Things to Do in London in June 2026

June is when London truly comes into its own: long evenings, gardens thrown open, theatre in the parks, festivals, and (of course) a monarch celebrating his birthday… whether it’s actually his birthday or not.

First, though, something new from us.

The Jack the Ripper Obsession: A Social History of London’s East End

We’re delighted to announce our newest walk.

Jack the Ripper Obsession looks beyond the mythology of Victorian London’s most infamous crimes to explore the East End as it really was: a crowded, complex, resilient part of the city shaped by migration, poverty, ambition, and survival.

This is not a ghost story or a catalogue of crime scenes. Instead, it’s a social history of late Victorian London that restores the lives of the five women at the centre of the story, while asking how and why the figure of “Jack the Ripper” became a global obsession.

It’s a walk through the streets where these histories unfolded — and an invitation to see the East End through stories that history too often overlooked. Booking now!

Two birthdays are better than one

On 14 June, London hosts Trooping the Colour, one of the grandest spectacles in the royal calendar.

One of the perks of being monarch of this country is getting two birthdays. King Charles III’s actual birthday is 14 November, but his official birthday is celebrated in June — a tradition dating back to the 18th century, when monarchs sensibly decided that a summer parade offered better odds of decent weather than a winter one.

Our Westminster tours run as usual on the day — though you may well catch a glimpse of the celebrations as the city fills with cavalry, guardsmen, and rather more pageantry than usual.

Get outside: London Open Gardens

There are few better reminders that London is greener than people imagine than London Open Gardens on 6–7 June. For one weekend only, private gardens across the capital open their gates to the public. Among this year’s rarer openings are the Charterhouse gardens, tucked away behind medieval walls, the beautiful Inner Temple Garden, one of central London’s most historic green spaces, and the Barbican Wildlife Garden. These aren’t part of our tours, but if June sunshine appears (never guaranteed, always appreciated), they’re a wonderful excuse to linger outdoors.

Summer theatre begins

As Shakespeare reminds us, “summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”

All the more reason to make the most of it. Top of our theatre list this month is Shakespeare in the Squares, the much-loved outdoor festival bringing the Bard to London’s garden squares, with Dame Judi Dench as its principal patron. Open-air Shakespeare in a Georgian square is about as London as summer gets.

For something darker, keep an eye out for stage adaptations of Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five — surreal, devastating, funny, and one of the twentieth century’s great anti-war works.

Festivals worth exploring

It's the start of festival season! The London Festival of Architecture returns with walks, talks, installations and events exploring the spaces that shape the city. And for a little more chaos and tragicomedy, there’s the wonderfully eccentric London Clown Festival — proof that London contains multitudes.

Pride Month in London

June is also Pride Month, and London remains one of the world’s most welcoming cities for LGBTQ+ communities. Across the month, events take place throughout the capital: talks, performances, exhibitions, film screenings, parties and community gatherings celebrating the diversity that makes this city what it is.

So wherever June takes you — into a hidden garden, a theatre square, Westminster’s ceremonial crowds, or the East End’s layered histories — we hope to see you out walking the city with us.

Date	Event	Category
June 6-7	London Open Gardens Weekend - in the City Explore surprising, normally hidden gardens and green spaces in the City of London that open their gates to the public during this annual weekend event.	🎪 Festival	More details →
May 30 - June 13	Trooping the Colour The traditional military parade and ceremony marking the official birthday of the British Sovereign, featuring ceremonial guards at Horse Guards Parade.	📅 Other
May 30 - June 13	London Clown Festival 2026 The London Clown Festival is a multi-day celebration of physical comedy, clowning, and cabaret, featuring a wide variety of performances and workshops.	🎪 Festival	More details →
June 1-30	Shakespeare in the Squares A not-for-profit touring theatre company that stages a Shakespeare play in London's outdoor spaces and garden squares every summer. Among their patrons is none other than living legend Judi Dench!	🎵 Concert	More details →
June 3 - July 4	Slaughterhouse-Five Based on the classic Kurt Vonnegut science-fiction novel, Slaughterhouse-Five introduces us to Billy Pilgrim, a soldier who becomes 'unstuck in time' after being abducted by aliens.	🎪 Festival	More details →
June 5 - July 24	Zoo Nights at London Zoo Experience London Zoo after hours with special evening events and activities throughout the early summer.	📅 Other	More details →
June 20	King's Birthday National holiday in GB	🎄 Holiday