Festival – Articles about London

Last week we brought you news that Wandsworth has been named as the new London Borough of Culture, replacing the outgoing borough of Croydon. As Croydon passes the baton to another South London borough, it's going out with a bang with a closing weekend of exciting cultural activities. Taking place b...

London is known for being a vegan-friendly city and this summer there's a vegan festival coming to Clapham Common that's sure to delight plant-based food lovers across the capital. Vegandale began in Toronto in 2015 and has grown to become the largest vegan experience in North America. Now it's maki...

Notting Hill Carnival has a well-deserved reputation as the biggest and loudest party of the summer, but another well-loved carnival is making its return to London this year. Hackney Carnival has not taken place since 2019, being cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and in 202...

Fresh off her wins at this year's Grammys and Brit Awards, American RnB star SZA will be bringing her acclaimed album “SOS” to London's Hyde Park this summer. BST Hyde Park is showing no signs of letting up with the high-profile line-up announcements. Following the likes of Kylie, Stevie Nicks, and...

The Jazz Cafe is a historic London live music venue, having drawn in fans of jazz, hip hop, club music, and other sounds for almost four decades now. Regularly hosting big-name acts from across the music spectrum, The Jazz Cafe has, somewhat surprisingly, never dabbled in the festival business, but...

All Points East, the annual multi-day music festival taking place in London's Victoria Park across two summer weekends, has a habit of building its line-ups around major stars, and it's no different this time around. The latest act to join previously announced headliners Loyle Carner, LCD Soundsyste...

A new literary festival is coming to the capital that's sure to delight book lovers. North London Book Fest is happening on 21st-24th March at Alexandra Palace and is the first literary festival to take place at this well-known venue. A whole host of activities are happening as part of the festival,...

The BST Hyde Park festival has announced its next headliner and we just can't get her out of our mind. Australian pop star Kylie Minogue, whose long and storied career has experienced a resurgence recently thanks to last year's viral smash “Padam Padam”, is joining Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, S...

The festival in Crystal Palace Park has revealed the headliners for two more of its open-air concerts. Taking place in the historic Crystal Palace Bowl across multiple summer weekends, South Facing Festival brings a varied line-up to South London, building its programme around each day's headliners.

Part of All Points East, the one-day event is bringing a bunch of hyped music acts to the East London park in summer. Field Day is a day-long celebration of electronic music in Victoria Park, organised within the framework of the broader All Points East festival. Dedicated to keeping festivalgoers o...

The winter season might be dark and dreary but Kew Gardens has got the ideal remedy to brighten up the days. Its annual Orchid Festival is back between 3rd February and 3rd March, transforming the gardens with vibrant flora and inspiring displays. Each year, the festival is themed on a country where...

If you're a Londoner who loves Italian cuisine, there's a food festival happening in May that you'll want to check out for yourself. SicilyFEST 2024 is taking place at the Business Design Centre in Islington between 2nd and 5th May, bringing a whole load of food and culture from the Mediterranean to...

The iconic brick building in Battersea is bringing back its annual Light Festival on 25 January, just a few days before Canary Wharf turns off its own annual winter lights festival. Between Battersea Power Station and Canary Wharf, Londoners are spoilt for choice when it comes to illuminating the wi...

The UK's largest festival of Japanese cinema, the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme (JFTFP), is returning to London in the beginning of February for its largest showcase ever. Hosted at the recently renovated Institute of Contemporary Arts in Westminster, JFTFP will revolve around the theme of...

Each year, the ten-day London Short Film Festival (LSFF) screens hundreds of fascinating short films by talented auteurs from around the world. LSFF, first established in 2003, is an acclaimed independent short film festival held in January each year. In addition to between 250 and 500 British and i...

Wide Awake, an annual summer festival celebrating the best in independent music and rising talent, is throwing a month of free gigs to help you get over the winter gloom. In collaboration with partner venues MOTH Club, The Shacklewell Arms, and Rich Mix, Wide Awake has put together a month-long seri...

If the holiday season merely whetted your appetite for pretty lights, you're in luck. Starting on Wednesday 17 January, the annual Canary Wharf Winter Lights festival is back. Welcoming visitors from all over London, this free-to-visit festival features a light trail encompassing a dozen spectacular...

Experience an unusual seasonal tradition on 7th January – it's London's annual Twelfth Night celebrations, taking place in Bankside. This festival welcomes in the new year and combines ancient seasonal customs with modern celebrations. It's free to attend. At the festival you'll spot characters in c...

Held at the Signature Brew venue on the Blackhorse Beer Mile, Veganuary Fest promises to help you keep any plant-based New Year's resolutions. Organised by Signature Brew and vegan caterers Feed the Village, the brand new vegan street food festival will bring some of London's best vegan street food...

Clapton's destination for the wine-curious, the independent wine market Wineyard, is returning on 10 December, bringing together some of the best wine importers and producers for a day of festive wine tastings. Following its successful debut in September, Wineyard is once again bringing all things w...

London's premier festival for hardcore, screamo, extreme metal, and other such hard-hitting, loud, and heavy genres, Reality Unfolds, is a weekend bash taking place at the New Cross Inn in mid-January. From Friday to Sunday, you'll be able to blasty your eardrums and get your mosh on to a range of b...

Walthamstow-based brewery Signature Brew isn't just known for delicious London-brewed beers. The venue has also been playing host to some seriously fun food festivals and this Christmas is no exception. Head to the brewery on 2nd and 3rd December to indulge in a whole load of seasonal street food th...

The Christmas edition of the renowned Eat & Drink Festival, taking place Nov 26, is a celebration of the best of contemporary cuisine, mixology, global gastronomy, and independent culinary treasures all within a single venue. There will be tastings, talks and live demonstrations by celebrity che...

The sound of jazz music takes over the capital between 10th and 19th November with the EFG London Jazz Festival. A diverse range of performances are taking place at venues across the city including the Royal Festival Hall, Outernet London, Cadogan Hall, and Kings Place. The large variety of events g...

Celebrate all things beer at Big Penny Beer Fest in Walthamstow this weekend for a fantastic beer festival complete with a wide selection of craft and local brews on tap. The festival takes place at Big Penny Social, the UK's largest Beer Hall, where you'll get to try over 120 cask beers from indepe...

London Korean Film Festival has returned to celebrate the rich and diverse world of Korean cinema, offering a unique opportunity to explore the best in contemporary and classic Korean films. Immerse yourself in compelling storytelling, stunning visuals, and thought-provoking narratives that shed lig...

Make your way to Alexandra Palace this weekend for a spectacular fireworks show choreographed to the rhythm of music. The display takes place at the historic venue in North London, in the grounds surrounding the palace with breathtaking views over the city. It's one of the most iconic fireworks disp...

The biggest vegan event in the UK is coming to London on 18th and 19th November. Taking place at Olympia London, VegfestUK is a celebration of vegan food and lifestyle. Whether you're already committed to leading a plant-based life or you're curious and keen to find out more, the event promises lots...

In late October, Battersea Power Station is marking one year since reopening as a popular leisure destination in South London. To commemorate the occasion, the iconic brick building is throwing a nine-day festival that delves deep into its history. Taking place from 21 to 29 October, the Behind The...

It's an exciting time for the capital's cocktail fans – London Cocktail Week is upon us. Actually running for slightly longer than a week between 12th and 22nd October, this is an opportunity for cocktail drinkers to check out signature cocktails at some of the city's top bars, explore pop-ups and o...

MCM Comic Con, the ultimate celebration of pop culture, returns to ExCeL London from the 27th to the 29th of October, taking fans on a whirlwind three-day weekend of thrilling excitement.  Festival goers can expect a packed timetable of celeb talent, captivating panels, live perf...

Taking place across several days and venues, Till The Fest features a varied line-up of some of the most exciting punk and punk-adjacent bands right now. Now in its third year, Till The Fest, promoted by Till The Wheel, will take place at three venues in New Cross from Friday, 6 October, to Sunday,...

The annual BFI London Film Festival is a premier film festival that showcases a vast selection of films and hosts some of the biggest stars in the industry. First held in 1957, this prominent UK festival takes place across several London venues in October, putting on a programme of more than 240 fea...

On Bonfire Night London lights up with fireworks, with magnificent displays commemorating Guy Fawkes Night all over the city. Fireworks festivals take place all over the city in the days leading up to 5 November and even the weekend after. Sparks, colours, and explosions boom in the night sky over t...

South Korean music is more than just record-breaking K-pop acts, and this festival proves it. K-Music Festival is an annual showcase of South Korean music that aims to highlight the depth and creativity of contemporary Korean music. In 2023, the festival is celebrating its tenth anniversary and, lik...

Back at Kenwood House for another year, HowTheLightGetsIn is the world's biggest festival of music and philosophy. Performers, philosophers, and political figures come together at this weekend-long event of entertainment and deep thinking, covering areas as diverse as art, politics, and medicine. Ev...

Now that September is drawing in you might think that the days of music festivals are behind us for another year. Luckily for live music fans, that's not quite true – Turning Tides Festival is on at Greenwich Peninsula on 23rd and 24th September. If you want live music, DJs, food, cocktails, and ent...

This September (16–24), London is celebrating its 21st Design Festival all across the city, featuring a range of interesting installations in places all around London.  Lots of London businesses are joining in with special installation; in Shoreditch, LEGO is hosting a popup where you can make...

Saturday 16th September marks the return of the Emerge East festival at Barking Riverside. Back for a second year after its successful debut in 2022, this free festival will host a range of activities, taking visitors on a journey of discovery through this emerging East London district.  From 1...

The Hackney Carnival Roadshow is a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture, music, and community. Get swept away by the rhythm of the Caribbean, the dazzling costumes, and the infectious energy of the parade. This lively event promises a taste of the Caribbean right in the heart of Hackney, with co...

London's beloved Open House Festival is an annual highlight, granting you access to exclusive behind-the-scenes visits to typically off-limits buildings and landmarks. Explore the city's architectural wonders like never before. Immerse yourself in guided walks and thematic tours spanning both centra...

Celebrate local creativity in Tottenham at Markfield Road Festival, running between 8th and 10th September. There's a whole load of things happening at this free festival, including activities for all the family to get involved in. The event aims to celebrate creatives through art, music, discussion...

London is home to numerous food festivals covering all types of themes and cuisines. If you're looking for a fest that's got Michelin-starred flair, The Home of Food is one you won't want to miss out on. Taking place at Lord's Cricket Ground on 9th and 10th September, this exciting event features ma...

St Katharine Docks is notable because it's the only marina in central London. As well as being an idyllic place to explore, it's home to some exciting events too including the Classic Boat Festival, taking place on 9th and 10th September. This free event is great fun for any boating enthusiast, with...

Fans of Mexican cuisine will want to get up to Walthamstow this month. On 16th and 17th September, local brewery Signature Brew will be hosting the second edition of The Tacover, a food fest dedicated to all things tacos. This is the UK's largest taco festival, and following a successful weekend of...

BBC Gardeners' World Autumn Fair 2023 offers a  lineup of workshops, garden inspiration, talks, and live entertainment for keen, green-fingered botanical enthusiasts. Chris Bavin leads discussions with gardening experts in Parterre Gardens at Audley House., while the BBC Good Food Market will h...

The FTWeekend Festival returns on Saturday, September 2nd, at Kenwood House in London, boasting a thrilling program spread across ten stages, covering a diverse range of engaging topics.  Attendees can expect fresh ideas and thought-provoking discussions surrounding politics, economics, literat...

The Thames' month-long annual celebration returns with a diverse blend of arty events,  educational programmes, community gatherings, river races, and eco-focused activities at multiple scenic riverside spots.  Spanning 42 miles along the Thames, this month-long itinerary operates through...

We know that if you're going to celebrate Oktoberfest you really want to be doing it in Munich. But it's okay if you can't get to Germany – you can enjoy Oktoberfest parties right here in London. Throughout September and October there are loads of different events that you can join, from bottomless...

It's been announced that a brand new festival – Black on the Square – will be taking place on 2nd September in celebration of Black culture and creativity. Taking place in the heart of the city in Trafalgar Square, this one-day event is a family-friendly festival highlighting Black talent. There wil...