Things to do in London in June 2026: Top highlights for the month

At Visit London, our expert writers draw on local insights, connections across the city, and first-hand knowledge of what’s happening when, to collate the best events, activities, experiences and new openings each month.

This guide to the top things to do in London in June has been carefully selected based on cultural significance, popularity and unique seasonal appeal – we’ve ensured there are options for all interests, whether standout events or hidden gems. So, if you're planning ahead or looking for inspiration for what’s on in London in June, our recommendations will help you squeeze the most out of the month.

1. Watch the Trooping the Colour parade from The Mall – Best for royal lovers

Line The Mall to watch troops and royalty process towards Horse Guards Parade for the annual Trooping the Colour celebration. Full of pomp and ceremony, you can catch a glimpse of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in their carriage, listen to marching bands and see soldiers dressed in elaborate ceremonial uniforms. We recommend arriving early to queue for a good viewing spot, with the viewing area opening at 9am.

Tickets to watch the event at Horse Guards Parade are via a ballot each year – this year’s ballot closed on 27 March, and limited standing tickets are also sold out for 2026.

2. A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre – Best for outdoor entertainment

There is surely no better setting for a mesmerising mid-summer performance of Shakespeare’s classic tale than the magical surrounds of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre… Set in an enchanted forest of its own, this much-loved story follows two couples whose love is tested thanks to mischievous fairy Puck, as they escape to the fairy kingdom.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is part of the theatre’s 2026 summer series, which also puts a modern dance spin take on Vivaldi’s famous score with A Life in Four Seasons (11-14 June), and follows the adventures of local sleuth Sherlock Holmes (2 May-6 Jun). We always like to arrive early to enjoy the magical setting with some food and drink on the lawn.

3. Hop-on hop-off bus – Best for attraction hopping

Explore London at your leisure with this hop-on hop-off bus tour that gives you the ultimate flexibility for one day, 24, 48 or 72 hours. Simply buy your pass, turn up at one of the 60 dedicated stops and hop on and off where you like – it’s the ideal way to get around between attractions, and you can learn more along the way with audio guides in 12 languages.

Follow themed routes, including the Classic Route, which has live commentary. We love the fact that a free river tour or walking tour is included with the 24, 48 and 72-hour passes – perfect for summer days!

4. Sinatra The Musical at Aldwych Theatre – Best for singalongs

Chart the life and career of the man nicknamed ‘Ol Blue Eyes, in a musical that proves Frank Sinatra certainly did it his way. Be transported back to 1942 New York, when a defining concert spread the news that a new star had arrived – but at what cost to his personal life?

Featuring songs such as Come Fly With Me, That’s Life and One For My Baby, played by a 17-piece orchestra and a rollercoaster of a storyline, Opening this month, Sinatra The Musical is one of the new West End shows we've been looking forward to the most in 2026.

5. Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club – Best for iconic sport (and strawberries!)

Wimbledon fortnight means two things: tennis and strawberries! The world’s most famous tennis tournament returns with the cream of tennis talent from late-June – we feel it’s the ideal time to go, as you can easily explore the outer courts to eye up the favourites, discover new talent and see veteran favourites. But there’s much more away from the courts, with tennis-themed games, the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, and lots of food and drink options.

Although tickets for the main courts are allocated via a ballot that has now closed for 2026, tickets are available each day via The Queue – just download the app, arrive early to get your digital Queue Card and be prepared to queue for a few hours.

Check out our guide to making the most of your day out at Wimbledon.

6. Taste of London at Regent’s Park – Best for tasty treats

Skip breakfast and prepare for a feast, as Taste of London takes over Regent’s Park once again for five food-filled days.

Browse the stalls for top-notch produce, join masterclasses and demos, or simply munch your way around the festival site with pop-up kitchens from some of London’s most on-trend eateries – each has created a unique dish specifically for the festival. We’re excited to see Roti King (think uber-light roti and flavour-packed Malaysian curries) and Chelsea hotspot Ixchel's Mexican flavours in this year's lineup.

We recommend buying a Tasting Ticket, which includes three dishes, or, if you fancy a bit of luxe, opt for the Tasting VIP Ticket, which gives access to a private lounge, bar, and DJ, plus fast-track entry.

7. Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath day trip – Best for out-of-town exploration

Stonehenge has long been a sacred site for Pagans and Druids, who gather each June for the summer solstice (21 June). So why not see what the fuss is all about, with a day trip to the mysterious stone circle from London this month?

We suggest combining your visit with stops in Windsor and Bath to take in three of southern England’s most historic sites on this coach tour – follow in the footsteps of the royals at Windsor Castle, marvel at the Roman Baths, and walk around the pretty streets that inspired Jane Austen.

8. Royal Academy Summer Exhibition at Royal Academy of Arts – Best for wide-ranging art

Spot new artistic talent at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, as the gallery’s annual showcase mixes works by emerging, established and world-class artists handpicked by its Royal Academicians.

Held every year since 1769 at the Royal Academy, the exhibition is a staple of London’s art scene and has included works by the likes of Tracey Emin, David Hockney and Wolfgang Tillmans. Fancy hanging one on your wall? Many of the artworks are for sale.

9. West End Live at Trafalgar Square – Best for musicals

Don’t pass up the chance to see some of the West End’s stars tread the boards at Trafalgar Square, for free, this June. Bringing together many of London’s long-running and new musicals, West End Live takes over the stage at the famous square for two days of top hits – this year's line up includes newcomers Avenue Q and Beetlejuice alongside long-running favourites such as Mamma Mia! and The Book of Mormon among the 52 acts.

To make sure you don’t miss out, we advise getting there early, as entry is on a first-come, first-served basis.

10. Frida Kahlo: The Making of an Icon at Tate Modern – Best for exhibition addicts

Learn how one of Mexico’s most famous artists rose from relative obscurity to having her iconic works plastered across countless objects, in Tate Modern’s latest exhibition Frida: The Making of an Icon. Unravel Kahlo’s life where she wore many hats – from her home life as a wife, to her pathway towards becoming a political activist – through more than 30 of her paintings, objects and paintings from those she inspired.

For full Frida immersion, we suggest booking into the Tate Restaurant for a Mexican menu based around the artist and her life.

Find out more about the Frida Kahlo exhibition.

11. Harry Styles’ Meltdown at Southbank Centre – Best for eclectic music

Southbank Centre has had one of the most celebrated modern-day performers up its sleeve as the curator of this year’s Meltdown festival, to mark the complex’s 75th anniversary. The former One Direction superstar has put together an eclectic lineup for the 31st edition of the 10-day festival, featuring an intimate concert by singer-songwriter Stephen Fretwell, sumptuous saxophone jazz by Kamasi Washington, and hits from indie-rock band bar italia.

Don’t miss Styles on stage himself, as the curator turns cantor with a mesmerising performance at the Royal Festival Hall on 16 June. Get in early with booking, so you don’t miss out!

12. ICC Women’s T20 World Cup – Best for cricket devotees

Stumped for ideas? Grab tickets for some fast-paced cricket action, as the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup kicks off in London with hosts England going head-to-head with the West Indies on 24 June at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Later in the month, the home side returns to the capital to take on New Zealand (27 June) at The Kia Oval, before a double-header of South Africa v Bangladesh and Australia v India (28 June) at Lord’s. These matches will keep fans bowled over, with plenty of thrills and spills along the way.

Wherever your allegiance lies, try to get your hands on semi-final tickets – with both matches taking place at The Kia Oval (30 June and 2 July). Or secure seats for the showdown at Lord’s on 5 July.

13. London Open Gardens – Best for green-fingered gurus

Stop and smell the roses (and other beautiful blooms) this month, as London Open Gardens returns with access to more than 120 hidden or private gardens. Follow guided tours of green spaces by horticulturalists and gardeners and explore new additions to one of the most exciting festivals in June, including The Floating Garden on the Regent’s Canal and the community-run Pearl and Mizanur Memorial Garden.

Some gardens, such as the garden at Number 10 Downing Street and the Battersea Roof Gardens at Battersea Power Station, are only accessible with a ballot ticket – check the event's website for more details.

14. Zoo Nights at London Zoo – Best for cute critters

Not sure what to do in London in June on Friday nights? Get weekends off to a roaring start this June with Zoo Nights. These adults-only events allow you to explore London Zoo after hours on Fridays (from 6pm), when you can escape the usual crowds of excitable kids and spot the animals as they bed in for the night.

Ready for feeding time? Tuck into street food and pick up drinks from pop-up watering holes, plus join expert keeper talks and activities long into the evening.

15. The London Pass – Best for sightseeing adventures

Keen to do some summer sightseeing in London? Pick up The London Pass, which has access to more than 100 attractions, tours and experiences across the city. Save money compared to buying tickets at attractions and make use of the flexibility, as passes range from 1 day to 10 days – ideal for first-time visitors on short or long breaks.

This June, why not make the most of the summer weather.... some of our favourites are City Cruises' river tours and exploring Kew Gardens’ botanical wonders? These, and many more, experiences can be accessed using the pass.

16. Pride Month – Best for celebrating London’s diversity

Celebrate London’s LGBTQ+ culture and identity with events and activities across the city during Pride Month. While the culmination of London’s LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations take place with the Pride in London Parade on 4 July, there are plenty of exciting happenings throughout June.

Join Woolwich Works’ season of events (30 May-11 July) spanning circus, comedy, karaoke and drag. Enjoy a night of laughs with Stand Up With Pride comedy night (18 June) at The Arzner cinema. Seek out St Margaret’s House in Bethnal Green, where Refugee Week and Pride Month combine in a day of workshops, entertainment and more with Queen Migrant Pride Fest (22 June). We also suggest heading to Queer Britain – the national LGBTQ+ museum – which is hosting talks by authors Layla McCay (13 June) and Emily Garside (27 June).

17. BST Hyde Park – Best for big-name bands and outdoor activities

Summer series BST Hyde Park returns this month, kicking off a summer of star performances with country crooner Garth Brooks on 27 June – later in the season, Maroon 5, Mumford & Sons, Duran Duran and Lewis Capaldi hit the stage in London’s most famous park.

Don’t miss out on exciting events between gigs as part of its Open House Festival, including the chance to run a 3k route through Hyde Park with Mo Farah on 30 June. We recommend booking events early to avoid missing out.

18. Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait at the National Portrait Gallery – Best for pop culture fans

Trace the story of a pop culture icon through intimate and iconic portraits at the National Portrait Gallery, as Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait marks 100 years since the birth of the actress. See famous works by the likes of Andy Warhol, Pauline Boty and Cecil Beaton, alongside previously unseen images from a Life magazine shoot plus treasured photos taken by Allan Green just a day before her death in 1962.

We recommend also checking out BFI Southbank’s two-month-long film season celebrating the superstar, with film screenings from 1 June.

19. Cyrano de Bergerac at Noël Coward Theatre – Best for comedy theatre

Following an acclaimed run with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Edmund Rostand’s hilarious and heart-wrenching tale arrives on the West End stage, starring Adrian Lester in the title role.

Cyrano de Bergerac, who is loosely based on the 17th-century novelist and playwright, is a fiercely independent man who struggles with his self-esteem due to his comically large nose. As the woman he desires falls for another man, what will he do to woo her?

20. Westminster Abbey – Best for history

Soak up the grandeur of Westminster Abbey this month. This coronation church, site of royal weddings and the resting place of poets, writers, actors and politicians, is full of quiet corners steeped in history – spot the Coronation Chair, visit Poets’ Corner and discover royal tombs.

For an equally atmospheric experience after your visit, why not head to the Cellarium Café & Terrace. Housed in a cellar where Benedictine monks once stored food, it today serves light bites… indulge in the new Abbey in Bloom afternoon tea, featuring seasonal British produce, including hot-smoked trout vol-au-vents, and scones with Cornish clotted cream and jam.

21. Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration – Best for illustration enthusiasts

Be among the first through the doors of the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, which opens this May in a converted waterworks in Clerkenwell. As the go-to illustrator for Roald Dahl’s much-loved books, Blake’s work always conjures up a huge amount of nostalgia for us, and the centre opens with a special exhibition of his theatre and performance-inspired drawings from 5 June.

But it’s not just Blake in focus here… expect exhibitions, displays and events highlighting illustration as a whole. Other exhibitions in June include MURUGIAH’s colourful works (from 5 June) and a look into trailblazing LGBTQ+ illustrations through the years with Queer as Comics (from 5 June) to coincide with Pride Month.

22. London Gallery Weekend – Best for lesser-known art spots

Discover 120 small-scale, independent and lesser-known galleries at this three-day festival celebrating London’s diverse contemporary art scene across some of the capital’s most creative neighbourhoods. Enjoy exhibitions, talks, family activities and special pop-up events, all for free, and follow curated routes connected by themes.

Among the exhibitions that have caught our eye over London Gallery Weekend are the first solo exhibition in London by British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori MBE at Cristea Roberts Gallery, and Patrick Heron’s boundary-pushing works from the mid-1950s at Hazlitt Holland-Hibbert.

23. 125th Birthday Party at Horniman Museum and Gardens – Best for family fun

Head to the Horniman, as the museum celebrates its 125th anniversary with hands-on activities and family fun for one day only. From music and storytelling to craft workshops and weird and wonderful games, this outdoor celebration is a great chance to let the little ones let off some steam and learn about nature.

Our top tip for the weekend is to make sure to pop by the sunken garden between 1pm and 3pm to meet the Bee Buddies, who will tell you all about our favourite pollinators.

24. Start of the Line Festival at Morden Park – Best for music festivalgoers

Get moving in Morden, as the Start of the Line Festival debuts with legendary acts and local talent in a one-day music festival at Morden Park, from 1pm to 10pm. Perfect for those on a budget, this new festival sees Back to Life chart-toppers Soul II Soul headline, while indie band The Hoosiers and post-punk Billy Nomates complete the main stage lineup. Meanwhile, the Mitcham Dreamer Stage and FlexFM Dance Tent host grassroots acts, emerging artists and DJ sets.

Up for making your own music? Go straight to the Connected Voices Village, where workshops await, alongside spoken-word artists. Have kids in tow? The Polka Playden is the perfect spot to keep them occupied.

25. Hackney Art Week – Best for local art finds

60 artists, 50 venues and a whole heap of fun… Hackney Art Week has our creative juices flowing this June. Spanning the whole borough, from studios to streets and shops, this art-lovers' extravaganza highlights local talent through events and activities in unexpected places.

We’re looking forward to seeing Jeanne Gourlaouen's surrealist installation The Sandwich Walk, a living collage art trail from Collagism and the Dalston Cultural Quarter Takeover (6-7) June, combining workshops, open studios, markets and music.

26. Ferreira Weekend at Cutty Sark – Best for low-key family activities

A little-known fact… Cutty Sark once had a different name: Ferreira. As the importance of clippers such as Cutty Sark waned in the late 1800s, the ship was sold to a Portuguese company, which renamed it and used it as a cargo ship before it escaped the perils of war.

Learn about this fascinating period in the ship’s history during a weekend of Ferreira-themed family activities, including the chance to join talks, interact with character actors, and craft rings and cork boats. If you want to make a day of it, we suggest combining your visit with the Royal Observatory using a Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass.

27. Father’s Day – Best for get-togethers

Treat Dad to a fun-filled day to show just how much you care. If he’s adventurous, gather the family together for immersive experiences and activity bars or adrenaline-fuelled experiences. Sporty dads may like to tour their favourite stadium, or book them tickets for a live sports event. Or simply tick off those bucket-list attractions together.

To make the most of the outdoors, why not hire a pedalo in Hyde Park, take a dip in one of London’s lidos, or plan a picnic in one of London’s tranquil parks.

Our Father’s Day guide is packed full of ideas to make the day a memorable one.

28.  Le Cordon Bleu Summer Festival – Best for high-end foodies

Fancy yourself as an haute cuisine connoisseur? The pinnacle of culinary expertise, Le Cordon Bleu, is bringing back its Summer Festival for one day only this month. Think interactive workshops and tastings with experts, plus demos from some of the capital’s hottest talent right now. A few activities we have our eye on are Viennese chocolate roll workshop and a wine tasting for picnics and barbecues – embracing those summer vibes!

Make sure to nibble your way around the Salon Gourmet Tasting Area – where you can taste and buy produce from luxury brands. We're looking forward to trying South American tipples at the Peruvian Embassy Pisco Bar and sweet treats from Lauden Chocolate.

29. Art On Our Doorstep in Croydon – Best for community art showcases 

Building on The National Gallery: Art on Our Doorstep initiative, Croydon’s Whitgift Shopping Centre is transformed into a gallery for one weekend only in June. Spot works by local artists and marvel at a community centrepiece led by artist Rachel Gadseden.

During The Art on Our Doorstep weekend (12-14 June), we also advise popping along to the Croydon Museum to peruse 30 rarely seen works in the Croydon Art Collection: Matching Masterpieces exhibition (until 20 June).

You might also like:

• Take in those early summer vibes with a leisurely river cruise along the river Thames.
• Check out new shows in London, from West End musicals to acclaimed plays and kids' theatre.
• If you can’t make it for Trooping the Colour, check out more royal events, activities and attractions in London.
• On a budget? No problem! Browse our suggestions for things to do in London for under £25.