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London is a city bursting with excitement and energy, and its festivals and events play a big part in that. Throughout the year, you’ll find a whole range of celebrations happening across the city, bringing together people from all walks of life to enjoy music, food, culture, and more. One of the things that make London’s festivals so special is their diversity. No matter what you’re into, whether it’s music, food, art, or something else entirely, you’re bound to find an event that catches your eye. From the colourful exhibition of Notting Hill Carnival to the world-class performances of the Proms in the Park, there’s always something new and exciting to experience and You have got famous places to visit in London. But it’s not just about big, headline-grabbing events. London’s festivals also shine a spotlight on its diverse communities and cultures. You’ll find celebrations of everything from Caribbean culture to Chinese New Year, giving you a chance to explore different traditions and ways of life. And it’s not just about the big names either. Festivals and events in London is also a chance to discover up-and-coming talent and hidden gems. Whether it’s a street performance in Covent Garden or a pop-up food market in Shoreditch, you never know what you might stumble upon.But perhaps the best thing about festivals and events in London is the sense of togetherness they create. In a city as big and busy as London, it’s easy to feel lost in the crowd. But at festivals and events, you’ll find yourself surrounded by people who share your passions and interests, coming together to celebrate the things that make London such a vibrant and exciting place to be. Read on and start planning your trip to London with Europe Tour Packages!
Top 15 Festivals and Events in London
- The RHS Chelsea Flower Show
- Notting Hill Carnival
- The Proms
- Marylebone Food Festival
- Chinese new year
- Trooping the colour
- ERG London Jazz Festival
- Wireless Festival London
- BST Hyde Park
- All points east
- Desertfest
- Hampton Court Palace Festival
- Wimbledon
- London Marathon
- University Boat Race
1. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show
The Royal Horticultural Society has held the Chelsea Flower Show on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea for over 100 years. For 5 days each May, you can admire amazing garden designs, dazzling floral displays and the very latest gardening ideas. You might even spot members of the British royalty, as they are patrons of the RHS. It is also one of the top photography spots in London.If you take the Tube to Sloane Square station, the showground is only a 10-minute walk away. Several bus lines also stop nearby. The show is extremely popular, and the number of tickets is limited by ground capacity, so we highly recommend booking yours early. It is one of the popular festivals to celebrate in London.
- Location: Royal Hospital Chelsea, London
- Timings: Tuesday to Friday 8:00 AM to 8;00 PM, Saturday from 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM
2. Notting Hill Carnival
The Notting Hill Carnival, the largest street party in Europe, attracts around 2 million fans of Caribbean partying for a single weekend every August. Watch the 3-mile parade showcasing soca and calypso music and more or try the delicious offerings of hundreds of food stalls. The Jamaican sound systems are sure to get your feet moving when you listen to everything from reggae to house to samba. One of the best things about the Carnival is that it is completely free. You should prepare to do some walking, however, as the roads of Notting Hill will be closed off during the weekend. Take the Tube to a nearby station and walk from there. It is one of the best Festivals and events in London.- Location: Notting Hill, London
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3. The Proms
The BBC Proms is 8 weeks of musical treats for fans of classical music. Most concerts take place in the Royal Albert Hall in central London, but there are also events at other venues across the UK, even some for families with children. It is one of the best Festivals and events in London. You can listen to many accomplished classical orchestras from England and abroad as well as some contemporary musical talent. Tickets for most events are highly affordable, so you can binge on incredible performances throughout the summer. Queues for some popular festivals and events in London start forming early, so get there in time and prepare for weather changes. Try chatting with your fellow Prommers in the queue to find someone to pass the time with and maybe share an umbrella. Listing some Day trips to London for your next visit.- Location: Royal Albert Hall, Central London
4. Marylebone Food Festival
The Marylebone Food Festival fills the streets of Marylebone Village in the West End with supper clubs, cooking masterclasses, tastings and themed menus. Your participation will help raise money for the London charity The Food Chain. The festival spots run from family-run cafes and casual restaurants to fine dining and cocktail bars, so you’ll be sure to find something to alleviate your hunger and thirst. It is one of the best Festivals and events in London.If you’d like to have all the culinary action within easy walking distance, you can stay at The Marylebone Hotel. There’s an on-site gym so you can work off some of the calories you can’t help consuming while the festival is ongoing.
- Location: Marylebone, London
5. Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year events in London are the biggest outside Asia and a feast for both your eyes and stomach. The main parade ending in Trafalgar Square is a vibrant experience, and there are also other performances and fireworks displays.When you get hungry after watching the festivities, you should hit Chinatown and explore the Chinese restaurants there, trying dim sum, steamed or custard buns, dumplings or something else that strikes your fancy. Afterwards, you could explore Chinatown’s shops to find some unique gifts to bring back home. It is one of the best Festivals and events in London.
- Location: Different Locations
Suggested Read: Best Local Food in London
6. Trooping the colour
Trooping the Colour celebrates the British Sovereign’s official birthday with hundreds of soldiers, horses and musicians. This tradition goes back for more than two and a half centuries. You can watch the parade progression from Buckingham Palace to the Horse Guards Parade ground near Whitehall, and back again. After you’ve appreciated fine horsemanship and listened to rousing fanfare, the event concludes with a Royal Air Force flypast. It is one of the best Festivals and events in London.Tickets to seated stands are available via an online ballot or you can watch the proceedings from St James’s Park or along The Mall. Suggesting some of the best treks in London for your next visit.
- Location: Buckingham Palace, London
7. ERG London Jazz Festival
Every November, the EFG London Jazz Festival draws more than 100,000 people to its dozens of venues across the capital. You get to enjoy the musicianship of international superstars as well as emerging local talent in big concert halls and intimate jazz clubs. The festival celebrates not only jazz but also cultural diversity and opportunity, giving spotlight time to underrepresented artists. It is one of the best Festivals and events in London. Some events are free, for others, you’ll need tickets. Even though the music itself is improvised, with the enormous variety of shows you’d be smart to get familiar with the programme in advance and plan where to go and when.
8. Wireless Festival London
The Wireless Festival rolls into London every summer bringing the best of urban music with it. Iconic stars Jay-Z, Rihanna, Cardi B and Nicki Minaj are just a small sample of performers whom Wireless has hosted in the past. Big hip-hop party feels are guaranteed. It is among the best festivals to enjoy in London.Wireless takes place outdoors so you should prepare and dress accordingly in case the English weather decides to spring a rainy surprise. As with any major festival, get your tickets in advance and be wary of resellers who might be selling less-than-genuine tickets.
- Location: Finsbury Park, London
9. BST Hyde Park
BST Hyde Park brings the biggest names in popular music to London for a few weekends every summer. That’s right, it’s not just one weekend, which makes it easier for you to find a suitable date. There are also midweek family activities, workshops, and cinemas to add variety. It is a famous Annual event in London.As Hyde Park is in central London, it’s easy to get to by public transport. There are several Tube stations nearby. The festival strives to make Hyde Park completely accessible and offers special tickets for people with disabilities. Some of the best hotels & Resorts in London are present in this area.
10. All points East
All Points East is held over 2 weekends in Victoria Park. You get to enjoy one proper festival weekend, midweek free entry community activities and finally some standalone headline shows. All Points East is fairly new among festivals but has already won the award for Line-Up of the Year. Some of the popular Airbnbs in London are situated in this area. The festival aims to be as green as possible. For example, all paper cups, cutlery and food packaging are compostable, and all build set materials are reused. If you are a first-time visitor, you should know that if you leave the festival area, there is no re-admission, so you should plan for that and make use of the many services in the area.
- Location: Victoria Park, London
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11. Desertfest
Camden is often an appropriate place to put your horns up and rock out, but that will be especially true at Desertfest, the capital’s premier festival celebrating stoner rock and doom metal. This year, the line-up brings together some of the genres’ best acts, from Suicidal Tendencies and Cancer Bats to Speedhorn and Masters Of Reality, and will take over various rock venues in the area.- Location: Camden, London
- Tickets: weekday tickets from £67.98, weekend tickets from £162.69
12. Hampton Court Palace Festival
It’s not every day you get to attend a music festival in a historic old palace, but this open-air concert series in Hampton Court Palace’s lovely Tudor Courtyard offers a genteel take on the summer festival between June 11-21 If you’re feeling fancy, you can even hire a Waterside Gazebo with ten of your mates or purchase a VIP Concert & Dining package.- Location: Hampton Court Palace, London
- Ticket: £45 onwards
13. Wimbledon
Wimbledon, located in southwest London, is renowned for hosting the oldest and one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world, the Wimbledon Championships. The event takes place annually over two weeks, usually in late June and early July, at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Wimbledon is famous for its traditional grass courts, which provide a unique and challenging surface for players. The tournament attracts top tennis talent from around the globe, with singles, doubles, and mixed doubles competitions. Alongside the intense matches, Wimbledon is known for its traditions, including the strict dress code for players, the consumption of strawberries and cream by spectators, and the Royal Box, where members of the British royal family often sit. The tournament’s rich history, competitive spirit, and iconic setting make Wimbledon a highlight of the international tennis calendar.
- Location: Merton, London
- Price: £25
14. London Marathon
The London Marathon is one of the most prestigious long-distance running events in the world. It takes place annually in London, typically in April. Thousands of participants, ranging from elite athletes to amateur runners, come together to compete in this iconic race. The course covers a distance of 42.2 kilometres and passes through many famous landmarks in London, such as Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, and Buckingham Palace. Most of the best restaurants in London are situated in this area.The event attracts millions of spectators lining the streets to cheer on the runners. The London Marathon is not only about competition but also about raising money for charity, with participants often running to support various causes. It has a rich history dating back to its inaugural race in 1981 and continues to be a celebrated event, drawing runners and spectators from all over the globe.
15. University Boat Race
The university boat race is a big event where teams from Oxford and Cambridge universities race against each other in rowing boats. It’s been happening since 1829 and takes place on the River Thames in London. The race is about 4.2 miles long, starting from Putney and ending at Mortlake. Each team has eight rowers and a coxswain who guides the boat. Lots of people come to watch, both in person along the river and on TV around the world. The race is not just about who’s the fastest but also about tradition and pride for the universities. Winning the boat race is a huge deal for the winning team and their fans, and they celebrate a lot when they win.
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Christmas & New Year
