
JAZZ CAFE FESTIVAL: For the third time, Camden's Jazz Cafe curates its own live music festival, spanning a range of genres and playing out in Burgess Park in south London. Singer-songwriter Ari Lennox, rapper Smino and singer/DJ Durand Bernarr are among this year's headliners. 2 August 2026
