June has arrived in London, bringing with it the perfect opportunity to make the most of the city’s early summer energy. From major art exhibitions and theatre productions to festivals, outdoor dining, and lively cultural happenings, London is packed with exciting things to enjoy throughout June 2026.
This is one of the finest times of the year to experience the capital. The weather is warm without being overwhelming, festival season is well underway, and there is a real sense of anticipation as Londoners look forward to more sunny days ahead. It is the ideal month for picnics in the park, relaxed afternoons outside pubs, exploring green spaces, and enjoying long days out across the city.
June’s highlights include the return of SXSW London, the second edition of Lido Festival featuring acts such as CMAT and Maribou State, and major exhibitions celebrating artists including Anish Kapoor and Frida Kahlo.
The city truly comes into its own at this time of year. Beer gardens are buzzing, parks are looking their best, open-air theatre begins to take centre stage, and alfresco dining becomes one of the season’s great pleasures. Meanwhile, tennis fans will once again gather in south west London as Wimbledon brings its world-famous championship atmosphere back to the capital.
Whether you are looking for culture, entertainment, food, festivals, or simply a reason to enjoy the sunshine, London in June offers plenty to fill your calendar.
1. Get your fill of culture and tech at SXSW London
Austin’s music, film and media festival SXSW is legendary for attracting massive stars: the likes of Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa and Chappell Roan have all given early performances at the Texas event, while Steven Spielberg, Barack Obama and Malala Yousafzai have all appeared at the conference arm of the festival. After the success of last year’s inaugural UK edition, SXSW London is back again for the second year running, and will once again take over various venues around Shoreditch in June. If 2025 is anything to go by expect the line-up to be absolutely massive, with talks and panels, big keynotes, film screenings, and a music festival.
2. Cheer on the home nations at the 2026 World Cup
A World Cup summer is right around the corner, and we’re gearing up for loads more thrills, spills, beer-soaked highs and crushing disappointments. This year, 16 stadiums across Canada, Mexico and the United States will host this epic tournament, which plays out from Thursday June 11 – Sunday July 19 2026.
The Three Lions and the Lionesses have made it all the way to the final in the last four consecutive international tournaments, and with elite coach Thomas Tuchel now managing the boys, England fans will be praying it’s finally time to end their 58 years of hurt. Scotland, meanwhile, while be aiming to make it out of the group stages in their first World Cup in 28 years.
Practically every pub and bar in London will be getting in on the action and vying for your attendance during the World Cup’s biggest games. So we’ve whittled it down to the places that offer the best atmosphere and the best view of the screen.
3. Explore London Zoo after hours
As the sun goes down this summer, explore after hours at London Zoo for an unmissable evening, that’s just for adults. From 6 pm every Friday evening in June and July, guests are invited to come and see the Zoo in a different light, without the kids around.
Explore a world of wildlife in the heart of the city with talks, games and over 8,500 amazing animals. After you’ve worked up an appetite, discover the street food market serving up fantastic flavours from across the globe, with plenty of choice for herbivores and carnivores. Then grab a drink from one of the watering holes or the cocktail garden and chill out surrounded by relaxing music.
4. Enjoy some crowd-pleasing open-air Shakespeare
The Open Air Theatre started out life as a Shakespeare only venue. These days you’re more likely to find musicals on its tree-framed stage, but all that’s changing with a summery staging of the Bard’s ultimate crowd-pleaser, as directed by Atri Banerjee. We’ve no massive steer for how this one will play out, but it’s described as ‘blissful’, indicating it’s probably not going to do anything too outre, and it’ll have an original folk-infused score from Maimuna Memon.
5. Explore over 120 private and secret gardens across London
This June, get two-for-one tickets to and spend a weekend exploring more than 120 of the capital’s hidden green spaces, from secret rooftop gardens and historic private squares to blooming community plots normally closed to the public. Taking place across London on Saturday June 6 and Sunday June 7, the self-guided event is a rare chance to peek behind gates that are usually firmly shut, meet the people caring for these spaces and see a greener side of the city. Every ticket also helps support London Parks and Gardens, with under-12s going free.
6. Catch all the chaos of the Red Bull Soapbox Race at Ally Pally
Alexandra Palace will erupt in mayhem in June as dozens of DIY taboggans dart down the hill for the downright absurd Red Bull Soapbox Race. The annual race challenges adrenaline junkies to create the whackiest vehicle they can, then ride it down the track powered only by gravity. Along the way, they’ll encounter obstacles like The Water Roller, The Wedge, The Bone Rattler and The Kicker – it’s very rare that cars make it to the bottom of the course unscathed. Best stick to watching safely from the sidelines!
7. Take your pooch along to Marylebone Summer Festival
A mini golf course, live music, alfresco bars and dining, a farmers market and a dog photobooth: you’ll find all this and more at Marylebone’s 20th annual summer fair which takes over Paddington Street Gardens for a jam-packed Sunday in June. Fashion and wellness brands in Marylebone Village will be handing out offers (think free ice cream at Rixo and Mud Australia) and street stalls will be handing out snacks and beverages from the array of local cafés. Have your pooch’s ‘pawtrait’ done at ‘Bark in the Park’ in Marylebone Church gardens, or teach your furry pals something new at a trick training workshop. Essentially, it’s a summer fête dialled up to 11.
8. Sample loads of city’s finest dishes at Taste of London
Munch your way through dishes from the great and the good of the capital’s restaurant scene at this sprawling culinary festival in the picturesque surroundings of central London’s Regent’s Park. New Syrian brunch joint Aram, hyped Dalston gastropub The Prince Arthur and masters of Pan-Pacific cuisine Los Mochis are among the restaurants peddling plates and appearing at the event for the first time this year. If you’re not in a food coma by the end, there’ll also be kitchen masterclasses, chef talks and tastings to get involved with. Our advice? Have some Rennies on hand.