London’s leg of the worldwide torch relay starts at Wembley Arena Square with performances of multicultural dance. Carried by Tessa Sanderson, Duncan Goodhew, Dame Kelly Holmes and others, the Olympic flame will travel through ten London boroughs, stopping at a number of attractions before arriving by boat at Greenwich Peninsula Square where a concert includes displays of gymnastics and Chinese ribbon dancing, as well as music by the Sugababes. Events at the opening and closing legs of the relay are ticketed (apply for free tickets via the website), the remaining route is open to spectators. Approximate timings are as follows:
10.30am Wembley Special event at Arena Square (ticket only) and community activities in central Harlesden.
11am Ladbroke Grove Mini carnival with soca music.
11.30am Notting Hill Gate Latino carnival band.
12noon Oxford Street On an open-top bus.
12.25pm British Museum Greeted by a fanfare played on re-constructed ancient Greek trumpets, plus traditional Chinese ribbon dancing.
12.45pm Chinatown Costumed dragons and lions.
12.50pm Piccadilly Circus
1pm Trafalgar Square Music and performance.
1.30pm Southbank Centre 600-strong choir, kathak dance, poetry, circus, hip hop and beatboxing.
2.30pm Somerset House Dance by Aletta Collins accompanied by the Bollywood Brass Band and local schoolchildren.
2.45pm St Paul’s Cathedral The band of the Scots Guards, Lord Mayor, Dean of St Paul’s and 150 schoolkids.
3.15pm Potters Fields/More London Rhythms of the City, Chinese dragon dance and live drumming.
3.30pm Tower Bridge
3.45pm Whitechapel Road ‘Emperor and the Tiger’ show and input from Kinetika.
4.45pm Stratford Carnival, street performers, music floats and sporting activities throughout the afternoon.
