All weekend
HARRY STYLES' MELTDOWN: Harry Styles is the curator of this year's Meltdown at Southbank Centre, (and he's also playing Wembley this weekend — busy guy). Highlights from this weekend's Meltdown schedule include a free Riverside Boogie for all ages, and performances by Erika de Casier, Kamasi Washington and plenty of others. The action then continues into next week. 11-21 June 2026
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. England's first match isn't until next week, but Scotland take on Haiti on Sunday, with several other matches this weekend too. 11 June-19 July 2026
BURGER FEST: It's all about the patties down at Richmond Athletics Ground this weekend, 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 and eating competitions. 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 the Strictly Bangers quiz, or Drag Wine Tasting with Beth Brickenden and Vanity Von Glow. 12-14 June 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. Some 20 sculptures and 30 drawings from the 1940s-60s are on show. 12 June-6 September 2026
FERREIRA WEEKEND: Explore a lesser-known chapter of maritime history at the Cutty Sark in Greenwich. The ship hosts Ferreira Weekend, a series of activities themed around the decades the famous tea clipper spent under Portuguese ownership, after being sold in 1895. Discover how the vessel was renamed and repurposed during its years away from the British merchant fleet. 13-14 June 2026
GATHERED HANDS MARKET: Creative market curator Gathered Hands hosts a weekend market of small and thoughtful makers in Clapton. Expect independent clothing, ceramics, homewares and food stalls alongside pop-up bars, BBQ and family-friendly activities. 13-14 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. 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. FREE, 13-14 June 2026
HIGHGATE FESTIVAL: The Fair in the Square gets this year's Highgate Festival under way on Saturday, with more events over the weekend and into next week including an historic Jewish Highgate walk, and live music in Pond Square on Sunday. Full listings here. 13-21 June 2026
OUTDOOR THEATRE: Shakespeare in the Square offers open-air performances of Love's Labour's Lost in different gardens around the capital. This weekend, see it at St Peter's Square, Chiswick (Saturday) and Coronation Gardens in Southfields (Sunday). Until 12 July 2026
ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL: The London Festival of Architecture continues throughout June, with walks, talks and other events across the capital. Highlights this weekend include a summer street party at a new neighbourhood in east London, a creative family workshop at Temple Bar and tours of the medieval church of St Olave Hart Street. Until 30 June 2026
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Saturday 13 June
TAKE FLIGHT: Multi-sensory aerial performance Take Flight is designed specifically for babies aged two and under, and comes to Grand Junction in Paddington. Watch as a baby bird hatches and explores the world, culminating in a stunning aerial sequence. The 35-minute show is followed by a 15-minute stay-and-play session to let little ones investigate the interactive set. 9.30am/11.30am/1.30pm
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 a participating stop on the timetable between 10am and 5pm for a free ride. Some services even have a conductor handing out facsimile tickets. FREE, 10am-5pm
CHELSEA ARCHITECTURE: Join architect and townscape consultant Sarah Jackson for a Chelsea architecture walking tour from Sloane Square to Chelsea Creek. Explore the evolution of the King's Road, revealing lesser-known landmarks and social housing at Chelsea Common alongside the brutalist World's End Estate, and get a closer look at the former Lots Road Power Station and the Peter Jones building. 10am-12.30pm
WANNA PLAY? FESTIVAL: Alexandra Palace Park hosts a family-friendly day of creativity and conversation. Wanna Play? Festival invites you to help re-imagine the park's playground and skatepark through hands-on workshops with architectural collective Unit 38 and RIBA. Highlights include a skate jam with Reggae Roast DJs, and breakdancing lessons, alongside street food and live acoustic music at the Boathouse Cafe. FREE, 10am
SOUTHWARK CATHEDRAL: Discover over 900 years of history at London's oldest Gothic church with a tour of Southwark Cathedral. Expert guides lead you through the building's rich past, including its strong associations with Winchester, the founding of a famous London hospital, and the theatrical characters of Shakespeare's era who once walked its aisles. 11am
BETHLEM HISTORY WALK: The Bethlem Gallery and the Museum of the Mind offer a guided walk around the grounds of Bethlem Royal Hospital, exploring the site's history since the hospital moved there in 1930. 11am-12pm
AMERICANS OF MAYFAIR: Explore one of London's most exclusive neighbourhoods and discover the presidents, rock stars and Hollywood icons who once called it home. This guided walk visits the house where America's second President lived, the church where Eisenhower worshipped and a hotel with unique ties to one of the country's most celebrated families. 11am-12.30pm
KINGSTON BEER FESTIVAL: Over 100 cask and craft beers, ciders and perries are promised at the Kingston Beer Festival. Today's the final day, so drinks offered today depend on remaining stock levels. Probably don't show up at 6.30pm, then! 11am-7pm
QUEER LITERARY CYCLE TOUR: Celebrate Pride month with a three-hour cycling journey exploring the history of LGBTQ+ literary activism across London. The Queer shelves cycle tour visits the libraries, archives and bookshops that have preserved queer stories for decades, including the Bishopsgate Institute and Holborn Library. The 11km route starts at the Tower Hamlets Local History & Archives and concludes at Gay's the Word bookshop in Bloomsbury. 12pm-3pm
TEXTILE ARTWORK: Artists Hâf Weighton and Sophie Levi-Kallin lead a hands-on workshop for adults at the London Transport Museum focused on the design heritage of the Piccadilly line. Make a textile artwork using techniques like hand-stitching and embellishment, drawing inspiration from art deco posters, moquette patterns and iconic vehicles. 2pm-5pm
COWGIRLS & COCKTAILS: Dust off your chaps and head to the Star in Shoreditch for a cowgirls & cocktails bottomless brunch. Enjoy 90 minutes of unlimited drinks and Neapolitan pizza from 081 Pizzeria, accompanied by a rootin' tootin' programme of country-themed musical bingo, line dancing and "country-oke". 2pm-4pm
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 this adults-only show. 2.30pm/7.30pm (until 20 June 2026)
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY: Photographer David Kearley leads a workshop at Forty Hall in Enfield focused on capturing the beauty and atmosphere of the natural world. Explore the historic grounds while learning practical techniques with a focus on light, composition and creative observation. For beginners and amateurs using DSLRs or smartphones. 3pm-4.30pm
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 and several other artists. Sounds like a chilled afternoon/evening. 3pm-11pm
PAULINE EYRE: Comedian and former Wimbledon line judge Pauline Eyre brings her solo show Anyone for Tennis? to Artsdepot in Finchley. Drawing on two decades of experience at the All England Club, Eyre shares insider gossip from the Royal Box to the locker rooms. 3.30pm/7.30pm
OPEN-AIR CONCERT: Sir Antonio Pappano leads the London Symphony Orchestra in an open-air concert in Trafalgar Square. The programme features the world premiere of Louise Drewett's Four Dances, performed by an orchestra of LSO musicians and young performers, alongside highlights from Holst's The Planets and Elgar's Enigma Variations. Entry is entirely free with no tickets required, and gates open from 2.45pm. FREE, 4pm-5.30pm
THE BILL REUNION: Misty Moon returns to the Cinema Museum in Kennington with a gathering of Sun Hill's finest for The Bill Reunion. The event features a Q&A session with cast members including Graham Cole (PC Tony Stamp) and Nick Stringer (PC Ron Smollett), followed by a meet-and-greet. 5pm
FLEMISH FILM CLASSICS: The Garden Cinema in Holborn screens Harry Kümel’s 1971 phantasmagoria Malpertuis, starring Orson Welles as the patriarch of a gothic mansion where heirs are forbidden to leave. Includes an introduction by film historian Wouter Hessels and a post-screening Zoom Q&A with director Harry Kümel. 5.15pm
CINNAMON CITY: Cinnamon Kitchen City marks Indian restaurant chain the Cinnamon Collection's 25th year with an anniversary supper club. Begin with drinks and canapés, followed by a lavish multi-course feast cooked by people who have helped shape the group's story. 5.30pm
HITOSHI SAKIMOTO: Celebrate the 40-year career of legendary video game composer Hitoshi Sakimoto with a world-premiere symphonic concert at Croydon's Fairfield Halls. The Colors of Harmony features the London Mozart Players performing themes from Final Fantasy XII, Final Fantasy Tactics, and 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim — along with a talk with Sakimoto himself and a special Final Fantasy pub quiz hosted by Ben Starr, the voice of Clive Rosfield. 6pm
A LAST BIG STORY: Veteran news anchor Jon Snow returns to the screen for a final investigation into a mining disaster in Zambia. Screening at Bertha DocHouse in Bloomsbury, A Last Big Story follows Snow and his wife Precious over the course of a year as they work to expose how a Chinese-owned mine has devastated local land and water. 6pm
GIN TASTING: The HMS Belfast is the rather unusual setting for a 45-minute talk on the history of gin in the Armed Forces, led by Veteran Gin. It's followed by a tasting of its award-winning London dry in the Wardroom of HMS Belfast — a former officers' mess with period fittings. 6.30pm-7.45pm
FUNK AND SOUL: Sound Lounge regulars Out On The Floor take a detour from their usual Northern Soul sets to spin rare grooves and dance floor favourites from the 1960s and 70s. Expect a heavy rotation of tracks by the likes of Cymande, Stevie Wonder, Gil Scott-Heron and the Fatback Band at this Sutton venue. 7pm-11.30pm
HARP SPOTLIGHT: The Royal Orchestral Society performs a programme of French and German masterworks at Smith Square Hall, featuring a rare outing for Germaine Tailleferre's Harp Concertino. Conducted by Rebecca Miller, the evening also includes Debussy's ethereal Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune and Mahler's Symphony No. 4, complete with its famous soprano solo in the final movement. Spotlight on the Harp showcases soloist Llywelyn Ifan Jones in a concert that highlights the only female member of the celebrated group of composers known as Les Six. 7pm
DISCO LIZARDS: East London five-piece rock 'n' roll outfit Disco Lizards take over the Sebright Arms in Bethnal Green to celebrate the release of their new record, Life Lessons. The band performs the gritty, garage-rock album in its entirety, with vinyl copies available to purchase. Support comes from Micky Niner and The Lazy Susans. 7.30pm
POWER BALLADS PLUS: Walthamstow Trades Hall hosts a singalong party dedicated to the greatest arms-aloft anthems. Power Ballads Plus features a playlist that pairs longstanding legends like Cher, Whitney and Freddie Mercury with contemporary stars including Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish. 7.30pm
ADRIAN LESTER: 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. It's about 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. 7.30pm (until 5 September 2026)
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING: The curtain's up 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. 7.30pm (and until October)
COMEDY CABARET: Head to the intimate basement of Downstairs at the King's Head for a weekly showcase of established talent from the UK and international circuits. The line-up for this Comedy Cabaret includes Addy Van Der Borgh, Pierre Hollins and Jacob Nussey, with MC Michael Legge presiding over the evening. 8.30pm
'60S BRITISH INVASION: Stellar six-piece band Carnaby Army returns to The Exchange in Twickenham with a tribute to the era-defining sounds of the 1960s. The electrifying live show features a refreshed setlist of hits from the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Kinks. 8pm
Sunday 14 June
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, all converging near Wellington Arch. Don't forget your suncream. Note: this year it takes place on a Sunday instead of a Saturday for the first time. FREE, from 10.45am (start time varies by route)
PHOTOGRAPHY WALK: Professional photographer David G leads a three-hour journey through the capital’s most photogenic landmarks. Get expert advice on manual settings, creative framing and street photography techniques while visiting the London Eye, St Paul's Cathedral and the Millennium Bridge. 10.45am-1.15pm
MARYLEBONE SUMMER FESTIVAL: A one-day street festival along the local 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. 11am-5pm
THE BIG SCOOP: Help raise money for Lewisham Food Bank at the Fox and Firkin with a day-long music festival offering soulful outdoor sets and a high-energy dance floor. The eclectic line-up features Australian singer-songwriter Allysha Joy, the experimental ambient project ATMOSS and a club-driven live set from Plumm x Benjamin. This community-led event also doubles as an unconventional wedding celebration for two local residents, with everyone welcome to attend. 1pm-12am
NEUROSPICY: Dalston's Rio Cinema presents a showcase of brand-new short films created by emerging neurodivergent talent. The Neurospicy 3 programme features the award-winning short Meat Puppet, starring BAFTA-winner David Jonsson, and concludes with a Q&A session with industry guests Brick and Parvinder Shergill. 2pm
FAMILY CEILIDH: Gather friends and family of all generations for a high-energy afternoon of traditional dance at Stanley Arts in South Norwood. Part of the Commons Festival, the Folky Family Ceilidh features a live folk band and a friendly caller to guide dancers of all abilities through the steps, from complete beginners to seasoned pros. 2pm-4pm
SCHOOL'S OUT! COMEDY CLUB: Comedian Philip Simon brings his award-winning joke show to JW3, where the children are the headline acts. The session invites kids aged four+ to take over the microphone and share their favourite gags, while parents watch from the safety of their seats. 2pm-3pm
WILD ANIMAL POETRY: Keats House in Hampstead invites nature lovers to a free one-hour reading of famous verses dedicated to the animal kingdom. It takes place in the beautiful Regency villa where John Keats once lived, featuring works inspired by everything from lions to owls. FREE, 2.15pm-3.15pm
SIP AND PAINT: Unleash your inner artist at the London Art Bar in Holborn with a creative session dedicated to Van Gogh's Sunflowers. This guided experience provides all necessary supplies alongside a themed playlist to help your artistic flow. A professional artist offers step-by-step instructions as you work, and your ticket includes a glass of prosecco. 3.30pm-6pm
LONDON GAY MEN'S CHORUS: Over 100 singers take to the stage at the Rose Theatre in Kingston to celebrate 35 years of "keeping it gay." The birthday concert by the London Gay Men's Chorus features a vast repertoire ranging from opera and musical theatre to disco and K-pop, including hits by Lady Gaga, Pet Shop Boys and Stephen Sondheim. 5pm
FESTIVAL ALL DAYER: Shoreditch's legendary pub the Old Blue Last welcomes the London Music Ultimate Showcase for a session of live music. This long-running meetup event is designed to bring people together over a curated line-up of the city's best unsigned bands. 5pm
OPERA ON THE TERRACE: Michelin-starred chef Angela Hartnett and the team at Cicoria take over the terrace of the Royal Opera House for an evening of Italian-inspired dining and performance. Enjoy a three-course menu paired with wine while artists including Hannah Edmunds and Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono perform arias and duets overlooking Covent Garden Piazza. 5.30pm-8.30pm
TRY NOT TO LAUGH: The London Vaporetto Shorts Film Festival brings a curated selection of comedic shorts to the Genesis Cinema in Whitechapel. Try Not To Laugh explores the genre in all its forms, from dry and awkward vignettes to completely unhinged sketches. 6.15pm
CLASSICAL PRIDE: The London Symphony Orchestra returns to the Barbican for Classical Pride 2026, a major celebration of LGBTQ+ composers and performers. Conducted by festival founder Oliver Zeffman, the programme features the UK premiere of Henriëtte Bosmans' Cello Concerto No 2 with soloist Laura van der Heijden, alongside Ravel’s infectious Boléro and Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings. The evening also pays tribute to the late Michael Tilson Thomas with a performance of his jubilant work, Agnegram. Proceeds go to the charity Rainbow Railroad. 7pm
NO FRILLS FOLK CLUB: Musicians of all abilities and styles are invited to pull up a chair at the Windmill Brixton for an evening of informal, round-the-table music. The No Frills Folk Club welcomes everything from Irish and Scottish tunes to bluegrass, Yiddish and Balkan melodies, led by a house band featuring mandolin, hurdy-gurdy and melodeon. FREE, 7pm
POOL TOURNAMENT: Kingston's rock 'n' roll stalwart the Fighting Cocks invites local sharks and casual players to its latest pool tournament. The entry fee is £2, with the winner taking double the total entry pot as a bar tab to spend at the venue. Arrive early to take advantage of free pool practise, a free jukebox and all-day happy hour cocktail deals. 7pm
