The City of London dominates English and British culture, but being such a diverse city, the festivals and events that it hosts are a great reflection of the success of multiculturalism in the capital. From weekend wildlife clubs to improve your knowledge of the local wildlife in the city, right through to huge events like the dazzling fireworks of the Lord Mayor’s Show, and the party atmosphere of Notting Hill Carnival, thousands of people come to London for all sorts of events, lectures, carnivals, celebrations and exhibitions. Here we’ll show you the best, and cheapest events in the city.
The Lord Mayor’s Show is one of the biggest events to be held in the capital, with thousands of people lining the River Thames to watch the enormous fireworks display. Now a nearly 800 year old celebration, the show has survived everything from the Black Death to the Blitz and is still one of the city’s most loved annual festivals. Set up to parade the newly appointed Lord Mayor around a three and a half mile route, the show culminates in a huge display of fireworks over the Thames.
Perhaps a crowded Thames is not quite up your alley, and you fancy a more scholarly visit? Well then,
Gresham College is bound to have something for you. Hosting free to attend lectures throughout the year on a vast array of topics, you’ll find that you can learn a great deal without spending anything whatsoever. Gresham College offers lectures ranging from the deeply political issues of the day, through financial lectures right the way to the history of art and fashion.
One of the most famous events takes place in West London, the Notting Hill Carnival has a huge vibrant atmosphere, with people from all over the world attending to make it one of the world’s biggest and best annual events. Attracting over one million people in recent years, the festival is everything you could want from the city’s party people. With food and drink outlets all over the area surrounding the carnival itself, along with themed dancers and music, the festival has a distinctly Caribbean, feel good vibe to it, where young and old, couples, families or individuals can go to make new friends, party, and let their hair down to really have a great day out.
Dates for your diary:
1 January
New Years Day ParadeWestminster
January/February
Chinese New YearWest End/Trafalgar Square/Shaftesbury Avenue
March
Head Of The River RaceRiver Thames Between Chiswick and Putney Bridges
April
The Boat Race
River Thames Between Chiswick and Putney Bridges
April
London Marathon
Greenwich Park to The Mall via Docklands, The City and Victoria Embankment
3-5th May 2014
Canal Cavalcade
Little Venice
15-17 May 2014
Museums at NightVarious venues - Some venues are free
7th June 2014
Epsom Derby
Not strictly in London but you can get a train from Victoria Station
14 June 2014
Trooping The ColourHorse Guards Parade and The Mall
20-28 June 2014
Greenwich & Docklands festival
Greenwich, Woolwich, Canary Wharf, Whitechapel and Bow
7 July 2014
Tour De France
Cambridge to The Mall via Epping Forest and the Olympic Park
25,26 August 2014
Notting Hill Carnival
Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Grove
1-30 September 2014
The Mayors Thames Festival
42 miles of the River Thames - Not all events are free
3-9 September 2014
Tall ships regattaGreenwich
20,21 September 2014
Open House LondonOver 800 venues in 30 Boroughs
8 November 2014
Lord Mayors Show
Procession around the City, Fireworks on the River Thames between Waterloo and Blackfriars bridges
31 December 2014
New Years Eve Fireworks - Victoria Embankment