Inspired by the fantasylands of Georgian London - a magical space for entertainment, art and music, the RA transforms into a re-imagined pleasure garden for a spectacular summer’s night.

Pleasure Gardens were extraordinary 18th century spaces for entertainment, art and music. These glittering night-gardens of tree-lined boulevards, luminous glowing lanterns, masquerade balls, al fresco dining, woodland music concerts and healing fountains gave ordinary Londoners a chance to escape city life for the night.

At the magical summer’s night festival, explore the RA’s campus and discover spectacular lightshows, illuminated dancefloors, secret bars, artist installations, live music and DJs. Enjoy voguing, karaoke, romantic-fiction writing, costume parades, indie disco singalongs and a classical club night and much more to be announced.

Tickets include after-hours entry to the Summer Exhibition and Helene Schjerfbeck.

Glowing night-garden (Annenberg Courtyard)
Enter a vibrant and luminous night garden for extravaganzas, promenades, light shows and more. Including our glittering main stage, with line up below:

Little Gay Brother
RA Lates welcomes headliners Little Gay Brother to the Summer Pleasure Garden. Little Gay Brother is the joyfully flamboyant queer collective and club night which challenges perceptions of gender through dance, music and humour. Their shows capture audiences imaginations and create ecstatic environments where anything feels possible. Get ready to lose your inhibitions at a party without prejudice and enjoy a show that celebrates pleasure.

Jay Jay Revlon
DJ and artist Jay Jay Revlon has become a major force in the London dance scene, where he is credited with being instrumental to the rise of voguing nights in London. Here at the RA he presents his popular voguing workshop, followed by DJ set and party.

Moonlit promenade with Dress: Fancy
Inspired by the grand boulevards of Georgian pleasure gardens, come stroll to the outdoor tree-lined avenue and join a unique moonlit costume parade. Think 1950s salon fashion show meets Georgian promenade, celebrating eccentricity and an experimental approach. Podcasters and fancy dress experts ’Dress: Fancy’, will host the costume competition on the night and crown the evenings ‘best dressed’.

Nocturnal Palace (Burlington House)
Step inside the RA’s 17th century town palace for art, parties and immersive experiences.

Singalong Indie Disco at the Tavern
Take part in our Georgian “round the piano” inspired singalong, but with a touch of 2007 indie nostalgia. Pleasure gardens were known for their music eclecticism, from an era which did not distinguish between high art and popular culture. Join our traditional pub knees up – where you’ll be singing the words to your favourite dancefloor anthems of the mid-2000s.

Secret Palace Cocktail Party
Enter a wild and abandoned conservatory where you’ll find pleasure garden characters, sip champagne cocktails and mingle with artists and Georgian society elite at this immersive experience.

Garden of (un)earthly delights (RA Schools)

UV Performances
Enter a glowing surrealist den at the bottom of the garden, and watch a series of immersive interventions from Ultra-Violet drumming, ballet and live glow in the dark body painting performances. Produced by the Glitter Collective.

Revelling Rooms (The Keeper's House)
This hidden 19th century artists home was built by Sydney Smirke RA as an extension of the grand urban palace. Discover immersive performances and a secret garden as you explore the Keepers House.

Baroque Club Night
Inspired by the many opulent masked balls held in 18th century pleasure gardens, _REMIX is a baroque club night which live mixes baroque music with contemporary hip hop and r ‘n’ b samples.

‘Dear Duke!’ – Barbara Cartland inspired writer’s retreat
18th century historians often describe the “sexual electricity” of London’s pleasure gardens, they were spaces were transgression was permitted and lovers would meet. At this drop-in writers’ retreat we read excepts form our favourite Barbara Cartland novels, while you are invited to join a series of writing games to concoct your own pleasure garden inspired romantic fiction storyline or scene.

Temple of Spectaculars (Burlington Gardens)
The RA’s newly renovated site at 6 Burlington Gardens plays host to a lively programme of karaoke, colourful artist installations and more.

Karaoke Hole
The mischievous little sister of Dalston Superstore and Voodoo Rays, the Karaoke Hole takeover the RA’s epic theatre space for a glitter-fuelled night of lip-syncing drag queen performances, dance routines and karaoke singalongs. From 90s girl bands, air-guitar anthems, and disco classics, this is not to be missed.

... and for those who are going after the VIP treatment...

VIP after-part (until 1am)
All VIP ticket holders will get an exclusive invitation to an RA Lates after-party, within one of the RA’s historic spaces. It will feature live jazz, DJs, dancing and a speakeasy cocktail bar.