The Best London Events in June
The sun is here (sometimes), the summer season is well underway and the month of June is packed with festivals, royal pageantry, fairs, exhibitions and sporting events – get your diary ready!
London Festival of Architecture: 1-30th June
This year’s theme is ‘Work in Progress’ and showcases selected public projects alongside works from LFA partners, RIBA London Open Studios. Described as ‘a citywide celebration of architectural experimentation, thinking and practice’, events and activities will be happening across the city during the month of June.
http://www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org
Opera Holland Park: 2nd June – 30th August
Considered to be one of the most accomplished opera companies in the UK, the season includes nearly 50 performances all staged under a canopy in Holland Park. Tickets are £15 and there are some free tickets available through the outreach programme. See the website for programme and ticket information.
http://www.operahollandpark.com
Sunset Safari, London Zoo: 5th June – 17th July
What better way to start the weekend! Every Friday for seven weeks, London Zoo will run the Sunset Safari from 6:00pm to 10:00pm where you can experience the magic of the Zoo after-hours.
Tickets from £16, but they’re selling fast. Nearest tube station: Regents Park.
http://www.zsl.org/sunset-safari
Polo In The Park, Hurlingham, Fulham: 5-7th June
Polo in the heart of the city – what better way to get the summer off to a sporting start!
It’s always a popular event, tickets start from £30, but Saturday is sold out already.
http://www.polointheparklondon.com
Turkish Day, Trafalgar Square: 6th June
A free event with Turkish food, guest speakers and live performances by leading Turkish artists and musicians.
https://www.london.gov.uk/events/turkish-day
Indonesia Day, Trafalgar Square: 7th June
Showcasing and celebrating the vibrant culture and traditions of Indonesia. The event includes performances, Indonesian cuisine and cultural activities around Trafalgar Square.
https://www.london.gov.uk/events/indonesia-day
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, Piccadilly: 8th June – 16th August
Held without interruption since 1769, the Summer Exhibition displays works in a variety of mediums and genres by emerging and established contemporary artists. It’s famously the largest open submission exhibition in the world.
http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/summer-exhibition
Hampton Court Palace Festival: 11th – 23rd June
High-profile names from rock, pop and classical music take to the stage in the main courtyard of this historic palace, which this year is celebrating its 500th birthday. Away from the main stage, visitors can relax with a picnic in the scenic gardens and sing along or dance to the music.
http://www.hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com
Affordable Art Fair, Hampstead: 11th – 14th June
Hampstead Heath is the place in June for art enthusiasts. With over 100 galleries and an array of contemporary art priced between £100-£5,000, it’s your chance to become a collector, or get creative at one of the hands-on workshops. Tickets from £10.
http://www.affordableartfair.com/hampstead
Trooping the Colour, Horse Guards Parade, St James’s Park: 13th June
London celebrates The Queen’s official birthday with Trooping the Colour, a fantastic military parade that dates back to 1820. During the ceremony The Queen carries out an inspection of the troops from the Household Division and following the salute, guns are fired in Green Park and the Tower of London. The Queen then leads the troops down the Mall to Buckingham Palace where she joins other members of the Royal Family on the balcony to watch the RAF flypast. It’s the military pomp and pageantry at its best!
http://www.royal.gov.uk/RoyalEventsandCeremonies/TroopingtheColour
British Summer Time Hyde Park: 18th – 27th June
Back for its third summer, British Summer Time brings Taylor Swift and The Who to Hyde Park. Nearest tube station: Knightsbridge.
http://www.bst-hydepark.com
Royal Ascot: 16th – 20th June
Fast horses and fancy hats! Steeped in tradition and spectacle, Royal Ascot dates back 300 years and is always attended by the Royal Family. Founded by Queen Anne in 1711, each day there is a daily horse-drawn procession from Windsor Castle to the racecourse, led by the royal carriage. It’s the world’s most famous race meeting and includes the Golden Jubilee Stakes and the Gold Cup, where prize money for the week totals millions of pounds. Visit the website for ticket information.
http://www.ascot.co.uk
Taste of London, Regent’s Park: 17th – 21st June
World-class chefs and London’s hottest restaurants gather to transform Regent’s Park into a foodie wonderland. The event’s theme is once again ‘Flavours of the World’ and features the ultimate al fresco feast, with over 200 artisan producers and premium brands offering some of the best food from Britain and around the world. Cooking demonstrations, interactive masterclasses and the chance to meet some of the capital’s top chefs, make it a must event for foodies. There will also be wine and beer makers and a return of the hugely popular silent disco.
http://www.london.tastefestivals.com
Father’s Day: 21st June
Don’t forget Dad!
Pride In London Parade, Trafalgar Square: 27th June
The theme for this year’s colourful parade is ‘Heroes’ and the culmination of the week-long festival is the Pride Parade, which follows a route from Baker Street (at 1pm) to Whitehall via Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Lower Regent Street, Pall Mall and finishing in Trafalgar Square, where there will be live performances and speeches. Soho then takes over for the night with parties and events in the many pubs, bars and clubs in the area.
http://www.prideinlondon.org
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship: 29th June – 12th July
The world’s top players come to play the most watched tennis fortnight in the Grand Slam Calendar. Nearest tube: Wimbledon Park Station.
http://www.wimbledon.com
RHS Hampton Court Flower Show: 30th June – 5th July
Six days of green-fingered activities in the spacious ground of Hampton Court. The RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is the world’s largest annual flower show and as well as the stunning floral displays, you can learn about growing your own fruit and vegetables, get gardening tips and shop for garden products. There’s always plenty going for beginners and keen gardeners, making it a great day out for all the family.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-hampton-court-palace-flower-show
Looking for somewhere to stay to enjoy London’s summer-time events? Take a look at our Serviced Apartments all located close to Hyde Park.
Photo by Stu Smith