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Inside Out

Celebrate arts and culture in Westminster this Summer.

Celebrate open-air arts and culture across Westminster this summer.

This August, Inside Out returns to showcase our city's vibrant art and culture scene in streets and open spaces, all for free. At this year's Inside Out outdoor festival, there will be inspiring guided walks, dance and drama performances, family workshops, live music and more, with something to delight everyone.

Inside Out events

Westminster Abbey Creation series

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A woman pointing to the decorative stonework in westminster abbey

The Abbey is hosting a series of events in August that aims to bring together people from all faiths, and none, reminding us that we are all connected in one living world. 'Family Fun' and the Brass on the Grass event are all free to attend, but may require booking. Other events in the series require a ticket to the Abbey, but City Save card holders can get discounted access and a free child's ticket.

Events throughout August.

The Creation series at Westminster Abbey

The National Gallery

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a mother and child painting on an easel

Free festival of art, made by children for children - Summer on the Square and Take One Picture. Admire artworks created by children across the country in this year's Take One Picture exhibition. Then, get creative with Summer on the Square, creating your own piece of art to take home.

Trafalgar Square, 1 August to 1 September 2024, 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm daily.

Find out more about the festival

The Colab

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Lots of large green and silver metal tubes on the roof of temple tube station

The Artist’s Garden has transformed a hidden and neglected roof terrace above Temple tube station into a place for the public to experience large-scale life affirming artistic interventions by women artists. Come and discover works by Holly Hendry, Holly Stevenson, Frances Richardson and Annabel Tennyson-Davies.

Temple Place London WC2R 2PH, no booking necessary, open 8am until dusk daily.

Find out more about The Colab

Art of London's Rainbow Flags on Piccadilly

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Flags hanging from Piccadilly, the flags are swirls of colour that represent a reimagined LGBT pride flag

Art of London in partnership with the Royal Academy of Arts bring vibrant flags by Adham Faramawy to London’s Piccadilly. ‘Rainbow Flags’, the innovative artwork features a stunning array of colours, where the edges blur and fold into each other to symbolise the diversity of LGBT+ identities. 

Piccadilly, from 10 June to 1 September.

More about Rainbow Flags

Dende Collective Church Street Mask Masquerade

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The Church Street Mask Project

Join our free papier-mache mask making and mask acting drop-in classes. An intergenerational project tailored for those 18 and above. Get involved and showcase your skills in street performances during the final week.

Penfold Community Hub, 60 Penfold Street, London NW8 8PJ, events taking place from 5 to 31 August, Mondays to Fridays.

Take part in the mask masquerade

City of Westminster Guides

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A guide and a group of tourists in the courtyard of somerset house

Wonderful Westminster, a cultural treasure trove. Come on a free walk with a qualified City of Westminster guide throughout the month of August.

20 to 25 walks talking place across the month.

More about the guided tours

Past events

Black Unity Bike Ride with Somerset House

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A group of people on bikes cycling through the streets of Westminster

In collaboration with Black Unity Bike Ride and Somerset House resident LIONBEAT, Somerset House brings a host of activities for the local community in our iconic outdoor courtyard for our Summer 2024 programming.

Somerset House Edmond J. Safra Courtyard, 3 to 4 August 2024, all day 

More about the bike ride

Tate Britain's Family Day

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a group of children and parents painting on canvasses

Take part in creative storytelling, painting and movement activities outside Tate Britain, as part of a weekend celebrating carnival, music, community and home. Bring a picnic or grab something from our food trucks.

Saturday 3 August, 11am to 4pm, at Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1P 4RG

More about Tate's Family Day

Union Dance free dance performances

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A dancer from Union Dance performing on stage in a gold and navy jumpsuit

Presenting a live performance of young musicians and dancers in a celebratory event with their own original music and dance. 

The Summer Stage at St Martin in the Fields, The Courtyard, Trafalgar Square, Saturday 10 August, midday to 1:45pm

More about Union Sound

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields

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A man playing a violin

Celebrating its home in Soho, the internationally renowned chamber orchestra the Academy of St Martin in the Fields presents an informal afternoon of concerts and workshops in the beautiful St Anne's Gardens.

St Anne's Gardens, Wardour Street, Saturday 17th August, midday to 4pm

More about the academy event

The Garden at The Photographers Gallery

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A photo of a woman in a garden reaching up to grab a leaf.

Copyright Siân Davey, The Garden (2020-2023)

Take part in one of two different creative workshops, poetry and flower sculpture, that aim to bring people together, connect and be inspired by photographs in The Garden. Artist Siân Davey worked together with her son, Luke, to cultivate a space rooted in love. When the flowers bloomed, they called in the community and created a series of portrait photographs there.

Saturday 3 August, 1pm to 5pm, the Soho Photography Quarter, 16-18 Ramillies Street, London W1F7LW

More about The Garden

Opening Doors at the National Portrait Gallery

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A person mixing paint colours while sat at a a table

Inspired by Tracey Emin’s entrance doors at the National Portrait Gallery, drop in and create your own portrait in these artist-led workshops. Open to all ages and abilities, everyone is welcome.

National Portrait Gallery Forecourt, four workshops every day from 19 to 23 August.

More about the Opening Doors workshops

Kulan Somali Org

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A table full of cakes hosted by the kulan somali organisation

Come and join us for a fun filled two days cultural family events over two weekends. Come and explore Somali. Eritrean, Ethiopian and Moroccan culture through fun cultural activities, entertainment, mouth-watering dishes and many more.

Happy Hub, 23 Third Avenue, W10 4RS, 1pm to 6pm on 10 and 17 August

To attend, please call 07737 218591 or email [email protected]

India Pakistan Partition Walk

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A group of people taking part in a partition walking tour

A guided walking tour through Westminster that explores various locations, unravelling the intertwined history of trade, colonial India, its partition, and the lasting impact it has had on its people. Presented by two contributors to the Empire and Partition Heritage Trail, Westminster Edition project by Everyday Muslim.

Meeting point at the Diana Fountain at the entrance to Green Park station, on Saturday 10 August 2024, starting at 11am.

Find out more and register

Sikhopoly Walking Tour

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A tour guide explaining a sign on the sikhopoly tour

A walking tour through the heart of the city, revealing stories from Sikh and Punjab history on the streets of London, with Rav Singh and his team at A Little History of the Sikhs. The walk includes stories at Trafalgar Square, Waterloo Place, St. James Park, Parliament Square, and Whitehall Place.

Start at Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner on Wednesday 6 August, starting at 11am.

Find out more and register for Sikhopoly

Baker Street Quarter's 'Games in the Garden'

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Portman Square in Marylebone with a marquee, and bunting and lots of people sitting on picnic tables

Take part in ‘Games in the Garden’ as Marylebone celebrates the 2024 Olympic Games. Don’t miss an action packed day as all-ages cultural activities take over the Wellness Den, plus street food, and of course the games on screen.

Portman Square, Marylebone, 7 to 11 August, midday to 8pm 

More about Games in the Garden

Carnival of The Avenues

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A collage of images from the avenues youth project including children practicing dance routines, and a young girl in gold face paint.

The Avenues Youth Project are holding a carnival themed day of music, dance, food and fun, showcasing and celebrating the creativity of our Avenues community. Join us for music and dance performances alongside a Carnival Inspired fashion show.

The Avenues Youth Project, 3-7 Third Avenue, W10 4RS, 23 August 2024, 1.30pm to 4pm.

More about the Avenues Youth Project

Jasmine Kahlia

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A photo of Jasmine Kahlia looking at the camera

Jasmine Kahlia will be performing storytelling, rap and narrative with special guests. Please note this free event was moved indoors at late notice.

Saturday 3 August, 6pm to 9pm at Paddington Arts, 32 Woodfield Rd, W9 2BE

Find out more and register to attend

Fitzrovia Fête from Fitzrovia Community Centre

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A group of people at a table making things out of yarn

A wonderful day out filled with free activities to be enjoyed by all. From street performances to music to art workshops, you can play, dance, and have fun browsing stalls selling crafts, clothes and food.

Foley Street, Sunday 18 August, 1pm to 5pm

More about the Fitzrovia Fête

Sinfonia Smith Square

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Two musicians from Sinfonia Smith Square playing the bassoon and clarinet in a square in Italy

Hot off the plane from their annual Festival in Tuscany, Sinfonia Smith Square bring a taste of Italy to their home in Westminster with a whistle-stop tour of much loved Italian music. Grab some gelato and get ready to be transported to an Italian piazza, discovering works by Puccini, Vivaldi and Einaudi.

Smith Square Hall, SW1P 3HA, Saturday 10 August, hour long performances starting at 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm

Find out more about Sinfonia Smith Square