Sadiq Khan wants this summer to be the biggest for al fresco dining in London’s history. To do that, he’s brought back the Summer Streets fund – a scheme first introduced last year to help boroughs create even more outdoor seating areas and allow restaurants to spill out onto the streets throughout the sunnier months.
For 2026, 13 London boroughs have been handed a share of nearly £500,000. Four boroughs received £100,000 each for larger al fresco projects and £10,000 was dished out to 11 smaller pocket schemes in Brent, Camden, Ealing, Haringey, Hounslow, Islington, Lewisham, Newham, Sutton and Waltham Forest.
Alongside lots of extra outdoor seating, the fund encourages each borough to host more cultural performances and community events out in the open. Here are all the details on the Summer Streets recipients this year.
Summer Streets large al fresco schemes 2026
Barking Town Centre Food Market
A street market will pop up on Short Blue Place in Barking town centre, complete with performances from arts and theatre companies such as Talawa Theatre Company, Sonia Sabri Company and Emergency Exit Arts.
Wembley Kingsbury Summer Streets
Wembley High Road, Ealing Road and Kingsbury in Brent will all have new al fresco zones with seating, lighting, planting, artwork and host more than 40 different community-led events.
Woolwich Summer Lates
General Gordon Square, Beresford Square and Powis Street in Woolwich will all enjoy a special programme of summer activities including World Cup and Wimbledon screenings, markets, performances and an extended Summer Lates events programme as part of Woolwich Carnival.
Lower Marsh, Waterloo
Over in Lower Marsh next to Waterloo Station, there’ll be a new road closure from 9am until 9pm with with outdoor seating, events like National Theatre Live screenings and support for local businesses to extend trading.
Summer Streets pocket schemes 2026
Willesden Green Summer Streets
The area between Willesden Green Tube Station, Station Parade and Poplars will be decked out with planters, hay-bale seating, bunting and lighting to encourage people to linger for longer in the evening. Special events will include busking and cultural performance sessions.
Leather Lane Market Street
The street food market along Leather Lane will get ‘high-quality’ outdoor dining zones and will start running on Saturdays with live music and pop up performances, too.
North Acton Square Sessions
The square next to North Acton station will host food markets, craft stalls, live music and DJ sessions as part of Summer Streets.
Myddleton Place
Underused parking spaces on Myddleton Road in Haringey will be transformed in to space for dining, cultural activities and the local market.
Feltham Green Street Eats
Food trucks will park up on Feltham Green in Hounslow, directly opposite the brand new playground opening this summer.
Finsbury Park Fresh
Two on-street parking bays on Blackstock Road will turn into parklets for four to six independent food businesses to share outdoor seating and dining space.
Sydenham Night Market
A new food and drink night market will run weekly in Lewisham from June to August with around 10 local traders each week alongside outdoor seating throughout the surrounding area.
Summer Nights at Queen’s Square
From 6pm go 9pm on select Friday and Saturday nights in June and August, Queen’s Square in Newham will become an outdoor dining space with 60 covers and a performance square for up to four performances per evening.
Alfresco Sutton
Sutton town centre will get a pop up market on weekends with new al fresco seating, planting, lighting and cultural activities.
Highams Park Season of Music
There’ll be a programme of outdoor music and community events in Highams Park station in Waltham Forest.
The Walthamstow Way
‘The Walthamstow Way’ is a trail map that’ll guide people towards keys hospitality areas outside of the main Walthamstow town centre and across Walthamstow Village, Ravenswood Industrial Estate and Wood Street.
Get outside! Here’s Time Out’s guide to the best beer gardens in London and our roundup of the best al fresco restaurants.
ICYMI: This west London football stadium could host music concerts for the first time.
Plus: The 6 best new London restaurants opening in July 2026.
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