When Is the Best Time to Arrive in London for a Working Holiday?
Key takeaways
- The Jumpstart London year is best explained in four seasons, and the season you arrive in shapes how quickly you start work.
- Each season has a set number of Jumpstart London spots, based on the work our employer partners have committed to, so the best weeks fill up first.
- Season 1, December, January and February: quiet.
- Season 2, March, April, May, June and July: peak.
- Season 3, August: summer break.
- Season 4, September, October and November: peak again.
Timing your arrival can make the difference between starting work in your first week and waiting a month for shifts. Work for new arrivals in London follows the seasons, so here's the best time to move to London for a working holiday, month by month.
Quiet Peak Summer break
The four seasons
Season 1: December, January and February Quiet
Work slows from the second week of December and only ramps up again towards February. Christmas is staffed months in advance, corporate events and construction are limited, coastal resorts and summer camps close, and our support team is on leave until mid-January.
- December: one intake only, in week 1, so we can check you into your room before the team goes on leave.
- January: no intakes. Grey skies, short days and plenty of Jumpstarters away, so we don't recommend it.
- February: intakes reopen in the last week of the month.
- Fixed plans? You can join in December or January at 50% off the placement fee, but these placements don't include job introductions.
- Who's still hiring: suburban, family-run restaurants and bars, plus boutique hotels and winter holiday destinations. Most hire in October and November, with in-person interviews and full-season commitments.
- If you're here: move into your room, join the small inductions for limited work, come to social events and submit your CV through your My Space page.
- Weather: highs of 7–8°C, lows around 2°C, under 8 hours of daylight in late December and frequent light rain. Pack a warm waterproof coat and layers.
Tip: staying in London for Christmas? Apply for our winter live-in jobs in October. Only a few partners hire for winter, so apply early.
Season 2: March to July Peak
- March: events, pubs, bars, restaurants, coffee shops, office temp work and construction all ramp up, with sporting events, St Patrick's Day and spring trade shows at ExCeL London and Olympia. Highs of 10–11°C and around 12 hours of daylight.
- Easter, late March to early April: corporate work slows for 10 to 15 days while schools are off. Use it to settle in, explore or take a short trip to Europe.
- April: match days, weddings, beer gardens and trade shows keep headcount growing. Play in week one while schools are still off, then book three weeks of back-to-back shifts. Highs of 13–14°C, with sunset after 8pm by the end of the month.
- May and June: the best time to arrive and our busiest for arrivals, so book early. You can book 50 to 60 hours a week (with an opt-out from the 48-hour limit), festival season kicks off, and highs reach around 17°C with about 16 hours of daylight.
- July: busy until schools break up in late July (around 22–23 July in 2027). Book three weeks of back-to-back shifts, then use your savings for an extended trip around Europe.
Intakes: weeks 1 and 3 from March to June, and week 1 only in July. Max 15 arrivals a week, with a Meet & Greet on Thursdays at Belushi's London Bridge.
Season 3: August Summer break
Temp, corporate, events, admin and construction work go quiet over the school summer holidays. For Aussies and Kiwis, it's like arriving home in late December. There are no full Jumpstart arrivals: you can join at 50% off the placement fee, without job introductions.
- What's on: Notting Hill Carnival (29–30 August in 2027), the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Reading and Leeds Festival and the BBC Proms.
- Weather: one of London's warmest months, with highs around 23°C, 15 hours of daylight and the odd heatwave.
Tip: arrive in the last week of August, then sort your life admin, move in and explore before September's peak season.
Season 4: September, October and November Peak again
- September and October: schools and offices return, and the events, festival and conference calendar fills fast. 50 to 60 hours a week is easily available, so it's the time to get cashed up. Highs around 20°C in September, cooling through October.
- November: around six weeks of peak work left before things slow in the second week of December, with no school holidays. Arrive in week one.
Intakes: weeks 1 and 3 in September and October, and week 1 only in November.
Tip: arrive in the last week of August, start the programme in week one of September, and book back-to-back shifts while work is strong.
Two ways to plan your year
| Plan | Arrive | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Work first | March to July | Settle in, work through the busy April to July stretch, travel Europe in August, then work again in autumn |
| Travel first | August | Spend the summer travelling Europe, then arrive for the steady autumn months |
FAQ
What is the best month to move to London for work?
March or April. Work is picking up, and you'll have time to set up your bank account, National Insurance number and inductions before the busiest stretch from April to July.
Is it hard to find work in London in winter?
It's the quietest time for new arrivals. December to February has few shifts for new starters, as most employers staff Christmas months in advance and hire less at the start of the year.
Can I arrive in London in August?
You can, but work goes very quiet during the UK school summer holidays, as temp, corporate, events, admin and construction work all slow down. Expect a slow start and budget for it. Many people travel Europe over the summer instead and arrive in September, when work picks up again. A discounted rate applies to August arrivals.
Book your arrival week
Each season has a set number of Jumpstart London arrival spots, based on the work our employer partners have committed to for that season, so the best weeks fill up first. Tell us when you'd like to arrive, and we'll line up your room and job introductions before you fly.
Check arrival dates →Keep reading: 10 challenges new arrivals face finding a job in London.
