Lower Marsh Summer Saturdays bring free films to Waterloo: what residents need to know

Lower Marsh Summer Saturday returns to Waterloo with free outdoor film screenings on 29 August and 26 September 2026. The programme takes place on Lower Marsh, behind Waterloo station, where the street is closed to traffic every Saturday from 9am to 9pm. Entry is free, and the events are open to the general public.

The Lambeth Council and WeAreWaterloo Business Improvement District initiative combines outdoor cinema, street entertainment and more space for local hospitality businesses. Visitors can eat outside at the street’s bars, restaurants and street food stalls while exploring one of London’s historic market streets. The Lower Marsh event guide provides broader context on the summer programme.

Two free film dates on Lower Marsh

The remaining screenings are scheduled for Saturday 29 August and Saturday 26 September. The supplied event notice does not identify the films or give individual screening times, so visitors should check WeAreWaterloo’s Eventbrite page for the latest programme and event information before travelling.

The screenings form part of a wider summer schedule that began on 25 July. Rather than limiting activity to a single festival day, the programme uses the regular Saturday road closure to create space for dining and cultural events throughout the summer.

Lower Marsh has hosted market trading since the early 19th century. It is already pedestrianised during weekday lunchtime market hours and in the evenings, while the Saturday closure from 9am to 9pm was introduced in June 2026.

Outdoor dining expands into the car-free street

Bars, restaurants and street food traders can use additional outdoor seating during the Saturday closure. Refreshed planting, decorations and lighting have also been introduced along the street, creating a more welcoming setting for visitors who want to stay for food or a screening.

Lambeth Council secured £100,000 from the Mayor of London’s Summer Streets Fund in partnership with WeAreWaterloo, which is delivering the programme. The funding is intended to support dozens of Lower Marsh businesses by increasing the space available for trading and attracting more visitors to the area.

WeAreWaterloo chief executive Kate Poulter said the road closure gives hospitality businesses a greater opportunity to serve customers outdoors. She said the additional seating, planting, lighting, bunting and free cultural screenings are designed to encourage people to spend more time on Lower Marsh.

What visitors should check before attending

Lower Marsh is immediately behind Waterloo station, and the car-free period runs from 9am until 9pm each Saturday. The source confirms that the film screenings are free but does not provide film titles, precise screening times, accessibility arrangements or any separate booking requirement. Those details should be checked on WeAreWaterloo’s Eventbrite page when each listing becomes available.

Councillor Michael Chessum, Lambeth Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy, Cost of Living and Empowered Communities, said the additional seating and activities would help Waterloo welcome more summer visitors. London Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries Justine Simons described the wider Summer Streets programme as a way to bring dining and cultural activity into high streets and public spaces.

For the next confirmed dates, visitors can plan around the free screenings on 29 August and 26 September while checking the Eventbrite listings for film names, screening times and entry instructions.

Source: London Borough of Lambeth