5x Fun Things to do in London for Adults

London has this reputation for being all hustle, crowds, and overpriced cocktails. But honestly, once you know where to look, it’s one of the most fun cities in the world for adults. The key is mixing things up and actually doing stuff, not just standing around talking about how busy you are.

So if you’ve ever found yourself asking, what do people do for fun in London?, here are five proper answers, Londoner approved.

What people do for fun in London?

fun things to do in london

1. Go to a Vibe N Paint Party Night at Art Play London

Let’s start strong, because this one is a favourite for a reason.

The Vibe N Paint Party Night at Art Play is basically what happens when a paint class and a night out decide to become best mates. You turn up, music’s playing, everyone’s chatting, drinks are flowing, and you’re painting without anyone telling you to be serious about it.

This is not one of those silent, awkward art classes where you’re scared to mess up. It’s loud enough to feel fun, relaxed enough to feel social, and creative enough to make you forget about work, emails, and whatever else has been rattling around your brain all day.

People go with friends, dates, birthdays, work socials, or even solo and end up chatting to everyone anyway. By the end of the night, you’ve got a painting, sore cheeks from laughing, and that buzzing feeling you get when you’ve actually done something different.

If you’re wondering what people do for fun in London that isn’t just drinking, this is a big one.

2. Do a Creative Workshop and Get Your Hands Messy

Creative workshops have quietly become one of the most popular things adults do for fun in London, and once you try one, you’ll get it.

Pottery, painting, upcycling, clay workshops, you name it. There’s something about working with your hands that just hits differently after a long day staring at a screen. Your phone stays in your bag. Your brain switches off. You focus on what’s in front of you.

Londoners love these workshops because they feel like a break without needing a holiday. You show up, create something, chat, laugh, and leave feeling lighter than when you arrived.

It’s also perfect if you’re bored of the usual plans. Instead of saying, “Let’s grab a drink”, you say, “Let’s make something”. Way more memorable.

3. Eat Your Way Around a Food Market

If there’s one thing Londoners are always up for, it’s food. And food markets are where the fun really happens.

Borough Market, Camden Market, Maltby Street, Spitalfields. You wander, you snack, you argue about what smells best, and you end up eating something you didn’t even know existed.

It’s casual, social, and you can make it as quick or as long as you like. Go with mates, go on a date, or just tag along with whoever’s free. There’s no pressure to book, no awkward sitting around, and plenty of chances to stop for a drink or dessert when you need a break.

For a lot of people, this is a go to answer to what people do for fun in London on a weekend.

4. Try an Evening Activity Instead of a Big Night Out

More and more Londoners are swapping late nights out for evening activities, and honestly, it’s a great move.

Think adult arcade centres like NAMCO Funscape, creative socials, cooking classes like at the Cooking Academy, or even casual workshops where you can chat while doing something fun. You still get the social buzz, but without the chaos of packed bars and shouting over music.

You actually remember the night. You actually talk to people. And you wake up the next day without questioning your life choices.

These kinds of evenings are perfect if you want fun without the hangover, and they’re becoming a huge part of adult life in London.

5. Explore a New Area Like a Local

One of the simplest but most underrated fun things to do in London is just exploring a new area properly.

Pick a neighbourhood you do not usually go to. Wander the streets. Pop into random shops. Find a coffee place that looks nice. Sit in a park if the weather’s decent. Grab food somewhere you’ve never heard of.

London is basically a collection of mini cities, and each one has its own vibe. When people ask what people do for fun in London, a lot of locals will tell you this. Slow exploring beats rushing around every time.

Let's paint that picture and take London Fields for example.

You start the day with no plan. That’s important. Just comfy shoes, a bit of curiosity, and the quiet confidence that London Fields will sort the rest out for you. You hop off the train and straight away the vibe feels different.

Slower. Cooler. Less “central London panic”, more “we’ve got time”.

First stop is coffee, obviously. You wander a bit, ignore the chains, and pick a café purely based on vibes. This means Paradox Design + Coffee of course ... big windows and the smell of fresh coffee pulling you in. After coffee, you wander.

Then comes the bakery. You did not plan this, but it happens. It always does. Pavillion, a small place with trays of pastries behind the counter and a queue that tells you everything you need to know. You sit outside, watch people go past, and already feel like you’ve escaped your usual routine, snapping you out of autopilot.

The bakery has pulled you into Broadway Market. Stalls selling vintage clothes, handmade bits, random art prints, crystal bracelets, candles you do not need but kind of want anyway. You chat to stall owners. Pick something up you weren’t looking for. London Fields markets always feel like that. A bit chaotic, a bit creative, very local.

This is the bit where you realise you’re having fun without trying to have fun. Somehow, you end up at Hackney City Farm. And honestly, this is one of those things that makes London brilliant.

One minute you’re surrounded by streets and cafés, the next you’re looking at goats and pigs like this is completely normal. You wander around, laugh at how unexpectedly wholesome it is, and maybe sit down for a bit just to soak it in.

It’s calm. It’s charming. And it’s the perfect reset in the middle of the day.

From the farm, you drift towards the canal. This is peak London Fields energy. People strolling, cyclists gliding past, boats moving slowly like no one’s in a rush. And as the day rolls into evening, you’re ready for a drink, but not just anywhere. You want something a bit different.

You find a bar that feels slightly hidden. Low lighting, interesting menu, drinks with ingredients you’ve never heard of but trust anyway. Equal Parts, the kind of place where the bartender actually explains what you’re drinking.

You order something experimental. It’s surprisingly good. You sit, chat, laugh, and realise you’ve barely looked at your phone all day. That’s when you know it’s been a good one.

By now, you’re hungry in that happy, relaxed way. So you head for Mediterranean food, because it just makes sense - Moritos specifically for tapas and mezze, with dishes from Spain to North Africa!

You order too much, obviously. You talk over plates in the middle of the table. No one’s rushing. No one’s checking the time. It’s one of those dinners that stretches on without trying.

This is the moment where the day really lands. Full belly, good company, no regrets.

You could head home now, or you could walk a bit more. Maybe back through London Fields park, where people are still sitting around, music drifting through the air, the city glowing just enough.

And that’s it. No big event. No must see attraction. Just a proper day of exploring like a local.

Why Londoners Are Choosing Experiences Over Stuff

There’s a bigger reason behind all of this. People are choosing experiences over things.

Instead of buying more stuff, Londoners want memories. They want stories. They want moments where they felt relaxed, creative, or properly connected to the people they were with.

That’s why things like the Vibe N Paint Party Night at Art Play, creative workshops, and hands on activities are booming. They give you something to talk about long after the night ends.

So, What Do People Do for Fun in London?

They paint. They make things. They eat good food. They explore. They laugh with friends while doing something a bit different.

London fun is not about ticking off attractions. It’s about finding experiences that fit real adult life. Social, relaxed, creative, and actually enjoyable.

This is what people mean when they talk about fun in London. Not rushing from place to place. Not ticking boxes. Just choosing an area and letting it unfold.

You do not need a plan. Just curiosity and comfy shoes.

If you’re feeling bored of the same old plans, this is your sign to try something new. Book the paint night. Do the workshop. Wander somewhere unfamiliar. London’s full of fun, you just have to stop doing the same thing every weekend.

And honestly, next time someone asks, “What should we do tonight?”, you’ve got way better answers than “I don’t know, the pub?”