Festival – Articles about London

The Queen's Yard Summer Party, as much a herald of the hottest part of the year as swallows and pale calves basking in the sun, is taking over Hackney Wick this bank holiday weekend.Hosted across multiple venues around the titular area, the annual Queen's Yard Summer Party is filling the streets of...

The Wine Circuit, a three-day celebration for experienced wine enthusiasts and novices alike, returns to Battersea Power Station this June. This free-to-attend festival features over 20 wine producers and independent shops, alongside a vibrant street food market and various bar pop-ups.The weekend k...

Fitzrovia Quarter returns with its Wellness Festival from 11–17 May, coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Week. This year's programme focuses on the power of action, with over 50 activations specifically designed to be completed in just 30 minutes to fit into a standard lunch break.The festival f...

From Thursday to Sunday this week, Brick Lane is again turning into a hotbed of exciting jazz, shining a spotlight on the capital's diverse and thriving jazz talent.The Brick Lane Jazz Festival is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, returning to the Truman Brewery with a diverse programme s...

Promoter LWE has announced The Bridge, a fresh electronic music series taking place over two consecutive weekends at Boston Manor Park in West London. The programme features six events held across the iconic Bridge Stage under the M4 flyover and the immersive Woods Stage. The series launches on Frid...

Chestertons Polo in the Park is the largest three-day polo and lifestyle event in the entire UK. Now in its 15th year, the tournament at Hurlingham Park is designed to increase spectator engagement through a faster, more accessible format.The weekend commences on Friday with an international match f...

London's most famous square is hosting two big cultural celebrations across the weekend and they're both free to attend.On Saturday 18 April, Trafalgar Square will host Vaisakhi, an annual festival commemorating the Khalsa, the founding of the Sikh community in 1699 and one of the most significant e...

This year's London Soundtrack Festival features an expansive programme of concerts, masterclasses, and screenings dedicated to the music of film, television, and video games. Headlining the festival is celebrated James Bond composer David Arnold, who will participate in an intimate in-conversation e...

The Boa Nova Festival has officially revealed its full line-up for its highly anticipated London debut, scheduled for Friday, 22 May 2026, at Leyton Jubilee Park. This inaugural event marks a significant milestone for the city's cultural scene, featuring an exclusive bill of Brazilian artists across...

Following two successful events in 2025, The London Taco Experience returns this April for a vibrant springtime Mexican extravaganza. This year, the fiesta moves to South London's newest landmark, Freight Brixton, located conveniently near the station and Brixton Village Market.As the city's largest...

The popular Urban Elephant Festival returns to Elephant & Castle for its fifth anniversary this Saturday, offering a free celebration of community and creativity.Running from 12pm to 6pm, the event will transform local spaces including Walworth Town Hall Square, Sayer Street, and Castle Square with...

Join Wigmore Hall to celebrate 125 years of incredible chamber music, song recitals, and more.This star-studded fortnight includes Asmik Grigorian, Igor Levit, Jordi Savall, Yunchan Lim, Lise Davidsen, Les Arts Florissants in Handel's “Acis and Galatea”, and a programme of songs from 1901 – the year...

London's biggest country music gathering is back this March as Country to Country Festival returns to The O2 on 13-15 March for a three-day run of boots, ballads and Nashville imports.Now a regular fixture on the capital's music calendar, the festival brings a mix of established country heavyweights...

This year's edition of Meltdown Festival at the Southbank Centre will be curated by none other than Hazza.The Meltdown festival at the Southbank Festival is no stranger to big names, with past editions curated by the likes of Little Simz, David Bowie, and Robert Smith, but as far as contemporary act...

From 24 to 26 July, the biggest pizza festival in the UK will bring more than 20 slice-slingers to Richmond for a three-day festival putting the 'za in bonanza.This year's flagship event, the only one in London, is promising to be the biggest, best, and most outrageous Slice-o-Mania to date, featuri...

Thanks to a new restaurant festival spearheaded by local heroes Acme Fire Cult, you can dine out at some of East London's finest at a significantly lower cost throughout February.The Restaurant Festival, Hackney is a new initiative launched by Dalston's Acme Fire Cult in collaboration with the EatCl...

The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme returns in February with the UK's biggest annual showcase of Japanese cinema, guided by the theme Knowing Me, Knowing You: The True Self in Japanese Cinema. The season explores how identity is formed, questioned and reshaped, taking inspiration from classi...

Labyrinth Events has announced Overmono as the first headliner for the return of its open-air Labyrinth on the Thames series in summer 2026. On 7 August, the acclaimed duo will become the first live electronic act to headline the Old Royal Naval College, in what will also be their only London show o...

Since first launching with just six small installations in 2015, Winter Lights has grown into one of the most popular and respected light art festivals in the country.“Colour Rush” by Liz WestCatering to everyone from art lovers to those who merely whet their appetite for pretty lighting during the...

The London Short Film Festival returns for its 23rd edition this week, taking over both major London cinemas and independent community spaces. As the UK's leading short film festival, LSFF champions bold, independent filmmaking from across the globe.This year's programme features around 300 short fi...

The Kinoteka Polish Film Festival returns from 4 February to 29 March 2026 in London, presenting contemporary and classic Polish cinema alongside documentaries, talks, and special events. The centrepiece is a major retrospective celebrating the 100th anniversary of Andrzej Wajda's birth, spanning si...

Imagine, Southbank Centre's long-running festival for kids and their families, returns for its 24th edition during February half-term 2026, transforming the UK's largest arts centre into a vibrant cultural playground for children and their families. As the first festival of the Southbank Centre's 75...

Christmas is arriving early in Walthamstow as the Blackhorse Beer Mile throws its annual festive party on Saturday 6 December. The whole stretch of Blackhorse Lane will be busy from midday, with breweries and bars running their own take on Christmas eating, drinking and the usual December drama.Big...

The London International Animation Festival celebrates the full breadth of animated filmmaking, highlighting that this art form truly has something for everyone. Founded in 2003, it has grown into the UK's biggest and longest-running animation festival, championing independent creators from across t...

The founders of the popular Pub in the Park festival series are returning with a new venture.Now under new ownership, Pub in the Park is set to skip London next year, but don't worry – there's already a new festival on the way to fill the void. Launched by the founders of Pub in the Park, Sound Bite...

Widely considered one of the best jazz festivals in the world, EFG London Festival kicks off this week for ten days of acts by some of the biggest names of the jazz world.The biggest pan-city music festival in Europe, the annual EFG London Jazz Festival is more than just a programme – it's an opport...

The St Andrew's Book Festival, London's largest celebration of Scottish literature and culture, has unveiled the full programme for its second edition, taking place across multiple venues from 26–30 November 2025.Founded by Scots in London, the festival brings together acclaimed authors, poets, poli...

The Festival of The Girl is a lively two-day celebration designed to inspire, educate, and empower girls aged 7 to 11. Now in its seventh year, the festival offers an exciting mix of inclusive workshops and experiences that help young girls explore new interests, boost their confidence, and break do...

London's largest panlingual theatre festival, Voila! Theatre Festival 2025, returns from 3–23 November with its most ambitious edition yet, spanning eight venues, 110 events, 70 languages, and 450 artists. The Uncontainable Nausea of Alec BaldwinProduced by The Cockpit, the festival continues to cha...

The global hip-hop star will be sowing his signature brand of chaos across two days in Victoria Park over the August Bank Holiday, accompanied by a different set of support acts each day.A headline show by one of the biggest rap stars in the world would've been a major coup for any London festival,...

From 8 to 19 October, the most prominent film festival in the UK will flood the streets of London with stars, screenings, and other special events.Taking place at multiple venues in London, the BFI London Film Festival is one of the most prestigious events on any film buff's calendar, with some of t...

This isn't your average BBQ, 16 top pitmasters from around the world are bringing every grill style and flavour you can imagine to Woolwich Works from 26–28 September, turning the venue into a smoky, sizzling hot spot for meat lovers all over the city.Expect an award-winning line-up of BBQ vendors,...

On Thursday 18 September, Ministry of Sound is teaming up with Peak, the “mood drink” brand you've probably spotted in south London fridges, for a free pop-up party that's basically two events in one.For the first time ever, The Box will transform into an intimate listening space, with rare dubs and...

Head to London Stadium (ex Olympic Stadium) in Stratford this weekend for the World Halal Food Festival. On Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September, dozens of stalls will be serving everything from juicy burgers and hot dogs to sweet cakes and pastries, all 100% halal.Photo: World Halal Food FestivalThe f...

Over the August Bank Holiday weekend, the former crib of Henry VIII is providing a grand backdrop to a family-friendly food festival on its stunning grounds.As one of the UK's historic royal palaces, Hampton Court is well worth a visit even when there's nothing extra going on, providing a fascinatin...

Each summer, the Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF) transforms Greenwich Peninsula and Docklands into a stage for large-scale outdoor theatre, dance, and art installations. The programme is entirely free to attend, with audiences welcome to chip in a donation to help keep the festival...

King's Cross Summer Sounds returns from 7–17 August 2025, marking its 10th anniversary with an exciting celebration of free music, dance, and performance. Held at Coal Drops Yard, the festival features a diverse line-up from the past decade, including flamenco legend Paco Peña, indie band Absolutely...

Nestled away in leafy Twickenham, Strawberry Hill House is a gorgeous white castle that looks like something out of a Tim Burton movie. It's a stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture, rich with stories woven through its past residents, a unique collection, and remarkable restoration. And nex...

It's hard to imagine with all the food festivals all over the place all of the time, but there's actually no proper burger festival to be found anywhere in London. That's about to change with the arrival of the simply named Burger Fest this September.Taking place at the Signature Brew brewery in Wal...

The London Taco Experience arrives at Riverside East on Saturday 9 August, promising a day of punchy flavours, music, and summer energy. Some of London's most exciting taco traders will be serving their creations at the event, with tacos capped at just £5 each so you can try plenty of varieties.High...

Emerge East is set to make a comeback for its fourth edition on Saturday, 6 September 2025, at Barking Riverside. This free festival is dedicated to celebrating community, creativity, and nature, offering a vibrant day out in one of East London's newest neighbourhoods.Attendees can look forward to a...

This September, celebrASIA returns to Battersea Power Station for a three-day celebration of Southeast Asian culture, food, and performance. From 5–7 September 2025, the free-entry festival will feature top chefs, street food stalls, an artisan market, and live entertainment across the riverside ven...

This summer, the Royal Docks in East London hosts At the Docks, an expansive programme of over 70 events and 300 activities running from June to September. Highlights include immersive exhibitions, open-air dance festivals on Silverworks Island, and the return of the family-friendly Summer Splash li...

Rhythm & Taste: Jazz & Food Festival will take place this Saturday at the Design District on Greenwich Peninsula, offering a full day of live jazz, food stalls, vinyl DJs, dance performances, and market stalls – all free to attend.Steam DownHeadline music performances include genre‑blending acts lik...

Chicken wing fans from across the UK will once again converge on Stratford this weekend, with the largest chicken wing festival in the world taking place at London Stadium across three days. No fewer than 45 acclaimed wing slingers from all over the country will be slinging wings in the hopes of rul...

Royal Docks Originals is a new free biennial arts festival launching in September 2025. Spanning three weeks, it'll present over 50 events including installations, performances, and community art across London's Royal Docks.“Blue Sunset” by Graphic RewildingUnder the theme “Metamorphosis: a celebrat...

London Pride might be done and dusted for the year, but the party's far from over as Croydon Pride is back for another year on Saturday 19 July, bringing a colourful parade alongside awesome live performances.The parade kicks off at 12pm outside M&S on North End, winding its way through town via Chu...

Camden Market is launching its free Summer of Sound festival on 18 July, running for six weeks and celebrating the area's iconic music scene with live performances, cultural events, and family-friendly activities. Headlining the programme is the Back 2 Life Café series, curated by Soul II Soul's Jaz...

Chess takes over central London once again on Sunday 13 July, as ChessFest returns to Trafalgar Square for a full day of free, family-friendly activities celebrating the game in all its forms.Following last year's record turnout of over 23,000 visitors, the 2025 edition is shaping up to be even more...

This July, Greenwich Park is the place to be for two glorious days of free live music, circus, outdoor theatre and sunshine. Summer in the Park returns on 12 and 13 July, transforming one of London's prettiest green spaces into a hub of family fun.The festival takes place beneath the iconic General...