August events in London
Prepare yourself for a spectacular month with our selection of the best events, exhibitions and things to do in London during August 2020
August in London is teeming with fantastic events, cultural happenings and things to do. Take advantage of the sunny weather (fingers crossed) by heading out into London’s great outdoors, eating alfresco at one of London's best rooftop restaurants and sinking a cocktail or two at one of these bars with a view. 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. August in London is also the month of the summer bank holiday, Meltdown Festival - curated by Nile Rodgers this year - South West Four Festival, Cocktails in the City, London Craft Beer Festival, 52nd State Festival and Buckingham Palace’s Summer Opening. Here’s your guide to the best pop-ups, parties, events and things to do in August in London 2020.
RECOMMENDED: The definitive London events calendar
Our August 2020 highlights
Notting Hill Carnival guide
Given that an estimated two million people attended last year, Notting Hill Carnival totally deserves its reputation as Europe’s biggest street festival. The annual event is a vivid and thrilling spectacle that celebrates and showcases London’s rich, varied and magnificent multicultural past and present.
‘The Prince of Egypt’
Stephen Schwartz is dusting the Egyptian sands from his 1998 Dreamworks movie, for a musical about the old testament epic centring on Moses. Schwartz has dreamt up 10 new numbers for this stage version, which will sit alongside the movie's songs including chart-topper 'When You Believe'.
‘Local Hero’
The Old Vic’s has hooked up with Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum Theatre for this stage adaptation of the classic 1983 Scottish comedy about a Texan oil executive who gets far more than he bargained for when he tries to buy up an entire Scottish village.
‘Singin' in the Rain’
Brollies at the ready: musical comedy gem ‘Singin' in the Rain’ is coming to Sadler's Wells for a limited five-week stint in Summer 2020. It's not a venue that typically hosts musicals but this show's fiendishly elaborate, rain-soaked tap routines mean it'll fit right in.
‘Hamlet’
Shakespeare’s masterpiece is always around in some form of other and now Cush Jumbo follows in the footsteps of her ‘The Good Fight’ co-star Michael Sheen to star as the Bard’s doomed Danish prince at the Young Vic.
‘Sunday in the Park with George’
Jake Gyllenhaal treads the London boards, reprising his lead role in this recent Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s brilliant 1984 musical.
Outdoor cinema in London
On a balmy London evening, nothing beats watching a movie under the stars. Whether you want to shriek-along to ‘The Shining’ in a graveyard or catch a romcom in a gorgeous Royal Park or palace, add these events to your fair-weather bucket list.
Summer holidays in London
Six weeks is a long time to keep anyone entertained, let alone your toughest critics. Don't panic though, we've got this year's school summer holidays totally sorted.
The BBC Proms
Move over, Glastonbury: the world’s biggest music festival is coming to town. The BBC Proms 2018 takes place at the Royal Albert Hall, which has hosted the series of classical concerts since 1941 and every year you can expect to see the world’s greatest orchestras and classical performers come to London. Get it in your diary.
Pick your own fruit and veg
Spend a day out on a pick-your-own farm in (or near) London this back holiday weekend. Whether you want to pluck summer-ripe berries, leafy greens and root veg or gather autumnal apples, pumpkins and squashes, these farms all have acres of PYO fields to keep you busy. Strawberries are getting harder to find, but there’s still plenty of apples and blackberries to fill your punnet. Remember, always call your chosen farm ahead of your visit to check what’s ripe for picking.
August bank holiday
Make the most out of the last – and longest – weekend in August. You’ve gained a day off work, so make it count.