Festivals & Events in London

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Festivals & Events in London

There are numerous festivals and events that take place in London throughout the year, from religious and royal traditions, to sporting events, carnivals, concerts and popular consumer attractions, many of which are centred around four of London's most important venues:

The largest venue for trade fairs, consumer shows and exhibitions is Earl's Court and Olympia in west London.

The O2 Arena (formerly the Millennium Dome) in North Greenwich hosts a wide variety of entertainment, musical and sporting events, such as the ATP World Tour Finals, NBA matches and the Supercross Championships.

Near to the O2 Arena in Docklands is ExCel London, an international exhibition and convention centre, which plays host to numerous trade and public attractions throughout the year.

Wembley Stadium in north-west London is the venue for many major sporting events, including national and international football games, rugby and NFL matches, as well as concerts.

• For a comprehensive guide to Events and Festivals in London, see AngloINFO London's What's On Guide

Highlights of a typical year in London include:

London New Year's Day Parade (1 January)

An international parade that follows a two mile route (about three Km), starting at 12:00 outside the Ritz Hotel in Piccadilly, heading through Trafalgar Square and Whitehall and ending at Parliament Square at 15:00. It involves 10,000 performers, dancers and musicians and attracts 500,000 spectators.

• London Parade website

London International Boat Show (January)

An international marine experience with events and attractions for all the family, including a watersports pool, used and new boats for sale and a wide variety of exhibits. At the ExCel Centre.

• London Boat Show website

Carling Cup Final (February)

The final of the Football League tournament takes place at Wembley Stadium.

• Wembley Stadium website

Chinese New Year (February or March)

Celebrations take place on the nearest Sunday to Chinese New Year, in Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Chinatown (Gerrard Street and immediate environs) and Shaftesbury Avenue.

• London Chinatown website

Shrove Tuesday (February or March)

Otherwise known as Pancake Day, the traditional feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday, is celebrated by pancake races where the participant tosses a pancake in a frying pan while running - usually for charity. One of the most popular races is The Great Spitalfields Pancake Race, which is free and organised by Alternative Arts.

The Mayor's St Patrick's Day Parade and Festival (17 March or nearest Sunday)

Celebrates the patron saint of Ireland, an annual St Patrick's Day Parade with floats and marching bands proceeding at 12:00 from Green Park to Trafalgar Square, where there is a display of Irish music, dance and street theatre. There are parties in Irish pubs throughout the capital.

• St Patrick's Day website

The Ideal Home Show (March)

A major consumer show that attracts up to 250,000 visitors each year, full of ideas for home improvements, home interiors, decorating, gadgets, gardening and food. At Earl's Court One.

• Ideal Home Show website

The Boat Race (March or April)

The annual rowing race between Oxford and Cambridge universities started in 1829 and has become a popular, internationally-recognised free sporting spectacle, with many vantage points along the river. The race starts at Putney Bridge, continues under Hammersmith and Barnes Bridges and finishes at Chiswick Bridge. There are large screens erected at Bishop's Park, Fulham and at Furnival Gardens, Hammersmith, with plenty of refreshments, food stalls and merchandise.

• The Boat Race website

Head of the River Race (March or April)

An historic rowing race that attracts over 400 crews from around the world, and which starts at Mortlake and finishes at Putney.

• Head of the River Race website

St George's Day (23 April)

Celebrates the patron saint of England, with parades past St Paul's Cathedral, a concert at Trafalgar Square, food festivals, theatrical events and children's activities, many of which take place in the week leading up to 23 April.

The Virgin London Marathon (April)

The London Marathon started in 1981 and has become a major international sporting event, popular with competitors and spectators alike. The course starts in Blackheath and takes in such landmarks as the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, Parliament Square and Buckingham Palace.

• Virgin London Marathon website

The FA Cup (May)

The final of the world's oldest association football competition, where teams of all standards compete in a knock-out tournament, takes place at Wembley Stadium.

Chelsea Flower Show (May)

An annual event organised by the Royal Horticultural Society, this is one of the greatest garden and floral shows in the world, and it takes place at Royal Hospital, in Chelsea.

Trooping the Colour (11 June)

Celebrating the Queen's official birthday, this is a military parade full of pomp and pageantry which has taken place since 1820, as the Queen carries out an inspection of the troops from the Household Division. At Horseguard Parade.

• Trooping the Colour website

Royal Ascot (June)

Britain's most popular race meeting, steeped in tradition, heritage and pageantry, dating back 300 years and attended by the Royal Family, including the Queen, who has owned many of the winners.

• Ascot website

The London International Fine Art & Antique Fair (June)

Approximately 200 British and international galleries exhibit a wide selection of antiques, from ancient Chinese ceramics to Art Deco jewellery, 20th century design classics, Old Master paintings and a diverse range of furniture. Highly regarded by dealers and collectors alike. At Olympia National Hall.

• London International Fine Art & Antique Fair website

The Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition (June to August)

The world's largest open submission contemporary arts exhibition, showcasing the works of established and emerging artists in all media, including painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, architecture and film. At the Royal Academy of Arts in Piccadilly.

Wimbledon (The last week in June and first week in July)

One of the four annual grand slam tennis events, and the world's longest-running and most prestigious tournaments, played on grass and with a strict white-only player dress code.

• Wimbledon website

Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (July)

One of the largest spectacles of its kind, organised by the Royal Horticultural Society, with gardening advice, conceptual garden displays, a rose marquee, shops and awards. It takes place at Hampton Court Palace, Surrey.

The Proms (July to September)

A summer festival of music, with a variety of classical music performances, chamber concerts and children's events, culminating in The Last Night of the Proms, which takes place on the second Saturday in September. The festival is renowned for performances of popular and patriotic British compositions. At the Royal Albert Hall.

Buckingham Palace Summer Tours (July to September)

The chance to see the State Rooms inside one of the few working palaces remaining in the world. Highlights include paintings and sculptures, Sèvres porcelain and some of the world's finest English and French furniture. Tickets are limited and it is advisable to book in advance. Packages include the palace tour combined with afternoon tea.

• The Royal Collection website

The FA Community Shield (August)

The football season starts with a one-off match between the previous season's Premier League champions and the winners of the FA Cup. It is held at Wembley Stadium.

Notting Hill Carnival (August Bank Holiday weekend)

London's biggest street party, with a Caribbean theme and steel bands, Calypso music, floats and costumed performers and plenty of food stalls. There are usually around 50,000 performers and some 2.5 million people attend over the course of the weekend. Sunday is Kids' Day, with costume prizes awarded, and the main parade is on Bank Holiday Monday. It usually begins on Great Western Road, travels along Chepstow Road, to Westbourne Grove and then Ladbroke Grove.

• Notting Hill Carnival website

The Mayor's Thames Festival (September)

A free outdoor arts festival, launched in 1997, that takes place on the south bank of the Thames between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge. Highlights include market stalls, street entertainers, river races, illuminations, art installations, circus acts and choral performances. There is also a Night Carnival involving a parade of costumed performers and musicians, and thousands join in the procession over Victoria Embankment and Blackfriars Bridge.

• The Mayor's Thames Festival website

London Fashion Week (September)

Showcasing the best of British fashion designers, both new and established, with fashion shows and charity functions. Held at Somerset House, The Strand, in central London.

• London Fashion Week website

London Restaurant Festival (October)

Launched in 2009 to celebrate London's diverse restaurant scene, with hundreds of restaurants across the capital offering special festival menus. There are organised events such as appearances and cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, a festival market selling food specialities, awards, a street kitchen and Eat Film, a selection of films with a food theme.

• London Restaurant Festival website

BFI London Film Festival (October)

Showcasing films from around the world, many of which would not usually get a theatrical release, at selected cinemas across London. There is also a programme of talks, master classes and panel discussions.

• BFI website

The Ski and Snowboard Show (October)

The world's largest consumer winter sports show with a range of interactive activities and attractions for all the family, from the experienced to beginners, with shopping and holiday offers. At Olympia Grand Hall.

• Ski and Snowboard Show website

Guy Fawkes Night (5 November)

A tradition dating back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Catholic conspirator Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament and King James I. Effigies of Fawkes (known as 'Guys') are burnt on top of bonfires and there are firework displays in many of London's parks and open grounds.

The Spirit of Christmas Fair (November)

Christmas gifts, decorations and a Christmas food hall, full of Christmas essentials. At Olympia Grand Hall.

• Spirit of Christmas Fair website

London Dog Week (November)

An awareness week organised by the Kennel Club to promote responsible dog ownership. Events include training, veterinary clinics, and pet grooming, culminating in the grand finale Discover Dogs at Earls Court 1.

Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday (11 November and nearest Sunday)

Armistice Day remembers those who died during the two World Wars, with two minutes' silence at 11:00. Events include a Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, a Multi-Faith Act of Remembrance at the Royal Artillery Museum and a Royal Choral Society Remembrance Day concert at Southwark Cathedral. In the weeks prior to Remembrance Day, poppies are sold to raise funds for The Royal British Legion, which helps former Service personnel and their families.

Christmas (November to 25 December)

There are many festivities in the run-up to Christmas and one of the most popular is the Christmas lights which are switched on in Regent and Oxford Streets, a task usually performed in November by a well-known figure or celebrity. The annual Trafalgar Square Christmas tree lighting ceremony takes place at the beginning of December. The tree, a giant pine, is a gift to London from the people of Norway. Many churches hold Midnight Masses on the 24th December as well as Christmas Day services.

New Year's Eve (31 December)

Celebrations, fireworks and parties throughout the capital, with an organised firework display between Westminster and Waterloo Bridges, and revellers gathering in Trafalgar Square.

Further Information

• Visit London
• AngloINFO London What's On Guide

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