Here are some of the top events happening in Britain in June 2026.
Learn from some of the best scientific minds from Britain and beyond in this interactive celebration of knowledge that’s fun for all the family. Events are centred around one of the Regency town’s picturesque park, Imperial Gardens.
4 – 6 June 2026: Royal Cornwall Show, Wadebridge, Cornwall
Beautiful animals, live music, top-notch shopping: it’s all here at Cornwall’s premier agricultural show, a West Country tradition since 1793. Bring an appetite for local food and drink at the Food and Farming Pavilion, and admire Cornish crafts and horticultural displays. You might even bump into a member of the Royal Family – the Prince of Wales was among last year’s attendees.
10 – 15 June 2026: Sheffield DocFest, South Yorkshire
Take a front-row seat at Britain’s biggest film festival dedicated to documentaries, now in its 33rd year. Expect screenings, panels, workshops and more to celebrate this special form of storytelling across Sheffield.
10 – 14 June 2026: Download Festival, Castle Donington, Leicestershire
Rock fans, listen up: this year’s Download Festival is well worth tuning into. The 2026 line-up features Limp Bizkit, Guns N’ Roses, Linkin Park and other badass bands at Donington Park near Derby. As well as established acts, you might catch the next big thing on one of the festival’s smaller stages.
11 – 14 June 2026: Gottwood Festival, Llanfaethlu, Anglesey
If you go down to the woods near Holyhead in north Wales this June, you might be in for a big surprise. Hidden away on the Carreglwyd Estate is a music festival at the heart of nature, plus a host of wellness experiences: think sound healing, yoga and relaxation sessions. 2026 marks the festival’s 15th anniversary, with highlights including Zip, and music producers/DJs Mia Koden and Margaret Dygas.
11 – 14 June 2026: Borders Book Festival, Melrose, Scottish Borders
Hosting more than 100 events each year, the Borders Book Festival in Melrose is continuing Scotland’s rich literary tradition. Whether your shelves lean towards fiction, politics or comedy, you’re in for a bookish treat – past guests include comedian turned travel writer Michael Palin and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Dubbed one of Britain’s “friendliest festivals”, you can be sure of a warm welcome.
Be wowed by the batting skills of 12 teams, including England, in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, showcasing some of cricket’s best players. Look out for matches in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, London, Manchester and Southampton.
Great beer, delicious food and a brilliant playlist: what could be a better way to celebrate summer? Bristol has a huge range of artisan breweries, many of which are represented here – alongside top British and international names. The festival runs for two days, and your ticket includes all the beer you could wish for – as well as live music, DJ sets, and access to the street food market.
Trooping the Colour is the annual celebration of the sovereign’s official birthday. It’s a colourful display of military pageantry featuring impressive soldiers on parade in ceremonial uniform, as well as horses and musicians. The Royal Family always attend the ceremony, which takes place on Horse Guards Parade behind Whitehall, London.
13 June 2026: Man vs. Horse, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys
The Man versus Horse Marathon is an annual 22-mile (35km) race, where runners compete against riders on horseback, in the Welsh town of Llanwrtyd Wells. The event started in 1980 after a pub landlord overheard two customers debating the positives and negatives of men and horses competing over rough land, but it wasn’t until 2004 that a man beat a horse.
13 – 14 June 2026: Pride Cymru, Cardiff
LGBTQIA+ Mardi Gras, trading as Pride Cymru, returns to Cardiff for Wales’ biggest celebration of equality and diversity. The variety of entertainment will continue along with a funfair, a cultural market with arts and crafts, plenty of food and drink, and a social hub, offering advice and support to LGBTQIA+ communities and their friends and family.
16 – 20 June 2026: Royal Ascot, Berkshire
Royal Ascot has established itself as a national institution and a major focus of the British social calendar, as well as being the ultimate stage for the best racehorses in the world. Tradition, pageantry, fashion and style all mix together, as well as around 30 races over five days.
19 – 22 June 2026: Unearthed Festival, St Davids, Pembrokeshire
Want to connect with your spiritual side? This soulful festival is all about tapping into the greater consciousness and opening your mind: think meditation workshops, chanting, sound-bath healing and sun salutations, plus live music from folk, world and traditional bands. Sustainability is front and centre, so expect fantastic vegetarian cuisine and a relaxed eco-friendly vibe.
19 – 28 June 2026: The Hoppings, Newcastle
A Newcastle tradition since 1882, Europe’s largest funfair arrives in the city this month for 10 days of fairground fun. Are you brave enough to take on the Star Flyer, sending riders nearly 200ft (60m) in the air? If solid ground is more your thing, there are heaps of games and street food stalls to indulge in, too.
With over 150,000 people attending across two days, Manchester’s Parklife is the UK’s biggest metropolitan festival and one of its most renowned. The line-up is a mix of musical genres, from rock to hip-hop, indie to grime and headliners have ranged from Snoop Dogg to The Chemical Brothers and Liam Gallagher.
20 – 28 June 2026: English Wine Week, across England
Raise a glass to England’s winemakers during this sparkling week of festivities. Join in with events and tastings at vineyards and bars nationwide – and you might just discover a new favourite tipple.
27 June – 12 July 2026: BST Hyde Park, London
Not so much a traditional festival, British Summer Time in London’s Hyde Park is really a series of mega-concerts through the summer. It guarantees huge headliners like Elton John and The Rolling Stones, as well as rising stars. Look out for Mumford and Sons and Lewis Capaldi who will grace the stage in summer 2026.
Bring the family to Harrogate’s foodie extravaganza, celebrating Yorkshire’s delicious larder. Be inspired by free chef demos, pick up some edible souvenirs, plus enjoy live entertainment and kids’ activities.
29 June – 11 July 2026: Wimbledon, London
Arguably the most famous tennis tournament in the world, the Wimbledon Championships have been played since 1877 and tickets are always in fierce demand. The championships last approximately two weeks, or until all events are complete. The club operates a public ballot (lottery) for advanced sales of Centre, No. 1 and No. 2 court tickets.
