Fabulous things to do in London this summer

If you’re visiting London this summer and want to know where all the really fabulous things are, then allow me (a very fabulous Londoner) to point you in the right direction. From queer cabaret to naked cycling, sunny outdoor cinemas to dark karaoke spots, I’ve got you covered. This is one big city so check out the parties, shows, exhibitions, festivals and events I have personally handpicked to ensure you have a brilliant time. I’ll be updating this list throughout June, July and August so check back here regularly for all the fabulous things to do in London this summer.

💃 Fabulous events and parties in London

🌈 Fabulous Pride in London parties

🌞 Fabulous August Bank Holiday weekend parties in London

🎨 Fabulous exhibitions in London

🌟 Fabulous musicals in London

🎭 Fabulous theatre in London

🎥 Fabulous open-air cinemas in London

 

Missed summer? Try my guide for autumn.

 

My top 10 things to do in London this summer

Have brunch with drag queens

If you like your breakfast with a side order of show tunes (or Spice Girls), then Dalston Superstore’s Disco Brunches is the tasty treat you need in your life this summer. Hosted by a different drag queen every Saturday and Sunday, you can expect riotous start to the day with music and amazing food. There’s not really a “show” per se, but more a hearty mix of catwalking, lipsyncing and audience interaction that will have you giggling into your Full English (especially if your host hasn’t actually been to bed from the night before yet). Oh, and the food is really good btw. One of my favourite brunch places in East London.
📅 Every weekend
📍 Dalston Superstore, 117 Kingsland High St, London E8 2PB
➡️ facebook.com/discobrunchdalstonsuperstore/

Get a taste for some Hot Brown Honey

Personally, this is the hottest ticket of the summer in my opinion – I am THAT excited about this show. Hailing from Australia, these fierce mamas put on a show like no other, hoping to educate and entertain in equal measure. Think burlesque+politics+beat boxing+killer costumes=one seriously tasty treat. These seven incredible award-winning women of colour will by storming London’s Southbank Centre with six shows in July and trust me, this is one show you shouldn’t miss.
📅 24th-28th July 2018
📍 Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, Lambeth SE1 8XX
➡️ southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/123145-hot-brown-honey-2018

Boys, get your nails done

This June, the men’s manicure crew, Guys That Nail It, have their own pop-up in Peckham’s Holdrons Arcade. Featuring all manner of soak, shape and polish options, their aim is to make men realise that we all got nails – and it’s not just women who should take care of them. Whether you just want someone to sort your fingertips out or have always dreamed of your own gel extensions, this the perfect place to get your hands (and feet) sorted for summer.
📅 8th-22nd June 2018
📍 Holdrons Arcade, 135a Rye Ln, Peckham SE15 4ST
➡️ facebook.com/GuysThatNailIt

Watch TLC, Venga Boys & Mel C like it’s the 90s all over again

If festivals are usually a little too pretentious (read: basic) for your taste, then this campy campy fun time is probably the line-up you’ve been looking for. Hosted by legendary London club Sink The Pink, this one-day festival is happening in London’s Brockwell Park and has a whole host of iconic stars from long-lost girl groups on the bill: Louise Redknapp (Eternal), Nadine Coyle (Girls Aloud) and the aforementioned Mel C (from a small British group called the Spice Girls – you may not have heard of them). Throw into the mix B*Witched and Belinda Carlisle and you’ve got yourself a winning day out. Trust me when I say you should dress up for this one.
📅 3rd June 2018
📍 Brockwell Park, Herne Hill SE24 9BL
➡️ mightyhoopla.com

See Steps (yes, Steps!) in Kew Gardens

Speaking of the 90s, if you’re old enough to remember Steps (like me, hiya!), then this is probably one of the most hilariously fun nights you will have all summer. Set amongst the 300 acres of exotic flowers in far West London, this 90s pop group will be pumping out all their dancefloor anthems, in some sadly more age-appropriate outfits than 20 years ago.
📅 10th July 2018
📍 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond TW9 3AE
➡️ kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/kew-the-music-2018

Get stuck in the K Hole

If you’re a regular at Dalston Superstore, then you’re going to love their new bar: The Karaoke Hole! Opening its doors for the first time this weekend (with a Madonna vs Gaga showdown, of course), this is the best new bar in London this summer. Located under Vodoo Rays Pizza on the high street, you should expect all manner of vocal stylings and campy songs with some rather fabulous drag queens on hand to host the show.
📅 Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays from 6pm-3am
📍 The Karaoke Hole, 95 Kingsland High St, Dalston E8 2PB
➡️ thekaraokehole.com

Cycle naked around London

For one day a year, you won’t be arrested for getting your flaps out in the sunshine – as long as you’re on a bike. That’s right, the World Naked Bike Ride happens in the Northern Hemisphere every June and in London, you can join this au natural peloton from 6 different location around the city (detailed below). This joyful protest is an anti-petrol and pro-body positivity way of drawing attention to the need for space for cyclists on London’s roads. Plus, it’s an ideal day out for exhibitionists of every shape and size.
📅 9th June 2018
📍 Starting from: Tower Hill, Regents Park, West Norwood, Hyde Park, Clapham Junction, and Kew Bridge
➡️ facebook.com/WNBRLondon

Travel on the London Eye like a queen

If you’ve ever wanted to be trapped in a glass pod 400ft above the ground with two seriously loco drag queens, then this is your dream come true. Crystal Beth and Baby Lame, from the cracking monthly party Mariah & Friends, will be taking to the skies this June as part of Time Out’s Eye-Openers series. Your holiday snaps will be so much more next level with these two sparkly beauties by your side.
📅 13th & 20th June 2018
📍 London Eye, South Bank, Lambeth SE1 7PB
➡️ londoneye.com/whats-on/time-outs-eye-openers-talks-and-performances

Monkey about in London Zoo after dark

If your animal side comes out at night, then here is the perfect event for you in London this summer. On Friday evenings throughout June and July, the London Zoo stays open late – just for adults. Yes, you have to be over 18 to hang with a hippopotamus (her name is Lola, btw) after hours. Think wild yoga, tours with kinky animal sex tips and ‘watering holes’ with refreshing beverages.
📅 1st-20th July 2018
📍 ZSL London Zoo, Regent’s Park NW1 4RY
➡️ zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/whats-on/zoo-nights

Party on the Southbank with queens and kings of London

For three days in July, the iconic grey concrete brutalist structure that is the National Theatre becomes a riot of colour, camp and cabaret as the beauties from The Glory (my favourite gay bar in the whole of London) run amok with their very own pop-up festival. The line-up has now been revealed to include a whole host of East London’s drag superstars, including Virgin Xtravaganzah, Baby Lame, Timberlina and The Glory’s very own Jonny Woo.
📅 13th-15th July 2018
📍 National Theatre, Upper Ground, Lambeth SE1 9PX
➡️ nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/the-glory-river-stage-2018

💃

Fabulous events & parties in London this summer

🆕 = recently added events!

June

• Mariah & Friendz: Long, Hot, Wet Summer! @ BGWMC – 2nd June 2018
• Pxssy Palace’s Femmetopia! @ VFD – 2nd June 2018
• Mariah & Friendz @ Underbelly – 6th June 2018
• Bad Luck Cabaret @ Underbelly – 8th June – 18th July 2018
• Knickerbocker: Queer Dance Summer Party @ The Yard – 8th June 2018
• Glitterous The Launch – New Lesbian Dance Party @ VFD – 8th June 2018
• Opulence Queer Techno Party @ Five Miles – 8th June 2018
• Hot Gay Time Machine @ The Other Palace – 8th June -7th July 2018
• Silk Series + Voices East London @ Old Spitalfield’s Market – 13th June 2018
• Horse Meat Disco x Little Gay Brother @ Hangar – 16th June 2018
• Femmetopia! Feat. YaYa Bones @ VFD – 16th June 2018
• Queer as FOC @ Her Upstairs – 17th June 2018
• Bingo Babes! Summer Time Special! @ The Glory – 21st June 2018
• The Double R Club, Miss Twin Peaks Contest @ BGWMC – 21st June 2018
• Naked Non-Binary Babes Reading @ Karaoke Hole – 21st June 2018
• Magical Creatures Non-Binary Cabaret Special @ The Glory – 22nd June 2018
• SISSY SCUM: Third Impact @ VFD – 23rd June 2018
• Bottom Heavy (‿ˠ‿) Wes Baggaley & Dan Beaumont @ Dalston Superstore – 23rd June 2018
• Queer Fayre Pop Up @ TATE Britain – 23rd June 2018
• A Cinematic Masterpiece Presents: The World Cup @ The Five Bells – 23rd June 2018
• Hackney Pride 365 presents Queer Tours of London history walks @ Stoke Newington Town Hall – 23rd June 2018
• Cybil’s House @ The White Swan – 23rd June 2018
• Adonis @ The Cause – 23rd June 2018
• Queer and Now @ Tate Britain – 23rd June 2018
• BOiBOX – House Party! @ SHE Soho – 28th June 2018
• Denim: World Tour @ Underbelly – 29th June 2018
• Daddy Issues London 2nd Birthday ft Detox @ Beach Blanket Babylon Shoreditch – 30th June 2018
• Fèmmme Fraîche #017 with Smokin Jo @ Dalston Superstore – 30th June 2018
• Hackney Pride 365 presents Queer Tours of London history walks @ Stoke Newington Town Hall – 30th June 2018

July

🌈 Jump to Pride in London parties

• Queerlesque 9 Showcase @ Royal Vauxhall Tavern – 5th July 2018
• Lolo Brow: Attention Seeker @ Underbelly @ 10th July – 12th September 2018
• Barry Humphries Weimar Cabaret @ Barbican – 11th-29th July 2018
• Lipsync1000 Grand Final @ Clapham Grand – 11th July 2018
• Female Masculinity Appreciation Society #18 @ Royal Vauxhall Tavern – 13th July 2018
• Horse Meat Disco x WUT? CLUB & Poof Doof @ Hangar – 20th July 2018
• Cybil’s House @ The White Swan – 21st July 2018
• Club Briefs @ Underbelly – 25th – 28th July 2018
• Transmissions: The Launch Party! @ VFD – 26th July 2018
• BOiBOX – Crafty Sods! @ She Soho – 26th July 2018
• 80’s Butch! @ Royal Vauxhall Tavern – 26th July 2018
• Denim @ BGWMC  – 27th July 2018
• Clash Bash no.5 ~ Splish Splash @ Dalston Superstore – 27th July 2018
• Where Pride Began – Discover the Queer History of Carnaby Street @ Lomography UK – 28th July 2018
• Glory Lates – Big Gay Songbook Live! @ The Glory – 28th July 2018
• Glitterbox @ Ministry Of Sound – 28th July 2018
• Showtunes Brunch with E.Z. Street @ Dalston Superstore – 28th July 2018
• The Apocalypse Xtravaganzah @ Underbelly – 31st July 2018
• Bar Wotever Dandy Darkly’s All Aboard! @ Royal Vauxhall Tavern – 31st July 2018

August

🌞 Jump to August Bank Holiday weekend parties in London

• Lesbian Karaoke with Gusher! @ The Karaoke Hole – 2nd August 2018
• Non-binary Speed Dating @ The Apple Tree – 3rd August 2018
• Mønster Queen @ VFD – 3rd August 2018
• Homostash Vauxhall Launch party @ Eagle London – 3rd August 2018
• Femmi-Errect: PUNK AF @ Dalston Superstore – 3rd August 2018
• Let’s Have a Kiki #TheParty @ Prince of Peckham – 3rd August 2018
• Spice Up Your Brunch With Just May @ Dalston Superstore – 4th August 2018
• Just May Does Geri screening @ The LP Café – 8th August 2018
• Thursday Night Game Shows @ The Chateau – 9th August 2018
• Shesus Wept – Karaoke Night @ The Karaoke Hole – 9th August 2018
• PopHorror XII: Slice Up Your Life – Girl Group Special @ Royal Vauxhall Tavern – 9th August 2018
• Noir / 0.02 @ The Chateau – 10th August 2018
• Mints Bday Spesh ft. Johannes Albert, Toni Yotzi + Jaqi Sparro! @ Dalston Superstore – 10th August 2018
• Raze Collective Weekend @ Southbank Centre – 10th-12th August 2018
• Virgin’s High as Hell Mass @ The Glory – 10th August 2018
• Pink Glove: a Queer Pulp / Indie / Post Punk / New Wave disco @ The Victoria – 11th August 2018
• Glory Lates – ShayShay & TeTe Bang LIVE! @ The Glory – 11th August 2018
• Transister @ CELL 200 – 11th August 2018
• Power Brunch – Power Ballad Request Fest! @ Dalston Superstore – 12th August 2018
• Celebration: A Night of Madonna @ Eagle London – 17th August 2018
• ALOK with Travis Alabanza & Marikiscrycrycry @ Hackney Showrooms – 17th August 2018
• Non-Binary Cabaret Creative Chaos @ The Glory – 17th August 2018
• When Adam Met Apple @ Royal Vauxhall Tavern – 17th August 2018
• Lovers Paradise Disco Festival @ Oval Space – 18th August 2018
• Brixton Pre-Carnival Disco Fiesta @ The Brixton Courtyard – 18th August 2018
• Femmetopia: sweaty summer lovin’ @ VFD – 18th August 2018
• FEM Festival: Summer Edition @ RAW Lab – 18th August 2018
• Bar Wotever on the Southbank @ Royal Festival Hall – 18th August 2018
• Cybil’s House @ The White Swan – 18th August 2018
• CherrYO!kie @ The Karaoke Hole – 18th August 2018
• Michelle Visage @ BGWMC – 18th August 2018
• ShayShay’s Breakfast in Bed @ Dalston Superstore – 19th August 2018
• Sunday Funday Summer Fun @ Vogue Fabrics – 19th August 2018
• Private View – DRAG: Self-portraits and Body Politics @ Hayward Gallery – 21st August 2018
• The ShayShay Show presents The Bay Fray Show @ The Glory – 23rd August 2018
• Tracy Barlow: Oracle @ Royal Vauxhall Tavern – 29th August 2018
• DIVA Deathmatch – The Ultimate Karaoke Battle! @ Karaoke Hole – 30th August 2018
• BOiBOX – Maximus! Relaunch @ The Glory – 30th August 2018
• GRRRL, Sounds of Harlowe, Bamako Overground, DJ Hot Bread @ Hootananny Brixton – 31st August 2018
• OPULENCE V: Queer Techno Party @ Five Miles – 31st August 2018
• Push The Button: Spice Up Yer Life! 2018 @ Royal Vauxhall Tavern – 31st August 2018

**CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES THROUGHOUT SUMMER**

🌈

Fabulous Pride in London parties this summer

• Queer Karaoke Speed Dating: Pride Special @ Karaoke Hole – 5th July 2018
• Pecs Pride Party @ VFD – 6th July 2018
• Pride in London parade in central London – 7th July 2018
• Queer Picnic 2k18 @ Burgess Park – 7th July 2018
• Sink The Pink Colour Ball @ 02 Academy Brixton – 7th July 2018
• Little Gay Brother x Pride @ Omera – 7th July 2018
• Sodom & Begorrah Pride Party @ The Glory – 7th July 2018
• Classic x High Hoops pres Love + Pride w/ Honey Dijon & friends @ Hangar – 7th July 2018
• Batty Bass @ The Yard – 7th July 2018
• NAFF DRAG London Pride @ Hackney Showrooms – 7th July 2018
• Horse Meat Disco Pride @ Eagle London – 8th July 2018

🌞

Fabulous August Bank Holiday parties in London this summer

• SISSY SCUM: The Tantrum @ Vogue Fabrics – 24th August 2018
• Bushwig – London Takeover Preview! @ The Glory – 24th August 2018
• 🆕 Queer Fayre Pop Up @ The Apple Tree – 25th August 2018
• 🆕 The Legendary Her Upstairs Orphans @ Sedition London – 25th August 2018
• 🆕 Spice up your Brunch with Just May @ Dalston Superstore – 25th August 2018
• Fèmmme Fraîche #018 with Louisahhh @ Dalston Superstore – 25th August 2018
• Little Gay Brother – August Bank Holiday @ Omeara – 25th August 2018
• Adonis Al Fresco Bank Holiday! @ The Cause – 25th August 2018
• 🆕 Lesbian Karaoke with Gusher! @ The Karaoke Hole – 26th August 2018
• Notting Hill Carnival 2018 @ Notting Hill – 26th – 27th August 2018
• Summer FRUITÉ @ Bermondsey Social Club – 26th August 2018
• Chapter 10 – §10.33 | HEAT RAVE @ Bloc- 26th August 2018

🎨

Fabulous exhibitions in London this summer

• Under Cover: A Secret History Of Cross-Dressers @ The Photographer’s Gallery – till 3rd June 2018
• Juno Calypso: What to do with a Million Years @ TJ Boulting gallery – till 23rd June 2018
• Print! Tearing It Up @ Somerset House – 8th June – 22nd August 2018
• All Too Human: Bacon, Freud and a century of painting life @ Tate Britain – till 27th August 2018
• Azzedine Alaïa: The Couturier @ Design Museum London – till 7th October 2018
• Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up @ V&A – 16th June – 4 November 2018

🌟

Fabulous musicals in London this summer

• Strictly Ballroom @ Piccadilly Theatre
• Tina: The Musical @ Aldwych Theatre
• Everybody’s Talking About Jamie @ Apollo Theatre
• Kinky Boots The Musical @ Adelphi Theatre
• Heathers The Musical @ The Other Palace – 9th June – 4th August 2018
• Bring It On @ Southwark Playhouse – 2nd August – 1st September 2018

🎭

Fabulous theatre shows in London this summer

• Fun Home @ Young Vic – 18th June – 1st September 2018
• Beautiful Thing @ a secret location in Thamesmead –  3rd-7th July 2018
• King Lear with Ian McKellen @ Duke of York’s Theatre – 11th July – 3rd November 2018

🎥

Fabulous open-air cinemas in London this summer

• Rooftop Film Club  (showing I, Tonya, Clueless and The Craft) @ Bussey Building – till 30th June 2018
• Film 4 Summer Screen (showing Carol, Blue Velvet & Call Me By Your Name) @ Somerset House – 9th-22nd August 2018
• The Nomad Cinema (showing Ladybird, Breakfast at Tiffanys & Some Like It Hot) @ two locations near Barbican & St Pauls – 16th June-26th October 2018

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