The 10 Most Anticipated Events In London In 2026

London doesn’t really sleep. People say that all the time, but it’s true. It just sort of pauses and catches its breath. Then something big kicks off again. And if 2025 felt busy (it did), 2026 looks ready to go absolutely off the rails. In a good way, mostly.

We’re talking stadium tours that shake the ground, culture you don’t just watch but walk straight into, and sports moments that even hardened Londoners pretend not to care about until they suddenly do.

Whether you live here and need an excuse to leave the house more, or you’re planning a trip and want to get it right, London is throwing everything it has at 2026. From neon-lit corners of a reworked Greenwich to the sacred grass at Wembley, here’s the no-nonsense guide to the 10 most anticipated upcoming events in London in 2026.

What Are The Best Upcoming Events In London? 

Why 2026?

So why does 2026 feel so stacked? Part of it is timing. Projects that have been quietly brewing for years are finally ready. London’s always reinventing itself, but this year feels especially focused on experience. Less passive watching, more full-sensory involvement.

You can smell it at Tokyo Nights. Feel it in your chest at Wembley. The hospitality world is leaning into it, too. Restaurants becoming theatres, theatres turning into playgrounds! It’s a great time to be in the city, assuming you can get a ticket. 😉😉😉😉😉

Nevertheless, these are the events you cannot miss in London in 2026. 

1. Tokyo Nights In Greenwich

Forget the idea of a “normal” night out. Seriously, just forget it. Arriving at Borough Hall in Greenwich in June 2026, Tokyo Nights has already become one of those events people keep mentioning like it’s a secret—except everyone knows.

This isn’t some half-baked themed dinner. It’s a full immersion into Tokyo’s grit, glamour, noise, and ritual. The headline moment? 

Live sumo wrestling. Actual former professionals. Four of them. In a proper dohyō. That alone feels slightly unreal.

While all that’s happening, you’ll be eating sushi from Sticks’n’Sushi—so yes, it’s the good stuff. Fresh nigiri, signature rolls, and plenty of premium sake (probably more than you meant to drink). 

With the teams behind Secret Cinema and Chambers of Flavour running things, the production is expected to be huge. Loud. Over-the-top. And kind of unforgettable.

2. My Chemical Romance: Long Live The Black Parade

Goth kids, former goth kids, and people who swear they “were never emo” but know every lyric, this one’s yours. My Chemical Romance is back at Wembley Stadium in July 2026, and it brings the Long Live The Black Parade tour.

It’s wild how long this album has stuck around. Decades later, and it still hits. The hype around these shows is already intense, and tickets? 

Yeah, they won’t hang around. If screaming “I’m Not Okay” with 90,000 people under the London sky sounds appealing (it does), you’ll need quick fingers and a bit of luck.

3. Samurai At The British Museum

From February, the British Museum switches gears and sharpens things up—literally. Samurai is a major exhibition focused on Japan’s legendary warrior class, featuring nearly 300 objects.

There’s armor that looks terrifying and beautiful at the same time, razor-sharp katanas, and details you don’t usually see this close. 

But it’s not all fighting and bloodshed. The exhibition digs into how samurai were also poets, artists, and thinkers. It also highlights how they eventually became pop-culture icons. It’s a rare look behind the myths. The real stuff.

4. The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup

Cricket’s having a real moment in the UK, and in 2026 the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup lands on home soil. Matches will be spread across the country, but the London fixtures at Lord’s and The Kia Oval are the ones people are quietly prioritising.

There’s something about a London summer afternoon, a bit of sun (hopefully), and world-class players smashing sixes. If England make it to the final at the Home of Cricket, the atmosphere won’t just be electric—it’ll be borderline chaotic.

“2026 is going to be a defining year for London’s experiential scene. We’re seeing a massive shift where audiences aren’t just looking for a meal or a show; they want to be part of the story. From immersive dining to high-stakes sports, the demand for ‘one-off’ moments is at an all-time high.”  –  CJ Digital, the hospitality marketing agency.

5. Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art At The V&A

The V&A is back doing what it does best, turning fashion into a full-blown event. Opening in March 2026, this exhibition focuses on Elsa Schiaparelli, the designer who collaborated with Salvador Dalí and thought putting a lobster on a dress was a perfectly reasonable idea.

The show explores her surrealist roots and her famously tense rivalry with Coco Chanel. Expect shocking pink everywhere and silhouettes that still feel rebellious decades later. If you think fashion should be clever, strange, and a little uncomfortable—this one’s for you.

6. The 200th Anniversary Of Cowes Week (Nearby-Ish!)

Okay, yes, it’s technically on the Isle of Wight. But Londoners treat Cowes Week like it’s basically local. August 2026 marks the 200th anniversary of the world’s oldest and largest sailing regatta, and it’s shaping up to be the social event of the summer.

Even if you don’t know a jib from a mainsail (most people don’t), the shoreline parties, live music, and fireworks are reason enough to go. A bicentenary only happens once, after all.

7. Disney’s Hercules At Theatre Royal Drury Lane

The West End is getting a serious dose of “Zero to Hero.” After successful runs abroad and plenty of behind-the-scenes tinkering, Disney’s Hercules finally arrives at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

With music by Alan Menken and a gospel-style chorus led by the Muses, this is shaping up to be the family hit of 2026. Rumour has it the sets are enormous, borderline ridiculous, actually, and in the best West End way possible.

8. The Weeknd: After Hours ‘Til Dawn Tour

The Weeknd returns to London in August 2026 with a run of massive stadium shows. If past performances are anything to go by, expect dystopian visuals, pyrotechnics you can feel in your chest, and a setlist that doesn’t let up for a second.

Abel Tesfaye has this rare ability to make a stadium feel intimate and slightly unsettling at the same time. It’s impressive. And loud. Very loud.

9. Inside Aardman At Young V&A

 Honestly, who doesn’t love claymation? From February, the Young V&A in Bethnal Green hosts Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends, celebrating 50 years of the studio.

You’ll see original sets from The Wrong Trousers and Chicken Run, along with early sketches of Morph that haven’t been shown before. It’s equal parts nostalgia trip for adults and creative fuel for kids. Hard to argue with that.

10. The Notting Hill Carnival: The Diamond Jubilee 

In 2026, Notting Hill Carnival celebrates its unofficial 60th anniversary—a Diamond Jubilee of sorts since the modern event took shape. And while Carnival is always big, this year is expected to be bigger.

More sound systems. Bigger floats. Crowds that might break records. It remains the beating heart of London’s cultural calendar and, honestly, the best way to end summer—tired feet and all.

A Few Pro Tips For 2026

1. Book Early: Obvious, yes—but for things like Tokyo Nights or MCR, “early” means months early.

2. Use the Tube: Between Marathon routes and Carnival closures, the Underground is your friend. Just maybe avoid the Central Line during a heatwave. Trust me.

3. Explore Greenwich: Heading to Tokyo Nights? Go early. The park, the observatory, the market—it’s all worth wandering before things kick off.

London Events Showing The True Spirit Of The City In 2026 

London in 2026 is going to be loud, colourful, and occasionally a bit chaotic. In other words, very London. Whether you’re watching sumo wrestlers in Greenwich, shouting lyrics at Wembley, or staring at a 500-year-old samurai sword, there’s no shortage of reasons to get out and explore.

Big anniversaries. Bold new beginnings. Plenty of stories you’ll be telling later. So grab your diary, set your ticket alerts, and brace yourself! It’s shaping up to be a legendary year. See you at the front of the queue.