August in London is teeming with fantastic events, cultural happenings and things to do. Enjoy the capital’s many outdoor and open-air activities to make the most of the warm summer days. Don’t forget to hit up Europe’s biggest street party Notting Hill Carnival or bag a seat at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. Furthermore London hosts family-friendly attractions to keep children entertained during the school summer holidays. Travelling solo? Don’t worry! It’s plenty of things to do and even more to see in London. Main football season starts in August. Soak up the atmosphere at one of the capital’s football clubs.
We have carefully chosen the events to make sure you have a wonderful time in London while staying at The Washington Mayfair Hotel.
PRUDENTIAL RIDELONDON FREECYCLE – 3 August 2019
Get together with family and friends to cycle on traffic-free central London roads for free, with Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle. The route features many of the capital’s world-famous landmarks, from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament and St Paul’s Cathedral. London’s greatest sights create an inspiring backdrop for a memorable day of cycling. The event, which attracted tens of thousands of cyclists in 2018, returns again as part of the wider Prudential RideLondon festival of cycling.
FILM4 SUMMER SCREEN AT SOMERSET HOUSE – from 8 to 21 August 2019
Watch modern and classic movies under the stars at gorgeous Somerset House this summer. Last year, the open-air film festival presented a mixed programme of UK premieres, old favourites and Cannes award-winning films in full surround sound, as well as DJ sets inspired by the films and special guest introductions. Films start at 9pm, but doors open at 6.30pm. Arriving early you can enjoy a picnic listening the DJ playing music inspired by the film.
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL – 24-25-26 August 2019
Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s biggest street festival, is a vivid spectacle representing London’s multicultural past and present. Elaborate floats and colourful costumed performers wind their way through the streets to the sound of steel bands and calypso music. Watch the carnival parade, join in the fun and visit the tempting food stalls at one of London’s biggest and best annual events. The Carnival celebrations take over the areas of Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park.
BBC PROMS – until 14 September 2019
We have promised you that you would not get bored whenever you visit London. In couple of days after Wimbledon and British Summer Time Festival, The Royal Albert Hall and other venues are opening the doors to BBC Proms informal concerts of classical favourites, family concerts and contemporary world premieres. Proms founder Sir Henry Wood’s mission was to ‘bring the best classical music to the widest possible audience’. This year marks his 150th birth anniversary. Mozart’s, Rachmaninov’s, Beethoven’s, Straus’s, Brahms’s, Tchaikovsky’s, Mendelssohn’s masterpieces will be played by leading musicians and orchestras from across the world. A late-night Prom will bring together some of the best sci-fi film music. CBeebies: A Musical Trip to the Moon demonstrates for young generation the power of dreaming big. The eight weeks of concerts culminate in the famous Last Night performances including BBC Proms in the Park, full of chanting and quirky traditions.
BUCKINGHAM PALACE TOUR: SUMMER OPENING – until 29 September 2019
Buckingham Palace is opening its doors to the public in the end of July every year. The iconic building is the official residence of the Queen. Delve into the States rooms to admire a grand place with the gilded ceilings and glittering chandeliers, the finest English and French furniture and breathtaking wall art. By the way, you will have a chance to see famous paintings of Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer, Poussin, Canaletto and Claude. Every year, Buckingham Palace’s summer opening features special exhibitions. The year 2019 marks 200 years since Queen Victoria’s birth so a special exhibition will tell the story of how the young queen transformed Buckingham Palace from a private house into a working royal residence. It is also the 50th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death so another special exhibition in the palace brings together more than 200 of the Renaissance master’s greatest drawings in the Royal Collection, forming the largest exhibition of Leonardo’s work in over 65 years.
Have a great time and feel Royal at Buckingham Palace.
UNDERBELLY FESTIVAL IN SOUTH BANK – until 29th September 2019
Enjoy a fun-packed festival of live entertainment and al-fresco eating and drinking at Underbelly Festival in South Bank. Stretching throughout the summer, the festival stages affordable circus, theatre, cabaret, comedy, music and children’s shows on the south bank of the Thames.