LONDON FESTIVAL OF ARCHITECTURE: A celebration of architecture and 'city-making', the London Festival of Architecture has the theme of 'Voices' for 2025, and the programme's packed with events throughout the month, from public installations to talks, tours, debates and performances — plus some family-friendly events too. Highlights include architectural tours of Battersea Power Station, a cycle ride down the Great West Road (on a cycle track), and a Sikh heritage day at Hampton Court Palace. 1-30 June
HEAVY HORSE SHOW: Capel Manor Gardens in Enfield hosts the Herts Heavy Horse Show and Country Show. See heavy horse breeds in action, taking part in various events in the show ring. There's also a dog show, and it's a great excuse to explore the venue's 30-acre gardens. 1 June
LONDON CONCOURS: Luxury cars meet garden party at the London Concours, taking place at the Honourable Artillery Company in the City. The classic car show brings together dozens of the world's most beautiful motors, with a day each dedicated to Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz, and supercars. 3-5 June
LOST MUSIC OF AUSCHWITZ: A new opera-ballet to commemorate 80 years since the liberation of the concentration camp, The Lost Music of Auschwitz features music created from a collection of music manuscripts which were written, arranged and performed by the prisoner orchestras, and remained hidden in archives until recently. It's on at Bloomsbury Theatre. 3-7 June
FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY: See photographs shortlisted for the World Food Photography Awards on display at the Museum of the Home. The pictures come from all over the world, and showcase all of the ways food affects our lives, from growing, harvesting and cooking, to eating, celebrating and surviving. 3 June-7 September
BEYONCE: COWBOY CARTER: Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter world tour has six dates at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this month, and to the surprise of many, tickets haven't yet sold out (at time of writing, prices start at £121). Expect to see plenty of Beyoncé-themed parties, brunches and other events taking place around the concert dates too. 5-16 June. Additionally, Beyoncé's mother Tina Knowles is at a special event at Southbank Centre on 4 June, celebrating her new book, Matriarch.
HIDDEN LONDON: Psst... want to see the secret parts of famous Tube stations? This month's Hidden London tours from London Transport Museum visit the abandoned platforms at Holborn, forgotten parts of Piccadilly Circus, and the remains of an old rifle range tucked away inside Baker Street station. You can also descend into disused 'ghost' stations, like Dover Street on the Piccadilly line, or the old Jubilee line platforms at Charing Cross. There's more to the Tube than meets the eye. Ages 10+, various dates. (sponsor)
GIFFORD'S CIRCUS: Roll up, roll up! The circus is in west London. Gifford's Circus brings its new show Laguna Bay to the gardens at Chiswick House. It's set in 1950s America, with acrobats, magicians, musicians and clowns from all over the world taking part. 5-22 June
NIGHT GARDEN PARTY: The British Library stays open late on the first Friday in June, for an evening event in its Piazza, inspired by current exhibition Unearthed: The Power Of Gardening. Singer-songwriter Beth Orton headlines the entertainment, surrounded by plants and lights, with gardening-themed stalls to browse. 6 June
WANDSWORTH ARTS FRINGE: Queer cabaret, a launch party at a church, Bulgarian singing workshops, boozy brunch, and a Shakespeare play reimagined to rave music are among the items on the eclectic Wandsworth Arts Fringe programme this year. It's a special one, as Wandsworth is London Borough of Culture 2025-6. 6-22 June
ZOO NIGHTS: London Zoo stays open later than usual almost every Friday in June and July for Zoo Nights, an adults-only event, with tours, games, street food stalls and a chance to see the animals at a time when the zoo is usually closed. 6 June-25 July
SERPENTINE PAVILION: The 2025 Serpentine Pavilion is unveiled in Kensington Gardens, designed by Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum and taking the form of a curving, lozenge-like structure. The temporary building remains in situ throughout the summer. FREE, from 6 June
HERCULES: Go from Zero to Hero in the eyes of your kids, with a trip to see Disney's Hercules in musical form at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, following the story of the 1997 animated film, itself based on a Greek myth. It's one of our picks of family-friendly theatre shows to book in London this summer. 6 June-10 January
FOLK FESTIVAL: Treat your lugholes to an afternoon of folk and roots music at Magpie's Nest Festival, happening at Master Shipwright's Palace in Deptford. Wander from stage to stage in the gardens, with an unplugged stage inside the house itself, listening to performers from all over the world including Malawian band Gasper Nali, Canadian songwriter Dana Sipos, and Balkan vocal trio Alkanna Greaca. Sounds like a very chilled afternoon/evening. 7 June
DESIGN AND DISABILITY: Described as both a celebration and a call to action, the V&A's new exhibition, Design and Disability, looks at where and how disabled, Deaf, and neurodiverse people and communities have contributed to design history and contemporary culture. Find out how disabled people have designed everyday objects through their own experience and expertise, and get an insight into how design can be made more equitable and accessible for all. From 7 June
OCEAN COURT: After a year-long roof refurb, the National Maritime Museum's Ocean Court reopens, with a brand new floor map. The Spilhaus Projection is a map of the world according to fish, showing one, interconnected ocean. Objects on display include technical instruments from Greenpeace's first ship in 1978. Look out for a series of events to celebrate the reopening. FREE, from 7 June
LAMBETH COUNTRY SHOW: The annual two-day Lambeth Country Show pitches up in its usual spot in Brockwell Park for all manner of entertainment spanning sheep shearing, vegetable sculptures, live music, chocolate making and... a wall of death featuring daring motorbike stunts. FREE ENTRY, 7-8 June
GREAT EXHIBITION ROAD FESTIVAL: South Kensington institutions including the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Imperial College, Royal Geographical Society and V&A come together for the Great Exhibition Road Festival, a weekend celebrating science and the arts. In past years, we've been seriously impressed by how much there is to see and do, and this year we're promised insect yoga and a butterfly carnival among many, many other activities. FREE, 7-8 June
LONDON OPEN GARDENS: London Open Gardens Weekend is a chance to explore the city's green spaces via open days, tours and talks. They range from allotments, to small private gardens, to the likes of Eaton Square Garden, usually only accessible to residents with a key — with over 100 places taking part this year. 7-8 June
BARNET MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL: See re-enactments of the Battles of Barnet 1471 and the Second Battle of St Albans 1461, as well as displays by the gunners, archers and mounted knights at this year's Barnet Medieval Festival. There's also a medieval market, craft displays and an exhibition of medieval art. Note there's a new venue for 2025: Lewis of London ice cream farm, just north of Barnet. 7-8 June
FREE MUSEUM ENTRY: To celebrate its 100th birthday, the Charles Dickens Museum is offering free entry for one day only — the anniversary of the author's death. Even better, members of his own family are playing the role of museum stewards for the day, including Lucinda Hawksley (his great-great-great-granddaughter) who gives a talk about Dickens' international travels. 9 June
RACHEL JONES: Gated Canyons is a solo exhibition by contemporary artist Rachel Jones, opening at Dulwich Picture Gallery and featuring large-scale and intimate paintings created with Jones' signature tools of oil stick and oil pastels. 10 June-19 October
GODZ: Storytelling, circus and comedy meet in Godz at the Peacock Theatre. Starring comedy acrobatic troupe Head First Acrobats, it tells the stories of the ancient Gods of Mount Olympus, including Cupid, Dionysus and Hercules. Age 18+. 11-14 June
HAMSTRUNG: Alas poor Yorick! Though he's not dead…? Hamstrung at The Glitch in Waterloo is about the deceased court jester and famous skull in Shakespeare's Hamlet, telling his story through his own eyes, using music, comedy and audience interaction. Transfers to London after a run at Edinburgh Fringe last summer. 11-16 June
HAMPTON COURT PALACE FESTIVAL: It's a music festival, but not as you know it. Hampton Court Palace Festival is an altogether civilised affair, taking place in the palace grounds, with the option of enjoying a picnic before the music starts. Artists performing this year include Tom Jones, Elbow, Chaka Khan Bananarama and Gary Barlow. 11-21 June
QUEER 70S: Barbican Cinema's Queer 70s series focuses on the rise of Gay Liberation movements and greater queer visibility following the Stonewall Riots of 1969. Watch films depicting LGBTQ+ lives in a way which would have been unthinkable just a decade before, beginning with a programme of shorts by LGBTQ+ cinema pioneer Barbara Hammer. 11 June-16 July
KINGSTON BEER FESTIVAL: Over 100 cask and craft beers, ciders and perries are promised at the Kingston Beer Festival, with more details to come soon. 12-14 June
MELTDOWN FESTIVAL: The 20th edition of the UK's longest-running artist-curated music festival, Meltdown, is at Southbank Centre, and London rapper Little Simz is at the helm this year. Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Mahalia, Canadian instrumental ensemble BADBADNOTGOOD and saxophonist Nubya Garcia are among those on the programme. 12-22 June
CAPITAL CRIME: Love a good crime thriller book? Head to the Leonardo Royal St Paul's for Capital Crime, a lit festival celebrating the genre. Authors Dorothy Koomson, Ruth Ware, Suk Pannu and Linwood Barclay are just some of the 80+ names scheduled to take part in 30 events across two days. 13-14 June
JAIPUR LIT FEST: Authors Sheela Banerjee, Michael Rosen and Diana Darke, playwright Hanif Kureishi and journalist Reeta Chakrabarti are among the speakers on the line-up for the London Jaipur Literature Festival at the British Library, a satellite event of the huge Jaipur Literature Festival which takes place in India each January. 13-15 June
WORLD NAKED BIKE RIDE: If you're prudish, you may wish to avert your eyes as the World Naked Bike Ride pedals into town. Cyclists let it all hang out as they ride in a group on one of several pre-agreed routes. If you're taking part, don't forget your suncream... FREE, 14 June
CAMBERWELL ARTS FESTIVAL: We're awaiting details of the programme of this year's Camberwell Arts Festival, but in the past it's consisted of open studios, an art market and a fringe festival. Keep an eye on the website for full details when announced. 14-22 June
WINDRUSH FILM FESTIVAL: Belonging, Being and Becoming is the theme of the Windrush Caribbean Film Festival, a programme highlighting the journeys, struggles, and triumphs of Caribbean people in Britain. Keep an eye on the website for programme details closer to the time. 14-29 June
EVITA THE MUSICAL: The story of Eva Perón — who rose from a life in poverty to become First Lady of Argentina, the most powerful woman in Latin America — plays out in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, Evita, staged through the summer at the London Palladium. 14 June-6 September
FATHER'S DAY: Consider this your reminder to pick up a card, and maybe a box of chocolates or a new book, for your dad on Father's Day. 15 June
BMW CLASSICS: The London Symphony Orchestra gives a free outdoor concert in Trafalgar Square, performing works by Gioachino Rossini, Giacomo Puccini, Isabella Gellis, Giuseppe Verdi and Victor de Sabata. If the sun's shining on the day it's likely to be very popular, so arrive in plenty of time to get a space. FREE, 15 June
LONDON CLOWN FESTIVAL: Forget clowns in a Mini. How many can you fit into Soho Theatre or Jacksons Lane? They're the two venues for the London Clown Festival, showing that there's far more to the art than a red nose and a squirting flower. Ventriloquist Lachlan Werner, clowning dancers Conchola and 'Magic Lady' Freddie Hayes are among the headliners, but for most bang for your buck, try to get tickets to the opening cabaret to see a smorgasbord of performers in one night. 16 June-4 July
SUMMER JAZZ SERIES: International jazz superstars take to the stage at Barbican throughout June and July for the Summer Jazz Series. American pianist Tigran Hamasyan and the Brad Mehldau Trio perform, concluding with a three-night residency by Herbie Hancock, 51 years after his first London show. 16 June-26 July
DITA VON TEESE: Burlesque star Dita Von Teese presents the world premiere of her new show Diamonds and Dust at brand new venue the Emerald Theatre near Temple. Set in a hazy saloon, the show is the story of a notorious card dealer in the Wild West, featuring top West End performers, burlesque stars and cirque artists. Note that Von Teese herself doesn't feature in every performance — check ticket details when booking. 16 June-28 September
96 FESTIVAL: A celebration of the Pride party which took place on Clapham Common in 1996, 96 Festival is a combined celebration of queerness and theatre. Head to Omnibus Theatre for a programme of theatre, comedy, cabaret, music, art and activism — including some rehearsed readings and first public performances of new works. 17 June-12 July
ROYAL ACADEMY SUMMER EXHIBITION: A highlight of the London art calendar every year, the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition brings together established and rising artists to display their work. Prints, painting, film, photography, architectural works and sculpture all feature among the pieces, coordinated this year by architect Farshid Moussavi RA. 17 June-17 August
TASTE OF LONDON: Foodies will want to head to Regent's Park for Taste of London, the huge, food-based festival which brings dozens of London's best-known restaurants together to feed hungry visitors. It's also a chance to discover up-and-coming London chefs and food businesses, take part in tastings and watch masterclasses. 18-22 June
MUSIC IN CHURCHES: 12 concerts of classical, choral, chamber and jazz music take place at churches around the Square Mile, including St Giles Cripplegate and St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate. This year's Summer Music in City Churches has a theme of Eternal Light, and some of the concerts take place at lunchtime, so worth bookmarking if you work in the area. 18-27 June
TALKING BUILDINGS: The work of late architect Richard Rogers is the subject of the latest exhibition at Sir John Soane's Museum. Talking Buildings showcases him as a thinker, campaigner, humanist and activist, as well as the designer of iconic buildings including Lloyd's of London, the O2 dome, and Paris's Pompidou Centre. 18 June-21 September
STAND UP FOR REFUGEES: Comedians Jen Brister, Ali Woods, Tadiwa Mahlunge, Olga Koch, Milo Edwards, Esther Manito, Mark Watson, Sikisa, Rajiv Karia and Kiri Pritchard-McLean are on the bill for Stand Up For Refugees, a charity comedy night at the Clapham Grand raising money for Refugee Action. 19 June
WOMEN IN ART FAIR: A new initiative set up to address the gender imbalance in the art industry, Women in Art holds an art fair in gallery@oxo, at the base of the OXO Tower. At time of writing, the shortlist of artists whose work will be on display is TBC. 19-21 June
DREAM BALLETS: The scores of Rodgers & Hammerstein's dream ballets provide the soundtrack to new dance pieces created by three of the UK's leading musical theatre choreographers. The 26-piece orchestra of the Sinfonia Smith Square perform the score for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Dream Ballets: A Triple Bill at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. 19-22 June
SUMMER SHOWCASE: The annual British Academy Summer Showcase sees researchers sharing their latest work through interactive exhibits and workshops, performances and screenings. A highlight is British-Turkish novelist Elif Shafak discussing her latest novel There Are Rivers in the Sky with Ritula Shah. FREE, 20-21 June
VIA CRITERIUM: Two wheels is the way forward at Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross, as the VIA Criterium and The London Cycle Festival return. The VIA Criterium is a closed-roads racing circuit, with plenty of places for spectators to watch along the route. New for 2025 is the VIA Gravel Race, a 70km or 120km loop out into the Hertfordshire countryside. Alongside it all, the London Cycle Festival has stalls and demos aimed at cyclists of all abilities. 20-22 June
GREAT WILD WALK: Sign up to take part in a five- or 10-mile walk through Epping Forest, raising money for the World Wildlife Fund. The Great Wild Walk is a family-friendly event, and dogs are welcome, with a fundraising target of £150 per person, and money raised going to the WWF's conservation projects around the world. 21 June
WEST END LIVE: Musical theatre fans: Dance over to Trafalgar Square for West End Live, a free, two-day festival starring the cast of all manner of West End shows. Exact details are due to be announced about a week before the event, but in the past, cast members from the likes of Jersey Boys, The Lion King, Mary Poppins and Tina The Musical have strutted their stuff. Best get there very early if you want to get in: long queues have formed in previous years, and note that there are new accessible viewing areas and procedures for using them this year. FREE, 21-22 June
BRIDGES OF LONDON WALK: Sign up to walk seven miles across 10 London bridges in aid of charity Lymphoma Action. Join the route in person and walk from Vauxhall Bridge to Tower Bridge, or sign up to walk a similar distance remotely, in your own local area. 22 June
BUS MUSEUM FESTIVAL: Venture a smidge beyond the London border into Surrey for Summer Festival at the London Bus Museum. View a range of heritage vehicles, take tours of the local area in a 1950s/1960s RT or Routemaster bus, and shop for books, models, old uniforms, badges and memorabilia. 22 June
MITCHAM CARNIVAL: For the first time in 12 years, a parade takes place as part of Mitcham Carnival. The mile-long route starts in the town centre and finishes at Three Kings Piece, where you'll find live performances, wrestling demos and funfair rides. 22 June
JIMMY: The life of American tennis player Jimmy Connors is retold in comic form by Adam Riches at the London premiere of Jimmy, at Park Theatre. Learn about Connors' career at his peak, his subsequent downfall — and one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history. Directed by Tom Parry, this promises to be a good 'un. 23 June-12 July
GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY: Award-winning play Girl From The North Country returns to the Old Vic, telling the story of a small community struggling during the Depression in 1934 America, using Bob Dylan songs as a soundtrack. 24 June-23 August
FAWLTY TOWERS: I know nothing! Beloved British sitcom Fawlty Towers is back on stage at the Apollo Theatre, with Danny Bayne, Paul Nicholas, Joanne Clifton and Helen Lederer heading up an 18-strong cast, recreating classic moments from the 1970s TV series. 24 June-13 September
THIRST: Humanity's vital connection with freshwater is explored in Thirst, a new exhibition at Wellcome Collection. 125 objects, including artworks, historical artefacts and the latest research, take visitors through five distinct water conditions (aridity, rain, glaciers, surface water, groundwater), highlighting the impact of access to freshwater on health and ecosystems, from ancient Mesopotamia and Victorian London to modern-day Nepal and Singapore. FREE, 26 June-1 February
WANDA SYKES: Emmy award-winning American comedian, writer, actress and producer Wanda Sykes brings her Please & Thank You tour to Southbank Centre, and at time of writing, there's a handful of tickets left. 27 June
PRIDE AT THE MUSEUM: The Natural History Museum gets warmed up early for Pride with an adults-only Pride at the Museum evening. Scientists are on hand to talk about topics including asexual reproduction in Komodo dragons and the mating methods of molluscs. Drag king Bi-Curious George performs, plus there are gender and sexual diversity themed tours, dino bingo and art and craft workshops. 27 June
BST HYDE PARK: BST Hyde Park is back, bringing Olivia Rodrigo, Zach Bryan, Noah Kahan, Sabrina Carpenter, Neil Young, Stevie Wonder and Jeff Lynne's ELO to the huge pop-up festival site in Hyde Park. The Open House midweek events will take place again this year with outdoor cinema, live music, and other events open to everyone. 27 June-13 July
FUSE INTERNATIONAL: For nine days, performing arts festival FUSE International takes over Kingston, with a programme of music, theatre, dance, comedy, visual arts, spoken word, circus and more. Programme TBC at time of writing. 28 June-6 July
NOUGHTS AND CROSSES: Malorie Blackman's powerful novel Noughts & Crosses plays at Regent's Park Open-Air Theatre, set in dystopian Britain and telling the story of two young friends divided by racial segregation. It's a tough watch, featuring racism and oppression, violent scenes, sexual references, swearing and depictions of hanging, so may not be suitable for all young people. Age 14+.28 June-26 July
WIMBLEDON: The world's most famous tennis tournament begins on the last day of the month, with the action continuing for two weeks, until mid-July. Undoubtedly, large screens will pop up all over London, allowing you to stay up to date with Centre Court, wherever you are. We'll bring you this year's details closer to the time. 30 June-13 July
ROSES AND LAVENDER: Make time to smell the roses this month, as they bloom all over town. Visit one (or more) of these eight beautiful places to see roses in bloom in London. If you're willing to travel a bit further afield for your outdoor fix, plan a trip to one of these pretty purple lavender fields near London — plus one within London itself.
MUSIC FESTIVALS: As summer heats up, so does the London music scene: peruse our guide to the best music festivals in London 2025 (some of which we've already highlighted above) and get booking.
OUTDOOR CINEMA: It wouldn't be summer in London without an onslaught of pop-up outdoor cinemas and rooftop film screenings. Some are open in June, and others make an appearance later in the summer. Here's the full guide to outdoor cinema in London.
OUTDOOR CULTURE: In addition to film screenings, theatre shows, live music — and even art — go al fresco for summer in London. Have a look at our guide to outdoor culture in London this summer.
LAST CHANCE: A few things are closing this month too. It's your last chance to see:
NORA TURATO: The ICA's latest exhibition features the first solo presentation in the UK by Amsterdam-based artist Nora Turato. The installation includes newly commissioned works incorporating performance, writing, graphic design, video and sound. Turato explores our collective relationship to language, examining the ideologies and pleasures of modern communication through her own unique lens. Until 8 June
MEAN GIRLS: That's so fetch... but only until this month. Mean Girls the musical, based on the 2004 film of the same name, is at the Savoy Theatre, telling the story of home-schooled Cady Heron who becomes involved with 'The Plastics' when she starts at a new high school. Until 8 June
SHUCKED: The Regent's Park Open-Air Theatre's first show of the season is the UK premiere of Shucked, a Tony Award-winning musical comedy about a woman named Maizy (see what they did there?) who has to save her small American town when the corn it grows starts to die. Until 14 June
STILETTO: Set in 18th century Italy, new musical Stiletto tells the story of boys who were taken from poor families and given the chance to succeed as singers if they kept their youthful voices. One in particular meets and falls in love with a talented young woman and attempts to get her on stage, resulting in a death. See it at Charing Cross Theatre. Until 14 June
EDVARD MUNCH: The National Portrait Gallery's Edvard Munch Portraits is the first exhibition in the UK to focus on the Norwegian artist's work in the portrait genre, and includes portraits he painted both for commission and for personal reasons. Until 15 June
VINTAGE TRAM POSTERS: Make your way to the London Archives to get an eyeful of some of the artwork used to promote London's tram network in the first half of the 20th century. 40 vintage tram posters dating from the 1920s-30s are on show. FREE, until 26 June
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER: One of our favourite annual exhibitions, Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the Natural History Museum showcases images from all over the planet depicting the beauty and power of nature, and the struggles it faces due to environmental issues. Until 29 June
