Calendar of Events
London never rests, and on any given day there will be dozens of events or activities going on throughout this teeming metropolis. From the springtime reawakening of the Royal Parks and their open air concerts and theatre, through the summer fairs, sporting events, and street festivals, the autumnal fireworks displays and processions, and the winter celebrations of a white Christmas and a drunken new year, London will always have something on for you to enjoy.
Key Events
January
- 1 January - London Parade, from Parliament Sq to Berkeley Sq, via central London. Join a million others.
- January - New Year Sales; madness around the UK, as prices are slashed. Check out the Harrods sale in particular.
- Early January - International Boats Show, Earls Court. The latest in boating technology and water sport innovation.
- Early January - Twelfth Night at the Globe. A Midwinter Festival of dancing, mulled wine, and the crowning ceremony of King Bean and Queen Pea!
- Mid January - Adventure Travel & Sports Show at London Olympia. For those that enjoy getting active on their holidays.
- Late January - Charles I Parade from St. James Palace to Banqueting House, commemorating the only English monarch to have been executed.
- Late January - The Destinations show at Olympia has hundreds of exhibitors and travel experts on hand to show us dedicated travellers what's on offer this year.
February
- February to March - Six Nations Rugby Championship. See England at Twickenham (hopefully blowing another Grand Slam).
- Mid February - Chinese New Year in Soho; music, parades, cookery, and martial arts demonstrations. Starts 12 noon.
- February - Pancake Races, Covent Garden. Say no more.
March
- March - Ideal Home Show, Earls Court. The latest in domestic design and innovation, this show is always a big crowd-puller.
- Mid March - Classic Motor Show for motoring buffs.
- Late March - Druid Order Spring Equinox Celebration, Tower Hill. Watch men in white robes get mystical.
- Late March - Chelsea Antiques Fair, Chelsea Old Town Hall.
- Late March - Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race on the River Thames. More Hooray Henry's than you can shake a stick at.
April
- April - Easter Parades
- Mid April - Join the London Marathon, ending at Buckingham Palace. Or better still, just watch the others get a sweat up.
- 21 April - Queens Birthday Gun Salutes, Hyde Park and Tower Hill. Big guns, toy soldiers.
- 25 April - ANZAC Day.
May
- May - IWA Canal Calvacade at Little Venice. A 'parade' on London's popular canal.
- Late May - Chelsea Flower Show, Royal Hospital, Chelsea
- Late May - Beating The Retreat, Horse Guards Parade. Horsey goings-on.
- May to July - Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition, Piccadilly.
- May to Sep - Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre, Bankside. Get your tickets fast.
June
- Early June - Bank Holiday.
- Early June - Trooping The Colour, Horse Guards. Horses, marching bands, soldiers, and - of course - the Queen.
- Early June - Derby Day, Epsom. One of racing's biggest days.
- June - Fleadh Music Festival, Finsbury Park.
- Late June - Royal Ascot Races. Racing goes posh; the Queen will be there too, naturally.
- Late June-Early July - Wimbledon Tennis Championships (pictured). Henman will again be hyped up by the media, only to fall short when the pressure tells.
- Jun to Aug - Kenwood Lakeside Concerts, Hampstead Heath. Bring your blanket and bubbly.
July
- Summer - Open-air theatre in Regent's Park. Highly recommended.
- Summer - Cricket at Lord's and the Oval. England v India should be interesting.
- July - Summer sales
- Early July - Hampton Court Flower Show
- Mid July - Doggett's Coat and Badge Race, from London Bridge to Chelsea. Traditional shenanigans.
- Mid July - Mardi Gras. Men in tights, women in overalls.
- Summer - Festivals throughout London
August
- August - Great British Beer Festival, Olympia (pictured). Lots of 'real' beers from the UK and guest international breweries.
- August/September - Buckingham Palace opens to the public
- Late August - Notting Hill Carnival, Europe's biggest street party.
September
- Early Sep - Great River Race, from Ham House to the Isle of Dogs. Mad boats, mad contestants.
- Mid Sep - Last Night of the Proms, Albert Hall. Land of Hope and Glory etc for the Yah set to get all misty-eyed about.
- Late Sep - Open House Weekend. Stick your nose in where it (normally) isn't wanted.
- Late Sep - Soho Jazz Festival. From jazz legends to street performers.
October
- Early Oct - Pearly Harvest Festival, St Martin-in-the-Fields.
- Late Oct - State Opening of Parliament
November
- Early Nov - Grand Fireworks Spectacular, Leeds Castle
- 5 Nov - Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night
- 10 Nov - Lord Mayor's Show, including a procession and fireworks display.
- 11 Nov - Remembrance Day Procession, Whitehall. Remembering the war dead.
December
- Early Dec - outdoor ice skating in the courtyard of Somerset House, The Strand.
- Early DEC - Honda Tennis Challenge at the Royal Albert Hall. Check out legends such as McEnroe, Becker, and Cash.
- 25th - Christmas, of course.
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29th to 3rd January - Hogmanay, Scotland's New Year knees-up.
- 31 DEC - New Year's Eve, Trafalgar Square.
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