August 2025 Popular Weekend Events in London(August Updated)

• Enjoy this two-time Olivier Audience Award winner and the longest-running musical in the West End • Witness the epic story of a man trying to escape his past and create a new life for himself and his surrogate daughter in post-Revolutionary France • Immerse yourself in a performance based on elements from Victor Hugo's novel of the same name, giving the audience a deep artistic enjoyment and historical review "Les Misérables" is a musical based on the novel of the same name by French writer Victor Hugo, and was co-created by French musical composers Claude Michel Schonberg and Alain Boboli. The English version of the musical "Les Misérables" has so far been translated into 22 languages. It was once selected as "Number One Essential Musicals" by the BBC. It has been performing continuously for more than 30 years, making it the longest-running musical in London's West End. "Les Misérables" has swept various musical theater awards, including multiple "Tony Awards", "Laurence Olivier Awards" and "Grammy Awards". Les Miserables the Musical is staged at the Sondheim Theater in London's West End. The theater only performs this one play all year round. Since the English version of "Les Misérables" was successfully produced and premiered at the Barbican Center in London in 1985, it has performed 8 performances a week in London and has been performing frequently. By 2010, the cumulative number of performances in London had exceeded 10,000. In March 2010, Les Misérables celebrated its 25th anniversary with three productions in London: the original version at Queen's Theatre; a 25th anniversary touring version at the Barbican Centre, where it premiered in 1985; and a 25th anniversary concert at the O2 Arena.

Glittering stars, shimmering galaxies, fiery suns and silver moons – wherever you are in the universe, don't miss ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 17.Astronomy Photographer of the Year is an annual competition featuring the world's greatest space photography. Photographers from across the globe compete to take home the prestigious title.Now it's your chance to see their spellbinding work. Over 100 photographs are on show at the National Maritime Museum, displayed at their best on brilliant lightbox screens. Visit ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year, and see the world's greatest space photography.

The Architecture Wall is an 11-metre-high display of works by architect Academicians, curated bySpencer de Grey RA, joint Head of Design atFoster + Partners.

Explore the forgotten story of Indian Army soldiers who camped at Hampton Court Palace in the early 20th century, through a new exhibition of previously unseen objects, photographs, film and personal stories.

Step into the world of regal elegance with Royal Style in the Making, a captivating new exhibition at Hillsborough Castle. Unveiling the intimate bond between royal clients and fashion designers, discover how the British fashion industry has crafted the iconic style of the British royal women. The exhibition showcases three stunning outfits on display, including the extraordinary toile used in the design of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's coronation gown, worn in 1937. Original design drawings feature some of Britain's finest designers including Madame Handley Seymour, Norman Hartnell, Hardy Amies and Oliver Messel. Don't miss sketches from David Sassoon, for Diana, Princess of Wales, including her handwritten comments. A thrill for fashion fans, don't miss this unique journey into regal elegance and history, only until 04 January 2026.

See the first UK exhibition of Mexico's much-loved artist, José María Velasco.Velasco, working in Mexico in the 19th century, was a man of many interests. He was fascinated by advances in geology, the archaeology of his home country, the study of local flora, and the increasing presence of industrialisation. He painted the sweeping landscapes of the Valley of Mexico, the home of modern-day Mexico City, with exquisite detail. His impressive panoramic views of the valley reveal allusions to Mexico's historic past and its rapidly modernising present.Velasco was keenly aware of his country's industrialisation, capturing expanding train lines and factories alongside botanically accurate studies of plants. His scientific eye inspired his art, and his love of geology is clear to see in his detailed depictions of rocks and volcanoes. This exhibition, the first-ever dedicated to a Latin American artist at the National Gallery, marks the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mexico and the UK. And it celebrates Velasco's place among the great 19th-century landscape painters.

AboutThe exhibition explores piracy in popular culture, from comical figures like Captain Pugwash to anti-heroes like Jack Sparrow, and examines its lasting fascination. Beyond their swashbuckling image, the real history of pirates is complex. Pirates traces piracy worldwide, from the South China Sea to North Africa, and highlights modern piracy issues. It showcases real figures like Blackbeard, William Kidd, Anne Bonny, and Mary Read, revealing how perceptions of pirates, past and present, continue to evolve.

Postal ships carried mail between the UK and the Caribbean, enabling enslavers to manage plantations via the postal service and distance themselves from the atrocities of transatlantic slavery. Through letters between plantation owners and managers discovered in our archive, we can begin to piece together glimpses of the lives of enslaved people and their courageous acts of resistance.

Showcasing the remarkable versatility and lasting influence of William Morris's designs in popular culture, both in Britain and abroad. William Morris (1834-96) has gone viral. Today, we find his infinitely-reproduced botanical patterns on shower curtains, phone cases, on film and TV, and in all corners of our homes, dentist waiting rooms and shopping centres. One of our greatest designers, Morris argued that beautiful objects could only be created through a responsible and close relationship with the natural world and enjoyable, creative working conditions. These principles continue to influence subsequent generations of designers, makers and consumers today. Morris Mania will explore a complicated legacy. Over 125 years since his death, Morris's work continues to grow in popularity. His patterns are now affordable, well-loved and available to people across the globe, something he failed to achieve in his lifetime. However, this has been achieved in the context of mass-production, computer-generated design, global capitalism and environmental crisis. Morris Mania will consider the ongoing impact of Britain's most iconic designer in our increasingly cluttered and commodified world.

From Garfield to Simon's Cat, Krazy Kat to Bagpuss and everything in between, there is a long line of iconic cartoon cats. For the first time, The Cartoon Museum is collecting many of the greatest cats to grace or comics, newspapers and magazines to explore why people love cats so much and what cats tell us about life.