Month-by-Month Guide
Best Time to Visit London
United Kingdom · Updated for 2026
Quick Answer
May – September
November – February (cold, dark, damp)
May and September offer long days without peak summer prices.
18°C (64°F) spring, 23°C (73°F) summer
London Month by Month
Weather, crowds, prices, and events for every month of the year.
January
$$Post-holiday lull. January sales across Oxford Street and Harrods. Short, grey days but museums and theatres are at their best.
Events: January Sales, London Short Film Festival
February
$$Still cold but days lengthen. Half-term brings family crowds to museums. Early crocuses in Hyde Park. Great hotel deals.
Events: Chinese New Year (Soho), London Fashion Week
March
$$Spring awakens. Daffodils everywhere. St Patrick's Day parade. Weather unpredictable — sun and showers in equal measure.
Events: St Patrick's Day Parade, Head of the River Race
April
$$$Easter holidays boost crowds. London Marathon. Parks bloom beautifully. Still bring a rain jacket — April showers are real.
Events: London Marathon, Easter celebrations
May
$$$One of the best months. Bank holidays, Chelsea Flower Show, and al fresco dining returns. Long evenings by the Thames.
Events: Chelsea Flower Show, FA Cup Final
June
$$$$Summer buzz. Wimbledon, Pride, and the longest days of the year. Outdoor cinema and rooftop bars in full swing.
Events: Wimbledon, Trooping the Colour, Pride
July
$$$$Peak summer. BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. Heatwaves increasingly common. Parks packed on sunny weekends.
Events: BBC Proms, British Summer Time concerts
August
$$$Notting Hill Carnival is the highlight. Many Londoners on holiday so the city has a different feel. Still warm.
Events: Notting Hill Carnival, Summer exhibitions
September
$$$Golden September light. Open House weekend opens normally private buildings. Theatre season kicks off. Excellent month.
Events: Open House London, London Fashion Week
October
$$Autumn colour in the parks. Frieze Art Fair. Restaurant Scene heating up with new openings. Half-term brings a brief crowd surge.
Events: Frieze Art Fair, London Film Festival
November
$$Bonfire Night fireworks. Christmas lights switch on. Crisp and cold. Good hotel prices before December rush.
Events: Bonfire Night, Christmas lights switch-on
December
$$$Festive season at its best. Ice rinks, Christmas markets, and pantomime. Hotel prices spike around Christmas and NYE.
Events: Winter Wonderland, Boxing Day sales, NYE fireworks
Insider Tips for London
- 1 Get an Oyster card or use contactless — never buy single tickets.
- 2 Book West End shows on the day at TKTS booth in Leicester Square for up to 50% off.
- 3 The British Museum, National Gallery, and Tate Modern are all free.
- 4 Eat at Borough Market (lunch) and Dishoom (dinner) — skip the tourist traps on Leicester Square.
- 5 The Tube stops around midnight. Night buses and the Night Tube (Fri/Sat) are your late options.
Where to Stay in London
Covent Garden and Soho for theatre and nightlife. Kensington for museums and parks. Shoreditch for trendy East London vibes. Bankside for the Tate Modern and Thames walks.
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