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Festivals and events in London: 2012 preview

The London events and festivals we're most looking forward to in 2012

Read all our 2012 preview features

  • 2011 is so last year! Browse the below lists to look forward to the cultural, culinary, musical and cinematic treats that London's going to serve up over the next 12 months

Most viewed festivals and events

  1. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee: BBC Concert at Buckingham Palace
  2. Rooftop Film Club: Queen of Hoxton
  3. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee: River Pageant
  4. Rooftop Film Club: The Roof Gardens, Kensington
  5. Greenwich and Docklands International Festival 2012
  6. Film4 Summer Screen 2012
  7. Diamond Jubilee Festival SOLD OUT
  8. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee: Carriage Procession
  9. World Street Food Festival
  10. Chelsea Fringe Festival
More most viewed festivals and events
  • © Malcolm Banthorpe

    Thames Festival

    Free
    Sep 8-9

    The annual Thames Festival takes place between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge over the weekend, with an extensive programme of entertainment on and beside the Thames. On Sunday evening Victoria Embankment and...

  • A Room for London

    Recommended
    Until Sun Dec 30, Queen Elizabeth Hall

    Living Architecture and Artangel present this temporary installation, which will remain in place for the whole of 2012, on the roof of the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Around 500 artists and architects from around the world entered...

  • Before I Die

    Death: Southbank Centre's Festival for the Living

    Recommended
    Until Sun Jan 29, Southbank Centre

    Four days of talks, music, performance and poetry on the subject of death. Respectful and irreverent events led by philosophers, artists, musicians, scientists, undertakers, medical practitioners, psychiatrists,...

  • Chiswick House Camellia Festival

    Recommended
    Until Sun Mar 18, Chiswick House

    The Chiswick House camellia collection contains rare and historically important examples of these spring-flowering shrubs, including 'Middlemist's Red', thought to be one of only two surviving examples in the world. The...

  • Giraffes

    Luxury Camping at London Zoo

    Until Sun May 27, London Zoo

    Glamping at the zoo. The evening includes a torch-lit tour, animal and conservation talks, dinner and then the chance to snuggle down under canvas in a comfy bed. Prices are per person per night, based on two people...

  • The Queen's Diamond Jubilee: River Pageant

    Recommended
    Sun Jun 3

    Up to 1,000 boats are anticipated to take part in this pageant on the Thames – the largest flotilla on the river in modern times – held at high water on Sunday afternoon in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The Queen...

  • All the Bells (Martin Creed: Work No. 1197)

    Fri Jul 27, Londonwide

    To mark the beginning of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, take part in Martin Creed's 'Work No 1197: All the bells in a country rung as quickly and loudly as possible for three minutes'. The title is...

  • Buy tickets

    London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony

    Fri Jul 27, Olympic Stadium

    With Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle at the helm of a creative team that also includes filmmaker Stephen Daldry, the London 2012 Olympic And Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony should be pop-culturally impressive enough...

  • Exhibition Road Show

    Free
    Jul 28-Aug 5, Exhibition Road

    Taking place during the first nine days of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Exhibition Road Festival sees the street's arts, cultural, scientific and academic organisations join together to present games, dance, science,...

  • Crossness Engines

    Open House London

    Free
    Sep 22-23

    Celebrating its twentieth anniversary in 2012, Open House London is an annual event that gives Londoners and visitors the opportunity to view, free of charge, an array of buildings of architectural interest which are not...

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