Lower Marsh Summer Saturdays bring free films to Waterloo

Lower Marsh Summer Saturday returns in Waterloo with free outdoor film screenings on 29 August and 26 September. The programme takes place on Lower Marsh, behind Waterloo station, and is open to the general public. The street is closed to traffic every Saturday from 9am to 9pm, creating more room for outdoor dining, street food and entertainment.

The screenings are free. Lambeth Council’s source notice does not specify the films, screening times, accessibility arrangements or whether advance registration is required; further event information is published through WeAreWaterloo’s Eventbrite page.

Free screenings scheduled for two Saturdays

The two confirmed film dates are Saturday 29 August and Saturday 26 September. They form part of a wider summer programme that began on 25 July and combines cultural events with the regular Saturday road closure.

Lower Marsh’s bars, restaurants and street-food stalls will have additional outdoor seating during the programme. Refreshed planting, decorations and lighting are also intended to make the street more inviting for visitors who want to stay for food or the screenings.

The format makes the event suitable for local residents, Waterloo visitors and people looking for a free cultural activity in central London. Although the street remains traffic-free from morning until evening, visitors should check the individual screening information before setting out because the source does not provide a film start time.

Lower Marsh stays traffic-free from 9am to 9pm

Lower Marsh is a largely pedestrianised historic market street tucked behind Waterloo station. Market trading has taken place there since the early 19th century, while more recent traffic restrictions have created additional space for businesses and customers.

The street already has car-free periods during weekday lunchtimes and evenings. Since June 2026, it has also been closed to traffic on Saturdays from 9am until 9pm, allowing hospitality businesses to expand their outdoor offer during weekends.

The Summer Saturday programme builds on that arrangement rather than introducing a one-day closure for each screening. Visitors can therefore arrive earlier for the market, food stalls or outdoor dining, although the source gives no individual opening hours for participating businesses.

Outdoor dining is central to the summer programme

Lambeth Council and the WeAreWaterloo Business Improvement District are delivering the initiative together. The council secured £100,000 from the Mayor of London’s Summer Streets Fund, with the programme designed to support dozens of businesses along Lower Marsh and encourage more activity in public spaces.

Councillor Michael Chessum, Lambeth Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy, Cost of Living and Empowered Communities, said the additional seating and activities would welcome more visitors to Waterloo. WeAreWaterloo chief executive Kate Poulter said the road closure, outdoor seating, lighting, bunting, planting and free screenings would help hospitality businesses make more of summer Saturdays.

London Deputy Mayor Justine Simons described the wider Summer Streets programme as a way to bring dining, music and events into high streets and public spaces across the capital.

Details to check before attending

Lower Marsh is behind Waterloo station, and the street closure runs from 9am to 9pm on Saturdays. Entry to the announced film screenings is free, but the programme notice does not list screening times, film titles, accessibility provision or a confirmed booking requirement. Visitors should consult WeAreWaterloo’s Eventbrite listings for the latest information about the 29 August and 26 September events.

Source: London Borough of Lambeth