August – the time for alfresco drinking in pop-up bars and pub gardens

What a hot month July was… let’s hope August is just as hot (although perhaps with more air conditioning would be nice). Thankfully, this month there are lots of alfresco festivals and events, which is where most of us want to be, not cooped up in a stuffy building.

• 27 July – 24 August : Camden Beach

The ‘beach’ returns to Camden again this year, with 150 tonnes of sand, deckchairs, ping pong, BBQ and live music. Located in the grounds of the Roundhouse. Free. Open 12-11pm every day except 31 July, 6 and 21 August. Nearest tube: Chalk Farm. For more information, visit the Camden Beach website.

• 29 July – 25 August : Camden Fringe

The Camden Fringe returns for its eighth year, bringing over 180 productions to 17 venues across the borough of Camden, including Camden People’s Theatre, Canal Café Theatre (read Metro Girl’s review on the adjoining pub The Bridge House) and the London Jewish Cultural Centre. For more information and tickets, visit the Camden Fringe website.

• 3 – 4 August : Ride London

Festival of cycling including an eight mile traffic free route through the capital and Grand Prix route. Will also include an attempt to break the world record for the longest single line of bikes. If you register in advance, you will get a free goodie bag. For more information, road closures and routes, visit the Prudential RideLondon website.

• 3 – 4 August : Kenwood Summer Garden Fete

A 1920s garden fete featuring horse and cart rides, Charleston dance work shops, art deco vintage stalls, afternoon tea in the flower garden, a rag time band, art and dog contest. Free entry. 11am-5pm. Kenwood House, Hampstead Lane, NW3 7JR. Nearest tube: Archway or Hampstead Heath (overground). For more information, visit the English Heritage website.

• 3 – 4 August : Africa Centre Summer Festival

Weekend of African music, fashion, dance, food, performances and film in and around Covent Garden Piazza. Free. 12-10pm. Nearest tube: Covent Garden, Charing Cross or Embankment. For more information, visit the Africa Centre website.

• 4 August : Brixton Splash

Free community street festival taking over various streets in Brixton, featuring live music, poetry, art exhibitions, street theatre, crafts, children’s activities, food and sound systems. Free. Nearest tube/train: Brixton. For more information, visit the Brixton Splash website.

• 7 August onwards : More London Free Festival

The More London Free Festival returns to The Scoop every Wednesday through to Sunday through August. Featuring theatre, music, and other events for free, just bring a cushion and sit down. You can bring your own food and drink, but now glass. Performances include Prince of Thebes and Oedipus and Antigone. The Scoop (on the riverside walk), Queen’s Walk, SE1 2DB. Nearest tube: London Bridge. For more information, visit the More London website.

• 8 – 18 August : Shuffle Festival

Ten day film and arts festival curated by Danny Boyle at St Clement’s Social Club in Mile End. Featuring live music, food and drink and film screenings. Day Of The Mind fete takes place on Sunday 11 August from 11am. St Clement’s Social Club, Mile End Road, E3 4LH. Nearest tube; Mile End or Bow. For more information and tickets, visit the Shuffle website.

• 10 August : Homelanz

A festival celebrating the best of the Southern Hemisphere, so perfect for all those South African, Kiwi and Aussie ex-pats. Featuring music, entertainment, culture, food and drink, silent disco, and a kids zone. Music from Blue King Brown, Tahuna Breaks, What Now, Ngati Ranana, Bowie Jane and more. Tickets £30. Boston Manor Park, Boston Manor Road, Brentford, Middx, TW8 9JX. Nearest tube: Boston Manor. For more information and tickets, visit the Homelanz website.

• 10 – 11 August : Holi Festival Of Colours

Two day festival inspired by the original Holi Festival in India. People are invited to paint themselves and throw colourful powder in the air to ‘express freedom and colour their everyday life’. Entertainment over the weekend includes Oliver Koletzki, Lexy & St Paul, Kele (Blocc Party), Juan Sachez and Bombay Boogie System. Tickets start from £34.70. 12-10pm. Battersea Power Station, 188 Kirtling St, SW8 5BN. Nearest train station: Battersea Park or Queenstown Road. For tickets and to find out more, visit the Holi Festival website.

Battersea Power Station will play host to the Holi Festival of Colours

• 11 August : Carnaval Del Pueblo

A celebration of Latin culture, including entertainment, activities, food and drink. Tickets £10 for adults, £5 for teens, free for children. Coronet, Elephant Rd, Elephant and Castle, SE17 1LB. Nearest tube/train: Elephant & Castle. For more information, visit the Carnaval Del Pueblo website.

• 13 – 17 August : Great British Beer Festival

Up to 800 real ales, ciders, perries and foreign beers with be available to try, while there will also be plenty of entertainment and food. Tickets start from £8. Kensington Olympia, Hammersmith Road, W14 8UX. Nearest tube: Olympia. For more information and tickets, visit the Great British Beer Festival website.

• 15 August : Rentokil Pop-Up ‘Pestaurant’

Only for those who can stomach it… to celebrate 85 years in the pest control business, Rentokil will be opening a one-day only restaurant at One New Change serving exotic cuisine, including  sweet chilli pigeon burgers and edible insects. Open from 10.30am onwards. One New Change shopping centre, 1 New Change, EC4M 9AF. Nearest tube: St Paul’s. For more information, visit the One New Change website.

• 16 – 18 August : Feast at Battersea Park

A new event inviting London’s foodies to join ‘an exclusive picnic extravaganza featuring the UK’s largest selection of restaurant, street and artisan food’ in Battersea Park. Featuring pop-up restaurants from Boqueria, Supper Club, Mazi and Mango Tree, a pop-up beach and vineyard where you can learn about wine. Entertainment from a mix of Jazz, Folk, Motown/Soul, Acoustic artists and bands. 11am-9pm. Tickets £22 (£18 concs). Nearest train: Battersea Park or Queenstown Road Battersea. For more information and tickets, visit the Foodies Festival website.

• 16 – 18 August : Canary Wharf Jazz Festival

Let’s scat! The Canary Wharf Jazz Festival returns

The annual jazz festival returns to Canada Square Park again, featuring performances from Soweto Kinch, Yolanda Brown, Omar Puente Raices Cubanas, Zoe Rahman Quartet, Jason Rebello, Ian Shaw and Carleen Anderson Soul Trio and more. Free. Nearest tube: Canary Wharf. For more information and set times, visit the Canary Wharf website.

• 16 – 18 August : Lollibop Festival

Children’s festival at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Featuring Dick and Dom, the chance to meet Peppa Pig and Mr Men, Postman Pat, championSHEEPs with Shaun the Sheep and a lot more. Tickets range from £18 to £28, the cheaper the further in advance. Queen Elizabeth Park, Stratford, E20 2ST. Nearest tube: Stratford. For more information, visit the Lollibop Festival website.

• 16 – 18 August : Hackey WickED Art Festival

Three day festival championing creativity and local culture, featuring galleries, open studios, temporary exhibitions, pop up spaces, site-specific installations and events in the Hackney Wick area. Nearest tube: Hackney Wick (Overground). For more information, visit the Hackney WickED website.

• 17 August : Eid in Trafalgar Square

Celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr in Trafalgar Square. Featuring food from the Muslim world, including Turkey, Lebanon, India and Morocco. Also including live music, songs, street bazaar, exhibitions and children’s activities. 1.30-6pm. Free. Nearest tube: Charing Cross, Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus. For more information, check out the London Authority website.

• 21 – 23 August : Trinity Summer Series Cinema

The gardens of the Trinity Hospice in Clapham will be open to the public for screenings over three nights with screenings of Dirty Dancing, Breakfast At Tiffany’s and Top Gun. Tickets £15 with sales going to the Hospice. 30 Clapham Common North Side, SW4 ORN. Nearest tube: Clapham Common. For more information, visit the Trinity Hospice website.

• 23 – 26 August : Real Street Food Festival

Food festival returns to the Southbank, outside the Royal Festival Hall. Featuring street food from around the world. Free. Nearest tube: Waterloo. For more information, visit the Real Street Food Festival website.

• 25 – 26 August : Notting Hill Carnival

Long-running institution returns to the streets of West London. Plenty of soundstages will be dotted around featuring a wide range of music. Then of course there’s the carnival itself. Free. Sunday is more geared towards children, while Monday is the adults’ day. Check TFL website for transport information because many stations nearby will be closed. For more information, check out the Notting Hill Carnival website.

• 26 August : Paw Pageant

A doggy fashion show at Old Spitalfields Market in the City of London. Featuring cute dogs and stylish owners also modelling the latest fashions. 1-3.30pm. Battersea Dogs Home will be on site to offer free micro-chipping and there will also be raffle, with proceeds going to the charity. Old Spitalfields Market, 16 Horner Square, Spitalfields, E1 6EW. Nearest tube: Liverpool Street or Shoreditch High Street. For more information, visit the Old Spitalfields website.

• 28 August – 15 September : Portobello Film Festival

Two and half week festival returns to Notting Hill with screenings and events at the Louise T Blouin Institute, Pop Up Cinema, Westbourne Studios and The Muse. Free. For more information, visit the Portobello Film Festival website.

Take a ride on the Starflyer at London Wonderground

• Now until 31 August : The Press Photographer’s Year

Exhibition of thought-provoking images from 2011 and 2012 on display in the Lyttelton Exhibition Square. Free. National Theatre, Upper Ground  Southbank, London SE1 9PX. Nearest tube: Waterloo. For more information, visit the National Theatre website.

• Now until 29 September : London Wonderground

The London Wonderground Festival returns to the Southbank for a second year – an entertainment and cabaret extravaganza in Jubilee Gardens, near the foot of the London Eye and by the Southbank Centre. It includes cabaret, children’s shows, comedy, burlesque, fun fair rides and alfresco drinking. Check out Metro Girl’s blog post on a recent visit. Open all day untill 11pm every night. Free to get in, but entry fee for shows. Jubilee Gardens, off Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX. Nearest tube or train: Waterloo, Embankment or Westminster. For more information, visit the Wonderground website.

• Now until late September : Gorilla Circus – Flying Trapeze School

Gorilla Circus returns to Regent’s Park for its summer season. Metro Girl went last year and had a really good time – read what happened here. Beginners classes start from £26 for two hours. Booking must be done in advance, which is available on the Gorilla Circus website.