10 London events & festivals worth traveling for

Bustling and dynamic, London packs a punch with a plethora of museums, parks, shops, festivals, and events. In fact, attending some of these London events and festivals are well worth the trip across the globe. Here are some of the best events in London that you can attend throughout the year:

When: end May–early June

Held every year, the Trooping the Colour festival dates back to the 17th century. Colloquially known as the ‘Queen’s Birthday Parade’, the festival is a flurry of activity, color and sound.

True to its namesake, the festival revolves around the trooping of the colors, which involves battalion flags being passed down various soldier ranks. The troops are first inspected by a Major General, then by the Duke of Cambridge, and finally by the Queen. Tickets for the first two are now available, with balloting ongoing for the third.

As the third event offers standing tickets only, it's best to get there early. Stay at one of these hotels close to the route as part of your game plan.

When: May

Think London Fashion Week, but the horticultural version. Enjoy a feast for the eyes at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, where every inch of the arena is covered in colorful flowers and plants. The festival sees the gathering of skilled designers, specialists, nurseries, and florists. Explore intricate floral gardens, marvel at art pieces made entirely out of flora and fauna, and take home all kinds of horticultural products.

When: June–July

Kicking off the summer season is Wimbledon, the world’s most reputed tennis tournament. Usually held from the last week of June to the first week of July each year, Wimbledon consumes London in a frenzied tennis fever, where each match is met with tingling anticipation and bated breath.

Originating in the 19th century, Wimbledon draws spectators all over the world with many looking to catch a piece of the action live. The 2022 edition (June 27–July 10) is going all out, with plans for a new 8,000-seat stadium and 39 tennis courts in the works.

If you manage to snag a ticket, be sure to book your accommodation near Centre Court, the tournament’s main arena, like Ibis Styles London Gloucester Road Hotel or The Lodge, Putney.

When: June–July

Scream it loud, and scream it proud—London Pride is an explosive celebration held in support of the growing LGBTQIA+ community. Calling for “visibility, unity, and equality”, the event is entirely run by volunteers. Today, it has evolved to include a dynamic Pride parade, a talent show, workshops, and more.

The 2022 Pride Parade (June 4–July 2) is especially significant as it marks 50 years since the U.K.’s first pride parade. Everyone and anyone is welcome to take part in the parade, so don your loudest costumes and join the crowds as they march for a cause.

When: May-August

If there’s one thing that London is known for, it's music festivals. The Brits take their music very seriously, and it shows. Most of these festivals occur during summer, when the capital plays host to festivals like GALA, an independent dance festival that spotlights club culture and dance music; Wireless Festival, the U.K.’s top urban music festival; Visions, a mega celebration of music, art, food, and culture; Cross the Tracks, the epitome of funk, jazz, and soul tunes; AVA, an electronic visual and audio arts extravaganza, and more.

Other festivals worth attending include the Queen’s Yard Summer Party, which stretches across 16 venues. Wide Awake is a left-field music festival that features a wide variety of music. Think techno, indie, punk, and jazz. Alternatively, hit up City Splash, a carnival-esque festival with a diverse lineup of performers and food traders, or Mighty Hoopla, a go-all-out celebration of pop culture.

When: September

Typically held every September, London Fashion Week is a red carpet opportunity for designers to show off what they’ve been working on and lay the runway for upcoming trends. The city-wide celebration of couture hails the arrival of exhilarating fashion shows, exclusive previews, workshops, and the world's best designers. The 2022 February edition was a digital-physical hybrid, offering a line-up of both in-person and online events. While the in-person fashion shows aren’t usually open to the public, you can check out their website for digital events that you can take part in.

When: October

Held annually in October, the London Film Festival screens more than 300 films and documentaries from more than 50 countries across the globe.

Besides the screenings, visitors can look forward to workshops and Q&A sessions, complete with exclusive premieres of some highly anticipated films. The highlight of the festival culminates in a prestigious awards ceremony, where the film producers and stars are recognized for their stellar creations and performances.

When: October

Take it from us, Halloween is a big thing in London. It isn’t just celebrated on October 31—there are a ton of activities to do in the lead-up to the holiday. Get the most out of the festivities at the Rivoli Ballroom pop-up cinema, with screenings of The Shining or The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Head to themed bars like Ballie Ballerson (a ball pit cocktail bar) in Shoreditch to attend a zombie wedding, or the Trapeze Bar to witness a gruesome ‘Carnevil’ circus act.

Step into the shoes of prison inmates at Alcotraz, and be locked in a prison cell—orange jumpsuit and all—to sample wacky cocktails fitting for the occasion, or go on a fear-tastic speed boat experience with Thames Rockets, complete with face painting to finish the look.

When: November–January

Get into the Christmas spirit in London at Winter Wonderland, the city's biggest and best Christmas extravaganza that takes over Hyde Park every year. Held over six weeks from November to January, the park lights up with a brilliant ice skating rink, a bustling Christmas Market, daring circus acts, circus rides, and even a Magical Ice Kingdom.

Visit hungry to sample a wide range of German fare, sip a glass of mulled wine, or even drink a cocktail from a glass made out of ice at Bar Ice.

When: end December–early Jan

There’s no better way to start the year off with a bang than with London’s New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Parade. Revel in the spectacular sight of fireworks lighting up the skies on December 31 each year. Find yourself a coveted spot along the River Thames to get a front-row view of the illuminations, or stay in a hotel with a view of the firework, like Corinthia Hotel London or the Park Plaza Westminister Bridge.

The next day at noon, the famous New Year’s Day Parade starts from The Ritz London, before continuing on its usual route to Parliament Square. Expect a dizzying display of performers dressed up in elaborate costumes, pumping music, and giant floats of all shapes and sizes. The best part? The parade is entirely free to watch—unless you’d like to book a seat near the start or end of the route. Check their website for further details and ticketing information.

If you can’t get enough, London is simply packed with many other year-round events that are bound to entertain. Trafalgar Square often plays host to a range of events throughout the year; get more information and mark the dates here.

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