What’s on in July
Backyard Biennial: East at Whitechapel Gallery
Wednesday 15 July to Sunday 6 September 2026 (10am – 6pm)
Take a short trip down the road to experience the flagship event of East London’s summer arts calendar. Launching to mark Whitechapel Gallery’s 125th anniversary, Backyard Biennial: East is a free eight-week festival created in collaboration with more than 40 local partner organisations across the East End. The main gallery exhibition, East of the Aldgate Pump, brings together 12 artists to explore local heritage and stories of migration through striking painting, sculpture, and film.
Wing Fest London 2026
Friday 24 July to Sunday 26 July 2026
For the ultimate food festival experience, the world’s largest chicken wing festival lands right on the edge of East London for a weekend of culinary competition. Showcasing the very best street food vendors, chefs, and restaurants from across the UK, vendors will compete across the weekend to be crowned the wing champions. Alongside thousands of wings to sample, enjoy live music, DJs, axe throwing, bourbon bars, and the festival’s legendary wing-eating competitions.
Ensemble Festival 2026
Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July 2026, 12pm – 8pm
Returning for its sixth spectacular edition just a short distance down the road, Certain Blacks presents the Ensemble Festival 2026. This vibrant, two-day outdoor celebration transforms the historic Royal Victoria Docks into a stage for world-class street art, physical theater, dance, and circus acts. It is an incredibly accessible, family-friendly weekend of summer culture right on the water.
Royal Docks Summer Splash & Food Village
Friday 25 July to Sunday 16 August 2026, 10am – 6pm daily
The highly anticipated Royal Docks Summer Splash returns for 2026, transforming the historic waterfront into an urban oasis. This massive, family-friendly daytime pop-up features a custom-built outdoor swimming lido directly in the docks, complete with large sandpits, deckchairs, and beach games. Alongside the swimming, a vibrant street food village will be pitched up all month, serving up local artisan treats, cold drinks, and global cuisines.
