When: Throughout June 2025
Where: Tate Modern
Standard ticket price: £14.00
In the early 1960s, Liliane Lijn’s kinetic sculptures placed her at the forefront of artists exploring new ways of using technology to "see the world in terms of light and energy." Over a six-decade career, her work has continued to blaze a trail while defying categorisation.
Fascinated by the idea of visualising the invisible, Lijn draws from Surrealist ideas, ancient mythologies, and feminist, scientific and linguistic thought. Equally important to her experimentation are the materials she uses – such as plastics, prisms, feather dusters and copper wire.
When: 6 June 2025 at 19.00–21.30
Where: Tate Modern
Standard ticket: £15.00
When does practice become protest, or art, activism? Fiona Cunningham-Reid’s Ackroyd & Harvey: The Art of Activism offers an intimate look at the artists’ lives, their work with Extinction Rebellion, and co-founding Culture Declares Emergency. This world premiere will be followed by a conversation with the artists and guests.
When: from 7 Jun 2025 – 15 Feb 2026
Where: V&A (South Kensington)
Ticket Price: £16.00 (free for disabled visitors + companion)
Both a celebration and a call to action, Design and Disability showcases the radical contributions of Disabled, Deaf, and neurodivergent people and communities to design history and contemporary culture, from the 1940s to now.
When: 12 – 22 Jun 2025
Where: Multiple Locations
Ticket Price: Varies per event (multiple concerts)
Now in its 30th year, the festival has seen some of the most influential names in modern music curating the lineup including David Bowie, Grace Jones, Yoko Ono, Christine and the Queens, Massive Attack, Chaka Khan, Nick Cave and Patti Smith. Taking up the role of curator in 2025 is the multi-award-winning north London rapper Little Simz, who is assembling an exciting and eclectic line-up of artists whose works defy genres and push boundaries.
Thu 12 June: The Streets at Royal Festival Hall
Fri 13 June: Mahalia at Royal Festival Hall
Sat 14 June: Tiwa Savage at Royal Festival Hall
Sat 14 June: Sasha Keable at Queen Elizabeth Hall
Mon 16 June: BADBADNOTGOOD at Royal Festival Hall
Tue 17 June: Lola Young at Royal Festival Hall
Tue 17 June: Kara Jackson at Purcell Room
Wed 18 June: Ghetts at Royal Festival Hall
Wed 18 June: ukimi & BINA at Queen Elizabeth Hall
Thu 19 June: Nubya Garcia at Queen Elizabeth Hall
Fri 20 June: MEGA & Jon Poppii at Queen Elizabeth Hall
Fri 20 June: James Blake at Royal Festival Hall
SAT 21 June: Jon Batiste at Royal Festival Hall
When: 1 May – 26 Oct 2025
Where: Tate Modern
Price: £20
Best known for his large-scale installations, the Korean-born, London-based artist Do Ho Suh is getting a career-spanning retrospective. This will be a crowd-pleasing show with a number of “immersive” works that will explore the notion of the 'home' as well as themes of belonging, individuality, connection and disconnection.
Tate is billing the exhibition as "the first major solo showing of his work in London for a generation." It will certainly also be one of the most instagrammable of London’s exhibitions next summer based on the nature of the artist's eye-catching artistic practice.
When: 5 - 29 June 2025
Where: Somerset House
Ticket: from £22.00
Featuring world-leading design, innovation, creativity and research by up to 50 exhibitors from across the globe, London Design Biennale showcases today’s designers and ideas that will change our world. The three-week international exhibition features curated installations accompanied by a programme of events, thought-leadership talks, performances and workshops.
This year’s theme ‘Surface Reflections’ by Artistic Director Dr Samuel Ross MBE (founder of A COLD-WALL* and SR_A SR_A), explores how ideas are fuelled by both our internal experiences and external influences. Revelations in life are prompted by personal histories that inform who we are. Together, these form the multifaceted hues of human experience.
When: 6 Jun – 26 Oct 2025
Where: Serpentine Gardens (Kensington):
Price: Free entry (open daily)
The Serpentine’s annual architectural pavilion, designed this year by Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum. Titled “A Capsule in Time”, the 2025 pavilion consists of four interlinked timber capsules with translucent facades, one of which is moveable to reshape the space. This innovative, shape-shifting structure marks the 25th anniversary of the Serpentine Pavilion series and offers a free public gathering place all summer.
When: Dates: 17 Jun – 17 Aug 2025
Where: Royal Academy of Arts
Tickets: £23.50–£25.50 (adult, starting price), free for under-16s
Curated by architect Farshid Moussavi, the 2025 Summer Exhibition adopts the theme “Dialogues,” inviting artworks that engage with pressing issues from ecology to social coexistence. Thousands of works by emerging and established artists are displayed salon-style in the RA’s galleries – and almost everything is for sale, with proceeds supporting RA Schools.
Where: Saatchi Gallery, London
When: 13 June – 27 July 2025
Price: Free entry (donations welcome)
This prestigious exhibition showcases exquisite botanical art and photography from around the globe. Highlights include depictions of Japanese cherry blossoms, Australian kangaroo paw plants, and flora used in traditional Korean cosmetics.
Where: Barbican Theatre, London
When: 24 May – 19 July 2025
Price: Varies by seating; check the Barbican website for details
Following a sold-out run at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, this electrifying revival of the classic musical transfers to the Barbican. Directed by Jordan Fein, it has garnered critical acclaim and multiple Olivier Award nominations.
Where: Barbican Centre, London
When: Sunday, 8 June 2025, 11:30 AM
Price: Check the Barbican website for ticket information
Luxembourgish cellist Benjamin Kruithof, recognized as an ECHO Rising Star, performs works by influential late 19th and 20th-century composers. His accolades include winning the 2022 George Enescu International Competition.
Where: Barbican Hall, London
When: Monday, 23 June 2025, 7:30 PM
Price: From £33.66
Brazilian folk-pop duo ANAVITÓRIA brings their harmonious melodies to London for their UK debut with a full live band. Known for their Latin GRAMMY-winning music, this performance promises an evening of soulful tunes.
Where: Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London
When: Friday, 27 June 2025, 8:00 PM
Price: Check the Southbank Centre website for ticket information
Emmy Award-winning comedian Wanda Sykes brings her sharp wit and observational humor to London as part of her "Please & Thank You" tour. Expect an evening filled with laughter and insightful commentary.
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