August in London: A guide to culture, theatre and late-summer discoveries

August in London offers a sense of calm and freedom. With the heat subsiding and the festival season easing, the city exhales. Streets grow quieter, and the cultural calendar lightens. This is an ideal moment to explore London without the usual rush — to finally visit that exhibition you’ve postponed, catch a rare theatre production, discover new flavours at summer festivals, or simply enjoy a quiet walk through the city with a good ice cream in hand. Afisha.London rounds up the highlights of the month.

This article is also available in Russian here

Theatre in August: London’s stages stay busy

August is far from a theatrical off-season. While some are on holiday, others — including Imelda Staunton, Rosamund Pike and Martin Shaw — are taking to the stage in the heart of the West End. For those in the city, this is a rare chance to see major talents live. Tickets are scarce, so don’t wait.

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Mrs. Warren’s Profession
A rare opportunity to see The Crown’s Imelda Staunton on stage alongside her daughter Bessie Carter (known from Bridgerton). George Bernard Shaw’s play, written nearly 150 years ago, explores the conflict between a progressive young woman and her mother, a successful figure in a man’s world — here reinterpreted for today. Until 16 August, book here

Read also: The last Stroganov: how Hélène de Ludinghausen revived a lost Russian legacy

Mrs Warren’s Profession. Photo: Garrick Theatre

Inter Alia
A tense contemporary drama about motherhood, power and personal compromise. Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Saltburn) plays a high-profile judge struggling to balance high-stakes legal cases, family breakdown and public scrutiny — especially when her own son is accused of sexual assault. Until 13 September, book here

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Sing Street
A new musical full of 1980s energy, sentiment and rock. Based on John Carney’s film, it follows a teenager in recession-hit Dublin who starts a band to impress a mysterious girl, and finds his voice in the process. The score echoes The Cure, Duran Duran and The Jam — a love letter to youth, dreams and self-expression. Until 23 August, book here

Stereophonic
A musical drama that takes audiences into a 1976 recording studio, tracking the tensions and highs of a young rock band working on a career-defining second album. With live music, immersive set design and strong performances, it’s a treat for fans of music theatre. Book here

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The Estate
A modern thriller about political ambition and family secrets. Adeel Akhtar (Fool Me Once, Four Lions) stars as Angad Singh, a political leader caught between rivals and his own siblings in a fight over inheritance and power. Until 23 August, book here

A Man for All Seasons
Robert Bolt’s classic historical drama returns, charting the final years of Sir Thomas More, who refused to support Henry VIII’s break from the Catholic Church. A story of conscience and conviction amid political pressure. Martin Shaw leads a cast praised by critics for its strength and clarity.  Until 6 September, book here

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Also worth noting this month:

– Disney’s Hercules – A musical adaptation of the animated film, with a score by Alan Menken (Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast).
– The Comedy About Spies – Fast-paced farce full of humour and surprises
– Back to the Future – A blockbuster musical based on the beloved film
– Matilda the Musical – A classic family production that remains a must-see
– The Devil Wears Prada – Featuring Vanessa Williams, this stylish musical precedes the upcoming sequel film

Read also: Anna Wintour: how she became a fashion icon and what her exit from Vogue could mean

Photo: ©The Devil Wears Prada

BBC Proms 2025: Highlights for the month

The summer Proms season is in full swing, with music filling the Royal Albert Hall night after night. Tickets for many performances are still available on the day.

Our recommendations:

– 10 August – Suites by Claude Debussy and Scheherazade by Maurice Ravel
– 9–10 August – John Williams’ music from Star Wars and other classics
– 23 August – András Schiff performs Bach’s The Art of Fugue

More information: BBC Proms, check here

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Summer festivals: from fringe theatre to Caribbean parades

London stays vibrant in August with open-air celebrations across the city.

Camden Fringe — A bold and alternative arts festival featuring emerging performers in theatre, comedy, performance and poetry. Hundreds of shows take place throughout August in small venues around Camden. Details here

Notting Hill Carnival — Europe’s largest street party returns on the final weekend of August. It’s a celebration of Caribbean culture, music and identity — but also a major public event that requires caution due to crowd-related disruptions. Official site

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The Great British Food Festival at Chiswick House and Meatopia at Tobacco Dock bring flavours, cooking demos, and competitions — the latter is a haven for meat lovers and live music fans. More: Great British Food Festival and Meatopia

Mr Fogg’s Gin Club, located in Soho, hosts a Victorian-style cocktail workshop where participants learn the stories behind three gins and create their own classic drinks under expert guidance. More info

Greenwich+Docklands International Festival offers open-air theatre, dance and large-scale visual installations. This year’s edition explores themes of nature, migration and aspiration — with performances and evening light shows along the Thames. Programme here

Read also: Four exhibitions worth travelling to Paris for in summer 2025

Exhibitions: August highlights in London’s museums

London’s museums offer an escape from the heat and a chance to reflect.

Royal Academy of Arts – Summer Exhibition
The world’s longest-running open-submission art show returns with bold, ironic and vivid work by contemporary artists. Official site

Hayward Gallery – Yoshitomo Nara
A major retrospective of the Japanese artist known for his deceptively simple, angry-yet-tender girls. His work blends postwar trauma, punk energy and introspective emotion, drawing on childhood and outsider culture. Exhibition info

Also worth visiting:

– Radical Honesty by Robbie Williams at Moco Museum London – intimate works exploring fame, identity and vulnerability
– Titanic: Echoes from the Past in Camden – a VR experience reconstructing the ship’s final hours
– World Press Photo 2025 – the year’s best photojournalism at MPB Gallery until 25 August
– Millet: Life on the Land at the National Gallery – classic rural scenes from the artist who inspired Van Gogh
– Kiefer / Van Gogh – a rare pairing of Anselm Kiefer and Vincent van Gogh at the Royal Academy

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Outdoors and royal visits

Summer in the UK can be brief — blink, and it’s autumn. Now is the time to enjoy the outdoors. Whether hiring a boat, visiting open-air pools, or exploring watersports like kayaking or paddleboarding, London has something to offer.

Theme parks such as Chessington World of Adventures, Thorpe Park and Alton Towers are open for the season, with rollercoasters and rides for all ages.

Those staying in the city can make use of Afisha.London’s guide to free summer activities.

Read also: Charles Dickens Museum: a journey into the heart of Victorian London

Hampton Pool Photo: facebook.com/hamptonpooltw12

Finally, no British cultural roundup is complete without a royal note. Buckingham Palace is open to the public throughout August. Also worth visiting are Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace and other royal residences — details here.

If you’re spending this August in London, not by the sea — take heart: the city has plenty to offer. Follow Afisha.London on the website and Telegram for the latest updates on what to see and do.

Cover photo: Çağlar Canbay / Unsplash  

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Read also: 

Anna Wintour: how she became a fashion icon and what her exit from Vogue could mean

What to see in London this summer: top exhibitions of 2025

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