As days grow warmer and longer in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s all about getting outside. In cities across the USA, Juneteenth commemorations mark the end of slavery, celebrating African American heritage and the continued pursuit of justice and equality. In England, thousands gather at Stonehenge on June 21 to witness the first rays of the rising sun at Summer Solstice. And in cities around the world, Pride Month is observed in June — nowhere in a more spirited way than in San Francisco where 2025 marks the 55th annual celebration.

June is also a great month for music festivals starting with the nation’s oldest—88 summers and counting—San Francisco’s Stern Grove Festival. In New York City, the beloved SummerStage program opened its 39th season. And on the rustic coastline around Mendocino, Calif., there’s a festival of a very different nature, dedicated to urchins.

And if it rains? Great museums offer the most inspiring shelter.

JUNE

Through Oct. 9
SummerStage | New York City

Seventy free afternoon and evening performances in 12 parks, including Central Park, throughout all five boroughs. cityparksfoundation.org/summerstage

Through Aug. 3
Sargent & Paris | The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC

Featuring 100 works from a formative decade in John Singer Sargent’s career, including the iconic Madame X, a highlight of the collection. Note: The exhibition is open at Musée d’Orsay, Paris on Sept. 22, 2025 – Jan. 11, 2026. metmuseum.org

Through Oct. 26
Superfine: Tailoring Black Style | The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC

A cultural and historical examination of Black style over 300 years through the concept of dandyism, exploring the importance of style to the formation of Black identities particularly in the U.S. and Europe. In the fashion spotlight as the theme for this spring’s Met Gala. metmuseum.org

June 3 – 8
Bouquets to Art | Fine Art Museums of San Francisco

Now in its 41st year, the beloved floral fundraiser is on display at both de Young and Legion of Honor for the first time ever. More than 100 botanical creations inspired by the permanent collections transform the museums into stunning floral extravaganzas. famsf.org

June 15 – Aug. 17
Stern Grove Festival | San Francisco

On Sunday afternoons in a natural amphitheater of eucalyptus trees, this season’s free concert lineup includes Michael Franti, The Pointer Sisters, Diana Ross, and the San Francisco Symphony. sterngrove.org

June 18 – Aug. 31
Vermeer’s Love Letters | The Frick, NYC

In a single gallery for the first time, the show considers Vermeer’s treatment of the theme of letters as well as his depiction of women of different social classes. frick.org

Through Sept. 7
Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits | Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Vincent van Gogh’s series of portraits of the Roulin family: the postman Joseph, his wife Augustine and their children. Created in 1888 in Arles, France, these painting sreveal van Gogh’s mastery of expression and use of color. mfa.org

June 13 – 15
Mendocino Urchin Festival, Northern California
Dive in…literally. Dedicated to the fascinating purple sea delicacy, the weekend event features chefs, educators, and experts focused on sustainability. Happenings include sake pairing, sea harvesting, coastal adventures, hikes, hands-on demos, dining. urchinfest.com

June 19
Juneteenth National Independence Day

The nation’s largest Juneteenth events is the Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade & Festival at Malcolm X Park on June 22. The Freedom Vibes festival is in Fort Worth on June 19-22, home of the future National Juneteenth Museum.

June 19 – 21 and June 26 – 28 and July 5 – 7
Summerfest | Milwaukee, Wisconsin

In downtown Milwaukee along Lake Michigan over three consecutive weekends brings 800,000 people for 600 artists over nine days, from James Taylor to Megan Thee Stallion. summerfest.com

June 25 – 29
Glastonbury Festival | Somerset, England

A legendary five-day annual music festival since 1970 with a diverse and eclectic lineup of artists, as well as arts, dance, comedy, and theater. Attracts 200,000 festival-goers daily. glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

June 28 – 29
San Francisco Pride Weekend

The 55th Annual Pride Celebration culminates with the Pride Parade on Sunday, June 29 starting from Market Street at Embarcadero Plaza at 10 a.m. sfpride.org 

June 28 – July 5
Roskilde Festival | Denmark
Since 1971, one of Europe’s largest music festivals now attracts 100,000 music lovers for a wide range of genres and arts. Headliners among the 200 acts include Olivia Rodrigo, Nine Inch Nails, and Stormzy. roskilde-festival.dk/en