With festivals, holidays and all the other outdoor activities in between, summer can be expensive. By the time it gets to August, you’re probably thinking it’s time to retire from being outside in an attempt to save your pennies. But fear not because there’s still another way to make the most of the sunny season on a budget – free events.

To keep you enjoying the summer, and to help keep your funds in check, we’ve put together a list of fun, free events happening in the capital this August. Check out the list below!

Kings Cross Summer Sounds Festival

Where: Kings Cross, Coal Drops Yard, N1C 4LW

When: 7-17 August 2025

Music festivals are generally pretty expensive but there’s always one you can enjoy for free every year – the Kings Cross Summer Sounds Festival. Every day for 11 days, the event will showcase performances from a range of genres including R&B, jazz and indie-rock, as well as acts from the fields of dance, puppetry and sculpture. It’s a big year for the festival as this year marks its 10th anniversary and you can get in on the celebrations by taking a trip to King’s Cross.

Click here to see the full programme for the festival.

Family Festival of Caribbean Culture

Where: London Museum, E14 4AL

When: 8-9 August 2025

If you’re looking for a wholesome family day out, then look no further than the Family Festival of Caribbean Culture. Taking place at the London Museum, this two-day event is a celebration of London’s diverse Caribbean culture and features dance, food and crafts workshops for children, as well as live DJs and history activities. All activities are free but some do require booking tickets in advance.

Click here for more information on the event.

Carnaval del Pueblo

Where: Burgess Park, SE5 0AL

When: 10 August 2025

Get ready for a day full of colour, culture and community as Europe’s largest Latin American festival, Carnaval del Pueblo, is making a return to the capital! With three stages, over 200 vendors and a salsa dance floor, the festival is a vibrant celebration of Latin American music, dance and culture. As if festival-goers weren’t already in for a treat, this year they’ll also be able to take part in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest salsa dance! If you want to immerse yourself in Latin American traditions, be sure to head to this event.

Click here for more information about this year’s Carnaval del Pueblo.

UK Black Pride 2025

Where: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E20 2ST

When: 10 August 2025

To celebrate its 20th anniversary this year, UK Black Pride is returning to the Olympic Park in Stratford for another huge festival. As Europe’s largest pride celebration for LGBTQI+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle-Eastern descent, the event is a safe space to celebrate diverse sexualities, gender identities, gender expressions and cultures. The festival will feature performances, talks, community stalls and workshops, making it a day full of fun, insight and togetherness.

Notting Hill Carnival

Where: Notting Hill, W11 3HT

When: 24-25 August 2025

Undoubtedly one of the most anticipated events happening this month is Notting Hill Carnival – the annual parade celebrating all things Caribbean culture. Attracting two million people every year, the event is Europe’s largest street festival and it’s one that is definitely worth the hype. Made up of a procession of floats, colourful costumes, steel bands, sound systems and food stalls, Notting Hill Carnival is always full of life, leaving you with no option but to soak up the lively atmosphere. The event is split into two days – Children’s Day on 24th August and Adults Day on the 25th August – but high-energy vibes are guaranteed on both days.

For more information about this year’s Notting Hill Carnival, click here.

History of Hip-Hop Party

Where: Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX

When: 25 August 2025

Ain’t no party like a hip-hop party! This month will see Southbank Centre host its annual History of Hip-Hop Party to celebrate the genre’s evolution over the decades. From the funk-infused rhythms of the 1970s to the sounds of jungle and grime, each DJ set and live performance will feature songs that highlight hip-hop’s solid influence on music for the past 50 years. While it may be a party, it’s one that’ll be filled with nostalgia and history.

Click here for more details about the History of Hip-Hop Party.

Caribbean Music Festival

Where: Boxpark Croydon, CR0 1LD

When: 31 August 2025

Closing out Boxpark Croydon for the month is the annual Caribbean Music Festival. Featuring DJ sets and live acts, this event is a celebration of Caribbean music showcasing genres such as dancehall, soca, lovers rock, Latin music and more. There will also be soca vs bashment clashes which are due to get the crowd going!

To see the full lineup for the Caribbean Music Festival, click here.