After a 250-year absence, the ‘Dictionary Desk’ of celebrated 18th century writer Samuel Johnson makes a historic return to his former abode, Dr Johnson’s House in the City of London.
July has arrived and this month is bursting with exciting events and activities in The City of London.
Whether you’re a fan of beer festivals, classical music, or family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone.
Here are just some of the best things to do in The City of London this July.
1. Attend a Beer festival in The City (3 July)
The much-loved City Beerfest is back and marking its 11th anniversary in the historic Guildhall Yard on 3 July from 12.30 to 9pm.
With over 40 beers to choose from, you can taste a wide range from some of the finest UK and European breweries, including Damm 1876 Ltd, Five Points Brewing Company, Freedom Brewery, Guinness, Harbour Brewing Co, Hofmeister, Hook Norton Brewery, McMullen’s, Ossett Brewery, Shepherd Neame, Signature Brew, Timothy Taylor & Co and Warsteiner Brauerei.
Non-alcoholic, low alcohol, and gluten-free options will be available, plus plenty of delicious street food to enjoy alongside your drinks.
Mouth watering food from We are Clink Events, Argentalia London and Souvlaki Street Food.
Fantastically fun live music from The Unswung Heroes.
This event not only celebrates the craft of brewing but also supports the fantastic work of The Lord Mayor's Appeal.
City Beerfest 2024. Credit City of London Corporation. Photo by Tim Whitby
2. Try out a new sport as part of London Sports Festival
Get active with London Sports Festival, running from July to September. This month enjoy activities like padel table tennis at Tower Suites Walkway and Mansion House or table tennis at Paternoster Square.
London Sport Festival 2025. Photo credit City of London Corporation.
3. Find fun and engaging activities to keep the kids entertained over the school holidays
Keep the kids entertained with these exciting and educational activities happening across the City of London this month.
Second Saturday at Guildhall Art Gallery (12 July): Join Guildhall Arty Gallery for their next day of creative fun.
Monster Art Club: 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: 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: 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.
Barbican Family Film Club: Enjoy Saturday mornings filled with family-friendly films.
3D Drawing at Tower Bridge (29 July): Just outside The City of London, create a design of one of the Tower Bridge characters then use special glasses to see it pop off the page.
Second Saturday activities at Guildhall Art Gallery.
4. Find somewhere to watch Wimbledon
Major sporting events such as Wimbledon will be broadcast live on big screens in One New Change and Paternoster Square this summer.
© One New Change
5. 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.
6. 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, breathtaking architecture and a champagne brunch at Engel.
Florrattica Rooftop Bar and Restaurant.
7. Go for Afternoon Tea in The City of London
The dainty sandwiches, the trickle of Earl Grey, the delicate spreading of jam and cream (now is not the place for the ‘which goes first?’ argument) – is there a more elegant way to spend a few hours than with an English afternoon tea?
If you’re seeking an extra special spot for your tea and scones, The City of London will have you spoilt for choice. From tea with a view to fusion menus, read our guide to find some of the most luxurious afternoon tea locations in the City.
Four Season, Afternoon Tea, promo image Credit to Lily Vanilli
8. See this wonderfully quirky City Tradition (19 July)
A fun event for all the family and transport enthusiasts, witness the traditional Cart Marking Ceremony in Guildhall Yard on 19 July from approximately 10am to 12.30pm.
The free to watch parade will have over 40 old and new vehicles, from handcarts to steam engines. This 500-year-old ceremony celebrates the history of transport, and as each vehicle is presented for marking, a commentator will explain its history and relevance today. Each vehicle will be marked with a red-hot iron by the Master of the Worshipful Company of Carmen, and representatives of the Lord Mayor of the City of London.
9. Visit the Summer Markets in the City
Check out these brilliant summer markets in the City:
Paternoster Square (10 June to 21 July): Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of summer markets at Paternoster Square and St Paul’s Cathedral. Enjoy a delightful array of street food, refreshing summer drinks, and engaging games, all set to the backdrop of a giant screen displaying live events and movies.
Leadenhall Market (12 and 27 July): Visit the pop-up monthly craft fairs and vintage markets at Leadenhall Market. Explore unique handmade crafts and vintage treasures, perfect for finding one-of-a-kind gifts and souvenirs. These markets offer a charming shopping experience amidst the historic architecture of Leadenhall Market.
Street Food Market at The Leadenhall Building (every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday): Satisfy your culinary cravings at the Street Food Market underneath The Leadenhall Building. Open every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, this market features a variety of delicious street food vendors offering a range of cuisines. Perfect for a mid-week lunch break or a quick bite on the go.
Promotional image for Leadenhall Market series of pop-up weekend markets
10. 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 July.
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.
Black Sound London at the Barbican Music Library (until 19 July): Explore over 100 years of British black music in Black Sound London, a free, interactive exhibition tracing its journey from the underground to the mainstream.
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.
‘Between Figuration & Abstraction’ Exhibition (until 17 July): The exhibition at Crane Court Gallery explores the parallels between figuration and abstraction within the field of painting and drawing.
Jane and Louise Wilson: Performance of Entrapment ( 17 July 2025 to 1 January 2026): Performance of Entrapment continues the Wilson’s exploration of culturally significant sites, investigating parallels between the Roman Temple of Mithras and Japan’s Ise Jingu shrine - two sacred places dating to the 1st to 3rd century BC.
Jane and Louise Wilson. Photo credit: Jason Alden
11. 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 and advance booking is required.
Billingsgate Roman House and Bath.
12. 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.
13. Take a guided tour of The City of London
Daily walks run from the City Information Centre, just south of St Paul's. You will find tours that uncover the lives of Shakespeare and Dickens in The City, marvel at Christopher Wren's iconic architecture and lots more. There is something for everyone to enjoy and get a taste of The City.
14. See Gaia by Luke Jerram (until 26 July)
Discover Gaia by Luke Jerram in the 22 Bishopsgate Lobby. Measuring six meters in diameter, Gaia features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth's surface and provides a unique opportunity to see our planet on this scale, floating in three-dimension.
Gaia by Luke Jerram. Photo by Brendan Bell Photography.
15. Experience the 14th edition of Sculpture in the City
Artworks by Ai Weiwei, Andrew Sabin, and Jane and Louise Wilson will soon be unveiled in The City of London as part of the 14th edition of Sculpture in the City.
Sculpture in the City 13th Edition Activation Programme.
17. Take a Barbican Architecture Tour
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 highwalks, 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.
Credit Max Colson
18. Get ready for a Saturday Feast at Piazza Italiana
With its Corinthian columns, gilded chandeliers and beautifully hand-painted ceiling, Piazza Italiana's sun-dappled dining room comes alive on Saturdays with a long lunch inspired by Italian family feasts.
From 12pm each Saturday, a live DJ spins vinyl from a mezzanine booth overlooking the dining room, setting the tone with a curated mix of soul, mellow disco and funk.
Piazza Italiana's sun-dappled dining room sets the scene for a business lunch or city soiree.
19. Try Chino González’s new menu at Eastway Brasserie
This summer, chef Cristian ‘Chino’ González is bringing bold Buenos Aires flavors to Eastway Brasserie with a three-month residency. His fire-led menu blends global techniques with deep roots in Buenos Aires cuisine.
Chino González’s x Eastway Brasserie.
20. Take a curator-led tours of the Bank of England Museum's exhibition 'The Future of Money' (17 and 31 July)
Join a free lunchtime tour of the Bank of England Museum's exhibition, The Future of Money.
From digital currencies to the role of cash in everyday life, from sustainability to ensuring choice and access to different payment methods, The Future of Money explores key questions about how money is evolving.
Tours take place at 12pm and last approximately 20 minutes and are led by Jennifer Adam, curator at the Bank of England Museum.
Lunchtime talks at the Bank of England Museum.
21. Spend a lunchtime or evening at the Summer Sounds Music Festival (30 June to 3 July)
A brand-new, free event bringing four days of open-air live music is coming to Citypoint this month.
Expect local street food, cold craft beer, and live sets from some of the UK, and global music’s most exciting names - all without stepping outside of the Square Mile.
22. Be part of Culture Mile On The Street (1 July)
Aldermanbury will be transformed into a vibrant outdoor space for rest, play and knowledge sharing as part of the wider London Festival of Architecture.
Titled Culture Mile On The Street, the day long event reimagines how we use City streets whilst testing alternative uses for public realm and creating space for wellness, community and creativity.
Yoga and Exercise Classes: An early morning movement session to help you de-stress and stretch away from your desk, including a unique class led by a deaf instructor exploring sound, silence and the body.
The programme kicks off at 8am with a morning yoga class and runs through to the early evening, concluding with the Pride street party.
23. Experience Leadenhall Live at The Leadenhall Building (1 to 30 July)
Leadenhall Live is a month-long event series curated by Savills in collaboration with Eastern City BID and C C Land. The festival aims to redefine the workplace experience by infusing it with moments of joy, learning, and community engagement. Events are hosted in the building’s stunning 30-meter-high public galleria, surrounded by London’s architectural landmarks like the Gherkin and Lloyd’s of London.
24. Join the Bubbles in the Sky Party at Horizon 22 (17 July)
Celebrate summer in sparkling style with the Bubbles in the Sky Party, an exclusive evening above The City, hosted at Horizon 22 on the 58th floor of 22 Bishopsgate.
25. Attend a concert in The City of London
George Robarts (baritone) (29 July): See George Robarts an emerging British baritone with a vibrant stage presence and a ‘great penchant for comedy’ (Opera Scene). Described as a versatile singer and actor, he has recently starred as Bottom/Drunken Poet in Longborough Festival Opera’s opera-drama adaptation of The Fairy Queen (★★★★★ The Stage), covered Starveling in A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Garsington Opera, and played Junius in The Rape of Lucretia for British Youth Opera.
Strauss’ Salome (11 and 13 July): Sir Antonio Pappano will be conducting a concert performance of Strauss’ scandalous opera Salome, with the brilliant soprano Asmik Grigorian in the title role.
De Beauvoir Jazz Festival (11 July): Bishopsgate Institute are welcoming Gordon Webster to London this month, in partnership with De Beauvoir Jazz Festival and Swing Patrol. As one of the most sought after pianists in the lindy hop world - Gordon Webster's tremendous musicianship and passion, supported by his first-hand knowledge of social dancing, have inspired lindy hoppers at hundreds of dance events worldwide.
London Symphony Orchestra. Photo by Mark Allan.
26. See The London Archives 'Shakespeare in London' exhibition (30 June to 25 September)
A bonus activity! Just outside The City of London you can visit The London Archives this summer to see some of their rarely displayed treasures relating to William Shakespeare, who wrote "Romeo & Juliet", "Hamlet", "Macbeth" and many other famous plays. The display is free to visit during normal opening hours.
Promotional image for The London Archives latest display.
Find more things to see and do in The City of London
- Explore Roman Ruins
- Discover self-guided and guided walking trails and tours
- Explore the City Visitor Trail
- 10 hidden gems in The City of London for you to explore
- Parks and green spaces in The City of London
- Find places to eat and drink in The City of London
