Families seeking affordable activities during the school holidays have a new option in central London this August, with London Bridge City‘s Summer by the River festival dedicating an entire week to free children’s entertainment along the Thames.

Running from 11 to 18 August 2026, Family Week takes place in the riverside district between London Bridge and Tower Bridge — one of the capital’s most recognisable stretches of the South Bank — and promises a programme of live music, interactive activities, storytelling sessions and open-air cinema screenings, all without charge to visitors.

The announcement comes as the cost of family days out continues to climb during the summer holidays, with many parents under pressure to find experiences that are both engaging and budget-friendly. London Bridge City, which encompasses More London, Hay’s Galleria, Cottons Centre and No.1 London Bridge, spans half a mile of river frontage and 21.5 acres, providing ample space for a full day out in the heart of the capital.

What’s On During Family Week

The programme opens on Tuesday 11 August with Mini Folk, a live music and craft activity session hosted at The Clubhouse, followed in the evening by an open-air screening of the Wicked sing-along. On Wednesday 12 August, the Bureau of Silly Ideas presents Tree Fellers — an interactive treasure trail featuring hidden surprises and concealed water squirters tucked through the Pocket Garden.

Thursday 13 August brings two distinct events: The Tale Travellers will offer immersive storytelling in the Book Nook, inviting children to explore narrative adventures before crafting a story of their own. The same afternoon features a free lunchtime concert in the award-winning Putting Down Roots Pocket Garden with Garance Louis, a French multi-disciplinary performer whose practice spans theatre, music, immersive performance and film. The week closes on Tuesday 18 August with a free open-air screening of How to Train Your Dragon.

Outdoor cinema forms a recurring strand throughout the week, with screenings set against views of Tower Bridge and the Thames skyline. The Clubhouse — a walk-in summer pop-up inspired by the atmosphere of a classic English sports club — will host Club Pravha on Tuesday and Friday evenings, offering after-work drinks deals followed by open-air film screenings from 7pm. Saturday evenings will feature DJ sets from 6 to 8pm.

Food, Drink and Extra Activities

Visitors can pair the free programme with a range of food and drink options available to purchase at the site, including pizza, ice cream, strawberries and cream, and cocktails such as Aperol Spritz. The Clubhouse, which is primarily walk-in, is also available for private bookings and large group events through Glasshouses London.

For those wanting to add a more active element to their visit, a padel pop-up court at Hay’s Galleria is running as part of the Central London Alliance’s London Sports Festival until 23 August. Padel — a racket sport combining elements of tennis and squash, played on an enclosed court — has seen explosive growth in the UK in recent years, with participation numbers rising sharply. The riverside court, open 16 hours a day, seven days a week, welcomes all ages and abilities, though bookings are required and come at an additional cost. Slots can be reserved via the London Sports Festival website.

Wider Summer Programme

Family Week sits within the broader Summer by the River festival, which began on 19 May and runs through to 27 September 2026. The festival’s wider programme encompasses free live music, DJ sets and large-screen coverage of major sporting events, making the riverside destination an option for Londoners and visitors throughout the summer season rather than just during the school holiday window.

London Bridge City is home to several globally recognised businesses, including PwC, Ernst & Young and Norton Rose Fulbright, as well as retail and leisure outlets. Its riverside position, with sightlines to Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, HMS Belfast and The Shard, adds a distinctly London backdrop to what is otherwise an entirely free family day out.

Full details of the upcoming events programme are available on the London Bridge City website.