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It’s August and the summer hols are in full swing. Whether you’re looking for ways to entertain the sprogs, or just planning a fun day with mates, there are plenty of activities on in London this weekend where you can enjoy the final few weeks of the summer, without having to spend a penny.
This weekend there’s a pop-up beach in Croydon, a hip hop photography exhibition at the Saatchi, and the world’s largest pride celebration for people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern descent comes to the city.
📍 The best things to do in London this weekend.
The best free things to do in London this weekend
Here are the six best free things to do in London this August 8 to 10.
Boogie to flamenco, jazz and folk music at the Summer Sounds Music Festival
It’s not often you get a free music festival in London, but King’s Cross’s Summer Sounds festival is just that. Coal Drops Yard is once again becoming the ultimate alfresco hangout this August for the 10th anniversary of its free outdoor gig series. Visitors can catch an eclectic programme of shoes encompassing everything from classical and folk music to jazz and indie rock over the eleven day festival. This weekend will see flamenco workshops on Saturday, West End stars performing showtunes from Les Misérables, Wicked, Mamma Mia and more, and a family-friendly day of jazz on Sunday, hosted by Voices Radio and Abram Wilson.
Coal Drops Yard, N1C 4AB. Aug 7- 17. Free.
Celebrate at the world’s largest pride event for people of colour
UK Black Pride is the planet’s largest gathering for LGBTQ+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern descent. It celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and around 20,000 attendees are expected to descend on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for another big party and protest. The theme for 2025 is ‘Becoming’, which is a ‘love letter to our constant transformation’. The festivities will include performers, community stall-holders, food and drink, and special workshops, with a headline performance from US soul singer Durand Bernarr, performing a DJ set as his alter-ego Bra Coley.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E20 2ST. Sun Aug 10. Free.
Discover in hip hop history at the Saatchi Gallery
Explore the world of Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z and Missy Elliott; boomboxes, turntables and iced-out chains at the new Saatchi Gallery exhibition providing an intimate look at the history of one of the last century’s biggest cultural phenomena: hip hop. Through the lens of three photographers, Jamel Shabazz, Joseph Rodriguez, and Gregory Bojorquez, it traverses East Coast, West Coast and beyond to show us the canonical moments, everyday scenes, beefs and friendships that shaped the movement we know today.
Saatchi Gallery, SW3 4RY. Until Sept 10. Free.
Catch sun and sand at the Costa del Croydon
Buckets and spades at the ready, because the rooftop of Centrale’s multi-storey car park has been filled with sand, beach huts and a water splash zone to create a massive beach in CR0 this summer. Bringing the proper spirit of the British seaside, there will also be a whole range of games on offer, including bingo, dance workshops, table tennis, hook-a-duck and mini go karts. There won’t be anywhere for swimming, so punters will have to cool off with ice-cold cocktails from the Thirst Trap mobile bar instead.
Level 3, Centrale Multi-Story Car Park, CR0 1XT. Until Aug 31. Free.
Get lost on the dancefloor at the Southbank Centre summer festival
This year the Southbank Centre’s summer programme is an ode to dancefloors – from nightclubs to Irish dance halls, to street parties – with a number of talks, free parties, gigs and workshops taking place throughout August. Free events for this weekend include a party from Deptford Northern Soul Club on Friday night, and a rollerskating workshop taking place all afternoon on Saturday with DJs, skate jams and lessons. Dance Your Way Home is curated in collaboration with Emma Warren, who wrote a book of the same name - in celebration of the type of ordinary, messy dancing we do in kitchens and bars.
Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX. Until Aug 23. Free.
Unleash your inner theatre kid at Inside Out Festival
Is your little one a budding West End performer? There’s going to be fun for the all the family, and plenty of showtunes, at a free festival taking place in Leicester Square this weekend. The two-day extravaganza will feature live performances from West End shows including The Tiger Who Came to Tea and Horrible Histories, wand combat workshops with Harry Potter wand choreographer Paul Harris, and a silent disco spinning iconic film soundtracks and West End musical classics. Visitors can also expect craft sessions, face painting, interactive games and more.
Leicester Square, WC2H 7JY. Aug 9-10. Free.
Things to do in London this August
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