London Weekend Break
Special events and exhibitions in the London area
Both annual and one-of special event are organised across the city of London on a regular basis. These range from firework displays on New Years Eve to charity concerts in Trafalgar Square and major rock music concerts in the city’s parks and sports stadiums.
London also sees the nation's movie premiers (normally in Leicester square) and is host to an ever increasing number of awards ceremonies and yes, there really is an award ceremony for the arrangers of award ceremonies.
Other events like the Notting Hill carnival in August, the Oxbridge Boat race, dating back to 1829, the changing of the guard at Buckingham palace, and the London Marathon are just some of the incredible and varied spectacles to which London is a regular host.
On a smaller level you may want to find out if there is a partial re-enactment of a historic event at one of London's castles or towers. The best way to do this is contact the attraction directly and it is also a good idea to make stopping at one of the city's tourist offices your first port of call on arrival. For a list of some of these events, look further down the page.
Some of London's special annual events
Here is a far from complete list of some of London’s festivals and ceremonies, events and regattas, carnivals and parades. The dates of many of these events vary from year to year, so you need to confirm times and dates for each event with the event organisers (all have websites).
- New Year's day parade
International boat show
Mime festival
London Marathon
Oxford and Cambridge boat race
The Queen's birthday
Covent garden festival
City of London festival
Wimbledon lawn tennis championship
Hampton Court palace flower show
The Henley regatta
Notting Hill carnival
Regent Street festival
The Mayor's Thames festival
Horseman's Sunday (Hyde park)
Pearly Kings and pearly Queens festival
Trafalgar day parade
State opening of parliament
London to Brighton veteran car race
Lord Mayor's show
Bonfire and Guy Fawkes night
Remembrance parade
Switching on the Christmas lights
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