Festivals
Your guide to festivals in London, including music, food, comedy and the arts
- 2013 music festivals
- RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2013
- London Hoop Fest 2013
- London Literature Festival 2013
- Field Day
2013 music festivals
The definitive guide to the only fests you and your straw hat need to check out this summer
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2013
Horticultural retail therapy for the green of thumb, back for the 100th year running
London Hoop Fest 2013
A week of activities in East London dedicated to the art of hoopla
London Literature Festival 2013
The annual international fest of all things literary descends on Southbank Centre
Field Day
Solange, TNGHT, Kurt Vile, Bat for Lashes and more play Victoria Park
Recommended festivals
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
- Critics choice
The year 2013 marks the one hundredth anniversary of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital and green-fingered folk will delight again at the horticultural show's return. Over the 11 acres, the event invites visitors to explore a wide range of spectacular gardens and floral exhibits with a variety of themes. RHS Chelsea Flower Show is strictly advance-booking only, with no admission on the gate.
- Royal Hospital Chelsea Royal Hospital Rd, SW3 4SR
- Tue May 21 - Sat May 25
Clerkenwell Design Week
- Critics choice
Annual three-day design fest taking place across Clerkenwell's many design showrooms, studios and workshops, along with historic venues like the House of Detention and the Order of St John and buildings that aren't ordinarily open to the public.
- Various Clerkenwell venues
- Wed May 22 - Thu May 23
London Literature Festival
- Critics choice
This festival brings together international, world class poets, authors and speakers representing the spectrum of creative disciplines for more than a week of talks and events. The 2013 programme hasn't been announced yet but we'll update this page when it has.
- Southbank Centre Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX
- Fri May 24 - Wed Jun 5
Kew's Summer Festival: IncrEdibles
- Critics choice
Kew's summer festival is dedicated to the diversity of edible plants. The Global Garden, situated on the Great Lawn opposite Kew Palace, will feature more than 90 edible plants from around the globe – including grapes, pomegranate and olive trees planted in raised beds – along with stories about their origins and cultural heritage.
- Kew Gardens Kew Rd, TW9 3AB
- Sat May 25 - Sun Nov 3
Spitalfields Music Summer Festival
- Critics choice
This two-week festival programmes an eclectic mix of concerts ranging from opera, classical and jazz to world music, folk and pop in order to celebrate Tower Hamlets and its local spaces.
- Various venues in East London
- Fri Jun 7 - Sun Jun 23
Trooping the Colour: The Colonel's Review
- Critics choice
At this rehearsal for the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony to commemorate the Queen's official birthday (which takes place on June 15 2013), a representative for the Royal Family will take the salute. Applications for tickets for the seated stands take place in January and February.
- Horse Guards Parade Horse Guards, Whitehall, SW1A 2AX
- Sat Jun 8
Open Garden Squares Weekend
- Critics choice
Around 200 communal gardens not ordinarily open to the public unlock their gates for the weekend at this annual event, held in association with the National Trust.
- Various London locations
- Sat Jun 8 - Sun Jun 9
Trooping the Colour: The Queen’s Birthday Parade
- Critics choice
The ceremony to celebrate the sovereign's official birthday is probably the most spectacular of London's annual traditions. Carried out by fully operational troops from the Household Division (Foot Guards and Household Cavalry), Trooping the Colour is a military tradition that dates back to the early eighteenth century.
- Horse Guards Parade Horse Guards, Whitehall, SW1A 2AX
- Sat Jun 15
Greenwich and Docklands International Festival 2013
- Critics choice
- Free
This year's Greenwich + Docklands International Festival of outdoor arts, theatre, dance and family entertainment is directed by Bradley Hemmings, co-artistic director of the Paralympic Opening Ceremony, and takes as its inspiration the democratic spirit of outdoor theatre. Events, most of which are free, take place at different sites in Greenwich; see the festival website nearer the festival's date for the full programme.
- Various venues
- Thu Jun 20 - Sat Jun 29
City of London Festival 2013
- Critics choice
The annual City of London Festival returns with a huge range of events based on three interlocking themes: city walls, trees, and conflict and resolution. Highlights of the programme include performances marking the one hundredth anniversary of Benjamin Britten's birth, including his 'War Requiem'; and a plethora of walks, talks, street theatre, dance and family events, many of them free.
- Various venues in the City of London
- Sun Jun 23 - Fri Jul 26
Wimbledon Championships
- Critics choice
Getting into the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club requires forethought. Seats on Centre and Number One courts are distributed by ballot the preceding year, although enthusiasts who queue on the day may gain entry to the outer courts.
- All England Lawn Tennis Club Church Rd, SW19 5AE
- Mon Jun 24 - Sun Jul 7
The Coronation Festival
- Critics choice
As part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Queen's coronation, the Palace gardens are opened to all for three days of activities featuring some 200 Royal Warrant holders. These will be split into four areas - homes & gardens, food & drink, design & technology and styles, pursuits & pastimes – enabling visitors to wander at will and examine past and future technologies, sample a wide range of produce and products, and of course buy everything from fashion goods and
- Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace Rd, SW1A 1AA
- Fri Jul 12 - Sun Jul 14
Lord Mayor's Show and Fireworks 2013
- Critics choice
- Free
This spectacular three-mile-long procession winds its way from Mansion House through the historic streets of the Square Mile to the Royal Courts of Justice – and it has nothing to do with Boris. He's the mayor of London, and this parade, a tradition dating back to 1215, welcomes into office the new Lord Mayor of the City of London – this year, it's the turn of the 686th incumbent. Around half a million spectators will watch the procession, which will begin at 11am with an
New Year's Eve 2013 Firework Display
- Critics choice
- Free
Heralding the start of 2014, London's official New Year firework display from The London Eye and barges in the Thames is certain to be a spectacular show against a stunning backdrop. The display will be broadcast live on BBC One. If you're planning to head into town to watch the fireworks live, don't leave it too late or you may find yourself being turned away. Good viewing spots are limited (designated viewing areas along the Thames fill up by around 9pm). Don't make for the
- London Eye South Bank, SE1 7PB
- Tue Dec 31
Get the latest news from Time Out
Including exclusive offers and tickets, the best events, news, competitions and giveaways.
@TimeOutLondon
Spotify
Subscribe to Time Out London on Spotify for daily playlists and recommendations from our Music team.
