July in London
Warm days and long nights with light lavender skies signify July in London, and so does the excitements and competition of Wimbledon.
July is high season in London, but you can still find an amazing deal on a flight and hotel room and spend long hours outdoors, enjoying special summertime events all across the city!
For July temperatures and suggestions about what to pack, see London Weather.
CONTINUING EVENTS
Wimbledon Tennis Championships
Through Sunday, 3 July 2011
For more information on scheduling, tickets, how to get to the courts and what to expect, see Wimbledon Tennis Championships.
Pride London
Through Sunday, 3 July 2011
The city’s largest gay festival includes two weeks’ worth of performances, films and art exhibitions. The city’s Pride Parade will be held on Saturday, 2 July; click here for more information on the Parade.
City of London Festival
Through Friday, 16 July 2011
With Oceania as its theme, this series of concerts, performances, sporting events, films and public art is held all over the square mile of the City of London. Tickets for performances can be booked by calling 0845 120 7502.
Free Range
Through Monday, 25 July 2011
The UK’s largest graduate art and design show, held at the Old Truman Brewery. Exhibition days are Friday-Monday. Admission is free.
Opera Holland Park
Through Friday, 12 August 2011
The 2011 summer season of opera is in its second month at the outdoor theatre in Holland Park. During July, catch productions of Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Puccini’s La rondine, Verdi’s Rigoletto, and Catalani’s La Wally. Tickets can be booked online.
Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition
Through Monday, 15 August 2011
The largest contemporary art exhibition in the world, bringing together work by unknown, emerging and established artists.
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Through Saturday, 10 September 2011
An annual schedule of plays performed at the outdoor stage in Regent’s Park. The second play of the season, The Beggar’s Opera, runs from 23 June – 23 July; tickets can be purchased online. The third, Pericles Re-Imagined, runs from 2 -23 July (purchase tickets here) and the fourth, Crazy for You, begins on the 28th (purchase tickets here).
BP Portrait Award
Through Sunday, 18 September 2011
In its 32nd year, this international juried exhibition encourages artists to focus on and develop portraiture in their work. Admission is free.
EVENTS
Canada Day
Friday, 1 July 2011
Held in Trafalgar Square from 10:30 am to 10pm, this day-long festival of music, food, hockey and more celebrates both Canada’s birthday and London’s Canadian community.
Wireless Festival
Friday, 1 July – Sunday, 3 July 2011
A brilliant line-up of popular musical acts from Britain and the U.S., performing over three days at multiple stages within Hyde Park. Tickets can be purchased online.
National Theatre’s Watch This Space Festival
Friday, 1 July – 11 September 2011
Free outdoor festival of theatre, circus performances, dance, music and more, held outside the National Theatre in South Bank.
London City Airport Funday
Saturday, 2 July 2011
Now in its 15th year, this privately-sponsored family event and air show will be held opposite the London City Airport runway at the Royals Business Park in Docklands. All proceeds will be donated to East London’s Richard House Children’s Hospice.
Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
Tuesday, 5 July – Sunday, 10 July 2011
One of the city’s largest garden shows, featuring rare hybrids and displays from some of the UK’s greatest landscape designers. Each adult may bring two children aged 16 and under free of charge to the show. Tickets can be purchased online.
Summer Series at Somerset House
Thursday, 7 July – Sunday, 17 July 2011
A series of concerts spanning several musical genres, performed outdoors on the plaza of Somerset House. Sign up for the Series’ newsletter for priority booking and schedules.
British 10K London Run
Sunday, 10 July 2011
The popular race (which benefits hundreds of charities) starts at 9:35am on Piccadilly at Hyde Park Corner, wending its way through the city to the finish line, just north of the Cenotaph at the junction of Royal Horseguards Arch and Banqueting House.
The Doggett Coat and Badge Race
Friday, 15 July 2011
The oldest rowing race in the world (2011 will be its 297th year), six watermen race on the Thames between London Bridge and Cadogan Pier in Chelsea. The prize is a red coat with a silver badge.
Lovebox Festival
Friday, 15 July – Sunday, 17 July 2011
An outdoor cross-genre music festival held on the grounds of Victoria Park in East London, highlighting hip hop and electronica. Tickets can be purchased online.
BBC Proms
Friday, 15 July – Saturday, 10 September 2011
One of the world’s greatest festivals of classical music, held at the Royal Albert Hall. After season details are announced on 14 April, tickets can be purchased online.
The Chap Olympiad
Saturday, 16 July 2011
A serious contender for the most hilarious, eccentric annual competition in London. Held at Bedford Square Gardens, participants are asked to wear vintage 1930s attire and compete (or cheat) in themed sporting events. There will be live music and refreshments. Tickets can be purchased online.
Ben and Jerry’s Nuts About Fairtrade Sundae
Saturday, 23 July – Sunday, 24 July 2011
Outdoor music (and ice cream) festival held at Clapham Common in South London. The lineup has not yet been announced, but soon, tickets can be purchased online.
V & A Summer Camp
Friday, 30 July & Saturday, 31 July 2011
Held at the Victoria & Albert Museum in South Kensington, this inaugural two-day camp for adults celebrates design and creativity. Participants can learn how to make and repair all sorts of things, as well as swap skills and learn new hobbies. There will be folk music and dancing, a bar, and a sleepover at the museum.
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Photo credit: Tristram Biggs