January London International Boat Show The biggest, splashiest boat show in Europe unfolds at Earl's Court Exhibition Center on Warwick Road .

New Year's Day Parade

Thousands of spectators line the streets as more than 10,000 participants follower the Lord Mayor of the city of Westminster on this quite spectacular two-mile parade. Fore more information visit: www.londonparade.co.uk

Charles J. Commemoration

The last Sunday in January mark the anniversary of King Charles' execution, as cavaliers march through Central London in 17th-century attire.

 

February

The Olympia Fine Art and Antique Fair

Held in Olympia , this fair features more than 200 exhibitors selling antique furniture and fine art works.

Chinese New Year

Heralding renewal after winter, London marks China 's traditional celebration with firecrackers, music, bustling street markets, drums and paper dragons.

 

March

Classic Motor Show

Alexandra Palace , Wood Green, in north London , stage one of the world's largest exhibitions of vintage, Edwardian and rare vehicles.

London Book Fair

Dispensing advice on publishing novels and showcasing collections of rare books, the London Book Fair hosts more than 1,000 companies involved with the trade along with authors, literary agents, librarians and avid readers.

Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race

Cambridge and Oxford crews race along a 4.25 mile stretch of the Thames River , between Putney Bridge and Mortlake. Cambridge and Oxford Universities have been participating in this boating competition since 1829

Easter Parade

The first parade occurred in 1885 to encourage drivers to take a humane view of their horses. Today a huge variety of vehicles along with floats and marching bands parade around Battersea park.

April

London Marathon

The 26-mile course for about 30,000 runners stretches from Greenwich Park and Black Heath to the Buckingham Palace Mall, with a continuous line of live bands entertainment and thousands of cheering fans. For more information visit: www.london-marathon.co.uk

London Garden Show

The Alexandra Palace in Wood Green hosts hundreds of vendors and floral artists for this extravaganza ushering in spring.

May

Chelsea Flower Show

Plants and flowers for all seasons from some 600 exhibitors are on display at the Chelsea Flower Show, held annually since 1913 and always a sellout.

London Dollhouse Festival

Founded in 1985, this festival is a stop for miniature houses eventually making their way to the Museum of Miniatures in Los Angeles .

Outdoor Shakespeare

Blankets and refreshments go well with Shakespearean favorites presented in the open air.

June

Epsom Derby Stakes

The Epsom Derby Stakes, the most recognized event of the British horse racing circuit, unfolds at Epsom Downs.

London to Brighton Veteran Car Run

This motoring spectacle is a run, not a race, with vehicles built before 1905 creeping through central London no faster than 20 m.p.h. Some vintage cars don't finish, and some fail to even start.

Trooping of the Colour

The official birthday of the sovereign is observed at Horse Guards Parade in Whitewall as the reigning monarch inspects regiments parading their colours from the vantage point of a horse-drawn carriage.

Royal Academy 's Summer Exhibition

From early June through mid-August, the Royal Academy , founded in 1768, sponsors Summer Exhibitions of living painters at Burlington House in Piccadilly Circus . Patrons can browse and purchase at reasonable prices throughout the summer months.

enwood Lakeside Concerts

This tradition of outdoor concerts from June through September has been preserved for 50 years, and is now embellished with fireworks and laser shows.

Wimbledon

From late June through early July, the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship, started in 1877, draws a socially prominent crowd, often including royalty, along with tennis fans from far-flung corners.

July

Great British Beer Festival

Sometimes stretching into August, this gigantic suds festival features more than 200 British beers, plus another 200 imports, and assorted food stalls. Organized tasting offer opportunity to sample award winners.

Party in the Park

Party in the Park, a huge open-air pop festival to benefit the Prince's Trust, takes place on the first Sunday of July, featuring big name acts on one ticket.

The Proms

From mid-July through mid-September, the traditional Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, launched in 1895, attract music aficionados from around the world.

August

African-Caribbean Street Fair

Live reggae and soul music and Caribbean food attract more than half a million people, making it one of the largest festivals in Europe .

Carter's Steam Fair

Chair-0-Planes and Rock & Roll Dodgem are traditional at this fair.

River Cultures Festival

Family activities and street entertainers are part of the River Cultures Festival fun.

Notting Hill Carnival

This is one of the largest carnivals in Europe . Caribbean rhythms arrive in West London , with steel drums, floats, colorfully attired dancers, rap, reggae and Red Stripe beer. The parade route covers Chepstow Road , Westbourne Grove, Ladbroke Grove and Kensai Road .

 

September

Chelsea Antiques Fair

Running for more than a week, the Chelsea Antiques fair is known for having something for all budgets.

Covent Garden Festival of Street Theatre

For more than two weeks, Covent Gardens comes alive with acts of quality.

Thames Festival

Celebrating London 's life source, the Thames , this river festival on the south bank provides free exhibitions for the arts, accompanied by fireworks, treasure hunts and a torch-lit procession with illuminated floats.

October

Opening of Parliament

The British Monarch opens parliament in the House of Lords, riding from Buckingham Palace in a royal coach. This signifies the governmental body's return to business.

Horse of the Year Show

Riders arrive from all over the world to join in this "equine extravaganza" at Wembley Arena.

London Film Festival

Top films from around the world are screened shown at cinemas across the UK .
Trafalgar Square Festival The Trafalgar Square Festival is in devoted to poetry, chamber music and the visual arts.

November

Christmas Lighting Ceremonies

From mid-November on, London is ablaze with Christmas lights, especially on famed shopping byways such as Bond Street, St. Christopher's Place, Regent Street, and Covent Garden Market, all celebrating the lighting of Christmas ornamentation.

Guy Fawkes Night

Fireworks on Nov. 5 mark renegade Guy Fawkes' failed effort in 1605 to blow up Parliament over religious differences. Other activities include the burning of an effigy, and many parks have fairs.

London 's Annual Film Festival

For Long includes a selection of some of the best films from around the world shown at cinemas across the UK .

Lord Mayor's Procession and Show

For inauguration of the new Lord Mayor of the City of London , the Queen must ask permission to enter the city's square mile, a right guarded since the 17th century by London 's merchants. Ceremonies are at Guildhall to the Royal Courts of Justice.

December

Christmas Tree

Each year the people of Norway give the people of Britain a fir tree as a salute to British help during World War II. The tree is placed and lighted in Trafalgar Square , with concerts scheduled at intervals.

Boxing Day Sale Celebrations

Retailers and shopaholics agree that the sales beginning the day after Christmas are not to be missed. Bargains galore are big not only in the West End , but all over London .