Calendar of London events 

Enjoy and experience a diverse variety of events, from international events such as the Notting Hill Carnival to unique events such as the Camden Crawl music festival.

• January
• International Mime Festival
  Quietly enjoy some of the best in contemporary, international visual theatre and mime performed in London’s prestigious venues. Image: Jeremy Doorten
• London Art Fair
  Launch yourself into the art world and visit over 100 galleries displaying exceptional work from modern British artists and international talent. Image: London Art Fair
• New Year's Day Parade
  Welcome the New Year with the greatest annual street parade in Europe. This free spectacular begins in Parliament Square once Big Ben strikes noon. Image: Destination Events Ltd
• February
• 6 Nations Rugby at Twickenham
  Watch the tries and tackles as Europe’s top six rugby teams aim for glory in this hotly contested championship. Visit Twickenham, the UK’s largest rugby union stadium. Image: John McKeage
• Chinese New Year Celebrations
  Visit China Town to celebrate Chinese arts, heritage and culture in streets illuminated with Chinese lanterns. Image: James O' Jenkins
• London Fashion Week
  Join fashion leaders, retailers and models for this prestigious biannual event (also held in September) showcasing the work of over 210 international designers. Image: catwalk.com
• March
• Affordable Art Fair
  Grab a bargain - all art is priced under £3,000 at this fair. Browse thousands of paintings, prints, photography and sculpture from 110 international galleries. Image: Affordable Art Fair
• St Patrick’s Day Parade
  Enjoy a free carnival of marching bands, community groups, sports clubs, schools and street theatre with all things Irish - food, dance, culture and music. Image: James O' Jenkins
• The Boat Race
  Be among the 250,000 spectators crowding the banks of the River Thames to find out who will win this year’s famous race between the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Image: boatrace.org
• April
• Camden Crawl
  With two days, 40 venues and more than 200 new and renowned live music acts, this popular festival experience showcases the hottest talent in music. Image: Camden Crawl
• London Marathon
  Cheer 36,000 athletes running 26.2 miles through London's streets to challenge themselves and raise over £40 million for charity each year. Image: World Wide Images
• The London Book Fair
  The London Book Fair is the global marketplace for those interested in a variety of media including print, audio, TV, film and digital channels. Image: London Book Fair
• May
• Chelsea Flower Show
  Experience the colours and smells of the fabulous show gardens and vibrant horticultural displays at the world’s most famous flower show. Image: Adam Ciesielski
• FA Cup Final at Wembley
  Visit the spectacular new Wembley Stadium to watch the historic FA Cup Final, the oldest football competition in the world. Image: wembleystadium.com
• June
• Camden Green Fair
  Get innovative ideas to help save the planet at this free festival that raises awareness of a variety of environmental issues. Image: Camden Green Fair
• City of London Festival
  Explore a remarkable collection of buildings, squares and gardens at this eclectic programme of music, literature, arts, films and, architecture. Image: London Higher
• London Literature Festival
  This two-week festival of literature, ideas, creative writing and performance features international and prize-winning authors, poets and performers. Image: Sanja Gjenero
• Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition
  Visit the largest contemporary art exhibition in the world to see a wide range of work by established and unknown living artists. Image: Royal Academy
• Taste of London
  Enjoy the sumptuous dishes of London’s top restaurants cooked by some of the world’s most famous chefsand sample Britain's delicious food revolution. Image: Study London
• The London Festival of Architecture
  This four-week festival encourages you to enjoy talks, debates and installations together with a student festival celebrating young and international talent. Image: London Architecture
• Trooping the Colour
  Watch The Queen inspect the troops in celebration of her official birthday. Trooping the Colour is a colourful military parade which began during the early eighteenth century. Image: Curtis Fletcher
• Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships
  Be sure to queue early for tickets to an event that has grown from a garden-party to a Grand Slam tennis tournament followed by millions worldwide. Image: wimbledon.org
• July
• BBC Proms Classical Music Festival
  Enjoy the Last Night of the Proms and 70 nights of music performed by international artists. Visit the renowned Royal Albert Hall to hear newly-composed works alongside the classics. Image: BBC
• Pride London
  Join 600,000 people parading though the London streets to celebrate London Pride, a festival celebrating the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Image: Pride London
• Wireless Music Festival
  Music loving Londoners head to Hyde Park each summer to enjoy four nights of cutting edge bands at this ever-popular music festival. Image: Wireless Music Festival
• August
• Carnaval del Pueblo
  Londoners from all communities come together to experience this vibrant Latin American festival. Enjoy Latino dance and music in the streets of London. Image: Luis Posada
• London Mela
  A long-standing tradition in South Asia, the Mela brings people together in a festival atmosphere to enjoy Asian food, music and dance. Image: James O'Jenkins
• London Triathlon
  Thousands of beginners and professionals swim 1.5km in London's docks, before cycling 40km and finishing with a 10km run past London's landmarks. Image: britainonview.com
• Notting Hill Carnival
  Dance in the streets with 1.5 million revellers and enjoy the tastes, sights and sounds of the Caribbean at the biggest street party in Europe. Image: David McHugh
• Trafalgar Square Festival
  For three weeks every August, join Londoners at this innovative and free festival showcasing diverse performances from around the world. Image: James O'Jenkins
• September
• Brick Lane Festival
  Immerse yourself in a rich mix of music, films and food at this colourful cross-cultural street party with local and international performers. Image: bricklanefestival.com
• Great River Race
  Head to the Thames River and be amazed by the 275 weird and wonderful array of boats taking part in this alternative 22 mile boat race. Image: greatriverrace.co.uk
• London Design Festival
  Engage with over 200 design projects from museums, magazines and designers at one of the most important design events in the world. Image: G. Carlow and S. Smart
• Open House
  This popular, free event opens eyes, minds and doors to London’s best kept architectural secrets, encouraging Londoners to explore the city's buildings. Image: Open House
• Regent Street Festival
  Traffic-free for one day only, this famous shopping street brings a taste of different international cultures to Londoners at this free street party. Image: Crown Estate
• Thames Festival
  Celebrate London’s river with amazing open air arts, pyrotechnics, illuminations, river events, street theatre, massed choirs and music. Image: Trevor Hart
• October
• Bloomsbury Festival
  Explore Bloomsbury’s diverse culture and heritage with open studios, lectures, exhibitions, stalls and creative workshops from a variety of artists. Image: Bloomsburyfestival.org
• Frieze Art Fair
  Regent’s Park hosts more than 150 of the most exciting contemporary art galleries in the world. This four-day art fair includes prestigious talks and workshops. Image: friezeartfair.com
• London Film Festival
  Sit among the actors, directors, producers and stuntmen to watch more than 300 international films at one of Europe’s largest film festivals. Image: BFI
• London Games Festival
  Choose from 40 events that bring the best of the games world to life. Discover live concerts, art installations and professional gaming. Image: London Games Festival
• November
• London Jazz Festival
  Jazz enthusiasts and newcomers come together for 10 days of jazz, with 192 concerts at 41 venues packed with everything from be-bop to beat-box. Image: London Jazz Festival
• Lord Mayor’s Show
  Join the procession winding through London's streets as the newly elected Mayor makes their way to the Royal Courts of Justice to pledge allegiance to the Crown. Image: Clive Totman
• State Opening of Parliament
  The Queen formally opens Parliament to mark the beginning of the parliamentary session in a tradition dating back over 400 years. Image: Visit London
• December
• Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square
  Listen to carols sung beneath a 20 metre tall Christmas tree donated by Norway since 1947 as a token of Norwegian and British friendship. Image: James O'Jenkins
• Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
  Get in the Christmas spirit with ice-skating, tobogganing, carol concerts and traditional German food at this winter themed festival. Image: Study London
• New Year’s Eve Fireworks
  Count down to the New Year with 350,000 revellers at this free event and enjoy a spectacular fireworks display when Big Ben’s famous chime at midnight. Image: James O'Jenkins
• Royal Institution Christmas Lectures
  These traditional lectures are demonstration-packed, fun-filled science events delivered by scientific scientists and researchers. Image: britainonview.com