London, England — Events
Changing of the Guard
This is one of the oldest and most familiar of all royal ceremonies. Every other day a throng of tourists gather outside Buckingham Palace to watch the exchange of duty between the Old Guard and the New Guard. The Foot Guards wear their traditional uniforms, complete with bearskins, but carry modern weapons as their role is practical as well as ceremonial. The handover is accompanied by a band from one of the five Foot Guard regiments who play anything from traditional military marches to pop tunes.
West End Shows
Famed for its musicals, the West End in the center of London boasts some of the best theater in the world, from musicals to comedy and drama. There are ongoing shows that have been running for years, such as Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Lion King and Blood Brothers and new shows are added to the lineup regularly.
Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year is celebrated every year in London’s Chinatown, which is located in Soho. As the Chinese calendar is based on lunar and solar movements, this festival takes place on a different date every year. The festival consists of numerous parades, which often snake their way through to Covent Garden. The celebrations give rise to a variety of food stalls in the area, serving Chinese cuisine, and visitors and tourists are always welcome to watch and participate.
Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race
An annual tradition since 1829, the rowing race between two of Britain’s oldest university sides creates a festival atmosphere along the banks of the Thames River between Putney and Mortlake. Thousands of people gather at various vantage points along the riverbank, many of them conveniently close to pubs, to watch the famous four-and-a-quarter mile race that marks the beginning of the English social season.
London Marathon
The Flora London Marathon is a 26.2 mile (42km) race from Greenwich Park to the Mall, via Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. Around 30,000 professional and amateur runners compete every year, many dressed in fancy dress to raise money for charity. The route is lined with spectators and has a very festive atmosphere.
FA Cup Final
The cherished FA Cup is football’s oldest tournament and has a special place in the hearts of fans around the world. What separates this tournament from many of the others is that it champions the underdog as lower division teams have a chance to play the premier league teams and often heroes are created in the tournament.
Chelsea Flower Show
The Chelsea Flower Show is an annual event organized by the Royal Horticultural Society and since its inception in 1913, has been recognized as the foremost show of its kind in the world. An immensely popular event, the show draws crowds of thousands every year with its colorful and beautifully sculptured displays. Experts from the Royal Horticultural Society are on hand, ready to impart gardening advice to the show’s many visitors. Tickets can be bought via the website and visitors are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.
Trooping the Colour (Queen's Birthday Parade)
The ceremony of the Trooping the Color (or Queen’s Birthday Parade) takes place each year on Horse Guards Parade on the Queen’s birthday and dates back to the time of Charles II in the 17th century. Although the Queen was actually born on 21 April, her official birthday is celebrated in the summer, when the weather is better.
London Mardi Gras
The London Gay & Lesbian Pride and Mardi Gras consists of three main events - the Pride Parade, the Mardi Gras Arts Festival, and the Mardi Gras Festival. Details of these events are released in the run up to Mardi Gras, which is usually held in June or July. For the Pride Parade, London’s gay and lesbian community takes to the streets with a morning celebration of costumes, floats and music. The Mardi Gras Festival is then usually held in the afternoon in one of London’s bigger public venues with dance tents, stalls, a funfair, bars and many other attractions.
Wimbledon Tennis Championships
The Wimbledon Championships are the highlight of the year’s tennis calendar, bringing together the world’s leading tennis professionals in a battle for glory. The first championship event at Wimbledon dates back to 1877, but the first Ladies’ Singles championship was only introduced in 1884. Since then the tradition of strawberries and cream on center court has been enjoyed by thousands of fans from around the world. The Wimbledon Championships are the most famous of the four tournaments known as the Grand Slam.
