Guide to Events and Festivals in London

During the year, there are a number of annual events and festivals. You can plan your vacation around one of these.

January

New Year's Day is celebrated in London with a 2-mile parade that attracts thousands of participants including the mayor.

The Russian Winter Festival celebrates Russia but is a perfect event for all nationalities. This is a free event and draws over 70,000 visitors each year. It features some of the best Russian influenced films, concerts, and food.

February

The Chinese New Year is celebrated this month. Occasionally, the holiday falls on a date in late January. Check before you go. Chinatown is the place for this celebration that has a parade, great food, and various forms of entertainment. Most of the events are free.

March

This is a great time to visit London. The London Maze is a historical tour of London. It is an annual event and it is your chance to learn about the history of London and its impact on the world. The event is free to the public. The Guildhall off Gresham Street hosts this event which has over 50 stalls containing a wealth of historical information. Guided walks are available.

April

If you like to run and participate in marathons, the London Marathon, also known as Flora, takes place. You can watch the runners and there is also various other celebrations that include food and live music. This event draws thousands of runners each year.

May

There are two events I like in May. The Chelsea Flower Show is an annual event dating back to 1913. You have to purchase tickets for this event. This show usually has over 600 exhibitors of some of the most beautiful blooms in the world. The show runs for five days and is sponsored by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Another favorite is the Kensington Dollhouse Festival which is also known as the London Dollhouse Festival. It is held each year in the Kensington Town Hall. If you are a dollhouse miniaturist, you will love seeing all of the items exhibited here from miniature houses to all the accessories to fill them. After a visit here, you may want to see Queen Mary's Dollhouse at Windsor Castle.

June

If you have seen the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and enjoyed it, you will want to see this event. On the second Saturday of the month, the largest military display, the Horse Guards Parade and Trooping of the Color is held. The Queen attends this event. Tickets are sold for the display feature but you can watch the parade from the sidelines.

The great sporting event in this month is the tennis tournament held at the All England Law and Tennis Croquet Club. This event is also known as Wimbledon. The tournament can extend into July.

July

For those who love beer, the Great British Beer Festival is held towards the end of July and can extend into August. The festival features over 200 British beers and another 200 imported beets. The celebration includes live music and food.

On the first Sunday of July, the Party in the Park is held. This is a pop concert benefiting the Prince's Trust. A number of big-name pop stars perform.

August

One of the largest annual festivals in Europe is the African-Caribbean Street Fair. It attracts about 500,000 people each year. This is a day you can let your hair down and enjoy the reggae music and food of the Caribbean.

The Notting Hill Street Carnival takes place on the streets of Notting Hill in London. The festival lasts for 2 days and as attracted hundreds of thousands. It features the Battle of the Steel Bands. The Carnival has a Children's Parade on Sunday and a bigger parade on Monday. Many styles of Caribbean music can be heard during the parade. The participants wear colorful costumes.

September

A celebration of culture is held along the various landmarks of the Thames River. This is known as the Thames Festival. It is an end of summer party with firework displays, treasure hunts, torch-lit parades, and illuminated floats.

October

If you love poetry, the Visual arts, and chamber music, the Trafalgar Square Festival is the place to visit. All of the outdoor performances are free.

November

Christmas Lighting Ceremonies are held in and around London starting in mid-November. Areas you should visit include St. Christopher's Place, the Covent Garden Market, and Regents Street.

December

There is a special Christmas tree lighting ceremony held in Trafalgar Square. Each year a fir tree is given by the people of Norway to the people of Britain as thanks for their help during World War II. There is a special ceremony with Christmas carols, live music, performances, and the ceremonial lighting of the tree.

These are just a few of the events and festivals held in London during the year. No matter what time of the year you visit the city, you can find an event that will make your trip memorable.

Visit My Information Mall