London Events

Changing the Guard

This is one of the oldest and most familiar of all royal ceremonies. Every other day a throng of tourists gather outside Buckingham Palace to watch the exchange of duty between the Old Guard and the New Guard. The Foot Guards wear their...  see full details

West End Shows

Famed for its musicals, the West End in the centre of London boasts some of the best theatre in the world, from musicals to comedy and drama. There are ongoing shows that have been running for years, such as Phantom of the Opera,...  see full details

Trooping the Colour (Queen's Birthday Parade)

The ceremony of the Trooping the Colour (or Queen's Birthday Parade) takes place each year on Horse Guards Parade on the Queen's birthday and dates back to the time of Charles II in the 17th century. Although the Queen was actually born on...  see full details

The Times BFI London Film Festival

Film-fever spreads all across London for two weeks during The Times and British Film Institute sponsored London Film Festival. It is the most important film festival in the UK and features premieres, short films, Experimental, World Cinema and the classics. ...  see full details

Lord Mayor’s Show

The Lord Mayor’s Show is an annual event held in the City of London when the Mayor makes his way from Mansion House to the Royal Courts of Justice to swear allegiance to the crown. The procession has been marked by each Lord...  see full details

Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair

Showcasing the finest selection of Christmas gifts, fabulously-festive home decorations and a delicious range of food and drink from luxury Christmas puddings to Cornish Cheese and fine wines, the Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair is the ultimate Christmas bazaar. Thousands of visitors are expected...  see full details

Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year is celebrated every year in London's Chinatown, which is located in Soho. As the Chinese calendar is based on lunar and solar movements, this festival takes place on a different date every year. The festival consists of numerous parades, which...  see full details

Carling Cup Final

The Carling Cup is gaining a larger following each year, and although not as prestigious as many of the other major European football festivals it nonetheless showcases some of the best in football talent. ...  see full details

Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race

An annual tradition since 1829, the rowing race between two of Britain's oldest university sides creates a festival atmosphere along the banks of the Thames River between Putney and Mortlake. Thousands of people gather at various vantage points along the riverbank, many of them...  see full details

London Marathon

The Flora London Marathon is a 26.2 mile (42km) race from Greenwich Park to the Mall, via Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. Around 30,000 professional and amateur runners compete every year, many dressed in fancy dress...  see full details

FA Cup Final

The cherished FA Cup is football's oldest tournament and has a special place in the hearts of fans around the world. What separates this tournament from many of the others is that it champions the underdog as lower division teams have a chance...  see full details

Chelsea Flower Show

The Chelsea Flower Show is an annual event organised by the Royal Horticultural Society and since its inception in 1913, has been recognised as the foremost show of its kind in the world. An immensely popular event, the show draws crowds of thousands...  see full details

London Mardi Gras

The London Gay & Lesbian Pride and Mardi Gras consists of three main events - the Pride Parade, the Mardi Gras Arts Festival, and the Mardi Gras Festival. Details of these events are released in the run up to Mardi Gras, which is...  see full details

Wimbledon Tennis Championships

The Wimbledon Championships are the highlight of the year's tennis calendar, bringing together the world's leading tennis professionals in a battle for glory. The first championship event at Wimbledon dates back to 1877, but the first Ladies' Singles championship was only introduced in 1884....  see full details

V Festival Chelmsford

Richard Branson's answer to the popular music festivals during the British summers offers many of the biggest live acts from around the world. The festival is noted for its professionalism, and low queuing times ensuring its sold-out status every year. Like the Carling festivals,...  see full details

Notting Hill Carnival

The first Notting Hill Carnival took place in 1964 when London's Caribbean community introduced the carnival to ease racial tensions. Since then it has become a popular and colourful annual event celebrated by more than two million Londoners of all backgrounds. It is the...  see full details

Carling Weekend Reading

One of the English Summer's great festivals of music boasts many of the biggest names in Pop/Rock/Indie/Folk and Comedy. The Carling sponsored event is increasing in popularity each year and tens of thousands make their way to the fields to enjoy the finest...  see full details

BBC Henry Wood Proms

The Proms claims to be the greatest classical musical festival in the world and every summer it presents a wide range of music from symphony orchestras to operas and contemporary music. Performances take place in one of the capital's most majestic venues and visitors...  see full details