“I watch the buses, the people, the pigeons even, all busily going about their day in the sunshine. And I feel a kind of wave of love for it all”
London truly peaks in the summer, there’s no city like it. It feels like the older we get the more fleeting this time of the year feels, but it also makes us ever more grateful for those days in the sunshine. It's also the best season for spontaneity because we don’t need to pencil in theatre shows or dinner dates weeks in advance to have a good time. A golden hour pint by the river with some good company feels like a warm hug and reminds us to savour the small things in life.
That being said, summer also is the season of the social calendar so we’re curating the best events where you can make the most of the city when she’s looking her absolute best.
The B-Side Picks
Labyrinth on the Thames
The Old Royal Naval College gets a summer glow-up with a riverside stage framed by 17th century arches and sunset DJ sets. Black Coffee, Solomun, Fisher and Anjunadeep bring the heat. Empire of the Sun’s in there too if you're feeling wholesome. Tickets are gone, but the waiting list’s worth a shot.
Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich | 31 July - 2 August | 8-10 August
High Lights
Elderbrook, Gorgon City and Mathame set stage at High Lights, one of the best open air music experiences in London. Picture a brutalist grey slab in between the treetops of Barking Park meshed with geometric light installations.
Barking Park | 6-8 June
SXSW
SXSW lands in London for the first time, taking over Shoreditch with talks, gigs and big-brain energy. Expect performances from Tems and NAO, installations, screenings and panels across spots like The Barbican, Protein Studios and Truman Brewery (10–13 June).
Shoreditch | 2-7 June
Hospitality at Wimbledon
Wimbledon returns with all its crisp whites and classic charm. Go early with a ground pass for front-row vibes and Pimm’s on Henman Hill. Or do it proper later on with Keith Prowse hospitality: centre court seats, à la carte dining and vintage champagne between sets. Few spots left.
The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon | 30 June - 13 July
The Hundred at The Oval
The Hundred returns to The Oval with 100-ball matches, DJs between overs and proper summer energy. Back-to-back men’s and women’s games, solid food, and a crowd that’s more rooftop drinks than diehard fans. One to mark: 30 August - the eliminator.
The Oval, Kennington | 9 - 25 | 30 August
Music & Festivals
Over at the gorgeous Gunnersbury Park, Soho House Festival returns to celebrate its 30th year with performances from The Streets & a DJ set by Groove Armada (3 July).
LIDO is making waves with headliners like Jamie xx, Charli XCX, Massive Attack and London Grammar, promising a blend of genres at Victoria Park (6-7 | 13-15 June).
For those more laid-back, the Somerset House Summer Series remains a solid inner-city gig. Architectural charm, open air, perfectly lit and a crowd that doesn’t try too hard. Featuring St. Vincent, Giggs and FLO (10-20 July).
Sport
Royal Ascot keeps the dress codes tight and the champagne flowing; go early, skip the grandstand, and watch it all unfold from the rails (17-21 June).
Over at the Henley Royal Regatta, it’s less about rowing and more about linen, rosé, and a well-timed exit before things get too Henley (1-6 July).
Wimbledon’s cousin / warm-up event, Queen’s Club, expands its tournament to the women’s game this year. Less theatrical than SW19, but more intimate, easier to exit out of and with plenty of big names including Emma Raducanu, Jack Draper, Carlos Alcaraz and Naomi Osaka (7-22 June).
Good Times
A Leap of Sympathy by Anna Perach turns the Richard Saltoun Gallery into a world of wearable carpets (15 May - 24 June).
Marzamemi Festival brings Sicilian charm to Richmond: striped deck chairs, parasols, Aperol, arancini. A low-key summer daydream designed with taste (5-6 July).
Adventure Outdoor Cinema is your soft reset. Classic films, rosé at sunset, and settings like Kew Gardens or a 15th century manor (August - September).