Find out what events and exhibitions are on in the capital, including Pride, Cocktails in the City, London Zoo lates and more.

Summer is in full bloom with long warm nights and a gargantuan choice of events on in London. Schools are breaking up for the summer holidays towards the end of the month so expect plenty of local and out-of-town families diverging on the capital looking to be entertained. Fortunately, there’s a host of family-friendly events on around town.

This month sees the long-awaited return of some popular events after being scaled back or cancelled over the past two years due to Covid-19.

Look out for the 🐻 for family-friendly activities.

• 1 – 3 July 2022 : Feria de Londres

Three-day festival inspired by the Andalusian celebration of Spanish food and culture. Featuring Spanish dance and music performances and workshops, food traders, and drink vendors. Open Fri 5pm-11pm, Sat 11am-3pm/3pm-6pm/6.30pm-11pm, Sun 12pm-4pm/4pm-9pm. Tickets: Adults £10, Under 16s free. Guildhall Yard, City of London, EC2 5AE. Nearest stations: St Paul’s or Bank. For more information, visit the Feria de Londres website. 🐻

• 1 – 3 July 2022 : The Allergy & Free From Show

Show for people who suffer from allergies, intolerances, coeliac disease, hay fever or eczema. Featuring cooking classes, seminars, expert advice, skin consultations, live music and more. Open 10am-5pm. Tickets: Free (register online). ExCel, Royal Victoria Dock, Docklands, E16 1XL. Nearest stations: Prince Regent or Custom House (DLR). For more information, visit the show’s official website.

• 1 – 3 July 2022 : Just V Show

Plant-based living for Vegans to Flexitarians. Featuring Vegan-friendly skincare, lifestyle products and food, seminars and both popular and new vegan brands. Tickets: Free (register online). ExCel, Royal Victoria Dock, Docklands, E16 1XL. Nearest stations: Prince Regent or Custom House (DLR). For more information, visit the show’s official website.

• 2 July 2022 : Pride in London

Pride is back with a bang as it celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first Pride in the UK. Parade starts at Hyde Park Corner and ends at Trafalgar Square. Timings TBA. Free to spectate. For more information, visit the Pride in London website.

• Now until 3 July 2022 : Hampstead Summer Festival

The festival takes place in and around Hampstead, including the Keats Grove Community Mural Festival, Family Garden Party, The Taming of the Shrew production, Art Fair and more. Many activities are free. For more information, visit the Hampstead Summer Festival website. 🐻

• 3 July 2022 : Pride @ Wembley Park

Celebrate Pride at Wembley with live performances, DJs, dance workshops (Zumba, pop and voguing), art classes, face painting, fitness sessions (yoga and Pilates) and drag queens. 11am-10pm. Free. Wembley Park, Wembley, HA9 0FD. Nearest stations: Wembley Park or Wembley Stadium. For more information, visit the Wembley Park website. 🐻

• 3 July 2022 : Red Bull Soapbox Race

Enjoy one of the country’s most quirky races, with participants competing with their handmade vehicles. 12pm-6pm. Tickets: Over 25 yrs £29.99, Under 25 yrs £19.99. Alexandra Palace Park, N22 7AY. Nearest stations: Alexandra Palace or Wood Green. For more information, visit the Red Bull website. 🐻

• 4 – 9 July 2022 : RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2021

The world’s largest garden show returns to the grounds of the historical Hampton Court. Attractions include show gardens, Market Theatre, live music, DJs, RHS Flower School, Festival of Roses, Floral Marquee, talks and demos. RHS members only Mon and Tues. Open Mon-Fri 10am-6.30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5.30pm. Tickets from £28.85 (cheaper for RHS members). Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU. Nearest station: Hampton Court. For tickets, visit the RHS website. 🐻

• Now until 6 July 2022 : Masterpiece London

An imaginative art and antiques fair for traditional and contemporary. Featuring a week of cultural, culinary and social experiences. Open Thu, Mon-Wed 11am-9pm, Fri-Sun 11am-7pm. Tickets from £45. The Royal Hospital, Chelsea, SW3 4SL. Nearest station: Sloane Square. For more information, visit the Masterpiece London website.

• 7 July 2022 : City Beerfest

One day festival in the City of London raising money for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal. Featuring beers, street food, and live music. From 12.30pm-9pm. Tickets: £13.50. Guildhall Yard, Gresham Street, City of London, EC2V 5AE. Nearest stations: St Paul’s or Bank. For tickets, visit the City Beerfest website.

• 7 July 2022 : Dragon Boat Race

Watch a boat race stemming from an ancient Chinese tradition, or even take part. From 12pm-6pm. Free to spectate. South Dock, Canary Wharf, E14. Nearest station: Canary Wharf or Heron Quays. For more information, visit the WaterAid website. 🐻

Cocktails in the City sees London’s best cocktail bars coming together

• 7 – 9 July 2022 : Cocktails in The City Summer Series

This season, the London summer series of the popular cocktail festival with take place over three weekends monthly between July and September. London’s top bars host their own pop-ups, alongside live music, street food, silent disco, tastings and demonstrations. All cocktails are £8.50. Open 12pm-4pm and 5pm-10pm. Tickets: £20 (daytime or evening slots). Bedford Square Gardens, Bloomsbury, WC1B. Nearest stations: Goodge Street or Tottenham Court Road. For tickets, visit the Cocktails In The City website.

• 8 – 10 July 2022 : London Film & Comic Con

Celebration of your favourite films and comics with the chance to meet your idols. Guests include Christopher Lloyd, Robbie Coltrane, Robert Englund, Stephen Amell, Clark Gregg, Katee Sackhoff, Andy Serkis, Jeri Ryan and Micky Dolenz. Open Fri 5pm-9pm, Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 9am-6pm. Tickets: Adults from £18 (Fri) £26 (weekend), Children from £12 (Fri), £18 (weekend). Olympia Grand, Hammersmith Road, Kensington, W14 8UX. Nearest station: Kensington Olympia. For tickets, visit the London Film & Comic Con website. 🐻

• 9 July 2022 : Acton Carnival

The other West London carnival returns, with performers, music, dancers and more. From 12pm-7pm. Acton Park, Acton, W3 7JX. Nearest station: Acton Central. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page. 🐻

• 9 July 2022 : Major League Baseball presents HRDX London

Major League Baseball comes to London, with for Home Run Derby X games, AJ Tracey live, ballpark food and drink and batting cages for trying out. 12pm-9pm. Tickets: General admission £30, Under 13 yrs £15. Crystal Palace Park, Thicket Road, Crystal Palace, SE19 2GA. Nearest station: Crystal Palace. For more information, visit the Major League Baseball website. 🐻

• 13 – 16 July 2022 : Ealing Beer Festival

The opportunity to trying real ales, ciders and perries, alongside food, entertainment, live music, games and more. Open 12pm-10.30pm. Tickets from £20 (discount for CAMRA members). Walpole Park, Ealing, W5. Nearest stations: West Ealing or Ealing Broadway. For more information, visit the Ealing Summer Festivals website.

• 16 July 2022 : International Busking Day @ Wembley Park

One hundred artists perform across nine stages to mark International Busking Day. From 1pm. Free. Wembley Park, Wembley, HA9 0FD. Nearest stations: Wembley Park or Wembley Stadium. For more information, visit the Wembley Park website. 🐻

• 16 – 17 July 2022 : London Wing Fest 2022

Food festival for poultry lovers, with chicken wings galore, live music and more. Open Sat 12pm-7pm, Sun 12pm-6pm. Tickets: Free to £150. London Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, E20 2ST. Nearest station: Stratford. For tickets, visit the Wing Fest website.

• 16 – 17 July 2022 : National Geographic Traveller Food Festival

Travel the world through your palate and explore international cuisine. Sample food and drink, expert talks, masterclasses, chef demos, shopping and more. Open Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-4.30pm. Tickets: £20 (+ fees). Business Design Centre, Islington, N1. Nearest station: Angel. For tickets, visit the National Geographic Traveller Food Festival website.

The Lambeth Country Show is back

• 16 – 17 July 2022 : Lambeth Country Show

Annual extravaganza of entertainment, food, drink, farm life, fun fair rides, general revelry and live music returns to Brockwell Park in Herne Hill. 12pm-8pm. Free entry. Brockwell Park (Entrances near Norwood Road/Herne Hill junction or Dulwich Road), Herne Hill, SE24. Nearest station: Herne Hill (9 minutes from Victoria) or a 15 minute walk from Brixton tube. For more information, visit the Lambeth Country Show website. 🐻

• 21 – 24 July 2022 : Festival14

Four day arts festival featuring dance, comedy, theatre, music and children’s activities. Timings vary. Free. Canary Wharf, E14. Nearest stations: Canary Wharf or Heron Quays. For more information, visit the Canary Wharf website. 🐻

• 21 – 22 and 27 – 29 July 2022 : Ealing Comedy Festival

Popular comedy festival returns to West London. Artists include Dylan Moran, Tom Allen, Al Murray, Kiri Pritchard-Mclean, Milton Jones, Ed Byrne and more. Gates 6pm, show starts 7.45pm. Tickets: £25-£30. Walpole Park, Ealing, W5. Nearest stations: West Ealing or Ealing Broadway. For more information, visit the Ealing Summer Festivals website.

• 21 – 31 July 2022 : Summer in the Square

Eleven day of free festivities and wellness, including lunchtime fitness classes, mindfulness meditation, dance classes, live music and theatre, children’s activities, food and drink, retail promotions and more. Daily 12pm-8pm. Free. Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, W1K. Nearest stations: Bond Street, Marble Arch or Green Park. For more information, visit the Mayfair London website. 🐻

• 21 July – 30 September 2022 : Klimt – The Immersive Experience

Step into the world of Austrian artist Gustav Klimt in an immersive, 3D art experience. Open Mon-Fri: 10am-8pm, Sat-Sun 9am-9pm. Tickets: Adults from £24.90, Children from £15.90. The Boiler House, 152 Brick Lane, Spitalfields, E1 6RU. Nearest stations: Shoreditch High Street, Liverpool Street or Aldgate East. For tickets, visit the Klimt Expo website. 🐻

Be a big kid at London Zoo’s late night opening

• Now until 22 July 2022 : Twilight @ London Zoo

London Zoo are hosting late summer evening openings for adults-only on Thursdays and Fridays throughout July. As well as checking out the animals, you can follow a trail, listen to music, enjoy a drink and feast at the world food market. 6pm-10pm. Tickets: £21.50. London Zoo, Outer Circle (Regent’s Park), NW1 4RY. Nearest stations: Camden Town or Regent’s Park. For more information and booking, visit the Zoological Society London website.

• 23 July 2022 : Kaleidoscope Festival 2022

A one-day music festival comes to Ally Pally, with live music, DJs, comedy, immersive theatre, family entertainment, street food and drinks. Acts include Orbital, Happy Mondays, David Rodigan, Charlotte Church’s Late Night Pop Dungeon, Craig Charles, The Cuban Brothers, Dom Joly, Alan McGee, Ed Byrne and more. Gates open 1pm. Tickets: Adults £56.50, 5-15 yrs £31.20. Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY. Nearest stations: Alexandra Palace or Wood Green. For more information, visit the Kaleidoscope Festival website. 

• 23 July 2022 : Nocturnal Creatures

A late-night art festival, featuring new installations, films, live performances, music and food experiences. 6pm-11pm. Free. Aldgate Square, Aldgate High Street, Aldgate, EC3N 1AF. Nearest stations: Aldgate or Fenchurch Street. For more information, visit the Sculpture in the City website.

• 23 – 31 July 2022 : UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Fan Festival

Mark the final week of the UEFA Women’s EUROS with a host of football activities and screenings. Including pop-up football pitch (coaching sessions and exhibition games); interactive football sponsor activities; live panel discussions, interviews and music; EURO 2022 screenings and film screening of Bend It Like Beckham (24 July), food and drink stalls; and official merchandise on sale. Open daily 11am-6pm. Free entry. Trafalgar Square, Westminster, WC2N 5DN. Nearest stations: Charing Cross, Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square. For more information, visit the London.gov.uk website.

• Now until 24 July 2022 : Dreamachine

Go on an immersive experience of light and music to ‘explore the extraordinary potential of your mind’. Over 18s only. Ticket: Free (register online). Woolwich Public Market, Plumstead Road, Woolwich, SE18 7BZ. Nearest station: Woolwich Arsenal. For more information and booking, visit the Dreamachine website.

• 26 – 29 July 2022 : St Paul’s Lunchtime Concerts

Grab a deckchair and listen to recitals from young artists playing opera, folk and classical harp. Lunchtime. Free. Lyric Square, Hammersmith, W6 0NB. Nearest station: Hammersmith. For more information, visit the HammersmithLondon website.

• 27 July 2022 : Wembley Park Antiques Market

Antiques market selling collectables, salvage, vintage homeware, jewellery, furniture and more. Open 7.30am-4pm. Free entry. Green Parking, Canada Lane, Canada Gardens, First Way, Wembley HA9 0SJ. Nearest station: Wembley Park. For more information, visit the Wembley Park website. 

• 28 July 2022 : Cosmic Rubber Duck Race

Over 500 rubber ducks will be released into the canal to raise money for COSMIC (Children of St Mary’s Intensive Care). From 12pm-1pm. £3 to sponsor a duck. Merchant Square, Paddington, W2. Nearest stations: Paddington or Edgware Road. For more information, visit the Merchant Square website.

• 30 – 31 July 2022 : London E-Prix

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns to the streets of Docklands. Along with racing, there will also be live music, gaming arena, kids’ area, food court and roaming entertainment. Tickets: £15-£99. ExCel, Royal Victoria Dock, Docklands, E16 1XL. Nearest stations: Prince Regent or Custom House (DLR). For more information, visit the Formula E website.

• 30 – 31 July 2022 : Surrey Food Festival

Food festival comes to Richmond for a July weekend. Featuring live food demonstrations, tastings and talks; live music, and a kids’ zone. Open 10am-7pm. Tickets: £5-£25. Old Deer Park, Richmond, TW9 2SL. Nearest station: Richmond. For more information, visit the Local Food Festival website. 

• 30 – 31 July 2022 : Savour London Food Festival

Food festival in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, featuring Michelin-starred and top London restaurants pop-up stalls, cocktails and live music. Tickets from £25. Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, SW3 4SR. Nearest station: Sloane Square. For more information, visit the Savour website.

• Now until 31 July 2022 : Underbelly Festival

Underbelly returns to London and sets up camp at two sites for its programme of entertainment. Featuring comedy, music, cabaret, circus and more. Tickets vary. At Earls Court, Empress Place, SW6 1TT, nearest station: Earls Court; and Cavendish Square, Marylebone, W1G 0PU. Nearest station: Oxford Circus or Bond Street. For listings and tickets, visit the Underbelly website. 🐻

• Now until 21 August 2022 : Summer Exhibition @ Royal Academy of Arts

An eclectic exhibition of 1,500 pieces of art submitted by professionals to unknown artists. Open daily 10am-6pm. Tickets: £18. Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD. Nearest station: Green Park or Piccadilly Circus. For more information, visit the Royal Academy of Arts website. Read Metro Girl’s blog post on last year’s exhibition.

• Now until 28 August 2022 : Mulan Rouge

An immersive, foodie, theatrical mash-up of Disney’s Mulan and Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! Overs 18s only. Dress Code: ‘A hot Paris night in the Mulan Rouge’. Times vary. Tickets: £45-£60. The Vaults, Leake Street, Waterloo, SE1 7NN. Nearest stations: Waterloo, Lambeth North or Waterloo East. For more information, visit The Vaults website.

• Now until 29 August 2022 : Football – Designing the Beautiful Game

Explore the stories of design from the world of football. Open Sun-Thu 10am-6pm, Fri-Sat 10am-9pm. Tickets from £16.80. Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High St, Kensington, W8 6AG. Nearest stations: Earls Court, High Street Kensington or Holland Park. For booking, visit the Design Museum website.

• Now until 29 August 2022 : Surrealism Beyond Borders

Exhibition of surrealism artworks of over 50 years. Open daily 10am-6pm. Tickets: £18. Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG. Nearest station: Blackfriars. For more information, visit the Tate website.

• Now until 29 August 2022 : Our Time On Earth

An immersive exploration of radical ideas for the way we live on Earth. Open Sun-Wed 10am-6pm, Thu-Sat 10am-8pm. Tickets: £18. Curve, Barbican Centre, City of London, EC2Y 8DS. Nearest stations: Moorgate or Barbican. For more information, visit the Barbican Centre website.

• Now until 2 September 2022 : Summer by the River

A host of free entertainment returns to the riverside location, including family theatre, live music, DJs, film screenings, Platinum Jubilee events, dance classes and more. Times vary. Free. London Bridge City, between London Bridge and Tower Bridge (south of the river), SE1. Nearest stations: London Bridge or Tower Hill. For more information and listings, visit the London Bridge City website. 🐻

• Now until 4 September 2022 : The Beach @ Brent Cross

London’s largest beach returns for the summer, along with street food, games and rides. Open: Term-time (Sat & Sun only – 12pm-9pm), School holidays (Daily 12pm-9pm). Entry: £5 pp (£4 advance). Brent Cross Shopping Centre, Prince Charles Drive, Brent Cross, NW4 3FP. Nearest station: Brent Cross. For more information, visit the Brent Cross website. 🐻

• Now until 4 September 2022 : 150 Years of the Royal School of Needlework

Retrospective exhibition of one of the country’s oldest arts organisations. Open 11am-6pm. Tickets: £12.65. Fashion & Textile Museum, 83 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3XF. Nearest station: London Bridge or Tower Hill. For more information, visit the museum website.

• Now until 4 September 2022 : Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds – The Immersive Experience

An immersive experience inspired by the classic story. Travel back in time to Victorian London and the Martian invasion of 1898. Experience immersive theatre, virtual reality, augmented reality, holograms and other cutting-edge technology. Overs 12 only. Times vary. Tickets: £40-£130. The Old Metal Exchange, 56 Leadenhall Street, City of London, EC3A 2BJ. Nearest station: Aldgate or Fenchurch Street. For booking, visit the War of the World’s website. Check out Metro Girl’s review of the show.

• Now until 4 September 2022 : Doctor Who – Time Fracture

Fans of the Time Lord will love this immersive, theatrical experience as you ‘travel’ back to 1940s Mayfair during the Blitz. Times vary (experience lasts 2hr 15mins). Age 8+. Tickets from £29.95. UNIT HQ, 1-8 Davies Mews, Mayfair, W1K 5AB. Nearest station: Bond Street. For booking, visit the Doctor Who: Time Fracture website. 🐻

• Now until 4 September 2022 : Symbiosis: Living Island

Exhibition of the large-scale art and architecture project, Inujima ‘Art House Project’, which is transforming the small Japanese island of Inujima. Open Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 12pm-6pm. Free entry, but booking recommended. Japan House London, 101-111 Kensington High Street, Kensington, W8 5SA. Nearest station: High Street Kensington. For more information, visit the Japan House London website. 🐻

• Now until 11 September 2022 : Roku Gin Summer Terrace

Roku Gin is hosting a summer pop-up with Roku shaved-ice gin cocktails and Japanese street food, along with Takoyaki masterclasses. Open Mon-Wed 5pm-9pm, Thur-Sun 12pm-9pm. Pantechnicon, Halkin Arcade, 19 Motcomb Street, Belgravia, SW1X 8LB. Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner or Knightsbridge. For more information, visit the Belgravia LDN website.

• Now until 11 September 2022 : Inspired!

Exhibition explores how visual artists have taken inspiration from the literary arts. Opening hours TBC. Tickets: £8. Guildhall Art Gallery, Guildhall Yard, City of London, EC2V 5AE. Nearest station: St Paul’s, Bank or Moorgate. For more information, visit the City of London.gov website. Check out Metro Girl’s blog post on the exhibition.

• Now until 18 September 2022 : Superbloom @ Tower of London

The historic moat surrounding the Tower will be filled with flowers to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. As well as flower displays, there will also be a sound installation and sculptural elements. Various tickets available with or without the main Tower of London visit. Tickets (Superbloom only): Adults from £12, Children from £6.60. Tower of London, Tower Hill, EC3N 4AB. Nearest station: Tower Hill or Tower Gateway. For more information, visit the Tower of London website. Check out Metro Girl’s gallery of the installation. 🐻

• Now until 25 September 2022 : Beatrix Potter – Drawn to Nature

Exhibition celebrating the life and works of author Beatrix Potter. Open 10am-5.15pm. Tickets: £14. Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, Kensington, SW7 2RL. Nearest station: South Kensington. For tickets, visit the V&A website. 🐻

• Now until 25 September 2022 : Feminine Power – The Divine to the Demonic

A cross-cultural look at the influence of female spiritual beings from the world’s religions and faiths. Open 10am-5pm. Tickets: Adults from £12. British Museum, Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, WC1B 3DG. Nearest stations: Tottenham Court Road or Russell Square. For more information and booking, visit the British Museum’s website.

• Now until 16 October 2022 : Serpentine Pavilion

Visit the temporary structure in the grounds of the Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens. This year’s Pavilion is designed by Chicago-based artist Theaster Gates with the architectural support of Adjaye Associates. Free to visit, but also contains a pop-up café inside. Kensington Gardens, W2 3XA. Nearest stations: Lancaster Gate, Knightsbridge or South Kensington. For more information, visit the Serpentine Gallery website. Check out Metro Girl’s blog post on the pavilion. 🐻

• Now until 26 October 2022 : Magnificent Maps of London

London Metropolitan Archives show off their historical map collection in a new exhibition. Featuring maps from the 16th century to present day. Open Mon-Thu 10am-4pm. Free entry. London Metropolitan Archives, 40 Northampton Road, Clerkenwell, EC1R 0HB. Nearest station: Angel. For more information, visit the City of London.gov.uk website.

• Now until 30 October 2022 : Peaky Blinders – The Rise

An immersive theatrical experience bringing the world of Peaky Blinders to north London. Ages 14yrs and over. Time slots vary. Tickets: £42-£72. Camden Garrison, North Yard, Camden Stables Market, 842 Chalk Farm Road, Camden, NW1 8BF. Nearest stations: Chalk Farm or Camden Town. To book, visit the Immersive Peaky Blinders website.

• Now until Spring 2023 : Sculpture in the City 2022/2023

Free public art exhibition, bringing 19 contemporary pieces to the streets and spaces of the City of London. Free. At various sites around the Square Mile. Nearest stations: Fenchurch Street, Monument or Liverpool Street. For more information and a map of the artworks, visit the Sculpture in the City website. 🐻

• Now until 5 March 2023 : When Flowers Dream

An exhibition from artist Tanya Schultz (Pip & Pop) featuring installations made from sugar, candy and assorted craft materials. Opening times vary depending on season. Tickets included with gardens entrance. Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art, Kew Gardens, Brentford Gate, Kew, TW9 3AB. Nearest station: Kew Gardens. For more information, visit the Kew Gardens website.

• Now until July 2023 : Scenes in the Square

Check out bronze sculptures of iconic film characters around Leicester Square. Eight interactive characters, such as Laurel & Hardy to Wonder Woman will be placed in the square for four months. Free. Leicester Square, Westminster, WC2H 7DE. Nearest stations: Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus. For more information, visit the Leicester Square website. Check out Metro Girl’s gallery of the exhibition. 🐻

Find out what else is on in London

Guide to London’s open-air cinemas in summer 2022

Serpentine Pavilion 2022 | A look inside Theaster Gates’ Black Chapel

Superbloom at the Tower of London | Moat is transformed into a floral tribute to the Queen

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