What’s on in London – August

This August, Saatchi Gallery is in full bloom with FLOWERS: Flora in Contemporary Art & Culture – a stunning exhibition celebrating the enduring influence of flowers in art, fashion, design and culture.

Even better? From 4–20 August, you can enjoy half-price entry every Monday to Wednesday by simply turning up wearing florals (just one floral item will do) and asking at the front desk – no booking needed, but the offer is on-site only. Spanning two floors and nine galleries, the show features over 500 works, including a 100,000-dried-flower installation by Rebecca Louise Law, and an immersive digital space by Miguel Chevalier. Expect everything from vintage album covers to avant-garde fashion and bold contemporary art – all through a floral lens.

Photo Credit: Matt Chung
Distance from The Hari: 0.5 miles

Back for its 257th year, the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy is a true London classic – and the world’s longest-running open-submission art show. Curated by architect Farshid Moussavi RA, this year’s show features over 1,700 works, from paintings and prints to sculpture, film and architecture.

Most pieces are for sale (many under £250), making it the perfect chance to start your art collection while supporting both the artists and the RA. Don’t miss Ryan Gander’s giant inflatable installation in the courtyard, new works by Tracey Emin, and striking sculptures suspended from the ceilings. On now until 17 August 2025.

Photo Credit: Royal Academy
Distance from The Hari: 1 mile

Make a splash this summer at the Design Museum’s latest exhibition, diving into 100 years of swimming, style and design. From 1920s beachwear to high-performance kit and iconic architecture, Splash! explores how swimming has shaped (and styled) our lives – in pools, lidos and the wild.

On now until 17 August 2025, you can expect over 200 fascinating objects, including Pamela Anderson’s Baywatch swimsuit, Olympic memorabilia, vintage Speedos, and a model of the Zaha Hadid-designed London 2012 Aquatics Centre. Curated by fashion historian Amber Butchart, this is a refreshing look at swimming’s place in culture, identity and design.

Photo Credit: Design Museum
Distance from The Hari: 2 miles

London’s favourite riverside festival is back! From now until 31 August, Summer by the River transforms the Thames’s edge into a sun-soaked hub of live entertainment, open-air cinema and alfresco dining.

This year’s highlight? A brand-new two-storey Glasshouse Terrace with panoramic views, premium drinks, and screenings of Wimbledon, Formula 1, and films every Tuesday night. Expect a lively line-up of music, theatre and dance, all with front-row views of the river.

Don’t miss The Pier with Aperol Spritz – a laid-back summer bar perfect for post-work drinks, weekend catch-ups or pretending you’re somewhere in the Med (without leaving SE1).

Photo Credit: London Bridge City
Distance from The Hari: 3.5 miles

Celebrating 30 years of spectacle, the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival returns from 22 August – 6 September 2025 with a bold programme of free outdoor theatre, circus and dance.

This year’s theme, Above and Beyond, promises unforgettable moments – from an all-female high-wire walk with sweeping London views, to powerful on-water theatre exploring climate change, and thrilling fusions of circus and engineering.

Described by The Guardian as “one of the best free festivals in the UK,” it’s an unmissable end-of-summer experience.

Photo Credit: GDIF
Distance from The Hari: 7 miles