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. Alternative comedian and kindly clown Mikey Bligh-Smith, musical duo Dan Lees and Tom Penn, and comedian Elf Lyons are among the headliners. 30 May-13 June 2026
LGBTQ+ FUNDRAISER: For one night only at the Lyric Theatre, West End performers including Alice Fearn, Danielle Steers, Kitty Scott‑Claus and the London Gay Men's Chorus will sing roles they wouldn’t usually be cast in. The evening is an LGBTQ+ IVF fundraiser, with money raised going towards self‑funded IVF. 1 June 2026
LONDON FESTIVAL OF ARCHITECTURE: A celebration of architecture and 'city-making', the London Festival of Architecture programme is packed full of more than 400 events throughout the month, from public installations to talks, tours, debates and performances — including some family-friendly events. 1-30 June 2026
UCL SUMMER FESTIVAL: Workshops, panels, markets, fitness tasters and a world-record attempt are part of the UCL200 Summer Festival, a week-long bicentenary festival run by Students' Union. Ticketed headline evening events include the Great Debate, a student film festival and the UCL Proms. 2-6 June 2026
360 ALLSTARS: A high‑energy urban circus featuring an international cast of World Champion and World Record holding artists, 360 ALLSTARS barrels its way into the Peacock Theatre. Expect BMX tricks, basketball trickery, acrobatics, beatboxing and a live drumming soundtrack, accompanied by large video projections. 2-6 June 2026
JAZZ FESTIVAL: National and international musicians get into their groove for the fifth annual Battersea Jazz Festival, happening in venues neighbourhood-wide. From renowned artists (think Scott Hamilton, Dave O'Higgins and Gabrielle Stravelli) to young award-winning talent (the Emily Masser-Alex Clarke Quintet and Deschanel Gordon Trio), this festival has it all. Things kick of with a 'jazz ballet' take on Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet. 3-13 June (sponsor)
SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE: So It Goes Theatre presents Eric Simonson's stage adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's novel, Slaughterhouse-Five, following Billy Pilgrim, a soldier who becomes "unstuck in time" after he is abducted by aliens. See it at Southwark Playhouse Borough. 3 June-4 July 2026
SHAKESPEARE IN THE SQUARES: Every summer, a single Shakespeare play is performed in open-air gardens and squares across the capital. For 2026. Shakespeare in the Squares tackles Love's Labour's Lost, popping up in venues including Kensington Gardens Square and Camden Square. 3 June-12 July 2026
KYOTOGRAPHIE: Japan House London stages Kyotographie, a joint exhibition of work by two exciting Japanese photographers, Kawada Kikuji and Iwane Ai. Works include Kawada's Chizu (The Map), selections from The Last Cosmology, and Iwane's Kipuka and A New River series. The show, organised with Kyotographie International Photography Festival is the gallery's first major photography exhibition. FREE, 3 June-18 October 2026
MAKE A MESS: Anna, newly bereaved and estranged from her mother, immerses herself in Nigella Lawson's How To Eat and summons an imagined Nigella as a guide. Theatre show How To Make A Mess explores grief and comfort through recipes and memory, and takes place Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate. 4-28 June 2026
MARILYN MONROE: Portraits and photographs of Marilyn Monroe by renowned artists and photographers go on display at the National Portrait Gallery to mark what would be the star's 100th birthday, along with personal belongings such as books, scripts and clothes. 4 June-6 September 2026
GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS: 1992 dark comedy film Glengarry Glen Ross comes to the stage at the Old Vic, in a new adaptation, and with an all-female cast. 4 June-18 September 2026
BRANDING BRITAIN: The Museum of Brands' new exhibition Branding Britain explores how Britain’s identity has been built and exported. It pairs data visualisation from the Ipsos and JKR 'Be Distinctive Britain' report with objects from household names including Yorkshire Tea, Marmite and Burberry, also highlighting design figures such as Vivienne Westwood and Paul Smith, and cultural moments from the 1966 World Cup to London 2012. 4 June-October 2026
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A £10 orchestral concert inspired by nighttime in New York
This month, whisk yourself away to the city that never sleeps, with the help of Chromatica Orchestra and BBC Young Musician of the Year-winner Ryan Wang.
On 17 June at Battersea Arts Centre, they're treating Londoners to an evocative programme that encapsulates New York after dark, from its hushed backstreets to the glitz and glamour of its nightlife.
Your evening begins with Aaron Copland's melancholic Quiet City. Originally written for an NYC-set play, this atmospheric nocturne is laden with urban loneliness and abandoned dreams. After that, there's a big vibe shift, in the form of George Gershwin's exuberant Rhapsody in Blue. Even if you're not well-acquainted with jazz/classical, chances are you'll recognise this masterpiece which celebrates New York's bustling Jazz Age nightlife with brio (the opening clarinet glissando alone is enough to awaken your inner flapper).
The concert also features Charles Ives' daring, dreamlike Central Park in the Dark, and Leonard Bernstein's vibrant ballet score, Fancy Free. The whole thing is brought to life by Chromatica Orchestra's incredible early-career professional musicians plus pianist Wang, the latest in a series of talented soloists that the collective has teamed up with to create an extraordinary musical experience.
New York, New York takes place on Wednesday 17 June, 7.30pm at Battersea Arts Centre. Tickets usually start at £15, with a pay-what-you-can pricing structure, but our readers can get them for just £10 with the code LONDONIST.
CENTRE FOR ILLUSTRATION: After a couple of delays, the Quentin Blake Centre For Illustration finally opens its doors in a former waterworks building in Clerkenwell. The world's largest space dedicated to illustration opens with a debut trio of exhibitions, including one showing off Blake's own work. From 5 June 2026
COMEDY FESTIVAL: A new summer comedy weekend in a big top, the Battersea Park Comedy Festival attracts headliners including Sara Pascoe, Joe Lycett, Simon Brodkin, Lucy Beaumont and Simon Amstell plus curated nights from Wise Fools and family shows such as Comedy Club 4 Kids. The festival garden offers street food, beers and live music before, during and after shows. 5-7 June 2026
JAIPUR LIT FEST: Authors Namita Gokhale and Sheena Kalayil, and playwright Samantha Ellis 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. 5-7 June 2026
ZOO NIGHTS: London Zoo's late-night openings are back, for adults only on Fridays in June and July. Zoo Nights is a rare chance to see the animals at dusk, and enjoy tours, acoustic music, street food and live performances. London Zoo also unveils a special blue plaque trail this summer, marking ZSL's 200th anniversary. 5 June-24 July 2026
PROJECT A BLACK PLANET: Barbican Centre launches both an exhibition and a season of events called Project a Black Planet, celebrating the art and culture of Panafrica. Over 300 works — from paintings and installations to posters, journals and film — explore the impact of Pan-Africanism on artistic and cultural production from the 1920s to the present, alongside live music, film screenings and talks. 5 June-6 September 2026 (exhibition opens 11 June)
GAME MUSIC FESTIVAL: Hear three decades of music from video game series Diablo, performed by an orchestra and choir at the Royal Festival Hall. The concert features themes from across the series, and special guests Ted Reedy (lead composer) and Derek Duke (music director) are present. It's the opening event for the Games Music Festival 2026. 6 June 2026
OPEN GARDENS WEEKEND: 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 larger gardens in the likes of Eaton Square, usually only accessible to local residents with a key. 6-7 June 2026
LONDON MAP FAIR: The Royal Geographical Society hosts around 40 national and international antiquarian map dealers selling original maps from the 15th to the 20th century, with prices starting from about £10 (and going much higher, if you happen to have deep pockets...). The London Map Fair also features lectures including Rose Mitchell on historic mapmakers and talks by Ashley Baynton-Williams on starting a map collection. 6-7 June 2026
BARNET MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL: See re-enactments of the 1471 Battle of Barnet, as well as displays by the gunners, archers and mounted knights, at this year's Barnet Medieval Festival. There's also a medieval-style market, craft displays and an art exhibition, all taking place at Lewis of London ice cream farm, just north of Barnet. 6-7 June 2026
SERPENTINE PAVILION 2026: 'a serpentine' (their lower case, not ours) is the apt name and design of this year's free Serpentine Pavilion, erected in the grounds of the Serpentine South gallery in June. Mock-ups show the interior will provide an irregular-shaped courtyard with spaces for sitting, and a brise soleil roof propped with thin brick columns. FREE, 6 June-25 October 2026
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, farrier demonstrations, a mini zoo and children's rides. A great excuse to explore the venue's 30-acre gardens. 7 June 2026
MITCHAM CARNIVAL: After a successful return last year, a parade takes place as part of Mitcham Carnival again this year. 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. FREE, 7 June 2026
MAKING IT FESTIVAL: Making It Festival 2026 at Guildhall School brings together student work from music, drama, production and design across the school's venues. The programme features final-year productions, ensemble concerts, new writing, installations and workshops presented in spaces such as Silk Street and Milton Court. Some (though not all) events are free. 8-26 June 2026
LONDON CONCOURS: Luxury cars meet garden party vibes 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 special categories for Dream Cars, Hypercars and American Muscle Cars. 9-11 June 2026
WOMEN'S PRIZE LIVE: Enjoy a day festival of author talks, shortlist readings and workshops in Bedford Square Gardens to celebrate literary award The Women's Prize 2026. Authors including Candice Carty-Williams, Thangam Debbonaire, Julia Gillard, Vick Hope, Anita Rani and Kathryn Stockett take part, with readings of the 2026 Women's Prize shortlists, a pop‑up bookshop and signing station, plus workshops and other events throughout the day. 10 June 2026
LIVE AT CHELSEA: The legends keep coming at the newcomer Live At Chelsea festival, which pitches up in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea: over the course of five nights, acts include Holly Johnson, The Proclaimers, The Beach Boys (Mike Love's iteration at least), and Sparks. To paraphrase the latter, this festival is big enough for all of them. 10-14 June 2026
HAMPTON COURT PALACE FESTIVAL: Want a taste of pop royalty? Hampton Court Palace Festival's two-week shindig is back this June (it's individual shows rather than a festival), ready to welcome you with a flute of champagne and space for a picnic, before performances from Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Nile Rodgers & Chic, and David Gray, among others. 10-19 June 2026
RETURN OF THE GODZ: Return of The GODZ brings the troupe's mix of comedy, circus and acrobatics to the Peacock Theatre, following mythic figures such as Cupid and Hercules as the show stages a hedonistic Mount Olympus party. Prepare to witness gravity-defying stunts, feats of strength and comic twists in the adults-only show. 10-20 June 2026
KINGSTON BEER FESTIVAL: Over 100 cask and craft beers, ciders and perries are promised at the Kingston Beer Festival, with more details on what they are to come soon. 11-13 June 2026
HARRY STYLES' MELTDOWN: Harry Styles is the curator of this year's Meltdown at Southbank Centre, ahead of his run of shows at Wembley Stadium. Among the acts he's chosen to perform are Warpaint, Kamasi Washington and Erika de Casier. 11-21 June 2026. Styles also begins his run of shows at Wembley Stadium on 12 June.
2026 WORLD CUP: The USA, Canada and Mexico are the hosts for the 2026 World Cup. If you're watching from this side of the Atlantic, book yourself a spot at these London pubs and bars which are showing World Cup games. 11 June-19 July 2026
PRIDE: The National Theatre's headline Summer 2026 production is Pride, set during the miners's strike of 1984, when Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) quickly finds itself entwined with a small pit village in South Wales. 11 June-12 September 2026
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING: The curtain lifts on a new production of Much Ado About Nothing at Shakespeare's Globe. The romantic comedy follows Beatrice, Benedick and a web of gossip and mistaken reputations, set in a modern world of style, status and late-night parties. From 11 June 2026
BURGER FEST: It's all about the patties down at Richmond Athletics Ground, where Burger Fest brings together 20 top traders from all over the UK to battle it out to be crowned the winner. Expect full-size burgers, mini sliders, as well as eating competitions and other entertainment. 12-14 June 2026
WINE CIRCUIT: Over 20 wine stalls, an artisan market, street food trucks and a packed programme of ticketed tastings, pairings and evening events return to Battersea Power Station for vino festival The Wine Circuit. Take part in Strictly Bangers quiz, or Drag Wine Tasting with Beth Brickenden and Vanity Von Glow. 12-14 June 2026
T20 CRICKET: The ICC Women's T20 World Cup sees cricket teams from countries including Australia, Pakistan, South Africa, Scotland and the Netherlands go head-to-head. England hosts this year, with matches at grounds all over the country, including Lord's and The Oval here in London. 12 June-5 July 2026
HEPWORTH IN COLOUR: Barbara Hepworth's experiments with colour across sculpture and drawing are brought together in a research-led exhibition at the Courtauld Gallery. Around 20 sculptures and 30 drawings — including early painted wood and stone carvings from the 1940s and later works from the 1950s and 1960s — are on show. 12 June-6 September 2026
VINTAGE BUS RIDES: London Bus Museum runs a heritage day, putting vintage buses from the 1930s-90s into service on TfL routes 213 (Kingston-Sutton) and 293 (North Cheam-Epsom). Board at any participating stop on the timetable between 10am and 5pm for a free ride — some services even have a conductor handing out facsimile tickets. FREE, 13 June 2026
FOLK FESTIVAL: Magpie's Nest Festival is a one-day folk and roots festival at Cody Dock with main-stage and intimate acoustic performances from Kate Griffin & Matchume Zango, Ruth Lyon, Sarah Jane Scouten, Caraway, Craven, Old Spot, Âellin, Siwan Catrin, Pearl Fish, plus spoken-word from Naomi Wood and Lalah-Simone Springer. Sounds like a very chilled afternoon/evening. 13 June 2026
BMW CLASSICS: The London Symphony Orchestra gives a free outdoor concert in Trafalgar Square, performing works by Holst, Drewett and Elgar. If the sun's shining on the day it's likely to be popular, so arrive in plenty of time to get a space. FREE, 13 June 2026
FOOD SEASON WEEKENDER: The British Library opens its Food Season with two days of talks and panels featuring foodies including Ruthie Rogers and Simon Russell Beale, sessions on the Silk Roads, seaweed, the legacy of Edna Lewis, food photography with Vittles and a Firepower panel on women and BBQ (including former Londonist food editor Helen Graves). 13-14 June 2026
WANDSWORTH PRISON MUSEUM: A rare chance to visit the small but fascinating Wandsworth Prison Museum, as it holds an open weekend. View more than 470 objects charting the prison's history, with displays relating to Oscar Wilde, Jack the Ripper, John Haigh, the Kray twins, William Joyce (Lord Haw Haw) and Ronnie Biggs. 13-14 June 2026
ADRIAN LESTER: Renowned actor Adrian Lester stars as the title character in a West End transfer of Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac at the Noël Coward Theatre, following a sold-out run with the Royal Shakespeare Company. A soldier who believes himself too ugly to be loved, but helps a handsome soldier win the heart of Roxane, who he himself also loves. 13 June-5 September 2026
HOT MESS: Multi award‑winning climate change musical Hot Mess transfers from the Edinburgh Festival to The Other Palace for a limited summer season, imagining a fraught romance between Earth and Humanity. 13 June-6 September 2026
WORLD NAKED BIKE RIDE 2026: 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, all converging near Wellington Arch. Don't forget your suncream. Note: in 2026 it takes place on a Sunday instead of a Saturday for the first time. 14 June 2026
MARYLEBONE SUMMER FESTIVAL: A one-day street festival along Marylebone High Street, Marylebone Summer Festival offers live music on the main stage, dog show Bark in the Park, a wellness zone, and a children's area with rides and activities. The event raises funds for Young Westminster Foundation. 14 June 2026
BRIDGES OF LONDON WALK: Sign up to walk six miles across eight 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. 14 June 2026
MUSIC IN CHURCHES: 15 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 Around The World, and some of the concerts take place at lunchtime, so worth bookmarking if you work in the area. 16-26 June 2026
SANDRA OH: Sandra Oh stars as Alice in Martin Crimp's reworking of Molière’s The Misanthrope at the National Theatre. Successful author Alice faces intense criticism and backlash as she grows bolder in speaking up for the causes she believes in. 16 June-1 August 2026
ROYAL ACADEMY SUMMER EXHIBITION: A highlight of the London art calendar, the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition brings together established and rising artists to display their work. Prints, painting, film, photography, architectural works and sculpture all jostle for attention. Full 2026 details TBC. 16 June-23 August 2026
TASTE OF LONDON: Foodies: head to Regent's Park for Taste of London, the huge culinary 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. 17-21 June 2026
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 Elly Griffiths, Claire Douglas Lisa Jewell and Sabine Durrant are some of 80+ names scheduled to take part in 30 events across three days. 18-20 June 2026
IDEAS FESTIVAL: The British Academy's three‑day Ideas Festival brings researchers, fellows and guest speakers together for panels, debates and interactive exhibits exploring history, politics, culture and technology. FREE, 18-20 June 2026
LES MISERABLES CONCERT: A concert version of Cameron Mackintosh's Les Misérables comes to the Royal Albert Hall for just six performances. The impressive cast includes features Alfie Boe, Samantha Barks, Shan Ako and Matt Lucas, and the Royal Albert Hall is offering a Parisian-inspired afternoon tea throughout the month too. 18-21 June 2026
GRINDR THE OPERA: Grindr: The Opera! is a musical parody that turns the Grindr app into an operatic satire, following four men — Devon, Tom, Jack and Don — as they navigate modern gay dating. See it at the Union Theatre. 18 June-19 July 2026
SEA LANES CANARY WHARF: New lido Sea Lanes Canary Wharf opens, offering year-round open water swimming in a 50m-long natural water pool, floating in Eden Dock alongside saunas and changing rooms. From 19 June 2026
SOAPBOX RACE: Teams from around Britain bring homemade, non-motorised soapbox cars to race down the famous Alexandra Palace hill — judged on speed, creativity and performance. You're too late to register to take part, but tickets to watch the mayhem are still available. 20 June 2026
START OF THE LINE: New one-day music, arts and culture festival Start Of The Line takes place at Morden Park. Soul II Soul headline the main stage, with support from The Hoosiers and Billy Nomates, and various other performances and family-friendly activities throughout the day. 20 June 2026
WATERLOO DAY: The Battle of Waterloo and its aftermath are the subject of Waterloo Day at Apsley House, the former home of the Duke of Wellington. Historians Dr Graeme Callister and Michael Rayner guide visitors through the dramatic events of the battle, with other talks and reenactments going on throughout the day. 20 June 2026
OKINAWA DAY: London's annual Okinawa Day celebrates the music, dances and food from the islands of the Ryukyu archipelago in southern Japan. Head to the Blue Market in Bermondsey for Ryukyu Classical Music, sanshin folk-song performances, traditional Eisa dance and Ryukyu karate demonstrations. FREE, 20 June 2026
WEST END LIVE: For one weekend each June, stars from London's current West End musicals perform FOR FREE on a pop-up stage in Trafalgar Square. West End Live is an incredibly popular event, so you'll need to arrive very early to be in with a chance of getting in. FREE, 20-21 June 2026
MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM: A new outdoor production of Shakespeare's comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream opens at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, telling the enchanting story of a bitter dispute in the fairy kingdom, and four fleeing lovers who find themselves in an enchanted forest. 20 June-18 July 2026
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR: Eurovision star Sam Ryder assumes the role of Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Palladium. Tyrone Huntley, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Simon Russell Beale, Richard Armitage, Boy George, Layton Williams and Julian Clary are also among the cast. 20 June-5 September 2026
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. 21 June 2026
FOOTBALL PLAY: The 'Flarewell' tour of football play Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Ar*e for England comes to the Garrick Theatre for one night only, your last chance to see it in London. The show looks at the darker side of football culture, and was inspired by the infamous picture of the England fan who wedged a lit flare in his buttocks before the Euro 2020 final. 21 June 2026
JAPANESE FEMALE PHOTOGRAPHERS: In addition to the Kyotographie exhibition at Japan House (above), The Photographers' Gallery's summer exhibition displays the work of 27 Japanese women photographers, from the 1950s to the present. More than 200 photographs, videos, installations and rare photobooks are on show, in a bid to rebalance a history too often told through a single, male-dominated lens. 24 June-27 September 2026
PUBS PUB QUIZ: Think you know your London pubs/drinks? Put your booze nous to the test at this pubs pub quiz, hosted at the George Inn in Borough by Londonist's Will Noble, who recently published a Historical Pubs of London Map. This is the map's official launch, and quiz tickets include a copy. 25 June
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD: Aaron Sorkin’s stage adaptation of Harper Lee's novel To Kill A Mockingbird returns to the West End at Wyndham's Theatre starring Richard Coyle as Atticus Finch. 25 June-12 September 2026
FRIDA KAHLO: Mexican artist Frida Kahlo is the subject of a new exhibition at Tate Modern, featuring over 30 of her works to delve into how she became one of the most influential artists of all time, not to mention a cultural phenomenon. Some of Kahlo's garments, jewellery, photographs and memorabilia feature, along with 200 works by her contemporaries. 25 June 2026-3 January 2027
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. Highlights include a Pride in Kingston weekend celebrating the local LGBTQIA+ community, and a Battle of the Bands highlighting local musical talent. 26 June-5 July 2026
SPITALFIELDS MUSIC FESTIVAL: The 50th anniversary edition of Spitalfields Music Festival presents contemporary music, opera, choral works, walking tours and community projects across London's East End. Highlights in the programme include soprano Carolyn Sampson, the New European Ensemble's Seasonal Quartet with writer Ali Smith, the Carice Singers, and concerts at venues ranging from neighbourhood spaces to the Tower of London. 26 June-8 July 2026
HORNIMAN BIRTHDAY PARTY: Forest Hill's Horniman Museum celebrates its 125th birthday with a free (but ticketed) day of events. Watch local and young musicians and DJs across three stages, plus arts and crafts, Smallympics, object handling, a storytelling tent, tours and trails, and street food stalls — all with top-notch views of the London skyline. FREE, 27 June 2026
RUGBY DOUBLE HEADER: Rugby team Barbarians play Wales in a double-header matchday at Twickenham. One ticket covers both the men's (KO 2pm) and women's (KO 5pm) fixtures — each match runs for 80 minutes. 27 June 2026
CORDON BLEU FESTIVAL: Le Cordon Bleu's Summer Festival in Bloomsbury offers 18 hands-on culinary workshops, wine and beverage tastings, and eight guest-chef demonstrations. Workshops are led by Le Cordon Bleu Master Chefs and visiting chefs including Michael Kwan and Masaki Sugisaki, with tastings from brands such as the Peruvian Embassy Pisco Bar, Brindisa and Lauden Chocolate. 27 June 2026
BST HYDE PARK: Maroon 5, Mumford and Sons, Pitbull and Lewis Capaldi are among the headliners at this year's BST Hyde Park, commandeering a corner of Hyde Park for a fortnight. On non-gig days, the Open House programme takes place (unrelated to Open House London), with free entertainment spanning live music, film and sports screenings, and loads more. 27 June-12 July 2026
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. 28 June 2026
WIMBLEDON 2026: The biggest fortnight in tennis is back. If you can't make it to SW19 yourself, fear not — plenty of places around the capital show the action on big screens, often for free. Here's our guide to where to watch Wimbledon, which we'll update for 2026 when details are announced. Want to get closer to the action? Learn all you need to know about joining 'The Queue' for on-the-day tickets. 29 June-12 July 2026
SUMMER SCIENCE EXHIBITION: The Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition is suitable for all ages, and showcases the latest research from across the UK, through hands-on activities, talks and interactive exhibits. Topics this year include the mysteries of lightning, super computers, and the secrets of the universe. FREE, 30 June-5 July 2026
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 discover 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 2026 (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.
London exhibitions and shows closing in June 2026
A few things are closing this month too. June 2026 is your last chance to see:
FLUSH: An ensemble comedy-drama, set entirely in a women's bathroom in a London club, where 16 women trade confessions over the course of a single night. See it at Arcola Theatre. Until 6 June 2026
SHERLOCK HOLMES: The Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's new adaptation of Sherlock Holmes. Set in London in 1890, the production follows Holmes and Watson as they pursue a deadly conspiracy. Until 6 June 2026
THE LAST MAN: A one-person musical about solitary survival, The Last Man at Southwark Playhouse Elephant follows a lone occupant of bunker B-103 after a devastating virus, mixing live rock music with video-diary elements and dark humour. Until 13 June 2026
ROMEO & JULIET: Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe star in Shakespeare's classic love story Romeo & Juliet at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Hey, if it's good enough for Taylor Swift... Until 20 June 2026
KINDRED: Kindred at the Bethlem Museum of the Mind looks at how community and lived experience shape responses to mental distress, presenting works from the museum's collections and highlighting themes of memory, identity and social connection. FREE, until 20 June 2026
INTER ALIA: Last chance to see Rosamund Pike headlining Suzie Miller's legal play Inter Alia at Wyndham’s Theatre. Pike plays Judge Jessica Parks as her professional and personal life collide. Until 20 June 2026
SKATE 50: Celebrate 50 years of the Southbank Undercroft at exhibition Skate 50, showing documentary photographs and films of the space throughout its history, and its place in British skateboarding culture. Until 21 June 2026
WOMEN IN PRINT: William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow presents Women in Print: 150 Years of Liberty Textiles, a survey of more than 100 works that traces the role of female designers at Liberty. Until 21 June 2026
WHODUNNIT UNREHEARSED: Park Theatre stages a Wild West murder‑mystery in which a different celebrity becomes the unrehearsed sheriff each night. Guest sheriffs so far this run have included Anne‑Marie Duff, Toby Jones, Katherine Parkinson and Simon Pegg. Until 27 June 2026
VANBRUGH: A major exhibition at Sir John Soane's Museum brings together drawings and objects including Vanbrugh's plans for Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard, including never-before-exhibited material from the V&A. FREE, until 28 June 2026
MR DOODLE: The Heath Robinson Museum's current exhibition brings together single line drawings and large-scale works by artists including Mr Doodle, Damien Hirst, Glenn Brown, Jake Chapman, Frank Auerbach, Alberto Giacometti, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. Until 28 June 2026
