One City Platform Launch:
Welcome to OneCity! Our new, integrated digital home of the Square Mile – bringing together everything the City of London has to offer in one place. Newly merged with the CityofLdn site, this seeks a collaboration between the City of London Corporation, NLA and the City Property Association, providing a one stop shop for visitors to discover everything the City has to offer, from rooftop bars, to green spaces, to iconic cultural institutions.
A key deliverable of the Destination City strategy, OneCity will be central to driving growth, boosting visitor footfall and enhancing the Square Mile’s global appeal through collective destination marketing — making it easier than ever for workers, residents, visitors and businesses to discover, experience and champion the City! Visit OneCity here and submit your events and activities for promotion here.
Destination City: Key Data
Footfall continues to perform strongly, with more than 130 million visitors and workers over the past year. Activity remained resilient in April and May, broadly in line with the strong performance seen in the first quarter. Total footfall reached 11.1 million in April (+6% year-on-year) and 10.9 million in May (+0.5%), taking the rolling 12-month total to 130.3 million visitors and workers – up 7% annually.
Average weekday footfall in April and May exceeded 2025 levels, although Monday–Thursday activity was slightly lower than in the first quarter of the year, likely due to bank holidays, school holidays and London Underground industrial action. Fridays were notably strong, with May averaging 365,000 visitors and workers — the second-highest Friday average in the past three years, behind only November 2025 (368,000).
London Museum Opening Date Announced
One of London’s biggest cultural openings is almost here! The doors to the first stage of the London Museum’s new free permanent galleries open on 28 November 2026, telling the story of this great global capital in all its grit and glitter. After three decades, Smithfield’s historic General Market is being brought back to life with evocative underground galleries and a day-to-night programme that will light up the former trading floor. Read more here.
Cheapside Sounds of Summer: Free Live Music in the City
Soak up an uplifitng live music performance as part of your workday, with Cheapside’s Sounds of Summer series from 8 July – 5 August. Whether you’re unwinding on your lunch break or enjoying the vibrant atmosphere after hours, catch sessions every Wednesday in iconic locations like the Royal Exchange Steps and Bloomberg Arcade. Find out more here.
Historic Cart Marking Returns to Guildhall Yard
Step back in time at the Cart Marking Ceremony on 19 July, 10am–12.30pm, in Guildhall Yard. Hosted by the Worshipful Company of Cartmen and supported by the Destination City Partnership Fund, this unique free event features over 40 vehicles —from handcarts to steam engines — in a striking 500-year-old tradition. Watch as each is branded with a red-hot iron, while expert commentary brings the history of London’s transport to life. Read more here.
A Bollywood Celebration Takes Over Billingsgate
On 24 July, for one night only, the iconic St Mary at Hill is being transformed into a vibrant Bollywood experience filled with colour, rhythm, music, and celebration, with Bollywood music, a DJ and a buffet dinner. Bollywood in Billingsgate, hosted by the Billingsgate Network Group and supported by the Destination City Partnership Fund, is a new event for the Square Mile which champions a more inclusive City. Get your tickets here.
Free Latino Picnic comes to Aldgate Square
Don’t miss a vibrant afternoon at the Free Latino Picnic on Sunday 26 July, 2–6pm, in Aldgate Square. Enjoy Mariachi music, energetic dance, a live DJ, and family-friendly entertainment, plus a special Bangladeshi dance performance. Bring a picnic, share food, and celebrate culture and community together.
Game On! Take Part in the London Sports Festival
Get active with the London Sports Festival! Throughout the summer, enjoy activities like 3×3 Basketball in Paternoster Square, Pickleball in New Street Square and Panna Football in the Crescent in Aldgate. Connect with colleagues and explore new parts of the City while soaking up the sunshine on the court. Book your place here.
Fore more information, check out the Destination City Dashboard.