Festival – Articles about London

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 Bit...

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 oppor...

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, pol...

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...

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...

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 an...

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 Hal...

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 fascinati...

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 Wa...

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. Hig...

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...

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...

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 celebra...

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 vi...

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 mor...

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...

The Grand Union in Wembley is gearing up for a vibrant summer festival on Saturday, 19 July, from 1-5pm. The event promises a day filled with activities for the entire community. The Grand Union Community Hub will host a variety of local stalls and interactive workshops. Highlights include cookie an...

Country music has been taking off in a big way on this side of the pond in recent years, so it comes as no surprise there's a barnstorming new festival taking over Tooting Common this weekend. There's probably no need for fans of country music to dust off their cowboy hats and boots, as there's no s...

The K-Music Festival returns for its twelfth edition in autumn 2025, celebrating the richness of contemporary Korean music through a wide-ranging concert programme from 1 October to 20 November. Organised by the Korean Cultural Centre UK, the festival spans major venues like the Barbican Centre, Sou...

Get into the spirit of summer with a lively Latin-inspired fiesta in a sun-drenched garden setting this Saturday. The Summer Fiesta by Latin Soul combines energetic music, delicious food, and joyful dancing for a day full of cultural flair and community, while special guest Pasha Kovalev from "Stric...

The Great Exhibition Road Festival returns to South Kensington on Saturday and Sunday, offering a free weekend of science and arts events for all ages. Visitors can explore hands-on workshops, engaging talks, performances, and installations from top institutions like Imperial College London, the Nat...

This Sunday, the Canary Wharf branch of Emilia's Crafted Pasta is transforming into a lively summer street-food festival celebrating all things pasta, with free entry for everyone.  Guests can enjoy freshly made pasta, drinks, and Italian gelato at outdoor 'pasta picnic' areas set up with deckc...

Summer at The Wharf is a vibrant two-day event taking place on 6 and 7 June at Diespeker Wharf, located in the heart of London's creative district. This unique gathering, organised by Made by Many & Friends, coincides with the arrival of SXSW in London and promises a blend of insightful talks an...

The Islington Festival of Music and Art returns this July for a vibrant 10-day celebration of live music in venues across the borough, themed around “Simple Gifts” from Copland's “Appalachian Spring” and dedicated to musical tributes and dedications.  The festival opens with Gershwin's iconic “...

Europe's biggest Taco Festival is back at its beloved home, Signature Brew Blackhorse Road, for its largest edition yet, featuring only taco slingers who have won awards previously. This year's Tacover highlight is the National Taco Awards, where 15 of the UK's top taco vendors — all previous award-...

The Wine Circuit is a brand-new wine festival taking place at Battersea Power Station from 6–8 June 2025, celebrating both British and international wines. Across the three-day event, attendees can enjoy wine tastings, expert panel talks, and exclusive food pairings from acclaimed vendors like Tasca...

Step into the peaceful gardens of Hampton Court Palace for the Feel Good Festival, a three-day celebration of mind, body, and soul from 16–18 May. It's set against the stunning backdrop of one of London's most iconic landmarks, where you'll be able to get stuck into a wide range of activities design...

The London Coffee Festival, hailed as the world's top coffee and hospitality event, celebrates London's buzzy coffee culture and creative subcultures at The Truman Brewery in Brick Lane. With over 23,800 visitors in 2023, it showcases the city's pioneering speciality coffee scene and stellar hospita...

London's biggest free festival is back, and it's celebrating its tenth year. Urban Village Fete returns to Greenwich Peninsula on Sunday 18 May, for a day packed with great music, food, workshops and lots of family-friendly fun. This year, DJ Gilles Peterson is headlining, with sets from Touching Ba...

Now in its 15th year, Open City Documentary Festival continues to provide a space for dialogue, reflection, and diverse storytelling. Founded in 2011, the festival was created to amplify vital narratives and promote cultural openness.  This year's edition highlights stories of struggle and soli...

When it comes to Fringe festivals, Edinburgh may be the most famous, but you don't need to head to Scotland to experience it. Peckham Fringe returns from 1 May to 6 June, bringing an exciting line-up of new work to South London. It's centred around Theatre Peckham, with events also taking place in n...

Queer East Festival 2025 runs from 23 April to 18 May at venues across London, celebrating queer cinema and performance from East and Southeast Asia with over 100 films, performances and events. Opening with Takeshi Kitano's historical epic “Kubi” and closing with the South Korean trans documentary...

This weekend, London's thriving jazz scene is coming together again to celebrate music, camaraderies, and unbounded inspiration. From Friday to Sunday, Brick Lane Jazz Festival 2025 will put the capital's diverse and innovative jazz talent on full display. Taking place across 11 stages, th e Brick L...

Influential Welsh house DJ Jamie Jones has revealed the initial line-up for Paradise in the City, his first-ever UK outdoor festival, set to take place at Boston Manor Park on 2 August 2025. Running throughout the day, the open-air event will feature four stages and a curated selection of top-tier h...

Acclaimed rapper and musician Little Simz has revealed the first wave of artists for this summer's Meltdown festival at the Southbank Centre. Running from 12 to 22 June, the line-up features boundary-pushing artists who echo Simz's bold and eclectic musical style. Little Simzby Thibaut GrevetLittle...

The Market at Elephant Park launched Latino Weekends: Flavours and Finds on Saturday, 1 March 2025. Taking place every weekend until 23 March from 12pm to 5pm, the outdoor market in Elephant & Castle featured a series of fun interactive workshops, live music performances, and delicious...

The annual summer festival in London's Hyde Park will host one of the most acclaimed musicians in history. Coming to London just after celebrating his 75th birthday, American music icon Stevie Wonder will visit the city as part of the UK leg of his Love, Light & Song tour. The pioneering singer-...

Polygon Live LDN, the UK's largest spatial audio festival, promises a unique auditory experience with its innovative dual-dome stage design. This world premiere features a setup with five times more speakers than a typical festival stage, creating an immersive environment with sound and synchronised...