What’s On in London - June

Don your raincoats, unpack your summer playlists, and practise your English songs, because it’s finally festival season! There’s lots happening in the capital this month: free West End musicals, time-travelling silent discos, and Wimbledon with a side of strawberries and cream.

Sadly, the Mayor’s hot balloon event was cancelled for the fifth year in a row due to wind conditions, but fingers-crossed we’ll see colourful balloons light up the London skyline on July 20th or 27th, when they’re due to be rescheduled.

Here’s our full list of things to do in London, June Edition:

Our Top 3 Free Activities

1) Trooping the Colour (14th June)

Join the crowds for the King’s birthday parade on June 14th. While it’s a ticketed event, you can still catch a (free) glimpse by standing along The Mall or at the edge of St James’s Park from 9.00am. If you’re curious about Royal traditions, this one’s for you! But what does Trooping the Colour mean? It refers to the regimental flag (the ‘colour’) being paraded (or ‘trooped’) before soldiers, so they know what to look for in battle. Originally a very practical ceremony, it’s now all about embracing tradition.

2) BST Open House (30th June-10th July)

Want festival vibes without the hefty price tag? Head to BST Open House in Hyde Park, a whole eight days of DJ sets, breezy outdoor cinema, activities and Wimbledon screenings. Grab a drink, a tub of strawberries and cream, and soak up the sun.

3) West End Live (21st-22nd June)

For theatre lovers (or anyone who loves a cup of Pimm’s in the sun) West End Live brings London’s best musicals and shows to Trafalgar Square – for free! This is a great opportunity to see big-name performers and shows that normally cost a fortune. Entry is on a first-come first-served basis, so get there early!

Cultural Spotlight: The Great Exhibition

This 7th-8th of June, South Kensington is putting on the Great Exhibition Road Festival, a new celebration of science and arts.

But do you know where the name comes from?

Most schoolchildren in the UK learn about The Great Exhibition, a massive international fair held in Hyde Park in 1851. It was a way for Victorian Britain to show off its global power and industrial innovation – complete with a giant glass-and-iron building called the Crystal Palace (big enough to fit full-grown trees inside). It’s since become an iconic symbol of the era’s obsession with progress and innovation.

Want to see objects from the original Great Exhibition? Stop by the London Museum! 

Things to do this June

• Silent Disco at the London Transport Museum (7th June) – The Natural History Museum holds silent discos every month, but this time it’s the LTM’s time to shine. Dance your night away surrounded by vintage buses and trains. 
  
• Taste of London (18th- 22nd June) – In Regent’s Park, Taste of London hosts a huge garden party with London’s best chefs and mixologists. Go for the festival vibes and endless supply of food from across the city.
  
• Great Exhibition Road Festival (7th – 8th June) – Join in on the football fever this May at the FA Cup Finals. Most pubs will show the game live, or you could try to grab a ticket to the real thing.
  
• Lambeth County Show (7th – 8th June) – London’s not the best place to experience a slice of English country life, but Lambeth Country Show might fix that, a free festival in Brockworth Park. Learn how to shear a sheep, meet the resident owls, and listen to folk music. Oh, and there’s horse jousting – what more could you want?
  
• Capital Crime Book Festival (13th-14th June) – Are you addicted to true crime and thrillers? Book your tickets to the Capital Crime Festival for talks and signings from your favourite writers.
  
• Kew Midsummer Fete (21st June) – Experience a tradition village fete (for free!) at Kew Green, complete with a traditional Victorian fairground, beer tent, dog show, tug of war, and live bands.
  
• Open Gardens (7th-8th June) - For £24 (or £10 if you’re 17 and under), you can unlock full access to some of London’s most exclusive gardens, from historic estates to modern community projects. These myriad green spaces are usually hidden in plain sight, but for just two days, they’ll be open to the public.
  
• Eid Festival in Trafalgar Square (8th June) - Eid in the Square is full of free activities and entertainment, from henna artists and lantern making to guided tours of Muslim history and a global food market.
  
• Canada Day (28th June) - Another event held in Trafalgar Square this month: a celebration of Canadian culture. Stop by for a plate of poutine and watch up-and-coming musicians.

Music & Festivals

• Lido Festival (6th-15th June) – See the likes of Charli XCX, Jamie xx, London Grammar, and Massive Attack in Victoria Park.
  
• Meltdown Festival (12th-22nd June) – This is Meltdown Festival’s 30th year in the London music scene. Each year, a celebrated artist curates the whole festival, with past participants including David Bowie and Yoko Ono. This year, Little Simz is taking on the task.
  
• BST Hyde Park (27th June - 13th July) – The BST Hyde Park festival takes over Hyde Park every summer (hence the BST – the acronym for British Summer Time). This year, Zach Bryan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Stevie Wonder are headlining – and still have tickets!
  
• In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats (22nd May-3rd August) – Not quite a concert, but The Barbican is putting on a VR experience offering participants the chance to travel back in time to the Acid House scene. Plus, students can gain entry for £18.75!

London Theatre Highlights

• A Midsummer Night's Dream (31st May- 20th August) – The Bridge Theatre is putting on a magical, critically acclaimed edition of Shakespeare’s classic. This one is especially unique, offering attendees the chance to freely move about the action with new ‘immersive tickets’. Plus, if you’re under 26, you can get tickets for £19.50 by signing up to Young Bridge Members for free.
  
• London Road (7th–21st June) – This month’s musical is London Road, playing at the National Theatre. 16-25s can get tickets for as little as £5 and watch out for the Friday Rush sales for last-minute £10 tickets.
  
• Peckham Fringe (2nd-6th June) – Peckham Fringe is London’s indie arts festival where emerging artists take over pubs, bars, and quirky venues in Peckham for a mix of comedy, theatre, and music. It’s the perfect way to discover something fresh – and show tickets are often under £10.

Special Exhibitions & Museum Events

• Yoshitomo Nara (10th June – 31st August) – Famous for his playful characters, Nara’s art is bold and unique. Located right on the Southbank, it’s easy to reach and hard to forget.
  
• Royal Academy Summer Exhibition (17th June-17th August) – This annual event is a London art staple, showing a huge mix of styles and artists. It’s a great way to see lots of different work in one place, with something for everyone.
  
• Jenny Saville (20th June-7th September) - Known for her huge, powerful paintings of the human body, Saville reinvents the female nude. See her work at the National Portrait Gallery in Trafalgar Square.

June's Study Spot

Avocado & Coffee

Stable WIFI, coffee, avocado toast, and just a 2-minute walk from our Greenwich English Centre – what more could you want? If you get bored of the same old library, set up with your textbooks and laptop for the day at this study-friendly spot literally just around the corner from our Greenwich centre. With lots of comfy seating and healthy brunch to refuel, you’ll emerge feeling refreshed (and a little more fluent than before).

Feeling Inspired?

No more blaming the British weather for skipping out on your English practice (though, let’s be honest, we’ve all done it). London’s bursting with festivals, free events, and summer vibes this June – so get out there, explore, and put your English into action.

Thinking of studying English abroad? Don’t miss out - take a look at our range of immersive English courses in London, Eastbourne, and Dublin.