Things To Do
Guide
Choose Your Own Adventure With Ticketmaster’s Summer Of Experiences
Summer's about much more than sunbathing. We're here to show you why with our consummate guide to a summer of experiences
Summer is well and truly here. There’s something reassuring about the warm, stretched-out summer evenings and the freedom to soak up some ‘joie de vivre’ in the sizzling heat, long after you’ve left the workplace behind.
Sangria in the park, feed animals in the zoo, then later a movie too. Sounds like a perfect day, right? For those that want to chill, that is. But summer’s about much more than sunbathing.
Some of us need more stimulation – and shelter from the skyrocketing temperatures. Some of us have an unquenchable thirst for culture, knowledge, adventure, danger, excitement, raised pulses and good old fashioned knee-slapping fun. That, and finding something to occupy the kids.
Is that you, but don’t know where to start? Here’s our handy guide to a summer of experiences:
FRAMELESS London
Ever wonder what it would be like to step inside some of the greatest paintings in the history of art? Then you need to check out FRAMELESS, a multi-sensory digital art experience in the heart of London.
Across four immersive galleries, you’ll be able to sink yourselves into the works of Van Gogh, Monet, Dalí, Cezanne, Kandinsky, Canaletto, Rembrandt, Klimt and more, giving you a one-of-a-kind glimpse into the worlds these artists imagined.
An experience for all the family, there are even FRAMELESS lates sessions on Friday and Saturday nights, BSL tours, and SEND sessions available for disabled and neurodivergent visitors.
National Portrait Gallery Unframed: Stories – Brought to Life
We all know the well-spoken idiom that “a picture is worth a thousand words”. Well, FRAMELESS have taken that idea and quite literally brought a series of iconic portraits to life, in Stories – Brought To Life, a groundbreaking new immersive art experience inspired by the National Portrait Gallery.
An opportunity to explore the stories behind the figures who shaped UK history and culture, the bespoke 10,000 sq ft purpose-built digital gallery bursts into life with images and animations of national heroes, imitable leaders, cultural trailblazers, and of course, British royalty.
Witness the life and times of David Bowie, Winston Churchill, Charles Darwin, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Elizabeth II, Jane Austen, Ncuti Gatwa, Audrey Hepburn, William Shakespeare, Amy Winehouse, Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf, Malala Yousafzai and countless more, some of which are even narrated by the icon themselves.
Phantom Peak
A description of Phantom Peak genuinely won’t do it justice – it simply needs to be experienced. There are a number reasons why it’s established it’s own lore, and a dedicated fanbase that while away the hours theorising over the experience they had. Trying to explain the platypus connection to Phantom Peak is like trying to explain everything else to do with London’s oddest immersive event: you probably shouldn’t, and you probably can’t.
A steampunk wild-west cosplay adventure, interactive live role-playing experience, retro arcade, swanky bar, great restaurant and indefinable mystery games night in one, Phantom Peak is different things to different people. Currently in town until 9 November, there’s a wealth of new storylines and characters to uncover.
The FRIENDS™ Experience: The One in London
Fans of the iconic sitcom Friends have no doubt dreamt about living in an enviably spacious apartment in the high rise hustle and bustle of New York, especially with your best mates occupying the one just across the corridor. In today’s economy it’ll likely remain a dream, but thanks to The FRIENDS Experience: The One in London you can literally experience life as one of the gang.
Immerse yourself in recreated sets, dance in front of the fountain, peep through the purple door to Rachel and Monica’s apartment, play foosball at Joey and Chandler’s, take a selfie on the famous orange couch in Central Perk, or just sing ‘Smelly Cat’ to your heart’s content.
Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical
Is this the one that you want? Are you a hopelessly devoted fan of classic American musical Grease? Fancy spending one of your summer nights paying a visit to Rydell High School? Now’s the chance for wannabe T-Birds to don their leathers and slick their hair back, whilst the Pink Ladies in waiting can etch their names into their own signature satin jackets, thanks to Secret Cinema’s Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical.
The renowned cinema and theatre company has revealed Grease is the latest movie mega-hit to be given the immersive treatment, as attendees become genuine pupils of the silver screen’s original musical school. Blurring the lines between screen and reality, step into a 1950s teenage dream as live music and performances breakout around you, whilst you waltz around a summer fairground or sip on a shake in a classic all American diner. Bringing greased lightin’ to London’s Battersea Park for a strict six-week run only, there are worse things you could do.
The Traitors: Live Experience
If you loved the Claudia Winkleman-fronted TV phenomenon, it’s time to get yourself a genuine seat at The Round Table this summer. You won’t be whisked away to a remote, gothic castle in Scotland however. You’ll have to test your wits in the heart of historic Covent Garden where the two-hour The Traitors: Live Experience sinisterly twists the truth and blurs the lines between friends and foes.
Designed to be played with strangers in addition to your own group, the dastardly game intensifies the trickery, making it harder to spot the liars among the Faithfuls as you play to win the grand prize. Let the treachery commence. But remember: trust no one.
Monopoly Lifesized
Ever wanted to jump into your favourite board game? Hungry Hungry Hippos or Risk might not be feasible options – and perhaps a tad too life-threatening to enjoy yourselves if you were partaking in real life – but you can bet your bottom dollar that Monopoly is.
Play it at home at you’ll get a few slow hours of watching your family and friends slowly turn into Donald Trump/Jeff Bezos/insert greedy blood-thirsty billionaire. But head to Monopoly Lifesized on Tottenham Court Road and you can run around the giant board, winning properties with skill games and fun puzzles instead of paper money and greed. There are four boards to choose from, a range of different challenge rooms to beat, and a great bar and restaurant to head to after you’ve won the game.
Thorpe Park
Roll up, roll up all the thrill-seekers, adrenaline junkies, swashbucklers, dare-devils and desperados.
Ever since 1979, courageous children have pushed the boundaries of their own fear – and their parents’ fear understandably – ramping up heart rates by making the most of Thorpe Park‘s white-knuckle rollercoaster rides. The fun-for-all-the-family theme park has continued to up the ante over the course of its history, amassing over 25 rides and attractions to get involved in. Be it Hyperia, the tallest and fastest coaster in the country. Cool off in the UK’s wettest water ride, Tidal Wave. Or test your mettle on SAW – The Ride as you descend on a vertical drop of 100 degrees.
The home of “feel-good thrills” also has plenty of most chilled out attractions, food stalls when you’re exhausting from screaming, and toilets to change into your spare pair of undies when required. Want a taste of the action? Check out the POV below:
To find the perfect adventure for you, take a look at Ticketmaster’s summer of experiences here
