Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait at the National Portrait Gallery
Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait explores Marilyn Monroe's life, career and cultural legacy in the year marking the centenary of her birth. The Marilyn Monroe exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery brings together portraits by leading photographers and artists alongside Monroe's personal belongings, opening a window on the woman behind the public image. The exhibition follows the construction of Monroe's image from her early modelling shots to her final photographs and asks why she continues to fascinate artists and audiences today.
National Portrait Gallery, London | from 4 June 2026
London Gallery Weekend 2026
London Gallery Weekend is the world's largest gallery weekend and runs across three days in London. London Gallery Weekend focuses on a different part of the city each day and offers free access to the city's art galleries. The programme includes gallery talks, family workshops and special events, and highlights London's diverse cultural and creative communities. It’s a great chance to do something different and visit places you might not otherwise see.
Across London | 5–7 June 2026
London Zoo Nights 2026
London Zoo Nights returns for its adults-only Friday evening openings at London Zoo in June and July 2026. Visitors can wander the zoo, see some of its more than 8,500 animals, catch keeper talks, enjoy street food from many vendors, have a drink or two, and enjoy the lovely summer atmosphere. This year's London Zoo Nights programme also includes a Lion King musical-themed display and bookable add-on experiences.
📍London Zoo | Friday evenings, 5 June – 24 July 2026
London Open Gardens 2026
London Open Gardens is the annual charity weekend when more than 100 of the city's normally private green spaces open to the public. This year's London Open Gardens programme features over 120 gardens alongside extras such as behind-the-scenes tours and guided walking and cycling routes. The weekend highlights the role of green space in London life and the local communities that keep these gardens going.
📍Across London | 6–7 June 2026
Meltdown 2026: Harry Styles at the Southbank Centre
Southbank Centre, London's largest arts centre, sits on the South Bank of the Thames. Each summer, the Southbank Centre hosts Meltdown, the annual festival arranged for the 31st time this year, where a chosen artist curates the music programme. In 2026, it’s Harry Styles' turn to take the role, and the festival runs as Harry Styles' Meltdown. If you need more reasons to go, Southbank is an excellent place to visit this time of year with its cultural activities, restaurants and views.
📍Southbank Centre | 11–21 June 2026
Trooping the Colour 2026
Trooping the Colour 2026, the parade marking the King's official birthday, takes place at Horse Guards Parade in London. This year, His Majesty’s personal troops of the Household Division present their colours in His Majesty’s presence. The parade features more than a thousand soldiers, hundreds of horses and musicians, and the Trooping the Colour tradition dates back to the 17th century. Spectators can watch from ticketed grandstand seats (currently sold out) or for free from the edges of The Mall and St James's Park. The day also includes an RAF flypast. The parade begins at approximately 10.20 am, and the flypast follows at 1.00 pm.
📍Horse Guards Parade and surroundings | 13 June 2026
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2026
The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition is one of London's best-known summer art events, showcasing contemporary British and international art and architecture. The Summer Exhibition includes drawings, paintings, photography, sculpture, architecture, film and digital art, contributed by the public, emerging artists and established names alike. Many of the works are for sale, often at accessible prices. Burlington House is centrally located on Piccadilly and easy to reach.
📍Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts | 16 June – 23 August 2026
Taste of London 2026
Taste of London is a five-day food festival bringing together London's restaurants, new food concepts and launch tastings from chefs opening upcoming venues. Taste of London is divided into eight separate sessions and features both multi-day restaurant residencies and shorter Daily Specials appearances. The programme combines food, drink, tastings and a range of experiences across the festival site.
📍The Regent's Park | 17–21 June 2026
West End Live 2026
West End Live is a free weekend event bringing performances from London's best-known musicals and new West End productions to Trafalgar Square. Performers from across the West End take to the stage throughout the weekend. No ticket is needed for West End Live, but entry is on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to the square's capacity.
📍Trafalgar Square | 21–22 June 2026
Frida: The Making of an Icon at Tate Modern
Frida: The Making of an Icon at Tate Modern tells the story of Frida Kahlo's life, art and rise to global cultural icon status. The Tate Modern exhibition brings together Kahlo's works, personal belongings and pieces by other artists, showing her influence on art, fashion and popular culture. The exhibition also examines "Fridamania", the way Kahlo's image and style have become an internationally recognisable brand.
📍Tate Modern, Bankside | 25 June 2026 – 3 January 2027
