June is a downright joyful time to be in London. The sun is officially (hopefully) out and you can enjoy some of the capital’s most famous royal events, including Trooping the Colour, as well as outdoor festivals in the sunshine.
Here at The Washington Mayfair we will be bringing you the top things to do in London during the month of June, allowing you to make the most of your visit.
HAMPTON COURT PALACE FESTIVAL – from 7th to 24th June 2017
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Hampton Court Palace Festival. Starting life in 1993 as a classical music event, it has gone on to host top international stars from around the globe and has become an annual fixture in the summer calendar.
Confirmed to play this year are Bryan Ferry, Van Morrison, Michael Ball & Alfie Boe, James Morrison, Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, Rick Astley, Björn Again and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.
Opening at 5:30pm, the East Front Gardens is the perfect place for concert goers to relax, drink and picnic before taking their seats for the evening’s entertainment.
Visit www.hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com for more information and to book your tickets now.
BP BIG SCREENS – from 7th June to 14th July 2017
Experience live opera and ballet in the centre of London with the Royal Opera House’s BP Big Screens 2017. Big screens will once again be set up in Trafalgar Square, where you can watch two operas and one ballet, while some of the shows will this year also be relayed to The Scoop, Hammersmith Lyric Square and Alexandra Palace for more chances to catch all the action. Bring a cushion and a picnic and if the weather’s looking good, arrive early. Trafalgar Square packs out fast. This season’s screenings take places on June 7, July 4 and July 14.
The Royal Ballet’s The Dream, Symphonic Variations, and Marguerite and Armand – Wednesday 7 June at Trafalgar Square and The Scoop
The Royal Opera’s La Traviata – Tuesday 4 July at Trafalgar Square and Hammersmith Lyric Square
The Royal Opera’s Turandot – Friday 14 July at Trafalgar Square, Hammersmith Lyric Square, Alexandra Palace and The Scoop
BEATING RETREAT – from 14th June to 15th June 2017
Experience a spectacular evening pageant of music and military precision drill featuring horses, cannons and fireworks. This annual event is performed on Horse Guards Parade in front of the beautiful backdrop of St James’s Park each year on the Wednesday and Thursday evenings preceding the Queen’s Birthday Parade or “Trooping The Colour” as it is often called. Beating Retreat refers to a military drum call that can trace its origins to 17th-century England and was first used to recall nearby units to their camp for the night. Today Beating Retreat is an evening military concert with a marching display and usually marks the lowering of the Regimental flag at sunset.
Price: from £11.50 per ticket
TASTE OF LONDON – from 14th June to 18th June 2017
Join London’s top restaurants and celebrity chefs for the ultimate al fresco feast in Regent’s Park. For the occasion, the park is transformed into a foodie wonderland as 40 of London’s best restaurants gather to show off the hottest dishes from their extensive menus. Watch live cooking demonstrations, meet some of the capital’s leading chefs, participate in masterclasses and shop at more than 200 food and drink stalls.
Prices:
Adult Ticket: £17 to £30 per ticket
VIP Ticket: £52 to £70 per ticket
https://london.tastefestivals.com/
TROOPING THE COLOUR – 17th June 2017
Watch troops from the Household Division honour the Queen’s official birthday with a fantastic military parade that has taken place in London for two centuries. This impressive display of pageantry takes place on a Saturday in June by Her Majesty’s personal troops, the Household Division, on Horse Guards Parade, with Her Majesty the Queen herself attending and taking the salute. Over 1400 officers and men are on parade, together with two hundred horses. Over four hundred musicians from ten bands and corps of drums march and play as one. The parade route extends from Buckingham Palace along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall and back again.
Although tickets for the seated stands on Horse Guards Parade are available to the public, the ballot for Trooping the Colour 2017 tickets is now closed. So if you don’t have tickets, you can still join the crowds of spectators along The Mall or on the edge of St James’s Park overlooking Horse Guards Parade from 9am to catch all the action. http://www.householddivision.org.uk/trooping-the-colour
ROYAL ASCOT – from 20th June to 24th June 2017
Experience the world-famous race meeting and one of the most fashionable events in London’s sporting calendar at Royal Ascot. Founded by Queen Anne in 1711 and steeped in tradition, heritage and pageantry, Royal Ascot is attended by members of the Royal Family, including the Queen herself. Royal Ascot also features a daily horse-drawn procession from Windsor Castle to Ascot Racecourse led by the royal carriage.
WEST END LIVE – from 24th June to 25th June 2017
Thousands of people gather in Trafalgar Square to enjoy performances from top West End shows for free. Last year’s line-up included The Lion King, The Bodyguard, Matilda The Musical, The Phantom Of The Opera, STOMP, Jersey Boys, Impossible and Breakfast At Tiffany’s, and starred Beverley Knight, Tom Chambers, Kerry Ellis, Matt Cardle, Pixie Lott and many more famous faces.
This free event is hugely popular and there is limited space, so be sure to get there early to secure a space.
BRITISH SUMMER TIME – from 30th June to 9th July 2017
Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park which brings you 10 days of music & entertainment, with legendary headliners & support from today’s rising stars.
Headlining the two weekends of live music in the iconic Royal Park are Green Day, Phil Collins, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Killers, Kings of Leon and Justin Bieber.
http://www.bst-hydepark.com/tickets