London Events

Changing of the Guard - The display by the Queen's Foot Guards occurs daily at 11:30 am April-July and on alternate days the rest of the year at Buckingham Palace. No ceremonies take place in extremely wet weather. The time sometimes varies on days when state events occur.
Changing of the Horse Guards Parade - The mounted Queen's Life Guard leaves Hyde Park Barracks and rides to the Horse Guard Parade grounds at Whitehall. Monday-Saturday at 11 am, Sunday at 10 am, daily during the summer and on alternating days the rest of the year. The time sometimes varies on days when state events occur.
Ceremony of the Keys - See the nightly lockup (seven minutes before 10 pm) at the main gate of the Tower of London by the chief warder and an escort of guards. Guests are escorted in promptly at 9:30 pm. Passes are required.
January
Early-Late January: Harrods Annual Sale. The shopping event of the year at the legendary Harrods. Brompton Road, Knightsbridge (SW1X). For information, call 7730-1234..

1 January: New Year's Day Festival. London's New Year's Day Festival, composed of a parade and concerts, is an international event. More than 1 million people view approximately 10,000 performers from at least 16 countries as they pass along the 2.2-mi/3.5-km route from Parliament Square to Berkley Square. The Music for London concerts feature young artists, including marching bands, chamber-hall musicians, singers, pipers and baton twirlers. For information, call 8566-8586.

Throughout January: Opera. The Royal Opera mounts more than 20 productions each season at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (WC2). For information and tickets, call 7304-4000. Continues through mid July

Throughout January: Concert. The London Symphony Orchestra gives nearly 100 concerts each season at the Barbican Centre, Silk Street (EC2Y). For information, call 7588-1116. For tickets, call 7638-8891. Continues through late June

Throughout January: Concert. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performs frequently at Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore (SW) and at the Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road (SE1). For information, call 7608-8800. For tickets, call 7589-8212 or 7960-4242. Through early June

Throughout January: Dance. The Royal Ballet performs regularly at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (WC2). For information and tickets, call 7304-4000. Continues through late June
February
Early-Mid February: Flamenco Festival London. This festival hosts performances by some of the best contemporary flamenco dancers and singers from Spain. Sadler's Wells, Rosebery Avenue (EC1R). For information, call 7863-8198. For tickets, call 087-0737-7737.

Late February: Winter Bearfest. More than 150 national and international companies display thousands of teddy bears for sale, in addition to books and bear-making supplies. Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, Kensington (W8). For information, call 127-3697-974.

March
Mid-Late March: BADA Antique Fair. The British Antique Dealers Association (BADA) hosts this annual event showcasing Britain's leading art and antique dealers. Browse, buy and learn from the experts. Shipping companies are on-site to assist with getting your purchases home. Duke of York's Headquarters, Kings Road, Chelsea (SW3). For information, call 7589-6108.

Early March: Olympia Spring Fine Art and Antiques Fair. Extensive collections span the ancient past and the present with an unusual mix of decorative artworks and period pieces. Olympia Exhibition Centre, Hammersmith Road (W14). For information, call 7370-8212. For tickets, call 087-0126-1725 or 087-0900-6050.

Late March: Boat Race. More than 250,000 spectators crowd the banks of the Thames River to watch this historic rowing contest between crews from Oxford and Cambridge universities. Starting point for the rowers is University Stone, Putney. Continues through early April

Late March: London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. Two weeks of screenings of world cinema, more than 60 features and 100 shorts at the National Film Theatre, Upper Ground, South Bank (SE1) and Odeon West End, Leicester Square (WC2). For information and tickets, call 7928-3232. Continues through early April

Late March: Concert. Resident and visiting musicians give organ recitals in Westminster Abbey, Parliament Square (SW1P). For information, call 7654-4900 or 7222-5152.

Late March: Theater. After a five-year renovation, Almeida Theatre has reopened to present a season of theatrical and operatic productions. Almeida Street, Islington (N1). For information and tickets, call the box office at 7359-4404. Continues through late July

April
Early-Mid April: Hammersmith and Fulham Festival. This large annual festival celebrates the borough's multicultural heritage with concerts, art exhibits, theatrical productions, sports events, comedy shows and more at venues throughout the neighborhood. call 8753-6567.

Early-Late April: Only Connect. This genre-breaking arts festival melts the traditional boundaries of music, dance, film and the spoken word. Barbican Centre, Silk Street (EC2). For information, call 7638-4141.

Mid-Late April: Chelsea Art. This intimate fair features contemporary and 20th-century paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures and ceramics from more than 40 well-known British and international galleries. Chelsea Old Town Hall, King's Road (SW3). For information, call 18257-44074.

Late April: London Original Print Fair. More than 30 galleries, dealers and publishers display their original works at this annual event, established in 1985. Burlington Gardens, behind the Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly (W1). Phone 7300-8000.

Late April: Annual Spring Plants and Gardens Fair. The world's first museum devoted solely to garden history becomes a visual horticultural feast with plants, flower gardens and the latest gardening products for sale. Museum of Garden History, Lambeth Palace Road (SE1). For information, call 7401-8865.
May
Early-Mid May: The Prince's Trust Urban Music Festival. The U.K.'s largest urban music festival is headlined by top hip-hop, rap and R&B stars from the U.S. and U.K.; performers have included Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. Also DJ battles, urban art exhibits, B-boying and music-industry workshops, street soccer games, computer gaming competitions and more. Earl's Court, Warwick Road (SW5). For information and tickets, call 087-0160-7030.

Early-Late May: Theater. The theater season at Shakespeare's Globe includes performances of works by England's famous bard and others. 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside (SE1). For information, call 7902-1400. For tickets, call 7401-9919. http://shakespeares-globe.org. Continues through late September


Mid-Late May: Glyndebourne Festival. This prestigious opera festival takes place on a country estate 54 mi/86 km southeast of London. Custom dictates that operagoers wear evening dress. Tickets are hard to come by, but try calling the box office at 012-7381-3813.. Continues through late August


Mid May: Floral London Marathon. Top international runners compete in one of the world's most prestigious marathons. Also seven other races, including a wheelchair race and minimarathon. For information, call 016-1703-8161.

Mid May: Royal Windsor Horse Show. One of the U.K.'s largest outdoor horse shows features competitions in show jumping, dressage and carriage driving, as well as military demonstrations and other performances. Home Park, Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire (SL4). For information, call 175-386-0633. For tickets, call 087-0121-5370 or 115-912-9160.

Late May: Theater. Regent's Park Open Air Theatre offers a summer season of classic and comedic theatrical performances. The Ironworks, Inner Circle, Regent's Park (NW1). For information, call 7935-5756. For tickets, call 087-0060-1811Continues through early September

Late May: Chelsea Flower Show. The self-billed "world's greatest flower show" features more than 600 exhibitors from at least four continents in show, chic, courtyard, city and street gardens. Sponsored by the Royal Horticulture Society. Royal Hospital, Chelsea (SW3). For information, call 7834-4333. For tickets, call 087-0906-3781.
June
Early-Mid June: Hampton Court Palace Music Festival. Internationally renowned artists and companies perform in this premier classical-music festival in a beautiful, historic setting. East Molesey, Surrey. For information, call 8233-6400. For tickets, call 8781-9545.

Mid June: Horse Races. At once one of the world's most prestigious horse races and London's social event of the year, the five-day Royal Ascot is attended by the cream of London society and members of the royal family. Races start daily at 2:30 pm. Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire. For information, call 013-4462-2211. For tickets, call 013-4487-6876.

Mid June: Trooping the Colour. Massed bands and troops create a colorful parade in honor of the queen's official birthday. It leaves Buckingham Palace at 11 am and continues to the Horse Guards Parade. For information, call 7414-2479.

Late June: Tennis. The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships is a grand-slam event at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Church Road, Wimbledon (SW19 5AE). Tickets are very hard to come by. Many people line up the night before for the limited number of day-of tickets available at Gate 3 on Church Road. For information, call 8944-1066.

Late June: International Henley Royal Regatta. Ladies in dresses and fancy hats and gentlemen in straw boaters and school ties gather to watch one of the world's most prestigious rowing events on the Thames, first held in 1839. For information, call 014-9157-2153.

Late June: City of London Festival. The city celebrates the best in classical and world music, theater, dance, the visual arts and poetry. Various venues, including St. Paul's Cathedral, the Barbican Centre and other historic sites. Ticket prices vary for different events. For information, call 7377-0540.


Early-Late June: Olympia Summer Fine Art and Antiques Fair. More than 400 British and international dealers exhibit thousands of collectibles at one of the most comprehensive and respected antique and art fairs in the world. Olympia Exhibition Centre, Hammersmith Road (W14). For information, call 7370-8212. For tickets, call 087-0126-1725 or 087-0900-6050.


Throughout June: Glyndebourne Festival. This prestigious opera festival takes place on a country estate 54 mi/86 km southeast of London. Custom dictates that operagoers wear evening dress. Tickets are hard to come by, but try calling the box office at 012-7381-3813. Continues through late August
July
Mid-Late July: BCC Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Called the Proms, this internationally renowned music festival draws top artists and orchestras and has been imitated throughout the world. Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore (SW7), Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington (SW7 2RL), and other venues. For information, call 7589-8212. Individual tickets are sold on concert days at Door 7 of the Royal Albert Hall box office. Continues through mid September

Late July: Opening of Buckingham Palace. The state rooms at Buckingham Palace are open to visitors each summer and the beginning of fall. For information and tickets, call 7766-7300. Continues through late September

August
Early-Late August: Portobello Film Festival. The world's largest free film festival screens more than 700 new independent shorts, features, documentaries, animations, digital works and more. Various cinemas. For information, call 8960-0996.

1-29 Aug: Glyndebourne Festival. This prestigious opera festival takes place on a country estate 54 miles southeast of London. Custom dictates that operagoers wear evening dress. Tickets are hard to come by, but try calling the box office at 012-7381-3813.

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