Nine best things to do in London for summer, from Buckingham Palace to The Emory

Plus, Harry Potter attraction expands, Barbie exhibition opens and an Olympics park arrives

Buckingham Palace's east wing, where many of the rooms have a Chiense-style decor, is opening to visitors for the first time. PA

Get set for summer fun in London this year as the city comes alive with a host of new festivals, exhibitions and pop-ups. From a much-anticipated addition at Buckingham Palace to the arrival of Moco Museum London, an extension of the Amsterdam original, and Richard Branson's first hotel in England, there's plenty to discover this season.

Here are some of the highlights.

Buckingham Palace's east wing

The summer launch of Buckingham Palace public tours begins on Thursday and travellers can explore the east wing for the first time this year. Home to the famed central balcony, which has hosted the royal family for all types of occasions, from trooping the colours to the late Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee, the wing in the king's official London residence is filled with history.

Principal rooms in this part of the palace are Chinese-themed and furnished with some of the finest works in the Royal Collection, many of which were moved from George IV’s Royal Pavilion in Brighton after its sale in 1850.

While the balcony itself remains off-limits to visitors, the centre room immediately behind its net curtains allows visitors to glimpse out at the pew and garner an idea of the view that the royals have had every time they step out on to greet the masses, something that they've been doing since 1851. Tickets cost £75 ($96), but if you don't have one already you'll have to wait until next summer as it's already sold out.

Return to Azkaban at Warner Bros Studio Tour London

The Making of Harry Potter has a new addition this summer. Photo: Warner Bros Studio Tour London

Launched in May and running until September 4, the Return to Azkaban feature at Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter is designed to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. It features new film sets built by the original filmmakers, plus props and costumes from the third instalment of the wizarding series.

Travellers can see the enchanted ceiling at the Great Hall of Hogwarts, listen to a chorus of frogs and explore Professor Trelawney’s Divination classroom before stepping into the triple-decker Knight Bus complete with swaying chandeliers and rattling bedframes just as Harry experienced it on his journey to the Leaky Cauldron.

Moco Museum, London

Having opened in Amsterdam in 2016, Moco Museum expanded first to Barcelona in 2021 and is now launching in London. Set to open on August 8 at its newly renovated premises at One Marble Arch and 1 Great Cumberland Place in the city's West End, the museum aims to bring modern and contemporary art to a broader audience and is set to become one of the city's must-visits.

Collections include a diverse display of modern, contemporary, street and digital immersive art from the likes of Banksy, Murakami, Hirst and Basquiat.

The Emory

The Emory London is one of the city's hottest new hotels. Photo: The Emory London

Overlooking Hyde Park, The Emory is one of the city's hottest new hotels. The all-suite property in upmarket Belgravia offers sweeping views of the city coupled with elegant interiors and contemporary dining. Notable for its sail structure that soars above the city, the hotel has 61 generous suites set over nine floors with the 300-square-metre wraparound glass penthouse the highlight. Guests arrive through a private cobbled entrance on Old Barrack Yard and the hotel is also home to ABC Kitchens by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

The best views in the house are to be found at Bar 33, and The Emory also has Surrene Spa, a wellness club that was created by developers digging four stories below the heart of busy Knightsbridge. Hotel guests have a complimentary membership for the duration of each stay.

Barbie, The Exhibition at The Design Museum

Following the success of Barbie – the most successful global release in Warner Bros history – last year, 2024 continues to be another big one for the world's most famous doll as she marks her 65th birthday. As part of the celebrations, there's a new pink-toned exhibition at The Design Museum.

Barbie, The Exhibition is running until February and explores the design evolution of Barbie and her influence on fashion, architecture, furniture and more. Dozens of rare and one-off items from Mattel's Barbie archives in California are also part of the showcase.

Virgin London Shoreditch

Virgin London Shoreditch has a colourful industrial chic design. Photo: Virgin

Following the launch of his first hotel in the UK in Edinburgh, Richard Branson is bringing his playful Virgin Hotels brand to the Big Smoke. Opening on August 1, Virgin London Shoreditch is in the heart of the city's creative neighbourhood and looks set to fit right in thanks to its colourful industrial chic design, sumptuous suites and buzzy vibe.

The 120-room luxury lifestyle hotel will be kitted out in Virgin's signature bright red and will have a Mediterranean-style rooftop bar, an indoor swimming pool and a private members' club overseen by Ibiza-based Blue Marlin.

Dalston Yard

Dalston Yard is East London's new sprawling food market and cultural space with kitchen residences from top culinary names including Andrew Clarke of London's live-fire restaurant Acme Fire Cult, Filipino chef Budgie Montoya and British chef Gizzi Erskine.

Located in East London, it spans 2,500 square metres and is a one-stop shop for all things art, music, food and drink, making it a great place to head along to this summer when it will host film screenings, well-being sessions and live music.

The Battersea Games 2024

The Battersea Games coincide with the Olympics this summer. Photo: Charlie Round

Celebrating both the summer Olympic Games in Paris and London’s legacy as a former host of the sporting spectacle, Battersea Power Station is hosting a huge summer of sports with the Battersea Games. From now until September 8, Power Station Park will be transformed into a hub of activity with a 100-metre running track, padel court, climbing walls, giant lawn games and hosted fitness classes. There will also be evening film screenings and live sports coverage, including from the Paris Olympics, which visitors can watch at fan zones.

Freight Brixton

Set to open in Brixton, Freight claims to be London's biggest open-air rooftop bar and, with a capacity of 1,000, it very well could be. This mega bar will have city views plus a host of summer fun including kitchen residences from top chefs, night markets, live sports screenings and themed brunches. While no official opening date has been announced, it looks set to be a super-popular urban hangout.