Things to do this month is sponsored by TOCA Social.
D-DAY WEEKEND: The RAF Museum in Hendon marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day with a weekend of family-friendly events including live music, swing dancing, glider making, and a programme of talks. FREE, 1-2 June
LONDON FESTIVAL OF ARCHITECTURE: A celebration of architecture and 'city-making', the London Festival of Architecture celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and the programme is packed with more than 450 events throughout the month, from public installations to talks, tours, debates and performances — plus some family-friendly events too. Highlights include tours of the Old Palace in Bromley, Crystal Palace Subway, and some of London's suburban cemeteries. 1-30 June
MARIE CURIE: The story of scientist Marie Curie is told in Marie Curie the Musical, opening at Charing Cross Theatre, its first time being performed in English after premiering in Asia. When she discovers Radium as a potential cure for cancer, Curie faces a moral dilemma, as factory workers are succumbing to radium poisoning. 1 June-28 July
HALF TERM: May half term runs into the first couple of days of June for most London schools. Peruse our guide on things to do in London in half term for ways to keep kids and teenagers amused. Until 2 June
HEAVY HORSE SHOW: Capel Manor Gardens in Enfield hosts the Herts Heavy Horse Show and Country Show. See heavy horse breeds in action up close, taking part in various events in the show ring. 2 June
KISS ME KATE: One of the year's most anticipated theatre openings, Kiss Me Kate opens at Barbican, starring Line of Duty star Adrian Dunbar as Fred Graham (Petruchio) and Stephanie J Block as Lilli Vanessi (Katherine). Set in the 1940s, it's the story of theatre director Fred Graham who is reunited with his ex-wife, Lilli Vanessi, when the two are forced to play opposite one another in a new production of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. From 4 June
LONDON CONCOURS: Luxury cars meet garden party at the London Concours, taking place at the Honourable Artillery Company in the City. The classic car show brings together dozens of the world's most unique cars, including McLarens, Jaguar E-Types and 50 Supercars. 4-6 June
FLAMENCO FESTIVAL: Castanets at the ready, as the Flamenco Festival returns to Sadlers Wells. Spanish composer and guitarist Vicente Amigo is the headline act, with choreographer Rocío Molina, and dancer Eva Yerbabuena among the other performers. It culminates with a performance by the 38 dancers of Spanish national company, Ballet Nacional de España. 4-15 June
YAMATO: Experience Taiko drumming, a centuries-old tradition in Japanese culture, with performance group YAMATO at Peacock Theatre. Inspired by the spirit of Japan, the show incorporates high-energy athleticism with musical tradition. 4-22 June
MEAN GIRLS: The much-anticipated Mean Girls musical finally opens at the Savoy Theatre. It's based on the 2004 film of the same name, about the cliques in an American high school, which are thrown into chaos when a previously home-schooled new student joins. From 5 June
LIFT: London's International Festival of Theatre (LIFT) takes place every two years, with theatre crews from around the world bringing their productions to various London venues. Participants this year come from Toronto, Mumbai, Lagos, Taipei and other locations. 5 June-27 July
WHARF WELLNESS: Canary Wharf hosts a four-day wellbeing festival, with free events such as group runs, padel taster sessions, outdoor workouts, and yoga classes. Several stores around the area also have free events going on. FREE, 5-8 June
QUEER 80S: As part of the Barbican’s Pride season, Queer 80s: Cinema on the Brink of Global Change showcases films from a decade when LGBTQ+ representation on screen thrived. See works by queer filmmakers from across the world who used cinema to tell new stories in different ways with provocative and unapologetic depictions of LGBTQ+ people. 5-26 June
HIDDEN LONDON: Feeling adventurous? Explore parts of the Underground network that are usually off-limits, on a guided tour with London Transport Museum. There are all sorts of subterranean secrets to uncover, including disused platforms at Charing Cross which now serve as film locations, a 1960s time capsule corridor at Euston, and the original features of Piccadilly Circus station. Various dates in June (sponsor)
SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL: Spanning both fiction and documentary films, Sundance Film Festival takes over Picturehouse Central. The programme includes 11 feature films plus a curated programme of UK short films. 6-9 June
MUSIC IN CHURCHES: Twelve concerts of classical, choral, chamber and jazz music take place at St Giles Cripplegate in the City, with themes of love, romance and Shakespeare. Performers include the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the City of London Choir. 6-15 June
LAST WORD FESTIVAL: Camden Roundhouse's The Last Word Festival is a celebration of spoken word and music, with poetry slams, film screenings, live music performances and more. 6-30 June
DISCOVER DEGAS: The National Gallery's new exhibition delves into Edgar Degas’ fascination with circus performer, Miss La La, and her gravity defying performances. Find out about the creative process behind his painting, Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando, alongside an array of preparatory sketches that reveal Degas' dedication to capturing her extraordinary aerial feats. 6 June-1 September
TAMING OF THE SHREW: Shakespeare's Globe opens a carnival-esque take on comedy play The Taming of the Shrew, starring Thalissa Teixeira as Katherina and Andrew Leung at Petruchio. 6 June-26 October
STOKE NEWINGTON LIT FEST: "Radical, rabble-rousing & literary history" are all promised at this year's Stoke Newington Literary Festival, though full details are TBC at time of writing. 7-9 June
JAIPUR LIT FEST: Novelist Maggie O’Farrell, historian Mary Beard, broadcaster Mishal Husain and Nobel Laureate Venki Ramakrishnan are among the speakers on the line-up for the London Jaipur Literature Festival at the British Library, a satellite event of the huge Jaipur Literature Festival which takes place in India each January. 7-9 June
WANDSWORTH ARTS FRINGE: Shakespeare plays set to dance music, yoga for teens, an Asian art exhibition, and a light sculpture are among the items on the rather eclectic Wandsworth Arts Fringe programme this year. 7-23 June
ZOO NIGHTS: London Zoo stays open later than usual almost every Friday in June and July for Zoo Nights, an adults-only event, with tours, games, street food tours, and a chance to see the animals at a time when the zoo is usually closed. 7 June-26 July
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SERPENTINE PAVILION: Head to Kensington Gardens to see this year's Serpentine Pavilion. The temporary structure is designed by Seoul-based architect Minsuk Cho and Mass Studios, and features five themed 'islands' designed around an open space, which is apparently inspired by a form of traditional Korean house. FREE, 7 June-27 October
WORLD NAKED BIKE RIDE: If you're prudish, you may wish to avert your eyes as the World Naked Bike Ride comes to town. Cyclists let it all hang out as they ride in a group on one of several pre-agreed routes. Don't forget your suncream. FREE, 8 June
SCULPTURE WALK FUNDRAISER: Charity Women + Health offers a fundraising walk visiting sculptures of — and by — remarkable women around Camden, beginning at King's Cross. Choose between a 9-mile walk (47 sculptures), a 6-mile route (40 sculptures) or a 3-mile walk (25 sculptures). 8 June
BOSFEST: A huge free, unticketed street party, Bankside Open Spaces Festival takes place across venues including Red Cross Garden, Crossbones Graveyard and Flat Iron Square. Expect live music, sports and craft workshops, a pop-up murder mystery tour, Irish dancing and more. FREE, 8 June
QUEEN'S READING ROOM FESTIVAL: Hampton Court Palace hosts the Queen's Reading Room Festival, a literary event which combines music and history in rather flash surroundings. Miriam Margolyes, Helena Bonham Carter, Sir Ian Rankin and Harlan Coben are among the headliners this year. 8 June
FESTIVAL OF COMMUNITIES: Created by Queen Mary University London, the Festival of Communities is a celebration of everything great in east London. Taking place in Stepney Green Park, events include sports trial sessions, hands-on science and craft activities. Try Thai Boxing, make herbal tea, learn about tropical butterflies and more at the family-friendly event. FREE, 8 June
LAMBETH COUNTRY SHOW: The annual two-day Lambeth Country Show pitches up in its usual spot in Brockwell Park for all manner of entertainment spanning sheep shearing, vegetable sculptures, live music, chocolate making, and... a wall of death. FREE, 8-9 June
THE BIG GRILL: Europe's largest barbecue festival The Big Grill travels from Dublin to London, pitching up at the Five Points Brewing Co in Hackney for two days of live fire cooking by a range of chefs. Tuck into all manner of barbecue dishes, including Cuepoint London's Afghan-London BBQ with an Irish twist, along with Irish cocktails and live entertainment. 8-9 June
OPEN GARDENS WEEKEND: London Open Gardens Weekend is a chance to explore the city's green spaces via open days, tours and talks. They range from allotments to small private gardens, to the larger gardens in the likes of Eaton Square Garden, usually only accessible to local residents with a key. 8-9 June
BARNET MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL: See re-enactments of the Battles of Barnet 1471 and the Second Battle of St Albans 1461, as well as displays by the gunners, archers and mounted knights at this year's Barnet Medieval Festival. There's also a medieval market, craft displays, and an exhibition of medieval art. 8-9 June
CAMBERWELL ARTS FESTIVAL: This year is the 30th anniversary of Camberwell Arts Festival, an event consisting of open art studios, an art market and a fringe festival. Keep an eye on the website for full details when announced. 8-16 June
THE LORE OF LOVERBOY: Opening at Somerset House, The Lore of LOVERBOY is the first exhibition on international fashion house Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY, which counts Harry Styles and Tilda Swinton among its fans. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the building of the fashion empire, with archival and newly-commissioned works on display. 8 June-1 September
STARLIGHT EXPRESS: Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express returns to London, bringing a child's train set to life at Troubdaour Theatre Wembley Park, with a lively soundtrack of songs from the original show, including AC/DC, Make Up My Heart, Light at the End of the Tunnel and of course, Starlight Express. From 8 June
MARYLEBONE SUMMER FESTIVAL: A pop-up mini golf course, a dog zone, wellness classes by Lululemon, a ferris wheel and fairground rides, live music, and a farmers market are all part of the Marylebone Summer Festival in Marylebone Village. 9 June
FAIRY AND PIXIE LAND: Opening at Dulwich Park, Fairy and Pixie Land is an immersive, family-friendly show in the woods. Taste a fairy potion, choose your own fairy or pixie wings, and make a magic wand before watching a 25-minute promenade performance featuring a famous Scottish mythical creature. The event raises money for local children's charity Whippersnappers. 9 June-28 July
HAMPTON COURT PALACE FESTIVAL: It's a music festival, but not as you know it. Hampton Court Palace Festival is a rather civilised affair, taking place in the palace grounds, with the option of enjoying a picnic before the music starts. Artists performing this year include Tom Jones, Nile Rodgers and Chic, Paloma Faith and Jessie J. 11-21 June
LONDONIST BIRTHDAY PARTY: You may have heard... Londonist turns 20 this year, and we're having a party to celebrate. Join us at Five Points brewery taproom in Hackney for live music, smokehouse snacks, and a few drinks — we'd love to meet loads of our lovely readers and followers in person. 12 June
TASTE OF LONDON: Foodies will want to head to Regent's Park for Taste of London, the huge, food-based festival which brings dozens of London's best-known restaurants together to feed the hungry visitors. It's also a chance to discover up-and-coming London chefs and food businesses, take part in tastings and watch masterclasses. 12-16 June
MELTDOWN FESTIVAL: The 29th edition of the UK’s longest-running artist-curated music festival, Meltdown, is at Southbank Centre, and legendary singer Chaka Khan is at the helm this year. Events include live performances by artists including Emeli Sande and Mica Paris, and a DJ set by Norman Jay. 14-23 June
EURO MATCHES: Could football be coming home again this summer? UEFA Euro 2024 takes place in Germany, but plenty of places in London are screening the matches, including bars, outdoor screens and fan zones. Plan ahead for England matches — these venues will likely get very busy then. 14 June-14 July
LONDON PETANQUE CHAMPIONSHIP: You can find anything in London if you know where to look, and that includes petanque. The London Petanque Championships are held in Crystal Palace, with international champions and UK club level players going head-to-head over the course of one weekend. 15-16 June
GREAT EXHIBITION ROAD FESTIVAL: South Kensington institutions including the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Imperial College, Royal Geographical Society and V&A come together for the Great Exhibition Road Festival, a weekend celebrating science and the arts. In past years, we've been seriously impressed by how much there is to see and do at the event. FREE, 15-16 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. 16 June
ROYAL ACADEMY SUMMER EXHIBITION: A highlight of the London art calendar every year, the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition brings together established and rising artists to display their work. Prints, painting, film, photography, architectural works and sculpture all feature among the 1200 pieces, coordinated by sculptor Ann Christopher RA. 18 June-18 August
THE MARILYN CONSPIRACY: New thriller play The Marilyn Conspiracy focuses on the death of Marilyn Monroe, asking what happened in the five hours between her death at home, and her apparent suicide being called into the police. Catch it at the Park Theatre. 19 June-27 July
JAPANESE PRINTMAKING: Artistic Japanese dynasty the Yoshida family are the subject of a new exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery. See some of their works, by three generations of the family, culminating in a new site-specific installation of cherry blossom by a living member of the Yoshida family. 19 June-1 November
SIX LIVES: The National Portrait Gallery opens a new exhibition focusing on Henry VIII's queens. Six Lives features Tudor paintings by Hans Holbein the Younger and contemporary photography by Hiroshi Sugimoto, chronicling the representation of Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard and Katherine Parr throughout history and popular culture in the centuries since they lived. 20 June-8 September
NOH REMIMAGINED: The Noh Reimagined festival returns to Kings Place, showcasing two masterpieces of traditional Japanese theatre: Sumidagawa and Kinuta. It celebrates the art of Noh, a theatre tradition which originated in 14th-century Japan, offering a creative platform for genre-defying, cross-cultural collaborations, connecting tradition with contemporary life and culture. 21-22 June
NAOMI IN FASHION: After several extremely successful fashion exhibitions in recent years, the V&A opens yet another one. NAOMI In Fashion puts the spotlight on the career of model Naomi Campbell, through the work of photographers and designers who have worked with her. From 22 June
GIN AND RUM: It's free entry to the Enfield Gin & Rum Festival, taking place at Pymmes Mews with some of the UK's finest small batch producers exhibiting their tipples and serving up unique cocktails. 22 June
GREAT WILD WALK: Sign up to take part in a five- or 10-mile walk through Epping Forest, raising money for the World Wildlife Fund. The Great Wild Walk is a family-friendly event, and dogs are welcome, with a fundraising target of £150 per person, and money raised going to the WWF's conservation projects around the world. 22 June
WEST END LIVE: Musical theatre fans should head to Trafalgar Square for West End Live, a free, two-day festival starring the cast of all manner of West End shows. Exact details are due to be announced about a week before the event, but in the past, cast members from the likes of Jersey Boys, The Lion King Mary Poppins and Tina The Musical have strutted their stuff on the stage. Best get there very early if you want to get in, as long queues have formed in previous years. FREE, 22-23 June
101 DALMATIANS: Puppetry, dancing and songs combine for a musical version of children's book 101 Dalmatians, aimed at children age 5+ and their families. Watch as Cruella de Vil attempts to snatch Pongo and Perdi's litter of dalmatian pups in a bid to make herself a new fur coat. Takes place at New Wimbledon Theatre. 22-29 June
ATLAS OF IMAGINED CITIES: Londonist editor-at-large Matt Brown, long with his co-author Rhys B. Davies and illustrator Mike Hall, are at Stanfords in Covent Garden to talk about their award-winning book, Atlas of Imagined Cities. The book plots thousands of locations from film, TV, books and comics onto vintage-looking maps to illustrate which fictional characters live where. 27 June
PUB IN THE PARK: Food and music festival Pub in the Park pitches up in Chiswick. Scouting for Girls, Busted and Jools Holland are all on the eclectic music line-up, with a chef demo stage, fire pit, artisan food market and pop-up bars taking care of the nosh. 28-30 June
FUSE INTERNATIONAL: For 10 days, performing arts festival FUSE International takes over Kingston, with a programme of music, theatre, dance, comedy, visual arts, spoken word, circus and more. Browse the full programme for details. June-7 July
PRIDE IN LONDON: Pride in London is the capital's biggest LGBTQ+ party. Some 30,000 participants and 300 floats are expected to take part in the procession from Hyde Park Corner to Trafalgar Square, with stages featuring live performances dotted around the West End. FREE, 29 June
BST HYDE PARK: BST Hyde Park is back, bringing Stevie Nicks, SZA, Kings of Leon, Morgan Wallen, Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams and Shania Twain to the huge pop-up festival site in Hyde Park. The Open House midweek events will take place again this year with outdoor cinema, live music, and other events open to everyone. From 29 June
EEL PIE ISLAND: The mysterious art studios on Twickenham's Eel Pie Island open to the public for a weekend at the end of June, when you can peruse handmade ceramics, oil paintings, jewellery, ceramic sculptures, and the like. Though the island itself is open to visit anytime, the studios — shrubbery-ensconced huts festooned with headless mannequins, skeletons in cages, and other forms of screwball sculptures — are usually kept private. 29-30 June (also 6-7 July)
ROSES: Make time to smell the roses this month, as they bloom all over town. Visit one (or more) of these eight beautiful places to see roses in bloom in London.
LAVENDER: If you're willing to travel a bit further afield for your outdoor fix, plan a trip to one of these six pretty purple lavender fields near London — including one within London itself.
MUSIC FESTIVALS: As summer heats up, so does the London music scene — peruse our guide to the best music festivals in London 2024 and get booking.
OUTDOOR CINEMA: It wouldn't be summer in London without an onslaught of pop-up outdoor cinemas and rooftop film screenings. Some are already under way, others begin in June, and others still make an appearance later in the summer — here's the full guide to outdoor cinema in London.
OUTDOOR CULTURE: In addition to film screenings, theatre shows, live music and even art, go al fresco for summer in London. Have a look at our guide to outdoor culture in London this summer.
LAST CHANCE: A few things are closing this month too. It's your last chance to see:
- ENORMOUS CROCODILE: Family-friendly theatre show The Enormous Crocodile brings Roald Dahl's book to life on stage at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Until 8 June
- ROMAN ARMY: The British Museum's huge exhibition Legion: life in the Roman army offers a lowdown on the West's first modern, professional fighting force through the life and service of a real Roman soldier, Claudius Terentianus. Letters written on papyri by soldiers from Roman Egypt and the Vindolanda tablets — some of the oldest surviving handwritten documents in Britain — feature. Until 23 June
- DISNEY 100: The centenary of the Walt Disney Company is celebrated with a huge exhibition, Disney100, at ExCeL. It spans 10 galleries, covering films, theme parks and more. The carousel horse which Dick Van Dyke rode in Mary Poppins (1964) and the crystal glass slipper from Cinderella (2015) are among the exhibits. Until 23 June
- WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY: One of our favourite annual exhibitions, Wildlife Photographer of the Year ends its 59th incarnation at the Natural History Museum. See photos of animals and the natural world taken by photographers all over the globe, including the overall winners Until 30 June
