This post shares the best things to do during the summer holidays in London. It highlights the top attractions, events, sights, musicals, plays and more taking place over the summer school holidays in London in 2026.
In the words of the inimitable Alice Cooper, “school’s out for summer” and, as we wave goodbye to another school year, it’s time to start planning your summer holidays in London. As always, London has a jam-packed calendar of events aimed at families from 0 to 18!
In 2026, the school holidays typically run from 21 July to 1 September although term dates do differ with some local schools finishing earlier around 17 July. Private schools tend to finish in early July.
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In addition to the events listed below we have lots of ideas on how to make the most of your summer holidays in London including the best splash parks and lidos for keeping cool and our family’s favourite places for ice cream (Udderlicious is probably my all time favourite).
If you feel like you need a break from the city then these are some of the best beaches near London that you can reach by train.
The best things to do during the summer holidays in London
Table of Contents
I love London during the summer time. This is when the city really comes to life and everywhere is busy, from the parks and playgrounds to the shops and pubs. Of course the downside is that the London Underground can feel unbearably hot during summer months but personally, I think a hot tube ride is a small price to pay for enjoying London in the summer sun.
The following are our pick of the best things to do during the summer holidays in London from workshops and shows to festivals and dinosaurs…and more!
Museum Exhibitions & Experiences in London
The best of London’s museums and experiences this summer for families.
The State Rooms at Buckingham Palace
Every summer Buckingham Palace opens its gates for 10 weeks, welcoming visitors to tour the magnificent State Rooms including the Throne Room, the Ballroom and the White Drawing Room. Whether or not you’ll see a member of the Royal Family on your tour is another matter…
Buckingham Palace will be open from 9 July to 27 September
Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs
Go inside scenes from seasons one and two of Apple TV+’s Prehistoric Planet series this summer at Lightroom in Kings Cross and be surrounded by 360-degree visuals of dinosaurs. This immersive experience is the only way to find out what planet Earth was like 66 million years ago.
Prehistoric Planet returns on 18 July.
The Big Dig at London Museum Docklands
Become and archaeologist for the day at the London Museum Docklands when you join their Big Dig. Dive into 2,000 years of London’s history when you dig down through the centuries to discover real objects that were made and used centuries ago.
Maybe you’ll find the foundations of Tudor home or evidence of life on this site before London even existed. Real life archaeologists are on hand to explain exactly what the job really involves.
Boleyn is Back at the Tower of London
Queen Anne Boleyn is coming back to the Tower of London this summer holiday and everyone is busy getting ready for her long-awaited Coronation Day. Learn all about life in Tudor England while workers buzz about getting the Tower ready. They need help, however, so you may be called upon to get involved.
You will also have the chance to meet the new Queen, she will be on the South Lawn accompanied by two of her closest courtiers.
Boleyn is Back runs from 25 July to 14 August and is included in the palace admission.
Electric Pioneers at the London Transport Museum
Get ready for a sparky summer at the London Transport Museum who are exploring all the many electrical innovations that have kept London moving for over 100 years, from the world’s first electric underground railway in 1890 to the 125th anniversary of electric trans in London.
Plus, you can get hands-on with a number of fun crafts from making your own traffic light to coding a mini railway. Costumed characters will be roaming the museum telling tales of travelling on the first electric railway.
Electric Pioneers runs from 21 July until 31 August with different activities taking place on different dates. Check the website for details.
Scream through the Summer at the London Dungeon
Meet Jack the Ripper, torturer Mrs Lovett and the Plague Doctor when you step out of the sunshine and into the dark embrace of the London Dungeon.
Immersive sets, live actors and spine-tinging thrills bring London’s dark side to life…for those who date to enter!
First Year at Hogwarts at Warner Bros Studio Tour
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 25 years since Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published and this summer Warner Bros Studio Tour are celebrating with a brand new feature.
The new First Year at Hogwarts event includes original props from the first film including the Golden Snitch and the Hogwarts Express. The Great Hall is decorated with Gryffindor house banners and floating hats suspended above the long tables, celebrating the moment when Gryffindor wins the House Cup during the first-year End of Term Feast.
Also new is the Secrets of Sound Effects show where you can learn how sound effects help bring the magic to life on screen.
First Year at Hogwarts runs throughout the summer holidays until 7 September.
Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends at the Young V&A
Shaun the Sheep fans should make a beeline for the Young V&A over the summer holidays London and their exhibition dedicated to Aardman Animation. Held to celebrate the animation studio’s 50th anniversary year, this family-friendly exhibit peeks behind the scenes of everyone’s favourite stop-motion animations to find out how the clever folk at Aardman bring clay to life.
Inside Aardman runs until 15 November 2026
Horrible Science at ZSL London Zoo
ZSL London Zoo is a firm favourite with kids on family visits to London and this summer they can step into a Horrible Science adventure!
Step into a world of weird, wild and wonderful science this summer with hands-on discoveries, wacky science shows, a gruesome and genius trail and more!
Horrible Science runs from 18 July to 2 September and all science-fuelled fun is included in zoo admission.
Summer Holiday Fun at Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is hosting a series of drop-in family events over the course of the summer holidays.
On Saturday 11 July you can make your very own pop-up card of Tower Bridge; celebrate the 50th anniversary of the bridge switching from steam power to electricity on Tuesday 21 and 28 July and learn how simple circuits work; find out what static electricity is when you make an origami fishing boat on Tuesday 4 and Saturday 8 August; understand how traffic lights work and why they’re important for the bridge on Tuesday 11 and 18 August; and make a simple electric motor on Tuesday 25 August.
All workshops take place between 10am and 4pm and are included in museum admission.
Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep at the Natural History Museum
This exhibition at the Natural History Museum explores the legends of Earth’s prehistoric oceans. Meet the gnarly-toothed pliosaur, come face-to-face with the speedy ichthyosaurs and discover the T.Rex of the sea, the fearsome mosasaur.
The summer holidays is a great time to visit this exhibition but Monsters of the Deep runs until January so you have plenty of time to enjoy it.
Wes Anderson: The Archives at the Design Museum
This fantastic exhibition closes on 16 August so make sure you visit before then. The retrospective exhibition is devoted to the Wes Anderson’s distinctive cinematic output. Produced in collaboration with la Cinémathèque française, the Design Museum has been granted unprecedented access to Wes Anderson’s personal archives from the last three decades.
Summer fun at the National Maritime Museum
Head to the National Maritime Museum this summer for a series of fun family events themed around the wonders of the ocean. Activities include storytelling, craft workshops and interactive fun.
Events are free and there’s no need to book in advance. Most activities are suitable for all ages, although a few sessions are primarily designed for under 5s.
Acitivites take place daily except for Mondays from 19 July to 30 August.
Meet the crew of the Cutty Sark
Set sail on board the Cutty Sark this summer and discover the stories behind what was once the world’s fastest tea clipper – that’s a very fast ship to you and me.
School holidays and weekends are the best time to visit because that’s when characters from the Cutty Sark’s sailing heyday are on board to help you learn more about this famous ship. Meet the captain, chat with the cook and learn all about how Jock Willis built the Cutty Sark.
Other ship shape activities are also scheduled for the summer holidays in London including storytelling, sea shanty singers, ship-themed craft sessions and more. See more details here.
Coding Cats on board HMS Belfast
You can enjoy more nautical fun on board HMS Belfast this summer who are hosting a series of fun family events including Coding Cats. Cats were often kept on board to help rid ships of unwelcome rodents. However, the cat crew have taken a break this summer to send you a message in Morse Code about another task they did on board.
See if you can seek out all 8 Coding Cats and if you can decode the message.
Other fun activities include making your very own Morse Code transmitter and creating and decorating your own plaster ship’s crest or seahorse.
All activities are free, drop-in and are perfect for children aged 5 – 12. They take place over the summer holidays from 17 July to 25 September.
Top tip! Combine a trip to HMS Belfast with lunch at nearby Borough Market.
The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration
The world’s largest space for illustration opened in June in Clerkenwell. Named after Quentin Blake, who illustrated the majority of Roald Dahl’s children’s books, the centre has been two decades in the making and is now finally open.
The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration has three exhibition galleries, a free public library, landscaped gardens a cafe, shop and community spaces.
Family trails at the Imperial War Museum
The IWM is holding a number of free events for kids to enjoy during the summer holidays in London.
The popular Story Seekers events return during the holidays and a great way for families to learn more about the museum galleries following a Story Seekers trail. From survival at sea to astonishing acts of bravery, these family-friendly trails provide the perfect opportunity to learn about the people behind the objects.
Also taking place is the Amazing Aircraft Top Trumps Trail, where children can search for amazing hidden aircraft across the museum. Another option is the Beauty and Destruction: Stamp Trail, that tells the story of the city’s changes during the Second World War through the eyes of artists.
Taking place on a handful of dates is the museums We Where There event when real-life veterans and eyewitnesses to war share their personal stories. Check the website for all details and dates.
Wonderlab at the Science Museum
One of the best places to go for a day out that is both engaging and educational is Wonderlab at the Science Museum. Here, kids can get hands on with science experiments, play interactive games, watch lively presentations about fire, electricity, rockets and more.
Summer Fun at the Discover Children’s Story Centre
Head to the Discover Children’s Story Centre this summer who are hosting a series of fun family events. There’s a new Story World trail and a sensory story space for babies and toddlers. Other events taking place include workshops with authors such as Dapo Adeola and Rob Biddulph and storytelling session. You can see the full summer line-up here.
Voyage to the Deep – Underwater Adventures at the Horniman Museum
Inspired by Jules Verne’s novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas, the Horniman Museum invites families to board the legendary Nautilus submarine and dive into an extraordinary underwater adventure. Meet incredible sea creatures, explore uncharted waters and discover hidden wonders of life beneath the waves.
Voyage to the Deep runs until 1 November 2026.
Ramses & The Gold of The Pharaohs at Battersea Power Station
Step into the world of Ramses II, one of Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs at the Battersea Power Station. It’s an ambitious new exhibition that combines 180 ancient artefacts (think gold treasure, statues and royal relics) with immersive storytelling galleries and multimedia elements.
The exhibition takes place at NEON at Battersea Power Station.
Bubble Explorers at the Science Museum
A fun new show is taking place at the Science Museum themed around the wonderful world of bubbles. During this 30-minute live family show you will learn all about bubbles including their shapes, how to make your own bubble mixture and discovering if a person really can fit inside a bubble.
Bubble Explorer show times vary so make sure you check the website. It’s recommended for children aged 7 and under.
Events and Days Out
Enjoy the following events and activities during the summer holidays in London.
Horrible Histories Live at the Museum
Experience the Awesome Egyptians like never before this summer at Battersea Power Station. The team behind Horrible Histories are taking to the stage at Ramses & The Pharaoh’s Gold: The Exhibition to share the foul facts of death and decay with the meanest mummies in Egypt. The Terrible Tours begins on 27 July and will run for six weeks. Book tickets here.
Henry VII’s Joust at Hampton Court Palace
Travel back to 1526 this summer at Hampton Court Palace and enjoy the pomp and pageantry of a Tudor jousting tournament. Taking place across two weekends, 11-12 and 18-19 July, rival knights will take to the lists and clash on horseback in a bid to impress King Henry himself.
Beano Havoc at Hampton Court Palace
Also taking place at Hampton Court Palace this summer is Beano Havoc. Once the royal knights have headed home, Dennis and his pals will set up home for a ‘blam-tastic’ summer.
Not that they really want to be there and King Henry is certainly not happy. The gang have crashed their Time Machine into the fortress and they need help finding all the pieces so they can repair their go-kart and fly back to Beanotown.
Beano Havoc runs from 25 July to 23 August.
See the sights on the Tower of London River Tour
The UK’s first electric tour boat is one of the best ways to see London’s sights! This summer, climb on board the Silver Raven and set sail on a 40-minute round-trip cruise along the River Thames. In addition to seeing some of the city’s most iconic sights, including the Tower of London, the London Eye and the Palace of Westminster, you’ll learn lots of fun facts too. This is the perfect morning or afternoon out for families.
School Holiday Karaoke Fun
Get ready to sing your heart out during the summer holidays in London at Lucky Voice Karaoke.
With five venues across London (Soho, Holborn, Islington, Liverpool Street and Waterloo) and rooms that can accommodate up to 30 people, karaoke is a fun way to spend a rainy day in London – or to escape the heat on a summer’s day! We’ve did this recently for a family birthday and everyone loved it.
Additional family-friendly slots are available over the school holidays from Sunday to Wednesday (selected venues).
Summer Splash At the Docks
London has no shortage of splash parks and lidos but one of the best opens only during the summer holidays. Summer Splash returns from 24 July to 16 August, a free lido on the Dock complete with lifeguards, sandpits, deckchairs, kids’ lessons and DJs when the sun goes down.
This is a really fun way to cool down during the summer holidays in London but it’s not open fo every long so make sure you don’t miss it!
Take a Ride on Rocket Rebel
Thames Rockets run tours along the River Thames all year round but summer really is the perfect time to hop on board one of their tomato red speedboats for a tour of London’s most iconic landmarks.
Their newest boat, the Rocket Rebel, is a revolutionary lightweight aluminium craft in bright red that can seat 26 and is London’s fastest ever sightseeing speedboat.
The tours depart from beneath the London Eye and, during the first stretch of the river when the speed is limited to 12 knots, a guide shares fascinating facts, fun anecdotes and the occasional piece of hearsay (does a music mogul really own a luxury riverside penthouse complete with a snow room?!).
But it’s the second part of the tour that really is the most fun. Once the boats reach the ‘no speed limit zone’ near Canary Wharf then the skipper can let loose, pushing the boats to their top speed accompanied by a high-energy medley of music. It’s fun for the whole family and a great way to spend a summer’s afternoon on the river.
Family Activities at the Chelsea Physic Garden
There are a number of family activities taking place at the Chelsea Physic Garden over the summer holidays in London including a chocolate making workshop, a soap making workshops, building a bug habitat and more.
Check the website for dates and to book.
House of Dreamers
The latest social media-friendly immersive experience to hit London is the House of Dreamers. Built, apparently, around “the emotional and motivational power of dreams” this experience includes 16 interactive rooms filled with candy-coloured installations designed to stand out on TikTok. Teens and tweens will love it.
House of Dreamers takes place at Immerse LDN at Excel.
Family Workshops at The Globe Theatre
Have fun at one of the family workshops taking place this summer at the Globe Theatre. Aimed at children aged 5-8, A World Elsewhere explores the power of imagination, friendship and fearless creativity through interactive games and storytelling activities. A second workshop is being held for children aged 9-11.
A handful of shows are also being held this summer the Globe including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, Love’s Labour’s Lost and As You Like It.
Head to an Outdoor Cinema
London is a great place to be during the summer months for so many reasons, not least the numerous pop up cinemas that appear. Not all outdoor cinemas in London have family-friendly films on show, however, so we’ve picked our favourites here. Book a ticket and keep your fingers crossed for good weather.
Everyman on the Canal
Everyman Cinema is showing a free film festival on the banks of Regent’s Canal in Granary Square, Kings Cross. Films run throughout the day and every evening. Seats are on the grassy steps and are staggered to ensure everyone can see the screen.
Everyman on the Canal runs until 16 August. It is a non-ticketed event so make sure you arrive early!
Rooftop Film Club London 2026: Peckham and Stratford
Screening everything from Crazy, Stupid Love, The Parent Trap and The Princess Diaries, the Rooftop Film Club delivers a clever mix of cult classics, new releases and family favourites. Both venues offer an LED screen, so films can be shown during the day which is great if you have young kids in tow.
Summer by the River 2026
Annual open-air festival Summer By The River returns to London Bridge City (near Tower Bridge) with occasional free film screenings and most of them are family-friendly.
Among the films being screened this year are Cars, Wicked Sing-Along, Karate Kid, Bend it Like Beckham and more. Entry is free and on a first-come, first-served basis.
Discovery Days at Hyde Park
This summer families are welcome to join the team at the Hyde Park Learning Centre for two weeks of themed outdoor activities and storytelling sessions taking place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
During Habitat Explorers, kids can enjoy pond dipping, go mini beast hunting under logs and meet go meadow sweeping to meet the minibeasts that live there. In the Peter Pan-themed week, kids are invited to take part in a pirate orienteering challenge, to build a home for elves and fairies, to craft a nest boat and see if it will float and more.
Activities are free but you should register in advance. All activities take place between 11am and 3pm.
- Habitat Explorers: 11 – 13 August
- Peter Pan Discovery Days: 18 – 20 August
Festivals & Days Out
Circus Works at Woolwich Works
A week-long circus festival with performances, workshops and family events takes place this August at Woolwich Works. Running from 10 to 16 August, the festival includes juggling, hula hooping and plate spinning workshops led by professional circus artists, as well as performances and shows. And the fun is not just for kids, there are also adult circus workshops taking place on 16 August.
Workshops and performances all require separate booking.
Kaleidoscope Festival at Ally Pally
There are lots of music festivals taking place this summer but one of our favourites for families is the Kaleidoscope Festival. Taking place on Saturday 11 July in Alexandra Palace, North London, the all-day festival promises bands including Rudimental, Groove Armada, Roni Size, and The Amy Winehouse Band among others.
Young V&A Summer Festival
Head to the Young V&A on Saturday 4 July for a programme of free, family-friendly creative activities, craft workshops, films, and pop-up performances. As well as being a celebration of families and summer, this event marks three years since the museum opened.
Dragonfly Festival at the London Wetland Centre
The Dragonfly Festival is back at the London Wetland Centre this summer starting on 18 July and running until 31 August. The summer-long festival will feature plenty of dragonfly-themed activities to enjoy, from a dragonfly foot safari and macro photography exhibition, to chalk art and mini beast hunting and more.
Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF)
London’s leading festival of FREE outdoor theatre and performing arts is back with a bang bringing colour, lights, entertainment and pure fun to the Docklands. More than 35 events will take place over the 17 day festival, the theme of which is “Move”.
The festival takes place across various venues and runs this year from 21 August to 6 September. See more details here.
Notting Hill Carnival
Dust off your sequins and feathers, Notting Hill Carnival is back. The carnival takes over west London for three days in August with plenty of fun and festivities. If you’re planning to visit the festival with kids then bookmark Sunday 30 August, which is when the Children’s Carnival takes place with a children’s parade.
Notting Hill Carnival 2026 takes place from Sunday 29 to Monday 31 August.
Summer at Battersea Power Station
Other events taking place at Battersea Power Station this summer in London include cupcake decorating sessions at the Hummingbird Bakery. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 20 July until 30 August you have the chance to roll up your sleeves and take part in the Peppa Pig Cupcake Decorating Sessions. Pre-booking is essential.
Opening on 29 July and running through the month of August is Electric Summer, a nostalgia-inspired summer boardwalk featuring a Big Wheel, Dodgems, a roller rink and more.
Wild Westminster Family Day
Step inside the walled garden of Westminster Abbey, an amazing hidden garden in the heart of central London. Taking place on Thursday 23 July, the family day out celebrates the best of London with experts from London Zoo, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and other famous attraction to explore the stories behind the city’s legendary landmarks.
The event is free but you do need to book a ticket in order to attend. Tickets are released on 13 July.
Children’s Puppet Festival at Little Angel Theatre
Returning for a fourth year is the award-winning Children’s Puppet Festival at the Little Angel Theatre. From 28 July until 30 August you can enjoy a number of family-friendly puppet productions including the world premiere of a new production of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. I’m most excited about Puffling Percy, about a baby puffin with a fear of flying. See the website for dates and details.
Family festival of Caribbean Culture at the London Museum Docklands
Taking place on August 21 and 22 is a free family festival celebrating London’s Caribbean culture. In addition to an interactive play space for under 5s there will be dance performances and workshops, and craft workshops centred around Caribbean food and flowers.
Shows & Plays
Family-friendly theatre taking place in London during the summer holidays.
Theatre on Kew
Kew Gardens programme of outdoor theatre returns this summer. Perfect for families are the daytime productions The Wind in the Willows and Jack and the Beanstalk. Teens might enjoy the evening production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. For times, dates and tickets for Theatre on Kew take a look at their website.
Barmy Britain – The Best Bits! at the Apollo Theatre
Embark on a riotous romp through Britain’s barmy history this summer courtesy with a day at the London theatre watching Barmy Britain.
Based on the bestselling Horrible Histories books by Terry Deary this show celebrates the best bits of Britain’s history, from Boudicca’s battles to the notorious Nightsoil Men.
Barmy Britain runs from 30 July to 31 August at the Apollo Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue in London’s west end.
Anansi the Spider at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park
Watch as Anansi the Spider is brought to life this summer in one of London’s most unique theatres. Taking place at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park from 15 August until 6 September, this tale of the wily spider who uses his cunning, creativity and wit to outsmart larger, more powerful opponents is a sure crowd-pleaser.
Performances at the Polka Theatre
Perfect for children aged 6-12 is, Arthur, a fun adaptation of the Arthurian legend. Arthur runs from 2 July until 9 August.
Younger children aged 3-7 years will enjoy There’s a Tiger in the Garden, a theatrical adaptation of the prize-winning book by Lizzy Stewart. The show plays from 8 July until 9 August.
For tiny tots aged 6 – 18 months there’s Blub, an underwater adventure brought to life with light, music and movement. Blub plays for 10 days from 13 August to 23 August. See more details here.
The Polka Theatre is also hosting a number of summer workshops including youth theatre and puppet workshops.
Zog at Cadogan Hall
See everyone’s favourite dragon live on stage at Cadogan Hall this summer. Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s feel-good story is brought to life in this musical, which will play from 2 to 23 August.
Alice in Wonderland at Riverside Studios & Soho Theatre
Fall down the rabbit hole this summer with this imaginative retelling of Lewis Carroll’s much-loved children’s tale. This new adaptation of Alice in Wonderland will take place at the Riverside Studios from 16 July to 2 August and at the Soho Theatre in Walthamstow from 5 to 16 August.
Brainiac Live
The Olivier Award-winning show, Brainiac, returns to the stage this summer with even more mischief, mayhem and madcap science fun. Brainiac will take to the stage at Garrick Theatre from 26 July to 30 August.
Active Summer Adventures
Keep the kids busy this summer with one of these fun active adventures.
Minigolf by Craig & Karl at Canary Wharf
Head down to Canary Wharf during the summer holidays for a round of 9-hole minigolf on the most colourful course in London. Designed by artists Craig Redman and Karl Maier, this free course has been designed for all ages and skill levels and is open daily from 12pm to 6pm until 27 September.
Pétanque at King’s Cross
Grab your boules and play a game of pétanque this summer at King’s Cross. Until 30 September, two 15-metre pétanque courts will be located in Pancras Square and are free to use.
London Splash Parks
Keep the kids cool and busy during the hot summer holidays in London at one of London’s many splash parks. There are lots to choose from but some of our favourites include Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms on the Riverside Terrace outside Royal Festival Hall and the Granary Square Fountains at King’s Cross.
Wild Swing Mini Golf at Greenwich Peninsula
Lodged in the Canteen Courtyard next to the NOW Gallery in Greenwich Peninsula is this colourful mini golf course inspired by the native blooms of the Greenwich marshes.
The golf course is open daily from 11am to 9pm daily. Tickets are £3 per person.
