Travel experts declare 2024 the summer of savings with the top free events for families and friends to enjoy
The streets of London come alive in the summer. From bustling food markets and music festivals to lively cultural performances, the capital is brimming with things to do during those warm sunny months. But with travel, entry tickets, and refreshments to consider, getting out and about in London with the family can soon add up.
To help you out, London Northwestern Railway (LNR) has curated a list of the best free events and festivals to attend in the city this summer, as well as tips for securing the cheapest travel.
Meltdown at Southbank Centre, 14th to 23rd June
Meltdown is the UK’s longest-running artist-curated music festival. And this year, iconic singer and musician Chaka Khan is in charge of the line-up. Many of the performances are free to attend, including Funk This with New Movementz UK – a battle-style dance competition, and Youth Voices: A Celebration of Chaka, featuring an upbeat performance from Southbank Centre’s very own youth choir.
Trooping the Colour, the King’s Birthday Parade, 15th June
Is there anything more quintessentially London than Trooping the Colour? We think not. While you might not be able to bag yourself a ticket to the ceremony, you can still join crowds of flag-waving Royal Family fans on the edge of St. James’s Park or along The Mall. Culminating in an impressive flypast from the Royal Air Force, this is an event your kids are guaranteed to love.
Early years studio: movement and transport at the Royal Academy, 19th June
The Royal Academy’s early years studio programme is a series of regular, child-led creative sessions that are drop-in and designed for under 5s and their guardians. Devised and led by artist Amy Leung and inspired by early years play, this movement and transport session will uncover all the ways materials, objects and our bodies can move. The studio space will be full of colourful props and textures for kids to explore and play with.
Family studio: summer celebration at the Royal Academy, 23rd June
Inspired by the Royal Academy flags that hang proudly around Piccadilly, kids of all ages and their parents are invited to create their very own vibrant flag at this free drop-in session for families. Led by artist Floral Bradwell, little ones will get to explore colour combinations using a selection of fabrics and semi-transparent paper.
West End Live, 23rd June
Jazz hands at the ready! Fans of the West End are in for a treat with the arrival of West End Live this summer – a free weekend festival in Trafalgar Square showcasing some of London’s most celebrated musicals. With over 50 performances, interactive family-friendly exhibits, and refreshments, West End Live is a feast for the senses. No tickets are required but entry is operated on a first come, first served basis so it’s best to get there early.
Open House at Hyde Park, 29th June to 14th July
Featuring performances from world-class music superstars, British Summer Time at Hyde Park is a legendary music festival that pulls in visitors from across the globe. But during the weekdays in between performances, the event site stays open for a series of free open-air family-friendly film screenings, children’s workshops and theatre, arts and crafts, pop-up bars, street food and live music.
Pride in London, 29th June
Celebrating diversity and inclusivity, Pride in London features a programme of events showcasing LGBTQ+ culture in the form of theatre, dance, art and cinema. The festival concludes with a lively family-friendly parade in central London, as well as free performances in Trafalgar Square and the West End. Dress code is strictly ‘the brighter the better’. Oh, and don’t forget your rainbow flags!
Canada Day, 30th June
Taking place in Trafalgar Square, Canada Day is a free-to-attend celebration of all things – yep, you guessed it – Canada! There are live performances from emerging Canadian artists, alongside recognised bands, food stalls so you can eat your heart out with poutine and lobster rolls, plus a hockey tent to test your goal-scoring, passing and stick handling skills.
The Lord Mayor’s Balloon Regatta, 7th, 21st or 28th July
Get your cameras ready because this is a spectacle you’ll want to remember forever! Launching from Battersea Park, The Lord Mayor’s Balloon Regatta sees up to 50 hot air balloons take flight across central London to raise awareness and funds for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal. Understandably, the regatta is weather dependent but the standby dates for this year have been confirmed as 7th, 21st or 28th of July.
Free Wimbledon screenings, 1st to 14th July
Wimbledon is the oldest, most prestigious tennis tournament in the world. But it’s also pretty pricey to go and watch. For those who want to soak up the atmosphere but don’t want to fork out for a ticket, there are plenty of free screenings across the capital. Relax in a deckchair and catch your favourite players on the big screen at Canary Wharf, Covent Garden Market or Portman Square Garden.
Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF), 12th to 14th July
Named ‘London’s best free festival’ by the Guardian in 2023, GDIF is London’s leading festival of ground-breaking outdoor theatre and performing arts. You’ll find stunning art installations and live performances ranging from acrobatics and dance to theatre and music. The only issue you’ll have is trying to narrow down which performances to go and see!
Summer Sounds at Kings Cross Coal Drops Yard, 15th to 26th August
Once an underused industrial site, Kings Cross is now a vibrant hub of restaurants, bars and community spaces. This summer, don’t miss King’s Cross Summer Sounds – a free 12-day programme of music and performances celebrating diversity and spirit of the community. Catch live concerts from 1 – 6pm on Family Sundays from 15th to 26th August.
Notting Hill Carnival, 25th to 26th August
Notting Hill Carnival is a hugely popular free street festival that celebrates the culture, arts, and heritage of Caribbean people. Visitors flock to the area to enjoy booming sound systems, delicious street food stalls and lively parades. The children’s parade on the Sunday is the festival’s family-friendly morning event that sees kids dancing in the streets in their homemade carnival costumes.
Travel tips:
- When heading into the capital this summer be sure to make the most of the savings on offer with LNR’s Advance ticket – saving passengers up to 77%* on their travel.
- For families with children aged between five and 15, LNR’s Family Travelcard means kids tickets will cost just £1**. Plus, the ticket even includes unlimited travel on London’s buses and tubes, and most trains in the Transport for London area.
The rail operator is officially declaring 2024 the summer of savings, thanks to the variety of free events taking place between June and September. And with LNR’s affordable ticket options on offer, there’s no need for a fun-filled summer to cost a fortune. All that’s left to do, is to work out where you’ll be to heading first.
Featured Photo by Massimo Virgilio on Unsplash.