What's On
Summer in London
Crown to Couture at Kensington Palace until 29 October
200 fascinating objects from Beyonce to Katy Perry and Lizzo “Surely the starriest fashion exhibition London has ever seen”. Evening Standard
Featuring ball gowns to court suits and handbags to jewellery, this fashion exhibition for 2023 draws fascinating parallels between the world of today’s red carpet and the Georgian Royal Court in the 18th century. See up close Beyoncé’s look for the 2017 GRAMMY Awards, designed by Peter Dundas, and the custom Moschino chandelier-inspired outfit designed for Katy Perry and worn at the 2019 Met Gala. Other key iconic looks from recent years include Billy Porter’s ‘Sun God’ outfit, styled by Sam Ratelle and designed by The Blonds for the 2019 Met Gala, and Kendall Jenner’s shimmering Hepburn-inspired Givenchy dress worn to the 2021 event . Contrasted with these modern-day looks, don’t miss the stunning yellow mantua on loan from National Museums Scotland, the widest surviving court gown in Britain at nearly three metres, plus the exquisite Rockingham Mantua, one of several objects from Historic Royal Palaces’ Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection.
BBC Proms 14 July – 9 September
Experience one of the top music events in London, and the biggest classical music festival on the planet, with fun and affordable concerts at the Royal Albert Hall and across the city. Each year, the BBC Proms hosts two months of concerts over the summer, aiming to bring the finest classical music to as many people as possible at affordable prices and in an informal atmosphere.
Buckingham Palace summer opening 14 July – 24 September
Plan your trip to London to coincide with the annual Buckingham Palace summer opening and tour. Each summer, visitors can see how royalty lives by touring the rooms of one of the world’s most famous residences.
August Bank Holiday Weekend 25 – 28 August
Make the most of summer during the August bank holiday weekend. London is filled with festivals, street parades, live performances and lush parks so you can enjoy the great outdoors in the city.
Watch big-name cricket players take the pitch during The Hundred at Kia Oval and Lord’s Cricket Ground. Each team gets 100 balls, and the team that gets the most runs wins. The matches are family-friendly and provide a great day out for all.
Notting Hill Carnival 27 – 28 August
Groove to the beat at Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s largest street festival. Enjoy sound systems, a vibrant parade full of drum bands and sparkly costumes, street food stalls and more over the August bank holiday weekend.
Open House London 6 – 17 September
Explore buildings not usually open to the public during Open House London. Discover hidden secrets of the capital as you peek inside some of the most iconic buildings and architecturally unique spaces around the city for free.
London Fashion Week 15 – 19 September
Check out catwalk fashion from British and international designers as well as graduate showcase exhibitions at London Fashion Week’s September edition. See shows of womenswear, menswear and accessories, plus talks from leading fashion companies.
London Design Festival 16 – 24 September
Watch London turn into a giant gallery during the London Design Festival, as dynamic and innovative projects pop up across the capital. Explore a range of creative installations and join events that celebrate contemporary design.
From Moulin Rouge and The Lion King to Life of Pi and To Kill A Mockingbird, choose from all the award winning shows in London’s Theatreland. Book the best seats with an interactive seating plan for every West End venues through SeatPlan. They aggregate tickets and prices from three different suppliers to give buyers access to the best deals and widest availability across performances and price bands.