The Capital in the summer? Bliss
No need to jet-set this summer – a glorious spread of events is winging its way towards us, and we’ve compiled the ultimate guide to the best things to do in London this summer right here. Cram these dates into your diary, say Tessa Dunthorne & Olivia Emily.
The Best Things To Do In London This Summer
Visit An Adult Playground
Roof East in Stratford reopened in April, and will stay open all summer long. Entry is free.
Photo by Owen Billcliffe Photography.
London’s favourite adult playground is back for summer 2023, transforming over 30,000 square feet of former shopping centre car park into a rooftop bar with ideal summery festival vibes. Think fresh street food vendors, new and signature games, an open-air cinema, and picturesque skyline views to top it all off. roofeast.com
Attend A Beekeeping Masterclass
Dates from 20 May–26 August 2023 at St Ermin’s Hotel, Westminster
Busy bees underpin our ecosystem, so it’s important to learn how to help them. Why not join queen bee Esther Coles for a beekeeping masterclass this summer at St Ermin’s Hotel? From learning all about bees to bee friendly planting to ‘products of the hive’, guests can experience an up close encounter with the hotel’s 350,000 resident bees. Conclude your visit with a sparkling afternoon tea or cocktails on the summer terrace. sterminshotel.co.uk
Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image The Musical
24 May–26 August 2023 at The Phoenix Theatre
(Image by Mark S)
It’s belly ache laughs at the critically acclaimed Spitting Image, which is making its West End debut this summer. Written by a tour de force comedy team – Al Murray, Matt Forde, and Sean Foley – it’s not to be missed. spittingimagethemusical.com
Explore An Exhibition About Ancient Luxury
Luxury and Power: Persia to Greece, 4 May–13 August 2023 at The British Museum
Exquisite luxury, ancient Iranian opulence, and glittering, glinting gold – this exhibition by the British Museum invites you to step into the culture clash between Persia and Greece in the sixth century BC. Explore this beautiful collection of material wonders from Alexander the Great’s empire. britishmuseum.org
Discover more of London’s top exhibitions here
Or A Fashion Exhibition
Diva, 24 June 2023–7 April 2024 at the V&A; The Offbeat Sari, 19 May–17 September 2023 at the Design Museum.
OTT is in this summer – the V&A explores the fashion, power and sparkling creativity of the divas of music and film who have defined pop culture since the 19th century. From Marilyn to Elton, this exhibition will be an unapologetic love letter to star power. £20, vam.ac.uk
Or undress the contemporary sari – the Design Museum’s visually glorious exhibition explores the changing design of India’s everyday wear. £12.60, designmuseum.org
Discover more fashion exhibitions here
Celebrate Pride
Pride Month throughout June, and London Pride Parade on 1 July 2023
(c) NIM, Unsplash
Big gay celebrations – the summer marks the return of the Prides across the country. From kaleidoscopic parades to Soho after-hours, it’s just the tonic for joyful things to do in London this summer. prideinlondon.com
Kensington + Chelsea Art Trail
Throughout June, July and August 2023
West London has a secret: there’s an artistic heritage hidden just below the surface, waiting to be unearthed. The art trail, now on its sixth edition, returns – touring you from South Ken’s museum quarter through to the bustle of King’s Road. kcaw.co.uk
London Design Biennale
1–25 June 2023 at Somerset House
See world leading innovation and creativity from participants across the globe with the return of Somerset House’s annual design spectacular, London Design Biennale. Expect a sensory journey across over 40 installations, with new initiative Eureka platforming the UK’s leading research centres and universities to display their solutions to our world’s issues. While you’re there, grab a refreshing drink at The Somerset House Terrace Bar with San Miguel pop up. londondesignbiennale.com
London Gallery Weekend
2–4 June 2023 across London; no need to register, just look out for the yellow ‘LGW’ sticker in the window.
Family activity at Waddington Custot, 14 May 2022, Photography by Will Amlott
Art connoisseurs, jot these dates in your diary: from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 of June 2023, the third edition of London Gallery Weekend will open the doors of over 120 of the city’s independent galleries and see a three-day series of events and exhibitions. Mega-galleries like Hauser & Wirth and Pace will come together with mid-size and emerging spaces like Sherbert Green and Rose Easton, with gallery parties, guided tours, kids events and workshops all totally free and accessible to the public. See the full line-up and plan your route at londongalleryweekend.art
Watch Chestertons Polo In The Park
9–11 June 2023 at Hurlingham Park
No need to leave the city to catch a chukka. Plan of action: try to make the best dressed lists; don’t miss the pop-up Fulham Food Festival; and stomp those divots. From £40.37, polointheparklondon.com
Pub In The Park
9–11 June in Dulwich
Pints and picky bits – Pub In The Park is the ultimate crossover of food and music, as dreamt up by chef Tom Kerridge. With rockstar performers and chefs alike on the line up, it’s a show that’ll target at least two of your senses. And it’s all over the country, so plenty of chances to check out the unique festival if you miss the Dulwich instalment. pubintheparkuk.com
Christine and the Queens’ Meltdown
9–18 June 2023 at the Southbank Centre
The Southbank Centre’s annual celebration of music, art, performance and film is this year being curated by French phenomenon, Christine and the Queens – following in the footsteps of previous big-name curators, from David Bowie to Patti Smith, Morrissey to Jarvis Cocker. See the full line up of events at southbankcentre.co.uk
Marylebone Village Summer Festival
10–11 June 2023
Probably not the village fete you grew up with – there’ll be no Shetland pony rides and coconut shies at the Marylebone Summer Festival. Rather, you’ll catch a jam-packed programme of fun – including an open air cinema, a dizzying array of food stalls, and even roaming bubble artists. marylebonevillage.com
Sip Champagne At The Bubbly Show
23–24 June 2023 at {10-11} Carlton House Terrace (St. James’s, SW1Y 5AH)
An all new Champagne show is landing in London this summer, hosted by iconic Searcys at the historic {10-11} Carlton House Terrace. Taste fizz from an abundance of Champagne houses and English sparkling wine producers, and enjoy tastings, talks, masterclasses, special menus, afternoon tea, and even a lesson in sabrage. searcys.co.uk
Sing Your Heart Out At An Open Air, Sing Along Cinema
Lower Marsh Lates… At The Movies at Waterloo Lower Marsh on the last Thursday of June, July, August and September 2023
From 5.30–8.30pm on the last Thursday of June, July, August and September 2023, head down to Waterloo Lower Marsh and get ready for a belter. This free, open-air, sing-along cinema is sure to attract a crowd with its stellar line up of musical favourites. Plus, find delicious food and great drinks deals at Lower Marsh Market. wearewaterloo.co.uk
Spitalfields Music 2023
30 June–12 July 2023 at venues across East London
Spitalfields Music returns to East London this summer, with a programme brimming with world premieres, new music, overlooked historic pieces and classic repertoire, all performed in iconic East London locations from Village Underground to the Tower of London. See the full line up and book your tickets at spitalfieldsmusic.org.uk
Visit The All New Young V&A
From 1 July
The Town Square at Young V&A. Image by Picture Plane © Victoria and Albert Museum London
It’s been closed for three years, but it’s back (baby). The Young V&A reopens its doors for a summer of art and design with over 2,000 works and tactile, interactive exhibitions to explore. vam.ac.uk
Watch Wimbledon The Championships
3–16 July 2023 at the All England Club (Church Road, London SW19 5AG)
Will British No 1 seed Cameron Norrie come up trumps? Cheer him onto victory (or not) at the unmissable summer sporting event. From £27 for a Grounds pass and £70 for Centre Court, wimbledon.com
King’s Cross Summer Sounds
9–20 August 2023 at Coal Drops Yard
London Community Gospel Choir performing at King’s Cross Summer Sounds Family Sunday, Coal Drops Yard
Summer Sounds returns to London with 12 days of music, dance and performance from across the globe. With live concerts every evening from 6.30–8.30pm (plus from 1–6pm on ‘Family Sundays’), expect a heady mix of folk, jazz, classical and experimental music, alongside an array of dancers and sensational local talent. See the full line up at kingscross.co.uk
Battersea Park In Concert
26–28 August 2023
Bank holiday weekend blues be banished: the inaugural Battersea Park in Concert trots out an incredible line-up of London’s best classical, soul and jazz performers. Highlights will include the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars. Pre-order a picnic and don’t forget the fizz. From £32.32, batterseaparkinconcert.com
Featured image: Pub In The Park.
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