Events at and Around the Gherkin, London: 38 events this week (13 Jun to 19 Jun)
Updated daily · last refreshed 13 June 2026
30 St Mary Axe is one of those buildings that stops you mid-stride. The Gherkin has been part of the City skyline since 2003, and it still earns a second look. But beyond the architecture, the Square Mile around it quietly hosts more events than most people realise.
The building itself opens to the public more often than you might expect. Open House London brings it out every autumn, and private dining and evening events run throughout the year from the top-floor restaurant. If you want inside access rather than just the view from street level, it's worth knowing when the doors are open.
The neighbourhood rewards slow exploration. Leadenhall Market is five minutes south, a Victorian arcade that now hosts food traders, pop-ups, and occasional evening events. The Barbican is a short walk north and runs one of the most serious arts programmes in London across theatre, cinema, music, and gallery shows. Liverpool Street and Aldgate carry their own smaller venues and club nights.
Timing matters in the City. The Square Mile empties fast on Friday evenings as workers scatter, so the best-attended public events tend to run midweek or on Saturday afternoons. Architecture tours, walking tours of the Roman and medieval layers beneath the glass towers, and talks on the built environment cluster around this area more than anywhere else in London.
Top 10 picks this week
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1. BSL Tour: Architecture of the Museum and PLATFORM
Join a BSL-led tour at the Design Museum, celebrating London Festival of Architecture, and explore the fascinating story of the building in a welcoming, accessible group for D/deaf visitors and their companions. Suitable for those who use British Sign Language, this unique experience is a must-visit for architecture enthusiasts. Pair it with a stroll along the nearby South Bank for a dose of London's creative energy.
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2. Guided Tour of Southwark Cathedral
Explore 900 years of history at Southwark Cathedral on a guided tour, perfect for history buffs and those seeking a serene London experience. Pair it with a stroll along the nearby South Bank for a cultural contrast. This hour-long tour is a calm oasis in the heart of the city.
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3. Historic Homes of Hampstead Village guided walking tour
Hampstead's streets are a record of architectural ambition and taste in London. This guided walk takes you through the architects' homes, historic houses, and modernist masterpieces that shaped the place. It's one of those walks where you leave understanding how to read a neighborhood.
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4. West End Musical Tour Silent Disco Walking Tour #silenttours
Walk West End theatreland to the sound of the musicals themselves. Your guide gives you the stories as you hit Old Compton Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, Leicester Square, all through silent disco headsets. Good if you care about theatre and want to move as you learn.
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5. Drag Queen Disco Diva Tour- Silent Disco Walking Tour #SilentTours
Walk through Soho and Chinatown with a drag queen host and disco music in wireless headphones. It's a night out but with the entertainment woven into the streets rather than stuck in a room. Good for group celebrations or anyone wanting drag and live music with a different feel.
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6. Rock ‘n’ Roll Walking Tour of Soho with a Funny Music Nerd
Join a funny music nerd on a Soho stroll, uncovering the hidden gems and iconic spots that made this London neighborhood the epicentre of the global music industry. Perfect for music lovers and curious locals, this tour is a must-visit for anyone who wants to experience the city's rich musical heritage. Pair it with a coffee at the nearby Starbucks on Vigo Street.
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7. Pride Guided Tour
Join a Pride-themed tour at the iconic Globe Theatre in Bankside, exploring Shakespeare's queer characters and stories in Elizabethan London. Perfect for LGBTQ+ history buffs and theatre enthusiasts, this unique tour brings the past to life. Pair it with a stroll along the South Bank for its vibrant street art and lively atmosphere.
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8. Much Ado About Nothing | Guided Tour
Immerse yourself in Shakespeare's witty comedy, Much Ado About Nothing, on a guided tour of the iconic Globe Theatre, exploring its history, characters, and themes. A must-visit for theatre enthusiasts and Shakespeare fans, this tour pairs perfectly with a stroll along the South Bank. Easily accessible by public transport, this 2-hour tour is a delightful way to spend an afternoon in London.
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9. Building Tour
Explore the British Library's iconic ship-like building and discover its history, collection, and architecture on a 60-minute guided tour, suitable for adults and children 11+.
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Venues to know
- British Library 4 events this week
- The National Gallery 3 events this week
- Wellcome Collection 2 events this week
- West End Musical Tour Silent Disco Walking Tour #silenttours 2 events this week
- V&A South Kensington 2 events this week
- Design Museum 1 event this week
Everything else on this week
Saturday 13 June
Sunday 14 June
Monday 15 June
Tuesday 16 June
Wednesday 17 June
Thursday 18 June
Friday 19 June
How we pick
OnlyHere tracks live listings from over a hundred London venues, councils, and programmers, refreshed nightly. Picks favour events with confirmed dates, real venues you can find on a map, and editorial notes written by us, not the promoter. Prices and dates come from the listing itself; we never guess.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you go inside the Gherkin?
The Gherkin is a private office building, so public access is limited. The top-floor restaurant and bar, Searcys at the Gherkin, takes bookings for dinner and private events. Open House London, which runs every September, is the main free opportunity to get inside and up to the higher floors.
What events happen near the Gherkin?
The Square Mile and its immediate edges host architecture tours, walking history tours, talks at nearby livery halls, and cultural events at the Barbican and Guildhall. Leadenhall Market runs food and seasonal events. The area is also a node for City-based running clubs and outdoor fitness events.
Is Open House London the only time you can visit the Gherkin for free?
Open House is the main public free access event, typically in September. Occasionally corporate tenants or arts organisations partner with the building for one-off open days. Check what's running this week above for anything currently listed.
What is there to do in the City of London on a weekend?
The Barbican has weekend exhibitions, cinema, and performances. The Museum of London Docklands and the Monument are close by. Walking tours of the Roman wall, the Inns of Court, or the medieval lanes around Leadenhall are well-run and genuinely informative. The area is far quieter than on a weekday, which makes it good for walking.
Are there any tours of the Gherkin or nearby buildings?
Architecture-focused walking tours regularly cover the cluster of Norman Foster and Richard Rogers buildings in this part of the City, including the Gherkin, the Lloyds building, and the Leadenhall Building. Some are free, some ticketed. The listings above pull in what's running this week.
How many events at and around the gherkin, london are listed right now?
There are 38 events listed on this page right now. It updates daily.