London's August 2026 Art Guide: Theatre, Film, and Festivals
In August 2026, London's vibrant art landscape showcases the Australian Shakespeare Company's revival of The Wind in the Willows, celebrating its 40th anniversary, alongside the UK premiere of Jack and the Beanstalk at Kew Gardens, both available until 23 August. Twelfth Night will run until 30 August. At Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, CATS is scheduled until 19 September, while Anansi the Spider will be performed until 6 September. On 15 August, The Actors' Church will host West End Woofs (And Meows), featuring co-hosts Dame Elaine Paige and Bernadette Peters. Meanwhile, Edinburgh will host its 79th International Film Festival, the International Book Festival, and the Fringe from 7 to 30 August, featuring 3,649 performances. The Barbican's Outdoor Cinema is set for 18 to 30 August.
Key facts
- Australian Shakespeare Company at Kew Gardens: The Wind in the Willows (40th anniversary), Jack and the Beanstalk (UK premiere), Twelfth Night.
- Henry Moore: Monumental Nature exhibition at Kew Gardens.
- Regent's Park Open Air Theatre: CATS runs to 19 September 2026; Anansi the Spider to 6 September 2026.
- West End Woofs (And Meows) on 15 August at The Actors' Church, Covent Garden, co-hosted by Dame Elaine Paige and Bernadette Peters.
- Edinburgh International Film Festival: 79th edition, Sean Connery Prize of £50,000.
- Edinburgh Fringe: 3,649 shows, 258 venues, 54,000 performances, 7-30 August 2026.
- Camden Fringe: 20th anniversary, 450+ shows, 3-30 August 2026.
- Barbican Outdoor Cinema: 18-30 August, opening with Bitter Christmas, closing with American Utopia.
- Opera Holland Park: Un Ballo in Maschera, Die Fledermaus, Tchaikovsky: Child of Glass (UK debut).
- Famous faces: Tamzin Outhwaite in Abigail's Party, Boy George in Jesus Christ Superstar, Adrian Lester in Cyrano de Bergerac.
Entities
Artists
- Glenn Elston
- Henry Moore
- Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Dame Elaine Paige
- Bernadette Peters
- Pedro Almodóvar
- Denis Villeneuve
- Jean-Luc Godard
- Spike Lee
- Tchaikovsky
- Verdi
- Johann Strauss
- Tamzin Outhwaite
- Mike Leigh
- Boy George
- Layton Williams
- Julian Clary
- Sam Ryder
- Stephen Mangan
- Sarah Hadland
- Ardal O'Hanlon
- Janie Dee
- Adrian Lester
Institutions
- Australian Shakespeare Company
- Kew Gardens
- Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
- The Actors' Church
- Edinburgh International Film Festival
- Edinburgh International Book Festival
- Edinburgh International Art Festival
- Edinburgh TV Festival
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe
- Camden Fringe
- Kilburn High Road Festival
- Barbican
- Opera Holland Park
- Harold Pinter Theatre
- London Palladium
- Apollo Theatre
- Noël Coward Theatre
Locations
- London
- Kew Gardens
- Regent's Park
- Covent Garden
- Edinburgh
- Camden
- Kilburn
- Barbican
- Holland Park