London Entertainment

Enjoying London year round

Daily events

• Changing of the Guard - This Buckingham Palace tradition draws crowds daily. Arrive early if you want a good view.
• Covent Garden Buskers - Any day of the week, be entertained with comedy, music and acrobatics. While admission is free, be sure to bring lots of spare change to show your appreciation of the street performers' talents.
• Tower of London - Every night at 21:53 on the dot, the ceremony of the keys locks the tower up tight. To attend, you must apply in writing to the Resident Governor.

January

• New Year's Day Parade - More than 10,000 performers from 20 countries draw half a million spectators for one of the world's biggest parades.

February

• Olympia Fine Art & Antiques Spring Fair - One of the finest antique and art fairs in the world, the fair maintains its reputation by authenticating every item sold.

March

• Head of River Race - This annual rowing event races along the River Thames all the way from Mortlake to Putney.

April

• Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race - This classic English grudge match has been an annual tradition for more than 150 years.
• Flora London Marathon - With almost 40,000 runners from around the globe, this London marathon is world-class.
• London Golf Show - Europe's biggest public golf show, this event gets bigger every year.

May

• Chelsea Flower Show - This horticultural fair is a worthy start to the flower season.
• Hampstead & Highgate Festival - For almost a decade, this festival has showcased outstanding opera and classical music.
• London International Festival of Theatre - This world renowned arts festival brings theater from around the world to venues throughout London.

June

• City of London Festival - This eclectic arts and music festival is as diverse as the city that hosts it.
• Wimbledon - The ultimate tennis event comes with strawberry-inspired breakfasts and world-class competition.
• East Barnet Festival of Music, Dance, Arts and Sport - This outdoor festival has everything arts, from Shakespeare to saxophones.

July

• Hampton Court Flower Show - Another breath-taking Royal Horticultural Society event.
• BBC PROMS - The world's greatest classical music festival is a must for music lovers.
• Greenwich & Docklands Festival - London's largest multicultural festival is fun for the whole family.

August

• Notting Hill Festival - This festival brings a bit of Brazil to the streets of London.
• Coin Street Festival - This laid-back, family-oriented festival is free.
• August Kids Week - For a week, kids 5 to 16 get free admission to Theatreland productions.

September

• Chamber Music Festival - Hear some of the best chamber music in the country at some of London's best intimate venues.
• Open House London - More than 600 buildings in London open their doors to the public, free of charge.
• Regent Street Festival - In 2006, the festival celebrated Spain with music, dance and food from the various Spanish regions.

October

• Origin: The London Craft Fair - More than 300 designers from around the world bring their glass, jewelry, furniture and textiles to this magnificent artisans fair.

November

• London Film Festival - The British Film Institute hosts top films from around the globe.
• London to Brighton Veteran Car Run - Only cars built before 1905 can enter this fascinating, albeit slow-paced, non-racing event.
• The Lord Mayor's Show - This 800-year-old tradition parades through the streets of London and ends the day with fireworks.

December

• Christmas in London - From tree lighting in Trafalgar Square to candlelit services in the city's finest cathedral, there's plenty to do in London during the holiday season.
• Spitalfields Winter Festival - Dubbed one of London's most creative music festivals, Spitalfields brings a mix of jazz, world, classical and modern beats.
• Olympia International Show Jumping Championships - Spend a day at one of the most impressive horse jumping shows in the country.