London is buzzing with festivals, fairs and celebrations this Summer. The West End is in full swing, the City of London has its cultural and hedonistic side on display, and to top it all, it’s the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year. Shops, restaurants, theatres – everywhere is open. So if you’re in the mood for a party, or even if you prefer to watch from a cafe terrace as the world goes by, take a look at the offerings below.
Somerset House Courtyard: This Bright Land Festival
August 1 to 29
This Bright Land Festival: rolling programme of free day and night activities (treasure hunts, outdoor games) and performances, workshops. 35m observation wheel. Promises to be colourful. Perfect for a central hotel London.
Creativity Camp: Song writing
Aug 22 to 26
Alexandra Palace, N22
Write and record a song with Kemi Cline–Thomas and industry guests over five days. Ages 8–14.
Antiques & Collectors Fair
September 4
Alexandra Palace, N22
Antiques in the heart of London. This historic setting makes the perfect hunting ground for beautiful collectors’ pieces.
Art of London Season 2022: Brighter Future
From August
Outdoor venues across the West End
Artwork from comedian Harry Hill and three contemporary artists on display across Central London. Digital art from Zara Hussain, immersive environments from Sam Williams and interactive installations from Fiona Quadri.
BBC Proms Music Festival
Until September 10
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7
World famous classical music festival that embraces increasingly diverse and spectacular programming. More than 40 days of fine orchestras, soloists and magnificent spectacle. Buy tickets or queue on the day. On the doorstep of London’s famous royal parks.
Canary Wharf Summer Lights Festival
August
Various locations, Canary Wharf
London E14
Free. Artworks celebrating the wonders of natural light: 11 new installations as well as six permanent pieces that are enhanced by natural light on these long Summer days. Exhibition of hand–blown glass in the lobby of One Canada Square as well. Download the Summer Lights map.
Carnival Weekender
August 26 to 29
Seven Dials Market, WC2
Music, dance and masquerade at Seven Dials Market. Sounds from Reggae Roast, all ages welcome. Carnival food and drink, feathers and glitter.
Cocktails in the City Festival of Drinks
August 20 to 21
Bedford Square Gardens, WC1
London summer cocktail “happening” with cocktail making demonstrations and cocktail tasting. Festive vibes and non-stop live music. London Cocktail Club, Barrio Bars and Callooh Callay amongst those running the drinks.
Disney on Stage: Magical Covent Garden pop-ups
Until Sept 4
Interactive Disney pop–ups in Covent Garden this Summer. Witness a scene from Frozen in Covent Garden’s Infinity Chamber; an interactive Olaf Holiday Postcard on the North Piazza; a romantic Insta moment on the Beauty and the Beast swing seat; a showcase of Disney costumes in the Market Building; a Lion King sunrise. Plus Covent Garden’s 1,000 seats of alfresco dining.
Greenwich + Docklands International Festival
August 26 to September 11
London’s free, annual outdoor performing arts festival. Art, theatre, dance, circus and lots of family activities. Greenwich, Docklands and Tower Hamlets join forces. Includes a mesmerising display as Borealis lights up the Greenwich and Woolwich skies. Why not make the most of it and look for a London hotel booking?
Hampton Court Palace Food Festival
August 27 to 29
Historic setting and lots of street food, pop-up bars, artisan producers, family fun, and a bandstand. Also ProCook Pop-up Cookery School, The LU Cafe and Bone Idyll Liquid Masterclasses (cocktail time).
Hot Dinners’ Dining Out Guide
Supported by the Mayor of London, here are some guides, tips and lists for the best dining around the capital. Eat through King’s Cross and Victoria, try a 48–hours food itinerary, or just find the best deals.
Ice Cream Festival
August 20 to 30
Covent Garden Piazza and surrounding streets
35 vendors reinvent the ice cream. Iced macarons from Laduree. Vegan hibiscus sorbet from Bears Ice Cream.
Kids’ Week
For every adult ticket purchased, one child goes free. To take full advantage of this offer, combine this with a Kids Week package at Blue Orchid Hotels, and some excellent offers and packages, discounted family rates, family breakfast, dinner included and more.
CampFire Club
Until 23rd September
Outdoor folk concerts by a roaring fire. Various locations across the capital.
28th August
Clapham Common, SW4
A melting pot of black culture with sounds and styles from across Africa, the Caribbean, America, Canada and UK.
Notting Hill Carnival
August 27 to 29
Absent for two years, 50,000 performers and 30 sound systems are back. One heck of a street party in West London. It deserves a London top hotel.
Oxford Street Clean Power Aerial Art
From August 10
Oxford Street’s flags are going green. Curator/artist Morag Myerscough’s bold installation promotes a low carbon future for businesses and individuals, and the 105 colourful, recycled banners will raise funds for zero carbon initiatives. Made of recycled plastic from marine environments, the installation will span from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road, before it moves around the globe. Spectators can get involved by purchasing digital artwork by Morag for £3, and through this, the campaign will fund new community rooftop solar energy in Central London, as well as planting woodland in Greater London. Clean Power, was founded by #TOGETHERBAND to support the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7.
Oxford Street, W1.
Summer in Aldgate: Aldgate Sounds
Throughout August
Aldgate Square, Aldgate High Street, EC3
Musical lunch breaks. Have yourself a mindful musical midday every Tuesday in August, from 12pm–2pm.
Until April 2023
Free, city–wide public art exhibition of contemporary artworks among iconic architecture (e.g. the Gherkin)
Until September 19
Barbican Music Library
Jazz roots to the Rolling Stones. Free. The rise of British blues from US and African roots to today’s artists. Features items donated by John Mayall and the late Chris Barber.
City of London Visitor Trail
Ongoing
A free 90 minute self-guided tour of the Square Mile. World famous attractions and hidden gems, as well a shopping, eating and drinking guide. Free City Trail map from City Information Centre or download.
City of London Children’s Visitor Trail
Ongoing
Free. Follow one of three children’s trails across the Square Mile: City stories, Towers on the Thames, or Skyscrapers. Free map with stickers and activities from City Information Centre opposite St Paul’s Cathedral.
Tally Ho Cycling in the City
Award winning bike tours for individuals, families or groups. City & Secrets tour of the oldest part of London. Dedicated bike lanes.
Superbloom at the Tower of London
Until September 18
A beautiful, self–renewing eco display, conceived as a homage to HRH during this year’s Platinum Jubilee. Millions of carefully selected seeds were planted and grown in the Tower’s huge moat. To be maintained as a natural resource beyond the Jubilee. Tickets available to walk through the moat, or you can survey this oasis of pleasure from the public viewing area for free. Some excellent close by overnight packages.
Tower Suites’ Family Time
100 Minories, EC3
This August the kids eat for free at the in–house, Italian–inspired Cento Alla Torre restaurant.
Tower of London: Gunpowder Plot
Ongoing
The Tower Vaults, Tower of London
The famous plot to blow up Parliament, just two years after the death of Elizabeth I: an immersive experience, taking you back to 1605, with Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter) starring as Guy Fawkes. Tickets available.
Sustainable Sari comes home
August
Climate change awareness is being fostered by ground-breaking arts organisation Nutkhut and Blue Orchid Hotels. The world’s first sustainable sari, made out of recycled plastic, returns to Tower Suites in time for India Independence Day, after a world tour raising awareness about rising sea levels and the climate crisis.
Totally Thames Festival
Throughout September
Across London (various venues)
Free activities along the Thames riverbank: an annual celebration of our famous river. Close to the centre of town, a night time flotilla of 150 boats decorated with white lights will glide from Chelsea to Tower Bridge at dusk (on September 24). Also for night owls: nine bridges lit up by Leo Villarreal’s Illuminated River installation. Plus a mudlarking exhibition at St Paul’s Cathedral and Rivers of the World artworks outside Tate Modern; watch 330 boats compete in the Great London River Race and more.
Carnaby Summer Festival
Until August 21
Bars, restaurants and shops celebrate 2022 with creative workshops, giveaways – and live music on Thursday evenings.
The World Reimagined
Until October 31
Free. Across the City of London. Outdoor trail of large, artist–designed globes that respond to the Transatlantic slave trade and its impact: how to make racial justice a reality.
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