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 2019
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, 51st 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 2019.
RECOMMENDED: The definitive London events calendar
Our August 2019 highlights
The EY Exhibition: ‘Van Gogh and Britain’
The world's favourite sunflower-painted returns to London with 2019's EY exhibition at Tate Britain. A lesser-known fact about the Dutch painter is that he was a bit of an Anglophile. Admire his artworks alongside those by British artists who, in turn, owe a debt to Van Gogh.
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.
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.
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.
Alternative ways to spend the August bank holiday
It’s here – that final gasp of the season: the August bank holiday. There are bucketloads of offbeat ways to spend your three days of freedom and make those 72 hours count with our alt August bank holiday guide.
Top ten things to do this 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.
Lee Krasner: ‘Living Colour’
The wild artist brings colour to her dazzling life. They're works of pain and heartbreak: awful, heart-wrenching and brilliant paintings. See Lee Krasner in full flight.
‘Rutherford and Son’
Head to the National Theatre to see Githa Sowerby's landmark drama about a tyrannical glassmaker. Expect ravishing atmospherics and a great cast led by Roger Allam.
Frank Bowling
Get an eyeful of Frank Bowling's unique style fusing abstraction with elements of figurative art at this much-deserved major exhibition. Don't miss the opportunity to see these gorgeously-coloured artworks in all their glory.
‘On Your Feet!’
Catch this biographical jukebox musical tracing the life and times of Gloria and Emilio Estefan. Having already enjoyed a two-year-stint on Broadway, this is a night of uplifting Latino-pop and kinetic choreography.
Faith Ringgold
Pioneering artist-activist Ringgold combines storytelling and painting to stitch together narratives about black American history and the fight for equal rights. This is art for changing society, and it’s a pretty worthwhile cause.
Natalia Goncharova
In her lifetime, Russian artist Natalia Goncharova helped found avant garde modern art movements, worked with Sergei Diaghilev at the Ballet Russes and much, much more. This exhibition is overdue and should help to resurrect her reputation as a major artist you should know about.
Michael Rakowitz
See complex, politically minded art by Iraqi-American artist Michael Rakowitz. This show is full of complicated ideas, histories and perspectives.
‘Magic Mike Live’
Don't miss this spin-off from the beloved stripper comedy that made Tatum a household name, which is co-directed by the man himself (alongside choreographer Alison Faulk). It's billed as ‘a 360-degree dance and acrobatic spectacular’, which we're guessing means ‘stripping’.
Olafur Eliasson
Eliasson is back at the Tate Modern (following his famous Turbine Hall installation in 2003) with a big exhibition and an outside artwork. He's even taking over the Terrace Bar, turning it into a vegetarian canteen.
More to explore
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