London events in June
June in London is magical time of year. Summer's nearly here, the sun's out (fingers crossed) and London’s parks are filled with flowers. What’s more, it’s music festival season, and London does not disappoint with Field Day, Mighty Hoopla, All Points East, and Meltdown all hitting up the capital in June. If glitter and glow sticks aren't your bag, June in London is also the month of the Trooping of the Colour (the Queen’s official birthday celebrations), The World Naked Bike Ride, and Open Garden Squares Weekend. Check out our guide to the best pop-ups, cultural happenings and things to do this June 2019 in London. We’ll catch you out there.
RECOMMENDED: The definitive London events calendar
June 2018 event highlights
‘Dido’
What is it? This ambitious work is a new opera for teenagers and adults and a collaboration between the Unicorn and English National Opera.
Why go? It's a re-working of Purcell's 'Dido and Aeneas' into a new story with a mother-daughter relationship at its heart.
Franz West
What is it? Franz West and his Passstücke (Adaptives): papier-mâché sculptures designed to be handled.
Why go? These irreverent, abstract works and many others are included in this major retrospective of West at Tate Modern. So go in, pick them up, move around and make some noise.
The best music festivals in London
You lucky Londoner: you don’t need a tent or even a pair of wellies to get the full music festival experience. Here are the best festivals hitting up the Capital this month.
Father's Day in London
Father's Day 2019 is on Sunday June 16 (but you knew that, right?) Check out our stellar ideas and suggestions for things to do in June with your pops.
Sorolla: ‘Spanish Master of Light’
What is it? The name Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida doesn't regularly trip off the tongues of London art fans. But that just makes this major spring exhibition at the National Gallery more worth a visit.
Why go? To see his numerous landscapes, seascapes, garden and bathing scenes reflecting the (then) new-fangled impressionist movement happening in France.
Magic Realism: Art in Weimar Germany 1919 - 1933
What is it? This exhibition is reclaiming the term 'magic realism'. Commonly used to describe the stories written by South American authors, now you can explore the its origins.
Why go? Seventy paintings and works on paper are shown here, including some surely unmissable ones by the brilliant Otto Dix.
The EY Exhibition: ‘Van Gogh and Britain’
What is it? The world's favourite sunflower-painter returns to London with 2019's EY exhibition at Tate Britain.
Why go? A lesser-known fact about the Dutch painter is that he was a bit of an Anglophile. Admire his artworks alongside those by British artists who, in turn, owe a debt to Van Gogh.
Frank Bowling
What is it? Frank Bowling gets a much-deserved major exhibition at Tate Britain. The artist's long-running career has seen him develop a unique style fusing abstraction with elements of figurative art.
Why go? Londoners are in for a treat with this show which includes the artist's stunning 'map paintings' and his 'poured paintings' (created by literally pouring paint down a canvas).
On Your Feet!
What is it? A biographical jukebox musical tracing the life and times of Gloria and Emilio Estefan.
Why go? It's a night of uplifting Latino-pop that follows the two Cuban-Americans as they fall in love as youngsters and go on to storm the charts.
Japan House
What is it? If you fancy a trip to Japan, High Street Kensington has a sleek new addition in the form of this cultural centres aiming to show you the ‘real’ Japan.
Why go? Spread over three floors, everything from the floor tiles (flown in from Awaji Island) to the food (cooked up by renowned chef Shimizu Akira) will have its roots in Japan.
Natalia Goncharova
What is it? A show dedicated to Russian artist Natalia Goncharova who helped found avant garde modern art movements.
Why go? This exhibition at Tate Modern is overdue and should help to resurrect her reputation as a major artist you should know about.
Magic Mike Live
Or to give it its full name, ‘Channing Tatum Presents Magic Mike Live’, this spin-off from the beloved stripper comedy that made Tatum a household name is co-directed by the man himself (alongside choreographer Alison Faulk). The deal is… well, we're not totally sure what the deal is, but it's billed as ‘a 360-degree dance and acrobatic spectacular’, which we're guessing means ‘stripping’. But reviews of its inaugural Las Vegas production suggest it’s good fun and a pointed, feminist-undertoned rebuttal to the grosser cliches about strip clubs. It will take place in the 325-seat The Theatre at the Hippodrome, which will be styled as the film’s Club Domina, and will come with its own entrance, lounge and bar. Adding to the Vegas-y vibe, there will be two shows Thursday to Sunday night, a 7.30pm performance and later 10pm one. Probably it goes without saying that you must be 18-plus to attend. Proof positive that what the London theatre scene was clearly lacking was an upmarket strip show, ‘Magic Mike Live’ took a storming advance of £4m in four days, and has extended its run to October 2019. Tickets are on sale now, from HERE
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