BackSummer in London is an exciting time. With schools being off and some lovely warm weather to look forward to, the city offers a plethora of activities including art exhibitions, theatrical performances and music festivals, among others. Below are some of the events that you might want to mark down in your calendar for the month.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (3rd June to 31st Aug)
The Bridge Theatre, located near the famous Tower Bridge, opened its doors 2 years ago and has since become one of the premier cultural hubs in London. This year, the theatre will host a production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The team behind the play produced an adaptation of Julius Caesar last year, which was a runaway success.
Opera Holland Park (4th June to 3rd August)
Held at the beautiful Holland Park in the borough of Kensington, Opera Holland Park is a mainstay of London’s music scene over the summer. This year’s lineup includes performances of Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta, Purcell’s Dido and Pucini’s Manon Lescaut, along with four performances from the Royal Ballet School.
Cinderella in-the-round (6th to 16th June)
An innovative production of Cinderella will be held at Royal Albert Hall courtesy of English National Ballet. This in-the-round performance will feature over 90 dancers, a score performed by the English National Ballet Philharmonic and choreography by the award-winning Christopher Wheeldon.
Hampton Court Palace Festival (6th to 22nd June)
Once belonging to King Henry VII, Hampton Court Palace is one of two palaces owned by the king that have still survived to this day and is perhaps best known as the backdrop to the Hampton Court Palace Festival. This year will be the festival’s 27th edition, featuring a musical lineup that includes The Jacksons and Kylie Minogue. You can also enjoy a unique VIP experience that includes a welcome drink, access to the state apartment and a dinner fit for royalty.
Leonardo da Vinci: A Mind in Motion (7th June to 8th September)
A rare notebook by Leonardo da Vinci that was bought by Bill Gates 25 years ago will be going on display for the first time at the British Library. The Codex Leicester will be joined by two other famous notebooks, the Codex Arundel and Codex Forster. This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to glimpse the thought process of a visionary artist and inventor.
Taste of London (19th to 23rd June)
Perhaps one of the most famous food festivals in the city (which also has UAE counterparts in the Taste of Dubai and Taste of Abu Dhabi), this five-day event counts several Michelin-starred chefs and fine dining restaurants among its attendees. You can sample a diverse array of fantastic cuisine from well-known eateries and also discover a few new favourites along the way.
House & Garden Festival (19th to 23rd June)
One of London’s newest summer attractions, this is actually three festivals in one - Spirit of Summer, House & Grow London and the Arts & Antiques Fair Olympia - all combined into one four-day event that lets you discover the very best in fine living and to find some new design ideas for your home interiors and your gardens too.
Carmen at the Royal Opera (22nd June to 20th July)
The famous French opera gets a brand new twist courtesy of renowned Australian director Barrie Kosky. This version takes its inspiration from the musical theatre of Broadway and might be a bit of a shock to opera traditionalists, but it had a successful premiere at the Royal Opera House in February 2018 and is coming back for a second revival this month.
Masterpiece London (27th June to 3rd July)
If you consider yourself to be a collector and connoisseur of fine art, then this is the exhibition for you. Held on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, Masterpiece London hosts collections from over 150 galleries across the world with piece fit for a museum. The exhibition also features a series of talks that shed some more light on some of the exhibits and their creators.
Mayfair Art Weekend (28th to 30th June)
Another top pick for art lovers, Mayfair Art Weekend puts together a vibrant display from various acclaimed galleries around the district. This is the sixth year of the event and will feature an even larger selection of galleries and the famous shopping hub of Bond Street will be hosting two weeks of activities known as Art in the Heart of Mayfair.
London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival (30th June)
A grand celebration of Hong Kong’s colourful maritime culture, the Dragon Boat Festival has been held at the London Regatta Centre over the past 24 years. In this year’s event, 40 teams will be vying for one of six cups. The races will be complemented by Lion Dances, live music, martial arts displays and a food festival encompassing the cuisine of Southeast Asia.