Doing This Bright Land

Step inside the magical world of This Bright Land, a new cultural extravaganza taking over Somerset House’s courtyard for the entire month of August. Created by Gareth Pugh and Carson McColl in collaboration with Somerset House, it celebrates the spirit and strength of community through a jam-packed programme of performances, music, dance, talks, workshops, interactive experiences and more.

There is plenty to see and do here — from the sensory Wonder Garden installation created in partnership with Jo Malone to free make-up sessions courtesy of MAC Cosmetics — but be sure you save time for a ride on the Observation Wheel. In addition to offering spectacular views across the city, the 35-metre-tall Ferris Wheel features an audio installation that plays recordings of Londoners from all walks of life talking about what the city means to them.

And there’s more. Those with kids should explore the family-friendly activities — we’re talking treasure hunts, story trails and garden games — while those looking for a weekend knees-up should check out the Friday Night Parties or Saturday series of open-air Vogue Balls. On Sundays, day-to-night parties will take over the courtyard, offering everything from games and workshops to live performance and art.

Food will be taken care of by Black Eats LDN, which champions Black-owned foodie businesses across London, while zingy cocktails can be found at the Bombay Sapphire bar. The festival is replacing Somerset House’s much-loved open-air cinema series, so head down to show your support. This could be the start of an exciting annual adventure for culturally curious Londoners.