The premiere event in all of England in June is the world-famous Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships, played at The All-England Club in southwest London. This tournament, held annually since 1877, is one of four "grand slam" tennis championships held each year in the tennis world. If you're planning to attend -- and every true tennis fan should do so at least once -- get your tickets early, as they sell out months in advance.
Another well-known sporting event in London in June is Royal Ascot, the world's oldest thoroughbred horse race. Held at the Royal Ascot racecourse since 1711, the race takes place over four days and is the most popular flat race meeting in Britain, attended by many famous people, including the Royal Family.
If you do decide to attend, pack your Sunday best, because the course has a very strict dress code. Ladies must wear "formal day dress" and fashionable hats, and men should wear either black or gray "morning dress," including "a waistcoat, with a top hat, which must be worn at all times in the Royal Enclosure."
Speaking of horses, the Queen celebrates her birthday in June with "Trooping the Colour." Dating back to the 17th century, today's custom is for the Queen -- while seated in a horse-drawn carriage -- to inspect her regiments as they parade their colors before her at the Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall. The parade of more than 1,400 officers and men begins at Buckingham Palace, and then travels to Whitehall and back again, offering the public many good viewing locations.
Other outdoor activities include the Kenwood Lakeside Concerts, which begin their season in mid-June. Held at the north side of Hampstead Heath, this annual event continues a 50-year tradition, and includes fireworks and dramatic laser shows.
Indoor cultural events held in June include the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition -- an art show held annually for nearly two centuries by the Royal Academy at the Burlington House, Piccadilly Circus -- and the Olympia Fine Art and Antiques Fair in Olympia, which features over 200 sellers of antiques and fine art works.
And finally, in June 2010, London will host a one-time event that will constitute the ultimate cultural event for many people around the world: the Michael Jackson Tribute Concert. The concert will be hosted by Michael's brother, Jermaine; for Jackson fans, this will be the last chance to pay tribute to Michael's memory. If you'd like to attend, you'd be wise to buy your tickets as soon as possible.
