Outdoor events in London this summer

Movies on the Lawn

The legendary summer film series is back with a trio of specially selected movies to be screened in Fulham Palace Gardens. Keep checking the website for updates.

Fulham Palace | September 6, 13 and 20 | 6.30pm
Bishops Avenue, SW6 6EA
Tube | Putney Bridge 
fulhampalace.org

London Live

This summer, there’ll be lots of chances to soak up some of the Olympic buzz. Screenings of the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be happening in Hyde Park, Victoria Park and Trafalgar Square. Hyde Park will show coverage of every Olympic medal event and while the ticketed opening and closing ceremonies are happening, the spectacles will also be screened in Victoria Park. Vicky Park is also going to be home to sports sessions anyone can take part in. Trafalgar Square will be taking over for the Paralympic Games with screenings and try-it-yourself sessions.

July 27-September 9 | Free
Trafalgar Square, EC2N 5DN; Victoria Park, E3 5SN; Hyde Park, W2 2UH
btlondonlive.com

Taste of London

Have a slice of affordable fine dining in the great outdoors (well, a London park). For the four-day event, chefs from London’s best restaurants, including Gaucho, Maze, Asia de Cuba, L’Anima and Le Gavroche will be dishing up their finest fare for an alfresco feast. Sample starter-sized tasting plates and signature dishes from Michelin-starred restaurants, starting at under a fiver.

June 21-24. Thu-Sat 12pm-4pm and 5.30pm-9.30pm, Sun 12pm-5pm | £24
Regent’s Park, Outer Circle
Tube | Regent’s Park
tastefestivals.com

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, an old favourite, is now in its 80th year. It’s keeping things pretty low-key, thanks to the Olympics, but is still hosting two major productions. On the bill will be the contemporary musical, Ragtime, which follows three families separated by race and destiny at the turn of the 20th century. And then there’ll be the Shakespeare classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

May 18-Sept 8; From £20.12  
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, NW1 
Tube | Regent’s Park
openairtheatre.com 

Rooftop Film Club

The group behind some pretty exciting summer night cinema trips, The Rooftop Film Club (pictured above), is even having a Best Of British season at The Roof Gardens in Kensington. Coming up, there’s The Queen on June 4 and rom-com Wimbledon on 10. or the ticket price of £25, you get a tasty fish or burger and chips dinner. There are also directors chairs to relax in and blankets are on hand to keep you toasty.

June 4 &10; £25
The Roof Gardens, W8 5SA
Tube | High Street Kensington
rooftopfilmclub.com

Foto8 Summershow launch party

Hit up an arty east London street party to celebrate the winners of FOTO8’s competition for images that show the world differently. Ticket price includes free drinks.

Fri, July 6. 6.30pm-10.30pm £12
Honduras Street EC1Y
Tube | Barbican
bookwhen.com

Curious: An Art Trail In A Cemetery

West Norwood Cemetery was the most fashionable in the country, and a hive for Victorian tourists. This summer, it is the home of works by 26 artists who were inspired by the site’s Gothic aesthetics.

June 22–July 20. 9am-4pm free
Norwood Road, SE27 9JU
Tube | West Norwood
westnorwoodcemetery.com

Epsom Derby Fest

Hats at the ready for two days of horseracing (Ladies Day first, then Derby Day). Get there at least an hour before the races to place a bet – pick a horse with a silly name and you might get lucky.

June 1-2. From 2.15pm £15
Epsom downs | Tattenham Corner Road, KT18 5LQ 
Tube | Epsom Downs
epsomdowns.co.uk

Fruit Sports Day

A fruity take on a sports day by Innocent Smoothies – with peach volley ball and cycling in a melondrome.

Sunday July 22. 11am-7pm £12.50
Regent’s Park
Tube | Regent’s Park
innocentdrinks.co.uk

Crystal Palace Garden Party

With rock on Saturday and Jubilee proms on Sunday, plus comedy, arts, a funfair and Shakespeare readings in a maze.

June 23-24. 1pm £20.50
Crystal Palace Park, Thickett Road, SE20 8DT
Tube | Penge West
crystalpalacegardenparty.com