London hosts amazing events throughout the year. Some of the annual events below are not to be missed. My top 5 favourites are
- Notting Hill Carnival
- Chelsea Flower Show
- BBC Proms
- New year Fireworks
- Chinese New Year
New year FireWorks (Dec) – 31st Dec/ 01 Jan
Hear Big Ben’s famous ring at midnight on New Year’s Eve in London, followed by the UK’s largest annual fireworks display over the London Eye. Since 2014, you need ticket to visit this hugely popular London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks. Tickets are released few months in advance.
Chinese New year in London (Jan) – 26th Jan
Celebrate Chinese New Year in London during the free annual event across Chinatown and the West End. Enjoy a colourful Chinese New Year parade, lion dances in Chinatown and delicious Chinese street food, as well as free entertainment and stage performances in Trafalgar Square.
London St. Patrick’s Day Festival 2020 (March) – 15th Mar
Now in it’s 18th year, the Mayor of London’s St. Patrick’s festival is the largest celebration of Irish culture and community in London. It has been built upon a robust foundation of tradition, inclusivity and diversity and a sincere appreciation for the perspectives of different generations. It is a pinnacle event in London’s cultural calendar that showcases the best of Irish arts, performance, culture, food, and music from both Britain and Ireland.
We welcome over 75,000 to the parade in central London and festival in Trafalgar Square. At London St. Patrick’s day, everyone is welcome! The procession sets off at midday from Piccadilly and makes its way along a 1.5-mile (2.4km) route, passing some of London’s most iconic landmarks, including The Ritz, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and onto Whitehall.
https://www.london.gov.uk/events/2020-03-15/london-st-patricks-day-festival-2020
The Boat Race (March) – 29th Mar
One of the biggest free sporting spectacles in London, The Boat Race creates a festive atmosphere on the banks of the river Thames. Up to 250,000 people flock to the riverbanks every year to join the celebrations and watch the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge eight-oared rowing boats race along the famous 4.2-mile (6.8km) Championship Course between Putney and Mortlake.
London Games Festival (March, April) – 26th Mar – 6th Apr
London Games Festival returns in 2020, delivering 40+ events across the city from 26 March to 6 April. The London Games Festival is increasingly renowned globally for the perception-changing spotlight it puts on interactive entertainment. LGF has more games on show than any other global games event and boasts a more varied programme and diverse audience. This is boosted with events delivered or backed by supporters underpinning the festival such as the British Academy of Film and Television (BAFTA), British Council and Events DC. 97,000+ people attended 40 different events during the 2019 festival.
Virgin Money London Marathon 2020 (April) – 26th Apr
Every year, more than 40,000 people run the 26.2-mile (42.2km) marathon through the streets of London. The Virgin Money London Marathon is open to all abilities, from beginners to professional athletes. The ballot to run in the 2020 event is now closed, however you can watch the athelets run on the street. https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/en-gb/
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2020 (May) – 19-23 May
World-renowned garden designers, plant specialists, florists and nurseries come together every year to one of London’s most charming and affluent neighbourhoods to show off cutting-edge garden designs and inspirational floral exhibits. The garden design-equivalent to Paris Fashion Week, the show attracts more than 150,000 visitors each year, including members of the Royal Family. RHS Chelsea Flower Show tickets usually sell out quickly and must be purchased in advance, so make sure to book early. https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show
FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium (May) – 23rd May
Experience one of the best London events in May for sports fans, as English football’s biggest competition reaches a climax at Wembley Stadium.
Horse Racing: Royal Ascot 2020 (June) – 16-20 Jun
Britain’s most popular race meeting attracts the world’s finest racehorses, jockeys and trainers for five days of top-class racing. https://www.ascot.co.uk/horse-races-and-events/royal-ascot/overview
Pride in London (June) – 27th Jun
Pride in London celebrates the capital’s LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans +) communities with a programme of events showcasing LGBT+ culture, including theatre, dance, art, cinema, parties and activities across the city. https://prideinlondon.org/
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships (June, July) – 29 Jun – 12 Jul
Experience two weeks of first-class tennis, at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships.The tournament attracts around 500,000 spectators including the royal family and millions of television viewers worldwide. It is one of the four annual Grand Slam tennis events held around the globe. https://www.wimbledon.com/
BBC Proms (Jul – Sep) – 17 Jul – 12 Sep
Each year, the BBC Proms host two months of concerts over the summer, aiming to bring the finest classical music to as many people as possible at affordable prices and in an informal atmosphere.
Proms is short for Promenade Concerts: informal and inexpensive concerts which feature the popular tradition of Promming. You can take part in this tradition by buying a standing ticket in the central arena or high-up gallery of the Royal Albert Hall for just ÂŁ6. There are up to 1,350 standing places available for Promenaders (Prommers) at each concert, with some available to buy on the door before each. https://www.bbc.co.uk/proms
Prudential RideLondon (Aug) – 15th-16th Aug
Prudential RideLondon is the world’s greatest festival of cycling. The eighth edition will take place over the weekend of 15-16 August 2020.
Taking a cue from the London Marathon, amateur cyclists also participate in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 – a 100-mile challenge on the same closed roads as the professionals, with the added incentive of raising money for good causes. Since 2016, the event has also featured the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 46 – a 46-mile sportive created specifically for newer and also younger cyclists, and in 2018 the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 19 was added to the programme. https://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/
Notting Hill Carnival (Aug) – 30-31 Aug
Notting Hill Carnival happens every year on the last weekend of August. Join London’s biggest street party as the Notting Hill Carnival fills the streets of west London with Caribbean colours, music and flavours. https://nhcarnival.org/
Entertainers taking part in a parade at the Notting Hill carnival. 
London Design Festival (Sep) – 12-20 Sep
This annual festival has been showcasing the work of designers, architects, artists and retailers since 2003. Find more than 400 large-scale installations, exhibitions and events in unique spaces across London, from world-famous museums to small local studios. https://www.londondesignfestival.com/
