All weekend
TOCA Social: Live match screenings meet interactive football games at the ultimate London destination for the FIFA World Cup 2026. TOCA Social is showing every kick of the tournament at its Westfield White City, The O2 and Birmingham Bullring venues. Choose from £5 standing tickets (with a free drink included — bargain!) or opt for premium packages including TOCA gameplay, food and drink bundles, plus dedicated group viewing areas. What's more, there's a new FA-partnered game to try out, with a £500 prize up for grabs. (sponsor)
WEST END LIVE: For one weekend, 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 arrive very early to be in with a chance of getting in. FREE, 20-21 June 2026
SEA LANES CANARY WHARF: New lido Sea Lanes Canary Wharf opens from Friday, offering open water swimming in a 50m-long natural water pool, floating in Eden Dock alongside saunas and changing rooms. From 19 June 2026
WORLD CUP SCREENINGS: With the FIFA World Cup underway, these pubs, bars and other venues are screening the matches throughout this week (and the entire competition). No England match this weekend, but Netherlands, Germany, Japan and Spain are among the teams in action on Saturday and Sunday.
RA 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. 16 June-23 August 2026
ANISH KAPOOR: Mirror sculptures, Vantablack-coated objects, seemingly depthless voids and recent visceral paintings and sculptures are all part of Anish Kapoor's new Hayward Gallery exhibition. 16 June-18 October 2026. Also at Hayward Gallery is an exhibition by Indian artist Kulpreet Singh, drawing on his life as a farmer to highlight the link between climate change and agricultural crises. FREE, 16 June-2 August 2026
TASTE OF LONDON: Foodies: head to Regent's Park for Taste of London, the huge culinary festival which brings together dozens of London's best-known restaurants. 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
MINI GOLF: A playable exhibition of nine mini golf holes opens across Battersea Arts Centre, each designed by a leading woman artist, exploring the game's subversive history — it was invented in the 19th century by Scottish women who were banned from 'real' courses. 17 June-26 July 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
WOMEN IN PRINT: It's the final weekend of William Morris Gallery's exhibition Women in Print: 150 Years of Liberty Textiles, a survey of more than 100 works tracing the role of female designers at Liberty. Until 21 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. You've only got until Sunday to see it. Until 21 June 2026
Sponsor message
A vintage market takes over Television Centre
Looking for a sustainable way to refresh your wardrobe? Find unique pieces and enjoy live music at Television Centre's Rework & Vintage Market.
This is Television Centre Live: Sounds Like Summer's flagship event. Hosted in partnership with local arts hub HQI, it's your chance to discover a curated mix of independent clothing brands and vintage fashion. You can even bring along your old clothes to be upcycled into something new.
Shepherd’s Bush record shop Next Door Records will provide the soundtrack, and there are some excellent food and drink options in the area. Why not round off your day out with Caribbean-meets-British plates at The Black Farmer, or a rooftop cocktail at The Broadcaster?
Rework & Vintage Market takes place 11am-4pm on Saturday 20 June. It's free entry, and you can reserve your spot here.
Saturday 20 June
CAPITAL CRIME: Love a good crime thriller read? Head to the Leonardo Royal St Paul's for Capital Crime, a lit festival celebrating the genre. Authors Claire Mackintosh, Sophie Hannah and Lee Child are some of the names scheduled to take part this weekend. 9.30am-7.30pm
STONEMASONRY WORKSHOP: Learn the ancient craft of stone carving at Highgate Cemetery under the guidance of expert mason Neil Luxton, responsible for some of the cemetery's most remarkable modern monuments. This stonemasonry workshop teaches you the techniques required to carve your own unique design into a stone slab to take home. 10am-4pm
AUCTION ROAD SHOW: Discover the history of your family heirlooms, as the Roseberys Auction Road Show returns to the gardens of Dulwich Picture Gallery. A team of specialists from the south London auction house provide free valuations and expert insight into your antiques, artworks and curiosities. While walk-ins are welcome, you can guarantee a consultation by booking a specific timeslot in advance. 10am
LONDON'S SEWERS: Explore the evolution of the capital's sanitation infrastructure on a four-mile guided walk from the Erith Marshes to the banks of the Thames. The London’s sewers walking tour visits the Victorian masterpiece of Crossness Pumping Station and examines the transition from Bazalgette's 1865 system to the modern Tideway "Super Sewer." Get a look at the Precipitation Engine House and discover how waste is processed today. 11am-2pm
WINDRUSH DAY: Celebrate the legacy of the Windrush generation at the National Maritime Museum's annual Windrush Day. Free events and activities include crafting workshops, photography displays, games, film screenings and panel discussions. FREE, 11am-4pm
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. 11am-5pm
IDEAS FESTIVAL: The final day of the British Academy's three‑day Ideas Festival brings researchers, fellows and guest speakers together for panels, debates and interactive exhibits. Topics covered today include neurodiversity, the summer solstice and the impact of AI. FREE, 11am-5pm
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 classical music Ryukyu-style, folk-song performances on the sanshin, and karate demos. FREE, 11am-5pm
KEW FETE: The annual Kew Fete returns to Pond Side on Kew Green with more than 120 stalls, plus Reuben Bond's vintage fairground, a food court and continuous stage entertainment from local schools and bands. Plus you can watch a dog show and a tug of war. 11am-6pm
TREASURES OF THE ORCHESTRA: Set sail on a nautical-themed musical adventure as Sinfonia Smith Square presents Treasures of the Orchestra at Smith Square Hall. This family-friendly concert invites young explorers to hunt for "hidden gems" of chamber music, featuring works by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Gene Koshinski and Silvestre Revueltas. The hour-long performance offers a close-up look at various instruments. 11.30am
CONSTELLATIONS RESIDENCY: Greenwich Park hosts the Constellations Residency Summer Celebration to mark the conclusion of Leah Clements' time as the Royal Parks' first-ever artist-in-residence. The event premieres a new artwork developed through workshops with disabled, neurodivergent, and chronically ill participants, focusing on sensory engagement with the landscape. Explore the park through described tastes, smells and sounds, with BSL interpretation and audio descriptions. FREE, 12pm-4pm
SOLSTICE STREET PARTY: Little Portland Street is closed off for the return of the Social Solstice Street Party. Now in its third year, the event features DJs, live bands in the Social's basement and a mini market, with three bars serving cocktails, and beers from Lost & Grounded Brewery. While the outdoor festivities wrap up in the evening, the venue continues the party inside with a ticketed afterparty until the early hours. FREE entry, 12pm-8pm
BRAND NEW FESTIVAL: Bop along to big name artists, discover local talent and get stuck into family activities at Start of the Line Festival. This brand new all-dayer in Morden Park features headline performances from Soul II Soul, The Hoosiers and Billy Nomates. Plus, there's family theatre from award-winning venue Polka, a Flex FM dance tent and a funfair. Tickets cost just £20 and under 12s go free! 12.30pm-10pm (sponsor)
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. 2pm
CARIBBEAN AT WAR: Discover the vital role of the Caribbean in the Allied victory during this online seminar hosted by Black History Walks. The session honours the legacy of St Lucian historian Ben Bousquet, whose pioneering research into the "colour bar" and the experiences of West Indian women at war paved the way for modern Black British history studies. Author Colin Douglas joins the discussion to explore how raw materials and personnel from the islands were essential to avoiding a German invasion. FREE, 5.30pm-7pm
FAMILY CONCERT: As part of the ongoing Summer Music in City Churches festival, Hackney Choral join the City of London Choir and members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for a family-friendly concert. Head to St Mary-at-Hill near the Monument for a programme including Iain Farrington's arrangements and a full performance of John Rutter's London Town. 6pm-7pm
MIDSUMMER SOLSTICE LATE: The British Library transforms into a magical realm for A Midsummer Night's Fairy Tale, a solstice celebration of folklore, music and performance. Watch a live show by electronica duo Mermaid Chunky, a talk and DJ set from broadcaster Zakia Sewell and a 'Hatwalk' competition for those in fairy tale-themed headwear. Get after-hours access to the Fairy Tales exhibition, alongside installations including a sound-system maypole and an Andean panpipe orchestra. 6.30pm
PRIDESTRAVAGANZA: Queer comedy, drag and dance hosted by Jamezy are part of Pridestravaganza at Oberon in Tooting. Performers include Matron, Karla Bear, Thomas Clarke, Bollyqueer, Ciara O'Connor and Dom McGovern. 6.30pm
UDAAN: Harrow Arts Centre hosts Udaan: From Shadows to Sky, a deeply moving narrative musical exploring the hidden realities of domestic abuse and the journey toward liberation. The production features a backdrop of Hindi film music, with dance performances illustrating stories of resilience and self-discovery. All proceeds from the event support the Asian Women's Resource Centre. 6.30pm
ELVIS PRESLEY: Australian vocalist Daniel Aranda, accompanied by cellist Josh Gray, performs reimagined versions of Elvis Presley songs in an intimate one-night concert at the 1901 Arts Club. 7.30pm-9.30pm
LONDON TANGO: The seven-piece Romano Viazzani Ensemble brings together players from classical, jazz and Latin-American backgrounds to perform Astor Piazzolla works, classic Argentine tangos and original tango-inspired pieces with a London twist at St James's Church in Sussex Gardens. 7.30pm
VINTAGE AND VINYL: Browse a curated selection of vintage clothes, handicrafts and unique makers' stalls at New River Studios in Manor House. The Pop-Up Market and Tropical Wreck DJs event pairs independent shopping with a live soundtrack of tropical beats. Support local creators in an industrial warehouse setting while enjoying DJ sets that run late into the evening. 7.30pm-11pm
TEMPLES: Band Temples join resident Scared To Dance DJ Paul Richards at The Shacklewell Arms for an evening of post-punk, indie pop, new wave and art-rock. The band DJs ahead of the release of their new album BLISS. 11pm-3am
Sunday 21 June
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.
SUMMER FAMILY FESTIVAL: Dulwich Picture Gallery holds a Summer Family Festival, a day of hands-on creativity and nature-themed exploration across the gallery and its sculpture garden. Drop into free workshops to craft nature crowns, make wildflower seed bombs to help local bees or join a printmaking adventure inspired by the natural world. The programme also features a farmers' market, and a garden trail by artist Lucy Grainge. 10am-4pm
DOG SHOW: Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Gunnersbury Park with a day of canine competition at the Gunnersbury Family Dog Show. The "un-serious" event features categories ranging from Best Trick and Rescue Story to a dog-friendly version of musical bumps called Sit Happens (nicely done). Dog-friendly stallholders and local food vendors will be on-site throughout the afternoon, with special rosettes awarded to the top three pups in each class. FREE to watch, 11am-4pm
HOURGLASS DISCO: As Harry Styles' Meltdown comes to a close today, the free Hourglass Disco takes over Southbank Centre's Riverside Terrace for eight hours of disco, funk, house and soul from some of the best DJs and musicians in the business. FREE, 2pm-10pm
UNPLUGGED JAZZ: Guitarist Luke Purbrick brings his trio to Next Door Records Two in Stoke Newington for an afternoon of modern grooves and classic standards. A former student of Binker Golding at Tomorrow’s Warriors, Purbrick blends his own thoughtful compositions with the works of icons like Thelonious Monk. FREE, 3pm
WATERLOW PARK GEOTRAIL: Part of the final day of Highgate Festival, Diana Clements of the London Geodiversity Partnership offers a geotrail walk around Waterlow Park, offering an insight into how the geology of the park relates to its layout and local development. FREE, 3pm-3.45pm
STONE SAFARI: One of many London Festival of Architecture events this weekend, artist Becky Lyon leads a guided walk across the Barnet Plateau, inviting you to explore the hidden geology beneath your feet. The session involves sharing stories and exchanging small stones while moving through Stanmore Country Park. 3pm-5.30pm
SUMMER SOLSTICE SONGS: Gather at The Ivy House in Nunhead for a celebration of the season featuring dance and live music. Songs of the Summer Solstice blends folk and experimental sounds with storytelling and mindfulness exercises, and includes a solar ritual at 5pm. 4pm
CHAMBER CONCERT: Emerging conductors Peggy Wu, Richard Fu and Giovanni Fanizza lead members of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House in a free performance at the Paul Hamlyn Hall. The Jette Parker Artists teatime chamber concert features a dynamic repertoire including Mozart's Symphony No. 40, Holst's Lyric Movement for viola and Stravinsky's Dumbarton Oaks concerto. FREE, 4pm
KARELIA QUARTET: The Karelia Quartet, formed at the Royal Academy of Music and recent CAVATINA prizewinners, perform Haydn's Dream Quartet, Ravel's Quartet in F and Grieg's G minor Quartet at today's Sunday Concert at Conway Hall. The evening opens with a pre-concert recital by Royal Academy students Daniel Schultz (cello) and Sejin Yoon (piano), who play Chopin's Cello Sonata. 5.30pm-8.30pm
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 photo of the England fan who wedged a lit flare in his buttocks before the Euro 2020 final. 7pm
WINDRUSH CONCERT: Step into a 1950s-style Windrush Front Room at Catford's Broadway Theatre for The Windrush Concert, a musical celebration of the generation's enduring cultural legacy. Hosted by Felicity Ethnic and Daddy Ernie, the evening features the Freedom Band UK performing hits from reggae and soul icons like Bob Marley, Desmond Dekker and John Holt. The line-up also includes a rare appearance by Melanie of the group Me and You, alongside the singing trio the Divettes and soulful poet Floetic Lara. 7pm-10pm
