One of the most influential artists of our time, David Hockney invites visitors to pause and find beauty in the everyday in this free exhibition at Serpentine North Gallery from 12 March to 23 August. Created especially for this show, a new series of paintings continues his lifelong exploration of how we see the world, celebrating the richness of ordinary moments.

The exhibition has been developed in close collaboration with the artist and brings Hockney’s acclaimed panoramic work ‘A Year in Normandie’ to London for the first time. Inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, this large-scale piece captures the changing seasons around his former studio in Normandy. Displayed at the Serpentine, it creates a natural dialogue with the landscape of Kensington Gardens.

Dearest reader, you are most cordially invited to indulge in an evening of refinement and delight at the Bridgerton Inspired Concert, set within the elegant surroundings of the Church of the Annunciation. On 6 June, this enchanting experience promises to transform familiar modern melodies into exquisite string quartet arrangements, performed with all the grace and drama befitting the season.

Guests may expect beloved songs by Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Coldplay, reimagined within a candlelit, flower-filled setting reminiscent of the world of Bridgerton.

With both afternoon and evening performances to choose from, this 75-minute engagement offers a most delightful and memorable way to commence the summer social season, an occasion certain to be the talk of the ton.

The Friends of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens have put together a roster of bands to perform at the Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park Bandstands this summer. Marble Arch London BID is delighted to sponsor the All Saints Concert Band on Sunday 9 August 2026.

All shows are free:

• Sunday 14 June from 2:30-4:30pm: Epsom & Ewell Silver Band – Kensington Gardens Bandstand
• Sunday 9 August from 2:30-4:30pm: All Saints Concert Band, Hyde Park bandstand – sponsored by Marble Arch BID
• Sunday 16 August from 2:30-4:30pm: Orquesta Mambarito, Hyde Park bandstand
• Sunday 6 September from 2:30-4:30pm: The band of the Royal Yeomanry (Inns of Court & City Yeomanry), Hyde Park bandstand

Back for its 11th year, the Marylebone Music Festival is bringing orchestral magic to London with timeless masterpieces and fresh global sounds across a week of epic nights under the open sky.

Each year, the Marylebone Music Festival transforms Manchester Square Gardens into a haven for artistic brilliance, where the world’s finest musicians captivate thousands of curious music lovers, families, and community friends.

For a quintessentially British summer evening, head to Connaught Square on 17 June for an open-air performance of Love’s Labour’s Lost.

This production brings William Shakespeare’s witty and romantic comedy to life in one of Connaught Village’s garden squares. Guests are invited to arrive early, with the square opening from 5.30pm for picnics. The performance will begin promptly at 7pm and will be over by approximately 9pm.

Just a short walk from Marble Arch, BST Hyde Park returns from 27 June to 12 July, bringing a packed programme of world-class live music to one of London’s most iconic green spaces. This year’s line-up features an exciting mix of global superstars and crowd favourites, including Duran Duran, Scissor Sisters, Maroon 5, Mumford & Sons, Pitbull and Lewis Capaldi.

Set within the beautiful surroundings of Hyde Park, the festival combines major headline performances with a lively atmosphere, making it a standout moment in London’s summer calendar.

Running alongside the main festival, Open House at BST Hyde Park offers eight days of free entertainment and activities, making it an ideal option for families, friends and anyone looking to enjoy the park in a more relaxed setting. With free entry, visitors can take part in a wide range of experiences, including outdoor cinema screenings, live music and DJs, fitness sessions, street food stalls, pop-up bars and a variety of family-friendly activities.

Open House brings a welcoming, community-focused feel to Hyde Park, perfect for a casual day out with family or friends, or a fun lunchtime break from the office.

Village in Green returns to Connaught Village from 4 July to 31 August 2026 with a very special appearance from Paddington™, London’s most beloved bear, on 4 July.

Highlights include the public opening of Cambridge Square for a one-day garden party on 4 July inviting visitors to roll out a picnic rug for a relaxed afternoon of live music, family-friendly activities, pop-up food and drink including free ice cream, and the chance to meet Paddington™ as he makes special appearances throughout the event.

The programme continues beyond the opening day with Bonsai Treehouses, a major new pop-up exhibition by the Museum of Architecture in Oxford Square from 4 July to 31 August 2026.

Following a popular debut in 2023 and the recent restoration of Marble Arch, Marble Arch BID is bringing back its free character-led walking tours this summer, in partnership with The Portman Estate.

Discover Marble Arch: Hidden Stories invites visitors to explore the area through the eyes of architect John Nash, the man behind the iconic landmark. Led in character, the immersive tours uncover the rich and often surprising history of this corner of London, from royal processions to protest movements.

The one-hour walks take in key historic sites including Speakers’ Corner, long associated with free speech and public debate, and the former site of the Tyburn executions, once one of the most notorious places of execution in Britain.

The tours are designed for curious visitors and lifelong Londoners alike. Whether you are new to the area or think you know it well, you are likely to leave with a different perspective.

Running every Tuesday throughout July and August 2026, tours depart at 12:30pm and 2:00pm from the Marble Arch monument. All walks are free to attend.