Explore the experiences of Londoners during the Second World War and the effect it had on the city they knew.
August is shaping up to be a great month in the City of London. The London Sports Festival continues, bringing fun sporting moments to the streets, the Barbican’s outdoor cinema returns for another season under the stars, and family-friendly events are popping up all over. Plus, there are plenty of new exhibitions to discover if you're in the mood for something inspiring.
Here’s a round-up of some of the best things to do in the City this August.
1. Find fun and engaging activities to keep the kids entertained
Keep the kids entertained with these exciting and educational activities happening across the City of London this month.
Second Saturday at Guildhall Art Gallery (9 August): A revolving programme of family activities may have you heading into the Roman Amphitheatre and hearing tales of Roman conquests, or creating crafts from the Victorian paintings surrounding you.
Monster Art Club (Saturdays): Get creative at the Barbican Library every Saturday from 2 to 3.30pm. This free event provides all the materials for drawing, colouring, and imaginative crafting - perfect for budding artists of all ages.
Rhyme Time at Artizan Library (Thursdays): Every Thursday from 10 to 10.30am, bring your little ones (under 5s) to a free lively session filled with action songs, musical instruments, and puppets.
F1 Arcade (Monday to Sunday): Feel the adrenaline of the Formula 1 track at this immersive racing experience. Located in One New Change, the F1 Arcade offers simulators designed for drivers aged 7 and up, with multiple skill levels to suit everyone from beginners to pros. When you’re ready to refuel, the menu has something for everyone, from burgers to family-style sharing plates.
Football Coaching Sessions (7 and 8 August): Learn directly from ex-professional Swiss footballer at these free coaching sessions, a perfect opportunity for children ages 5 to 18 to develop skills, make new friends and have a blast on the field. On Thursday 7 August there will also be the opportunity to try blind football. On Friday 8 August there will also be the opportunity to watch pan disability football and play together.
Basketball Coaching Sessions (11 to 15 August): Learn from pro basketball players and coaches at these free clinics happening in Guildhall Yard where all abilities and ages from 5 to 18 are welcome.
Roman London Family Quest (15 to 16 August): London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE, London Museum and London’s Roman Amphitheatre are joining forces to explore Roman Londinium on this fun, interactive family day. Participants can follow a special trail around different Roman sites and complete quests to win a prize!
Family Activities at Tower Bridge: Designed to entertain children of all ages, Tower Bridge’s Family Activities are included in the price of entry, plus, receive a Family Activities Pass offering free entry on any Family Activities Day in the next six months. Tower Bridge sits just outside The City of London boundary.
Decoding the Bank of England (11 to 22 August): Join the summer fun at the Bank of England Museum and channel your inner Alan Turing by solving puzzles on a trail.
London Sports Festival. Photo credit City of London Corporation.
2. Join a fascinating and free lunchtime talk at the London Centre (every Friday)
Join NLA for a free lunchtime talk every Friday from 12:30 to 1pm at The London Centre to learn about London’s historical and physical development.
Free lunchtime talks take place every Friday at the London Centre.
3. Go for brunch in The City of London
Find places in the City perfect for catching up with friends on a Saturday over some delicious food and drinks.
Lucky Cat 22 Bishopsgate by Gordon Ramsay: Pop along for a delicious brunch at Lucky cat featuring their signature dishes and bottomless prosecco.
Rake's Cafe Bar: Experience Rake's Cafe Bar for new brunch where grooves meet gourmet. Expect a Saturday fusion of Disco, House, and Balearic beats with top DJs, gourmet dishes, and the ultimate vibe for your weekend.
1 Lombard Street: Every Saturday they have two sittings for their famous Bubbles, Steak and Lobster Bottomless Brunch.
Florattica: Dine in a venue inspired by East London’s textile industry and the local 17th century French Huguenots’ silk woven floral patterns.
Engel: Enjoy live music, breath-taking architecture and a champagne brunch at Engel.
Florrattica rooftop bar in the City of London.
4. Join a Saturday Vinyl Session at Piazza Italiana
Against a backdrop of Corinthian columns and gilded chandeliers, Piazza Italian are hosting vinyl sessions every Saturday night in August, where the decadent former British Linen Bank building comes alive with vibe-filled vinyl sessions of uptempo soul, funk and disco.
Una Notte di Cinema e Vino - A Night of Wine & Cinema at Piazza Italiana
5. Amble around these wonderful displays and exhibitions
Whether you’re an art lover or history obsessed, the City of London has tons of fascinating exhibitions and museums to explore every month. Here are just some of the ones we would recommend exploring this August.
Heritage Gallery Exhibition: City Bridge Foundation (until 25 September 2025): This display explores City Bridge Foundation, a historic charity whose origins date back to the twelfth century.
Evelyn De Morgan: The Modern Painter in Victorian London (until 4 January 2026): One of the most remarkable artists of her generation, Evelyn De Morgan, has returned to Guildhall Art Gallery this year in a major exhibition that premieres two newly restored artworks.
Feel the Sound (until 31 August): Experience the Barbican's bold new multi-sensory exhibition experience that explores our relationship to sound and embraces a world of listening.
Jane and Louise Wilson: Performance of Entrapment (until 17 January): Inspired by the Roman temple of Mithras, and artefacts discovered on the site, Performance of Entrapment offers a powerful reflection on ancient shrines, time and renewal in an immersive installation which weaves together film, archaeology, and contemporary art.
Blondie in Camera 1978 (14 August 2025 to 5 January 2026): Blondie takes centre-stage in a free photographic exhibition at the Barbican Music Library.
Sculpture in the City 14th Edition (until Spring 2026): Artworks by Ai Weiwei, Andrew Sabin, and Jane and Louise Wilson have recently been unveiled in the City of London as part of the 14th edition of Sculpture in the City.
Copyright Jane and Louise Wilson, Courtesy of Maureen Paley, London and 303 Gallery New York. Photo © Nick Turpin (1)
6. Visit one of Roman London’s most fascinating remains
Beneath the curious old pathways of the City of London lies Billingsgate Roman House and Baths, a rich piece of Roman history surviving 2,000 years of building, fires and bombings and are one of Roman London’s most fascinating remains. First built around A.D. 150 then extended a hundred years later, it was occupied right through to the end of Roman London in the early 5th century A.D.
Public tours of the ruins take place on Saturdays between April and November at 11am, 12pm and 1pm. Advance booking is required.
Billingsgate Roman House and Bath.
7. Put on your dancing shoes
Dance into the rhythm of July at Bishopsgate Institute, offering a diverse selection of dance courses and social dance events. From Swing Den to Queer Tango classes, there is something to suit every style and preference.
8. Take a guided tour of The City of London
Daily walks run from the City Information Centre, just south of St Paul's. With tours of the City Gardens, the Great Fires of London, Dr. Samuel Johnson’s House and Mansion House there is something for everyone to enjoy and get a taste of The City.
City of London Guides Pepys Day Walking Tour. Credit: Patrick Honey
9. Take a tour of the Barbican and learn about its iconic architecture
Running daily, Barbican’s 90-minute Architecture Tours cover the vast, bold and brutal Barbican estate. Led by expert guides, the tour covers the Barbican Centre and surrounding Brutalist estate, exploring the site’s little-known nooks and crannies, venturing through high walks, leafy courts and sweeping crescents, giving visitors an insight into the vision and ambition behind the complex’s design and its past, present and future.
Barbican Lakeside Terrace. Photo Credit: Max Colson
10. Discover the new Roman inspired artwork trail designed by school children from London
Eight new artworks inspired by Roman London have landed in the City of London, created by primary school children from London who worked with an archaeologist and artist to bring their pieces to the public.
Reimagining Londinium takes a new look at the city at the heart of Roman Britain for more than 350 years. The eight artworks are all inspired by a different Roman theme and along the way there are things to spot, archaeology to discover and lovely green spaces in which to take a break and soak up some sun.
The trail is available to explore from 19 July to 01 September.
Guildhall Art Gallery and London’s Roman Amphitheatre. Neptune as part of Reimagining Londinium 2025.
11. See a film at the Barbican’s Outdoor Cinema (20 to 31 August)
Get ready to enjoy the warm summer evenings with fantastic films as Barbican’s Outdoor Cinema series returns this summer with a sparkling programme of films to watch under the city’s stars.
Outdoor Cinema at the Barbican © Barbican
12. Discover a historic gem, Petticoat Lane
If you haven’t been yet, this is a market everyone should add to their bucket list to visit. Petticoat Lane traces its history all the way back to the 1650s and is one of London’s true historic gems.
When visiting the market, you will be able to explore a unique mix of independent shops, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, a weekday food market, and it has a fantastic Sunday street market to explore.
Petticoat Lane.
13. See the new outdoor exhibition, The City at War by The London Archives (28 July to 22 September)
The City At War is a free outdoor exhibition created by The London Archives which explores the impact of the Second World War on the City of London.
Using the iconic London County Council bomb damage maps and the atmospheric photographs taken by City Police officers Arthur Cross and Frederick Tibbs, visitors can see how the City’s landmarks and streets were affected by nightly air raids.
This exhibition will be situated in Paternoster Square from 28 July to 25 August, and then at Peter’s Hill from 26 August to 22 September.
Guildhall Bomb Damage. The London Archives.
14. Jazz in the Parlour with NIA (6 August)
Experience a soulful midweek retreat with Jazz in the Parlour at Rake’s Café Bar for an evening that promises smooth live jazz, curated cocktails, and relaxed vibes — the perfect way to unwind midweek.
Rake’s Café Bar will be welcoming back the talented NIA, a Birmingham-born, London-based artist known for her unique fusion of jazz, soul, and spoken word poetry. Her rich, emotive sound will set the tone for an unforgettable night.
Photo Credit: Jasper Barrowcliffe @jasperbarrowcliffe
15. Fairgame is coming to The City of London!
Fairgame CITY is landing in One New Change and you’re invited to get in there before the crowds. From 7 to 19 August, their doors open for their soft launch and they need competitive party animals to come test it all out.
Fairgame CITY is landing in St. Paul’s, and you’re invited to get in there before the crowds.
16. Football in Guildhall Yard as part of London Sports Festival (7 and 8 August)
Grab the unique opportunity to play Football in the historic Guildhall Yard this month. Over the course of two days there will be children’s coaching sessions, corporate tournaments, pan-disability games and bookable public slots.
London Sports Festival in Guildhall Yard.
17. Basketball in Guildhall Yard as part of London Sports Festival (11 to 15 August)
Football not your style, don’t worry because basketball is also coming to Guildhall Yard this month. Basketball will take over the historic Guildhall Yard with a four-day jam-packed schedule of coaching sessions, dunking contests, wheelchair basketball sessions, corporate tournaments, meet and greets with pro-basketball players and freestyle practice.
London Sports Festival in Guildhall Yard.
18. Sunset Lates at Horizon 22 (7 August and 28 August)
Looking for a romantic backdrop or a memorable evening with friends? Watch the City of London transform from golden hour to twilight as you take in sweeping skyline views from one of the capital’s highest public viewing galleries. Sip, savour, and slow down as the city lights sparkle beneath you.
19. Ibiza Orchestra returns to Madison’s rooftop this August (15 August)
The Ibiza Orchestra returns to Madison’s rooftop this August. Set against London’s stunning skyline, this electrifying event features a 10-piece live orchestra reimagining iconic house anthems.
Madison at One New Change, City of London.
20. Explore the remains of Roman London in The City of London
Discover the remnants of Roman London, scattered throughout the City like pieces of a fascinating historical puzzle.
Visit the Roman Wall, the Amphitheatre, the Temple of Mithras and other well preserved sites to uncover how the Romans lived 2,000 years ago.
Walk through history as you stroll the streets or delve into indoor exhibitions for a closer look at this era.
21. Open House bookings go live at midday on 20 August
The countdown is on! The full programme for Open House Festival 2025 goes live for bookings at midday on 20 August. Last month’s preview gave a glimpse of the incredible spaces set to open their doors in The City of London, now’s your chance to explore what’s coming and secure your spot.
Stationers Hall © SusannahFields
22. Play Padel Table Tennis in the City of London (until 28 September)
Looking for a fun way to break up your workday or catch up with friends after hours? Try your hand at Padel Table Tennis, an exciting new sport to try this summer. Available at Mansion House and Tower Suites Walkway, it’s the perfect excuse to get moving, connect, and enjoy the city in a fresh way.
Padel Table Tennis by London Sports Festival outside Mansion House.
23. Head to the Bank of England's Museum Late (21 August)
This month at the Bank of England Museum, get ready to discover hidden wartime heroes, and challenge your brain with their Alan Turing inspired Enigmaze - a series of codebreaker games hidden throughout their musuem.
The Bank of England Museum.
24. Discover a vibrant, larger-than-life installation by John Booth (until 14 September)
Explore and interact with these larger-than-life objects, navigating a giant still-life scene, where furniture becomes both sculpture and seating.
A Summer Pavilion John Booth and commissioned by Brookfield Properties. Photo by Brookfield Properties.
25. Aldgate Sounds is back (5 to 28 August)
Every Tuesday (12 to 2pm) and Thursday (5 to 7pm) across the month of August get ready to hear incredible musical performances from a wide range of up-and-coming artists across the Aldgate area.
Photo courtesy of Aldgate Connect. Copyright Mickey LF Lee
26. Experience THE DROP at BOXHALL City (every Wednesday to Friday from 8.30pm)
Discover a curated mix of live music, DJ sets, and exclusive drinks offers designed to turn midweek into something worth staying out for at BOXHALL City.
Photo credit BOXHALL City.
27. Play Padel in front of the iconic St Paul's Cathedral (4 August to 19 September)
Get your friends, family and colleagues together and play a game of padel in front of the iconic St Paul's Cathedral.
Find more things to see and do in The City of London
