Welcome to our Summer Hotlist – your curated cultural guide to the most exciting events, installations, and creative happenings this season. This isn’t just a roundup of things to do – it’s a celebration of how art, nature, and community come together when we step outside.
As the weather warms and city streets, coastlines, and green spaces come alive, we’re turning our focus to the cultural power of the outdoors. That being said, let’s be realistic – summer in the UK isn’t always roses and sunshine, so we’ve popped a few options down for those inevitable grey days. All in all, this guide brings together experiences that break free from traditional venues – where galleries give way to woodlands, cinemas pop up on beaches, and sculptures rise along coastal trails. It’s about engaging all the senses, making space for connection, and blurring the boundaries between culture and environment.
Whether you’re in search of inspiration, community, or just a good reason to get outside, this Hotlist is your invitation to explore. Keep reading to discover the full lineup and plan your next cultural adventure under the sun and stars.
ALFRESCO ADVENTURES
Quirky, plant-inspired performances take root at Omved Gardens’ new outdoor venue.
Running weekends from June 15th – August 10th.
Classic and cult favourites return under open skies in the Barbican’s sculpture court.
Screenings from July 24th – August 4th.
Charleston’s 10-day celebration of gardening, art, and sustainability.
July 12th – July 21st, various talks and workshops daily.
Offbeat cinema served alfresco in rotating venues across the UK – think sandy beaches, rooftops, courtyards, and pop-ups.
Monthly screenings: June 14th, July 19th, August 16th.
South London artists bring their studios outside with demos, stalls, and live craft.
Summer edition: June 7th – 9th, open 11am – 6pm daily.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS (… kind of)
Contemporary installations dot a trail through rural Oxfordshire, merging nature and art. Keep an eye out for Jeremy Deller’s mosaic work – it’s one of the biggest in the UK, so it should be hard to miss!
Open daily, June through September.
Marina Tabassum’s tranquil, sunlit structure offers a moment of calm in Hyde Park.
Open June 7th – October 27th, 10am – 6pm daily.
This surreal park near Edinburgh features large-scale works by artists like Phyllida Barlow and Anish Kapoor.
Open Wednesday – Sunday, now through September, 10am – 5pm.
A meditative, digital installation revealing the inner life of an ancient oak by the iconic Marshmallow Laser Feast. ‘Of the Oak’ blends cutting-edge visuals with deep nature connection, exploring the ancient wisdom of trees in a truly immersive way.
Daily from June 10th, included with garden admission.
SOUNDS LIKE SUMMER
Little Simz brings her genre-bending energy to Southbank Centre with a buzzing diverse lineup.
June 14th – 23rd, full programme on Southbank’s site.
Brainchild returns with a one-day celebration of art, music, and community – its first festival since 2022.
One-day festival: July 19
Skepta’s curatorial debut turns Crystal Palace Bowl into London’s hottest ticket.
August 9 – 10
LIDO – Summer beats in Victoria Park. This newcomer festival brings a multi-genre mix to East London’s greenest venue.
Friday 06 – Saturday 07 June
Friday 13 – Sunday 15 June
World-class DJs, art, and ambient zones in Norfolk woodland – 72 hours of curated sound.
August 8th – 11th.
Bristol’s boldest festival blends headliners with panels on politics, social justice, and sustainability.
August 31st – September 1st.
HOT PLATES, COOL CONES
A Sussex-based supper club that takes you off-grid for foraged, fire-cooked meals.
Bookings open now, select weekends from June to September.
Levan hosts Parisian chefs monthly from April- July. There are only two events left on their roster so you’d want to act fast! Expect contemporary French bistro fare – like grilled squid, handmade tortellini with mapo ragu, and n’duja potatoes – served as set lunch menus at Levan, followed by buzzing after-parties with natural wines and DJ sets at Bar Levan.
Line up: Buttes Snack Bar (Jun 15), Les Oeillets (Jul 20)
Two iconic chefs, Dave Wall of The Unruly Pig and The Parakeet’s team, unite for a one-off collaborative dinner blending bold British and modern European flavours, paired with top UK wines. What’s not to love?
July 18th, limited seats – book early.
Next-level soft-serve with seasonal ingredients and unexpected pairings.
Now open daily, Soho and online for delivery, noon-10pm.
FOR THE GREY DAYS
A multi-sensory exhibition at the Barbican, designed to let you experience music beyond hearing – including Joyride, Temporary Pleasure’s playful exploration of collective euphoria and the transformational power of dance spaces.
June 12th – September 8th, daily 10am–6pm.
RIO CINEMA – Summer Screenings
Support your independent cinemas, always! Hackney’s art deco gem screens everything from Sundance hits to nostalgic throwbacks.
Daily showings all summer, check listings weekly.
Raynor Winn’s memoir comes to screen with Gillian Anderson in a powerful performance.
In cinemas everywhere from June 21st.
Grace Flahive’s debut novel is set in a queer retirement resort in 2067, where old flames reignite before the end.
Out now.
Alice Vincent’s latest book explores how women experience sound – from birdsong to baby monitors – and how attentive listening can reconnect us to ourselves.
Out now.
