The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee might have taken top billing for things to do in London in June (and rightly so!) but the rest of the month is equally busy. June is the start of summer in London and while the weather hasn’t been cooperating much so far, there’s promise of brighter days and warm weather ahead. Plus, the summer season brings with it open-air theatre, alfresco dining, fun festivals and lots of opportunities to spend time in the city’s parks and playgrounds.
And of course, June is when Wimbledon happens. More important than that, however, is Father’s Day, which takes place on 19 June. Don’t forget to buy your dad a gift!
June is also a good time to explore London’s famous landmarks before the schools break up for summer (make the most of the weekends!). See the Changing of the Guard without the crowds, marvel at the Crown Jewels, snap photos of famous figures at Madame Tussauds, or simply enjoy the street performers in Covent Garden.
Oh, and if you haven’t taken a trip on the newly opened Elizabeth Line yet then you should!
Here’s our top picks for what’s coming up in London for the month of June.
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What’s happening in London for June 2022
A Bridge with a View at Tower Bridge
This month the Tower of London’s free family activity takes place on Saturday 18 June. Children are invited to create works of art inspired by the views from Tower Bridge and the artwork of Melissa Scott-Miller.
When: 18 June, free with entry
Where: Tower Bridge, closest tube stations Tower Hill and London Bridge
The Platinum Jubilee Party at the British Museum
Families are invited to join the British Museum in congratulating The Queen on 70 years on the throne. There will be a Photo Booth to document your day at the museum plus fun workshops where kids can create Jubilee celebrations cards, craft decorative crowns and listen to a band play on the West Lawn.
When: 11 June; Events take place between 11am – 4pm and are non-ticketed, and operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Where: The British Museum, closest tube Tottenham Court Road and Holborn
West End Live
Get ready to sing along to some of your favourite musical numbers at West End LIVE in Trafalgar Square, central London. This free event takes place on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June and is the perfect place to hear some of your favourite show tunes for free. Entry is on a first come, first served basis.
When: 25 – 26 June; free entry
Where: Trafalgar Square; closest tube Charing Cross
Fashioning Masculinities: The Art of Menswear at the V&A
This looks like a great exhibition to see, particularly if you’re visiting with fashion-forward teens. Fashioning Masculinities, produced in partnership with Gucci, explores gender, creatively, masculinity and design.
When: On until 6 November
Where: V&A Museum; closest tube South Kensington
My Fair Lady
The joyous tale of Eliza Doolittle is one of a handful of new shows to open in the West End this summer. This one promises to be absolutely loverly.
When: 9 June – 27 August
Where: London Coliseum; closest tube Leicester Square
Family workshops at the British Library
The British Library has organised a creative family workshop to tie in with Refugee Week. Families are invited to join artist Ghafar Tajmohammad, poet Laila Sumpton and illustrator Siôn Ap Tomos to make, create and share stories.
When: 25 June, 10.30am – 12.30pm; free
Where: The British Library; closest tube Kings Cross and Euston
Legally Blonde the Musical
Another brilliant show for families this summer is Legally Blonde, which is being performed at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Time to bend and snap!
When: 13 May – 2 July
Where: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre; closest tube Baker Street
Book tickets for Buckingham Palace
If you fancy taking a look inside Buckingham Palace, the most famous of London attractions, then now’s the time to book your tickets. Sure, the palace look splendid during the Jubilee celebrations but in order to be really impressed you should take a tour inside too.
When: The State Rooms open for visitors on 22 July until 2 October and tickets are available now.
Where: Buckingham Palace; Green Park Station
Hampton Court Palace Festival
Teens might enjoy the Hampton Court Palace Festival, one of the capital’s favourite summer music festivals. This annual event has seen everyone from Kylie to The Beach Boys take to the stage in the Tudor Courtyard of Henry VIII’s Palace. The Festival takes place across three weeks in June and artists confirmed for this year include McFly, Elbow and Crowded House.
When: 9 – 25 June
Where: Hampton Court Palace; closest train station Hampton Court
Pub Pod on the London Eye
If you’re keen to carry on the Platinum party celebrations then head to the London Eye. Launched to celebrate The Queen’s 70 years on the throne is ‘Pub Pod‘, a 1950s pub inside one of the capsules on the giant wheel.
‘The Queen’s Head’ has been decorated with vintage bunting and authentic royal memorabilia to transport you back to Her Majesty’s Coronation Day. A bartender is on hand to serve some of The Queen’s favourite tipples, too while you admire the views. One for when you’ve booked a babysitter.
When: 27 May – 4 September
Where: The London Eye; closest tube Waterloo
UNIQLO Tate Play
UNIQLO continues its creative collaboration with the Tate Modern. This month the Make Studio encourages kids to rip, shape and snip together your very own wearable art.
When: The Make Studios take place on Wednesdays and weekends from 11 June to 17 July.
Where: Tate Modern; closest tube London Bridge
Superbloom at the Tower of London
June 1 is when the Tower of London’s big Jubilee event, the Suiperbloom, opens. The Tower’s moat will be transformed into a colourful field of flowers until September 18.
When: Superbloom opens on 1 June; Tickets from £12 per adult, £6 per child aged 5 – 15 years.
Where: The Tower of London; Tower Hill
Open Square Gardens Weekend
Taking place on 11 and 12 June is the Open Gardens weekend when over 100 secret gardens and hidden green spaces across the city will open their gates to visitors. Weekend tickets and walking tour tickets are on sale now. Under 12s go free.
When: 11 – 12 June
Where: Various locations in London
Taste of London at Regent’s Park
Enjoy five days of feasting at the Taste of London Festival taking place in Regent’s Park, one of the Royal Parks. Some 36 restaurants, 45 chefs and 150 artisan producers are taking part this year including Roti King, Brindisa, Hoppers and The Better Townhouse.
When: 15 – 19 June; Children under six are free; children aged six and over need to have their own ticket.
Where: Regent’s Park
Monster Jam
If you like big trucks then head to the London Stadium where Monster Jam is taking place on 18 June. To see the massive trucks up close, watch live pre-race interviews and enjoy some family-friendly fun, head to the Pit Party, which takes place from 11.30am – 1pm.
When: 18 June
Where: London Stadium, within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park; closest tube Stratford
Marylebone Summer Festival
Marylebone’s annual summer festival returns with an open-air cinema, a dog show, live music performances and family friendly activities.
When: 18 – 19 June
Where: Marylebone Village; closest tube Baker Street
London Bridge City Summer by the River
There’s a packed schedule of events at London Bridge City this summer including lots of fun things to do with kids from a family hiphop, RnB and pop party to Peter Pan – the true story!
When: May through July
Where: London Bridge City is situated between London Bridge and Tower Bridge on the south side of the River Thames; closest tube London Bridge
Sculpture in the City
Bringing some much needed colour to the traditional domain of button downs and brogues is Sculpture in the City. This annual sculpture park launched on 21 June this year and you can download a man and info booklet from the website.
When: Launches 21 June
Where: Closest tube stations are Liverpool Street, Bank, Monument and Aldgate
Summer Lights at Canary Wharf
Light show are traditional reserved for Christmas but not in Canary Wharf! The festival launched last year and features beautifully designed outdoor installations that celebrate longs summer days and light in its most natural form. This year there will be 11 new installations as well as six permanent pieces dotted around the neighbourhood.
When: Tuesday 21 June – Saturday 20 August
Where: Canary Wharf; closest tube Canary Wharf
Dippy’s Back
Everyone’s favourite dinosaur is back at the Natural History Museum for a visit. Dippy the Diplodocus was first gifted to the NHM in 1905 and was the first dinosaur skeleton of its kind to go on display anywhere in the world. In 2017 it headed off on tour and is now back in its original home until 2 January 2023.
When: Until 2 January, 2023
Where: Natural History Museum; closest tube South Kensington
Great Exhibition Road Festival
If you’re looking for free things to do then make a note of the Great Exhibition Road Festival. Taking place on the 18 – 19 June the weekend of free events is for all ages and is held to celebrate “trailblazing ideas in science and the arts”.
When: 18 – 19 June
Where: Exhibition Road; closest tube South Kensington
Fulham Palace Tales Family Fun Day
Meet a time-travelling cat, have dinner with a queen and make friends iwht a very hungry caterpillar at Fulham Palace. The free Family Fun Day at Fulham palace takes place on 19 June and includes story-telling, arts and crafts and a mystery that needs solving….
When: 19 June
Where: Fulham Palace, closest tube Putney Bridge Station
Mayfair Art Weekend
Celebrating art in all its forms and the galleries in Mayfair, the Mayfair Art Weekend is packed full of free events, exhibitions and talks. There’s a Gallery Hop, the Mayfair Sculpture trail, family activities and more.
When: 24 – 26 June
Where: Various galleries in Mayfair
Outdoor Cinemas
Summertime means it’s time for open air films again. Take a look at the Luna Cinema, the Rooftop Film Club and the Backyard Cinema.
Appearing Rooms at the Southbank Centre
One of the best places to spend a sunny summer’s day with kids in London is at the Appearing Rooms at the Southbank Centre. The shooting jets of water appear and disappear at random creating “rooms” within them and ensuring that you will come away very, very wet!
When: Until 28 August
Where: Southbank Centre, South Bank
Discovery Day at the Francis Crick Institute
Learn how to create fake poo, design your own DNA bracelet and take the sniff challenge to discover if you’re a ‘super-smeller’ – and more! All at the Francis Crick Institute and their discovery day jam packed full of pop-up science fun. Free entry, no booking needed.
When: 11 June
Where: Francis Crick Institute, closest tube Kings Cross St Pancras and Euston
Royal Opera House Family Sunday
Family Sundays at the Royal Opera House are packed full of creative and practical activities for families. Activities may include singing and dance, informal performances, live theatre, and craft or design activities. It’s a great place for kids to get creative. This month, Family Sunday takes place on 12 June.
When: 12 June at 10am and 1.30pm; £10 / ticket
Where: Royal Opera House, closest tube Covent Garden and Leicester Square
Plenty of things to do in London with kids! Your weather is so similar to us in the Netherlands. Loved reading this!
Thanks so much! Here’s hoping we get some sunshine soon!