Cloud songs on the horizon is the artist’s first major institutional show in Europe and will feature five new, large-scale suspended sculptures across the entirety of the Conservatory space.
The City of London in June is a treasure trove of vibrant activities and unique experiences. Whether you're a local or a visitor, the City offers something for everyone. From new exhibitions, to outdoor terraces and fantastic theatre productions here are just some of the top things to do in the City of London this June.
1. Explore Hidden Green Spaces: Open Gardens Weekend (8-9 June)
Get exclusive access to over 100 hidden green spaces across London usually closed to the public during the Open Gardens Weekend. Over the course of the weekend, visitors will be able to explore a variety of unique and surprising gardens throughout the City of London.
Highlights include:
- Cloth Fair Hidden Garden: New for 2024, located east of St Bartholomew the Great church.
- 25 Cannon Street Rooftop Garden: Offers a stunning view of St Paul’s Cathedral.
- Stationers' Hall Garden: Typically only accessible to members of the Stationers' Livery Company.
- Nic's Secret Garden and Plant Rescue Nursery: An award-winning garden near All Hallows by the Tower church.
- Inner Temple Garden: A three-acre oasis within the historic Inner Temple precincts, featuring trees that are almost 300 years old.
2. Celebrate Father’s Day in style (16 June)
From a special hamper from Fortnum and Mason to a day out exploring Roman Ruins here are just a few ideas on how to spend Father’s Day in the City of London:
- Grab a special hamper from Fortnum and Mason in The Royal Exchange.
- From rooftop restaurants with unparalleled views to dining with a twist, treat him to a delicious meal he won’t forget.
- For the history buff dad, head out to discover Roman Ruins together.
- Take him on a bucket list trip to a traditional pub with fascinating history.
- Find a special gift and browse around these fantastic Independent Shops.
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3. Enjoy free musical performances at St Mary-le-Bow Churchyard (17 - 21 June)
Enjoy a week of free musical events at St Mary-le-Bow churchyard. The program features diverse musical acts including choirs, organ performances, jazz bands, and local student musicians.
4. See the new Francis Alÿs exhibition at Barbican Art Gallery (27 June – 1 September)
This major new exhibition by renowned artist Francis Alÿs marks his first and largest solo exhibition in the UK in over a decade. Featuring the UK premiere of his acclaimed series Children’s Games, the exhibition also includes site-specific projects and new works offering fresh insights into his extensive career.
5. Revel in Classical Music at the Summer music in City Churches Festival (6 - 15 June)
Don't miss out on this classical music festival! Ten days of concerts of beautiful music, programmed around themes of love, romance and Shakespeare, hosted in the historic church of St Giles-without-Cripplegate.
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra players © Ben Wright
6. Shop at Leadenhall Pop-up Markets (8 June)
As part of their ongoing series of monthly pop-up markets, Leadenhall Market will have the SoLo Craft Fair, featuring handcrafted items from talented crafters, monthly on Saturdays from June. Enjoy browsing unique art, jewellery, home accessories, and more in Leadenhall Market on Saturday 8 June, 13 July, 10 August and 14 September with stalls from 12 - 5pm. Entry to the market is free, register to attend.
There will also be a number of restaurants, cafes and bars open to keep you refreshed and replenished and, don’t forget, The Vintage Furniture and Flea presented by Judy's will be back on Sunday 30 June and selected Sundays throughout the summer.
7. Celebrate Pride Month at the Barbican Centre (5 - 26 June)
From Wednesday 5 June - Wednesday 26 June, the Barbican Cinema will be presenting ground-breaking movies from across the globe as part of the Barbican’s Pride season this summer. 'Queer 80s: Cinema on the Brink of Global Change' invites audiences to time travel back to a decade when LGBTQ+ representation and creativity on screen thrived.
Barbican Centre
8. See the brilliantly fun 'Kiss Me Kate' at the Barbican Theatre
Catch the all-singing, all-dancing musical comedy Kiss Me, Kate, featuring stars like Adrian Dunbar and Stephanie J. Block. Directed by Bartlett Sher, this production is a highlight of the summer.
Hailed as 'the ultimate Broadway musical from the golden age’ (Financial Times), Kiss Me, Kate is a simple love story...about two people who just can't stand each other. Guess who wins...
Musical comedy Kiss Me Kate. Image courtesy of Trafalgar Entertainment.
9. Enjoy Performances by the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (Various dates in June)
This summer, the Guildhall School of Music & Drama will be hosting an array of public events including concerts, drama productions, opera, and jazz. Highlights include the Making It Festival (11-28 June) featuring final year actors and production artists, Handel’s opera Alcina (3-10 June), and a jazz performance by the Guildhall Jazz Vocal Ensembles featuring MOSS (14 June).
Additionally, Guildhall School provides free events such as masterclasses, recitals, and competitions. More details are available on their website.
Image courtesy of Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Featuring Louisa Stirand, Mark Christian Bautista, and Alexandra Pouta.
10. Discover the City’s Hidden Gem Museums
If you're a fan of the unexpected, explore three hidden gem museums in the City of London, each nestled in historic churches. Start at All Hallows by the Tower, where the Crypt Museum showcases Roman and Saxon artefacts, including a Roman floor and 16th-century registers.
Next, visit St Margaret Pattens, a Christopher Wren church housing a unique collection of historical pattens, offering a fascinating glimpse into the City's past.
Finally, discover St Bride's Church, famous for its wedding cake steeple, with crypts featuring historical fragments from Roman times and intriguing insights into Fleet Street's newspaper trade.
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11. Celebrate Black British Literature: Saluting the New Daughters of Africa (7 June)
The New Daughters of Africa is a special day that brings together leading poets as they discuss their creative journeys, the publishing landscape and offer advice for the next generation of Black British writers.
Enjoy workshops from Tolu Agbelusi, Patience Agbabi and Yassmin Abdel-Magied, an In Conversation with Malika Booker and Kat François plus a Panel Discussion and Poetry Showcase led by Jumoke Fashola with Bridget Minamore joining the Panel Discussion.
Image courtesy of the New Daughters of Africa
12. Relax at the Barbican Lakeside Lounge (1 June – 13 September)
The Barbican Centre’s picnic garden on the Lakeside Terrace is back for summer 2024, with an outdoor kiosk serving soft drinks, snacks and ice-cream. Sit back, relax and soak in the summer vibes with a beautiful view of the water.
The Lakeside Lounge will be open every day until 13 September, weather depending.
Photo Credit: Max Colson
13. Enjoy Outdoor Fun at The Amicable Societies Summer Terrace (3 June – 31 August)
A fantastic area to get together with friends outdoors, the Amicable Societies Summer Terrace will be decked out with parasols, deckchairs, table seating, bespoke Summer Sipsmith cocktails and delicious BBQ food. Throughout the summer there will be delicious culinary delights, a festival of sports, live music and movie screenings from 3 June – 31 August.
Image courtesy of Apex Temple Court Hotel.
14. Interact with NEON’s SQUIGGLE Art Installation (June to September)
NEON's SQUIGGLE is a new immersive art installation reimagining how space and materials are used, at Citypoint from June to September 2024.
This installation is constructed using 3 repeating modules that are clad in lengths of flexible PVC ducting often used in building works. The modules are arranged in such a way that visitors can interact with the artwork by sitting, walking over and laying across the work.
‘SQUIGGLE’ is part of LFA (London Festival of Architecture), a month-long celebration of architecture and city-making, taking place every June across London from 1-30 June.
15. Experience the Vibrant Summer Markets in Paternoster Square and by St Paul's (10 June to 21 July)
From 10 June to 21 July, visit the City of London for a unique summer market experience. In Paternoster Square and by St Paul's Cathedral, you'll find summer decorated chalets with a wide range of street food options, the Madison Rose Bar with a seating area serving summer drinks. Enjoy games, deckchairs, and a giant screen too!
The Summer Screen will also be back broadcasting Wimbledon and Thursday movie nights.
- Thursday 13th June: Mary Poppins
- Thursday 20th June: Matilda the Musical
- Thursday 27th June: Harry Potter
- Thursday 18th July: Chicken Run
Open seven days a week, Monday to Sunday.
Photo credit: © Paternoster Square
Bonus events just outside the City of London:
Celebrate Tower Bridge’s 130th Anniversary
This month Tower Bridge is celebrating 130 years with a free exhibition of never-before-seen photography. Visit one of London’s defining landmark, Tower Bridge, for a free, outdoor exhibition this summer "Launching A Landmark: The Unseen Opening Weeks". The new exhibition, opening on 22 June, will showcase a collection of never-before-seen photography from the Bridge’s final few weeks of construction and public opening 130 years ago in 1894, featuring the workers of the Bridge and members of the public.
Enjoy Outdoor Theatre at The Charterhouse
Join The Handlebards troupe at The Charterhouse on 7 June for a bicycle-powered outdoor production of Shakespeare’s ‘The Comedy of Errors’ like you’ve never seen before! This is an outdoor production, so attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket to sit on, a picnic to dig into, and dress for the weather!
