Festivals
Your guide to festivals in London, including music, food, comedy and the arts
- Rivington Street Festival
- This year's music festivals
- Greenwich and Docklands International...
- City of London Festival 2013
- More London Free Festival at the Scoop
Recommended festivals
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
- Thu Jun 20 - 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
- Thu Jun 20 - Sun Jun 23
Greenwich and Docklands International Festival 2013
- 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
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