In summer 2026, the romance of a gathering before a big screen outside endures.
Going to the cinema is often seen as a winter pastime. Few things rival the pleasure of settling into a dark room, inhaling popcorn and becoming entirely absorbed in whatever blockbuster, indie, or arthouse release everyone is talking about that week.
Come summer, though, the appeal of spending two hours indoors dwindles, if only because the allure of the outdoors — and the self-imposed entreaty not to waste the weather you’ve been dreaming of for months — is too compelling to ignore.
The solution, then, is to combine the two. Luckily, every summer a smattering of open-air cinemas pops up across London’s rooftops, squares and park lawns. Here are the five spots with atmospheres attuned with the spirit of enchanting summer days and nights.
Barbican
For 10 days in August, the heart of the Barbican estate will see a large outdoor screen, rows of deckchairs, street food stalls and a programme of films selected by the Barbican. The line-up spans anime, sci-fi, cult classics, queer coming-of-age stories and French New Wave cinema, alongside everything from a Broadway concert documentary to Poetic Justice, starring Tupac Shakur and Janet Jackson, and Madonna in Desperately Seeking Susan. The programme is immaculate and the setting unmistakably atmospheric, while the brutalist backdrop gives screenings a distinctly cinematic feel of their own. Arrive early to browse the street food market and sip a cocktail before the film begins. Tickets start from £20.
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Rooftop Cinema Club, Peckham and Stratford
Cinephiles can head to the rooftops of Bussey Building in Peckham or Roof East in Stratford for open-air screenings with skyline views. The Rooftop Cinema Club’s (previously known as Rooftop Film Club) summer line-up mixes classics, crowd-pleasers and family-friendly titles, from Interstellar and Pulp Fiction to How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Hoppers. Sip cocktails and beers before and during the film and settle in with pizza as the sun goes down. On themed nights, it’s worth arriving early for extra entertainment and pre-show surprises. And, of course, England’s FIFA World Cup matches will also be shown on the big screen, giving football fans another reason to book a spot. Tickets start at £14 for adults and £8 for children.
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Adventure Cinema, Kew Gardens
Across the UK, Adventure Cinema hosts open-air screenings in picturesque settings, from stately homes and castle grounds to botanical gardens. In London, the company has chosen the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew as its backdrop for select dates over the coming months. The site’s 300 acres of rare plants and landscaped gardens make for a suitably atmospheric setting in which to watch a film as the sun sets. Upcoming screenings include Wicked: For Good, a singalong showing of Encanto and family favourites The Gruffalo and Stick Man. Tickets start from £8.50 and are selling quickly, so it’s worth booking ahead.
For those willing to venture a little further out of the capital, there are also screenings at Aldenham House in Hertfordshire, just north of London.
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Everyman on the Canal, King’s Cross
Back for its seventh year, Everyman on the Canal arrives at Granary Square in King’s Cross from 29 June to 16 August 2026, bringing six weeks of free outdoor cinema, Wimbledon screenings and summer entertainment right on the water. Sink into a beanbag with frozen margaritas, sundaes from Dream Ice Cream, chocolate strawberries or fresh popcorn while watching films and live sport beside the canal. The full programme is yet to be announced, but confirmed titles so far include Some Like It Hot, Grease, Dune: Part One, Paddington and The Devil Wears Prada. There’ll also be family films, Wimbledon coverage and additional live events throughout the summer. Those heading down on opening night can also catch a live set from DJ Yoda.
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Summer Screens, Canary Wharf
Summer Screens returns to Canada Square Park in Canary Wharf this summer for a programme of sport, films and family events from 29 May to 27 September. Formula 1, cricket, Wimbledon and Royal Ascot will all be shown on the big screen throughout the season. For those less interested in sport, there will also be fitness classes, quizzes, interactive gaming and, of course, outdoor film nights. From June to August, the line-up includes recent releases and cult favourites such as Wicked: For Good, Grease, I Swear and Matilda the Musical. All events are free to attend, making it one of the more affordable ways to spend a summer evening in the capital.
Feature image: Adventure Cinema
