Summer in the City
A cultural round-up of London’s calendar
Destination 5 minute read
This summer, London’s cultural calendar is busier than ever, with a range of exhibitions, festivals, concerts and shows to suit every age and interest. Here, we list our top recommendations for what to see and do in the city over the summer months.
Garden Festivals
The enduring romance of the English garden means an annual array of summer festivals to celebrate them. The most prestigious — the RHS Chelsea Flower Show — will run from May 21st to 25th, with individual garden designs, floral artwork and garden-related shopping from greenhouses to pot plants. Overlapping the flower show is Belgravia in Bloom, from May 20th to 27th, when shopfronts, street corners and hotel lobbies — including COMO The Halkin — will be transformed with floral displays in keeping with this year’s theme; ‘Floral Fun and Games’. If you can’t make those dates, the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival — also run by the Royal Horticultural Society — is from July 2nd to 7th. It has a similar set-up but takes place in the spectacular grounds of the Tudor-era Hampton Court Palace.
Royal Opera House
This summer marks the last performances at the Royal Opera House conducted by English-Italian conductor Sir Antonio Pappano before he steps down as Music Director. His 22-year tenure will end with a production of Andrea Chénier, an opera composed by Umberto Giordano which follows the tragic love story of a poet and a noblewoman during the eighteenth century French Revolution. The opera will run from May 30th to June 11th.
Theatre
The play everyone is talking about right now is Player Kings; a new adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry IV at the Noel Coward theatre. It’s directed by Olivier Award-winner Robert Icke, and stars Sir Ian McKellen as the fickle knight, Sir John Falstaff. Tickets are available now, with the run ending on June 22nd. For some lighter relief, the musical Hello, Dolly! opens on July 6th at the London Palladium, starring Imelda Staunton as a socialite-turned-matchmaker who decides the next match she needs to make is for herself.
BST Hyde Park
BST, London’s favourite concert series, is back again this summer from June 29th to July 14th. Each year, the iconic Hyde Park is taken over by stages and food stalls, with an upmarket festival-style atmosphere and performances by some of the world’s top artists. This year, COMO Metropolitan London has an offer including Gold VIP seats to see Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, who will be headlining on July 5th, in concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Other headliners include SZA on June 29th, Robbie Williams on July 6th, Shania Twain on July 7th, Stevie Nicks on July 12th, and pop icon Kylie Minogue on July 13th.
V&A
The Victoria and Albert Museum, better known as the V&A, has several noteworthy exhibitions this summer alongside their permanent collections. Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection, opens on May 18th, showcasing a huge range of modern and contemporary photography from giants such as David LaChapelle and Nan Goldin. NAOMI: In Fashion opens on June 22nd, exploring the career of fashion model, Naomi Campbell. To celebrate the first exhibition of its kind, COMO The Halkin has an offer from July 2nd to 4th for a two-night stay, including access to a COMO Conversation with Sonnet Stanfill, the curator of NAOMI: In Fashion, and two tickets to the exhibition. For children, Japan: Myths to Manga, open until September 8th, is an interactive exploration of how landscape and folklore have influenced modern Japanese art, technology and design.
Tennis at Wimbledon
From July 1st to 14th, leafy Wimbledon will once again echo with the thud of tennis balls, as the annual Wimbledon tournament takes place. Tickets to Centre Court matches are the most prized, but if you miss out, Grounds Pass ticket holders can enjoy picnicking on ‘The Hill’ with a large screen showing all the action, and plenty of traditional strawberries and cream on offer.
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition is an annual highlight in London, running from June 18th to August 18th. It’s been held every single year since 1769, and showcases contemporary work including prints, paintings, films, sculpture and photography. This year’s show is coordinated by sculptor Ann Christopher, with open submissions drawing a mix of household names and emerging talent.
Notting Hill Carnival
Notting Hill Carnival will run over August 25th and 26th. The Caribbean-themed celebration is one of the world’s largest street carnivals, attended by roughly one million people each year. Expect traditional music, street food and dancing, with a huge costume parade on August 25th. It’s not for everyone — the crowds can be overwhelming, but the first day tends to be marginally quieter and the atmosphere is extraordinary.
For help booking tickets to any shows, exhibitions, or performances, or for more information about London’s summer events, please speak to the Concierge at COMO Metropolitan London or COMO The Halkin.
