10 London Events You Shouldn’t Miss This Summer

As the weather in London heats up, so does the city’s events calendar. With so much to choose from it can be hard to know where to begin; that’s why we’ve put together a handy list of 10 unmissable events that are coming to the capital this summer.

All you need to do is pack your sunscreen and book your Addison Lee – we’ve got you covered.

1. Wimbledon

Whether you’re a tennis fanatic or just in it for the strawberries and Pimms, Wimbledon is one of the biggest sporting events in the London calendar. This year the world’s oldest tennis tournament runs from Monday July 2^nd to Sunday July 15^th, with the Women’s and Men’s finals taking place on the 14^th and 15^th respectively.

If you can’t get hold of the highly coveted courtside tickets, there are still plenty of options for catching the action: the Murray Mound shows matches live on a big screen overlooking Wimbledon Park, and similar big screens pop up all over the city during the tournament.

2. Pride in London

July is also the month of London’s biggest and most fabulous party: Pride in London, which Addison Lee is proudly partnering with again this year. The parade is to be held on the 7^th of July, and will travel from Portland Place down to Trafalgar Square, where it culminates in a lively party with theatre performances, music and more. For everything you need to know about where to be and what to see at this year’s parade, check out Addison Lee’s handy Guide to Pride.

3. The Lambeth Country Show

The wildly popular Lambeth Country Show will return to Brockwell Park on the 21^st and 22^nd of July. Featuring everything from horticultural shows, sheep and owl displays, live music, food stalls, craft stalls and bouncy castles, it is one of the biggest family festivals in the UK – and it’s completely free! The event is very popular with local residents and visitors alike, so you’re advised to arrive early to avoid queues.

4. Lovebox

Lovebox Festival returns to London on the 13^th and 14^th of July – although this time heading west to Gunnersbury Park rather than its usual East London spot in Victoria Park. Featuring headliners that include Skepta and the Wu-Tang Clan, as well as SZA, Childish Gambino, Bonobo and Motor City Drum Ensemble, it looks to be one of the most promising line-ups of the summer.

5. Buckingham Palace Summer Opening

For around two months every summer, Buckingham Palace opens its doors and invites the general public inside for a look at what goes on there. Visitors who attend the State Rooms summer opening are able to see inside the 19 rooms where the Royal family host important guests and delegates, including the throne room. This year the rooms are open from the 21^st July – 30^th September.

6. Notting Hill Carnival

No August bank holiday weekend is complete without London’s famously raucous (and hotly-anticipated) Notting Hill Carnival. For three days, the streets of West London are flooded with dancers, drummers, musicians, sound systems and an unrivalled carnival atmosphere. This year’s dates are the 26^th and 27^th of August – remember that public transport can be disrupted due to the enormous crowds that head to carnival, so it’s wise to plan ahead.

7. StrEATlife

Alexandra Palace’s festival of street food and craft beer returns for several weekends this summer (26^th – 27^th May, 23^rd – 24^th June, 28^th – 29^th July, 18^th August). Featuring a dizzying array of delicious food stalls as well as live music and a line-up that includes Frank Turner and Foals, it’s the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon.

8. Zip Wire

The world’s longest inner-city zip line is coming to London, setting up shop in a prime location on South Bank until September the 9th. This means that you can enjoy views over Parliament, the Thames and the London Eye as you glide along its 225 metre length – be sure to bring your friends, as it can seat up to three people at a time!

9. BBC Proms

BBC Proms is the world’s largest classical music festival, boasting the most diverse line-up you’re likely to find anywhere in the genre. Running from the 13^th July to the 8^th September and featuring a number of free and family events alongside their larger concerts, tickets are available on the BBC Proms website.

10. Totally Thames

The weather may begin to cool down around September, but London’s Totally Thames – a month long festival on the river – ensures that the summer atmosphere continues unabated. Celebrating the Thames through a number of different talks, installations, exhibitions and more, the festival is a laidback, family friendly affair with a number of free events included.