What's on in London

January
London International Boat Show  
You may not to be able to afford anything but it doesn’t hurt to window shop - the biggest and  most lavish boat show in Europe, and the largest exhibition in London at Excel in London Docklands - but don’t forget your credit card !.
New Year's Day Parade
10,000 participants and tens of thousands more spectators as the Lord Mayor of the City Of Westminster  celebrates the New Year on this two-mile parade
King Charles execution Commemoration
The last Sunday in January marks the anniversary of King Charles’ execution, as 17th century attired Cavaliers march through Central London 
Russian Winter Festival
Nearly 75,000 celebrants gather for this eclectic staging of folk acts from across Russia, along with performances of big names in rock and pop.

February
The Olympia Fine Art and Antique Fair
Over 200 exhibitors selling antique furniture and fine art works.
Chinese New Year
Street markets, fireworks, dragons and food – what more do you need to celebrate “renewal after winter”.

Valentine’s Day
OK so London isn’t quite as romantic as Paris but we do our best – some consider it to be the loneliest night off the year – so you’ll find the couple in restaurants and the Singletons in the bars!
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Race   
We’re not quite sure how the tossing the pancake pancake started but it doesn’t really matter -  Shrove Tuesday is, as the name suggests, a day before Ash Wednesday- watch out for relay races with frying pan and pancakes..

March
Classic Motor Show
Alexandra Palace in north London, stages one of the world’s largest exhibitions of vintage, Edwardian and rare vehicles...
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 – just an excuse to visit some fantastic pubs on the River Thames,
London Maze
Guildhall Yard off Gresham Street becomes the scene for this free, local history fair that brings a wealth of historical resources under one roof, with talks, guided walks, stalls and fun.
Whisky Live London
At the Lawrence Hall & Conference Centre, Whisky Live London is the United Kingdom’s whisky event of the year, appealing to both enthusiasts and novices, with expert advice, tastings, live music, and regular nose-off competitions.

April
London Marathon
You’ll get tired just watching! This 26-mile course for 30,000 runners starts at Greenwich Park and Black Heath and finishes at The mall just a few hundred yards Buckingham Palace. Live bands and entertainment along the route creates a Carnival atmosphere.
London Garden Show
The Alexandra Palace in Wood Green hosts hundreds of vendors and floral artists for the unofficial start of Spring.

May
Camden Crawl
A kind of festival without the wellies!, local bands, star performers over 2 nights in early May
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Incredible Gardens of all shapes, sizes and budgets - a real inspiration to see how you can convert your pocket handkerchief garden into an art form - 600 exhibitors, The Chelsea Flower Show has been running since 1913
Baishakhi Mela
London’s east end hosts the Baishakhi Mela, celebrating Bengali New Year

June
Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club
Can a Briton ever win Wimbledon again?  This 2 week tournament is normally held last week of June, first week of July
Epsom Derby Stakes
The Epsom Derby Stakes is the most recognized event of the British horse racing circuit and takes place at Epsom Downs...
London to Brighton Veteran Car Run
It’s a run, rather than a race for vehicles built before 1905. Some cars don’t finish, and many fail to even start.
Trooping of the Colour
The Queen’s official birthday is observed at Horse Guards Parade in Whitewall.  
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.
Kenwood Lakeside Concerts
These outdoor concerts run from June through September.  

July
Great British Beer Festival
It does what it says on the tin! Featuring more than 200 British beers, and another 200 imports, and assorted food stalls. 
Hyde Park calling
Big names from rock, occasionally pop at this huge open-air festival
The Proms
Starting in mid July and stretching through to mid-September, the traditional Henry Wood Promenade Concerts were started in 1895, attract Global classical music enthusiasts

August
River Cultures Festival
Family activities and street entertainers are part of the River Cultures Festival fun.
Notting Hill Carnival
The biggest street carnival in Europe is a celebration of Caribbean culture. Look forward to reggae, red stripe, and fantastic Caribbean food.

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 Garden comes alive with all sorts of street entertainment
Thames Festival
The Thames River festival on the south bank provides free exhibitions, 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 in a royal coach.
Horse of the Year Show
Riders arrive from all over the world to join in this Horsey event at Wembley Arena.
London’s Annual Film Festival
Not quite Cannes but just as artistic and inspiring. Some of the best films from around the world shown at cinemas across London
Trafalgar Square Festival
The Trafalgar Square Festival is in devoted to poetry, chamber music and visual arts

November
Christmas Lighting Ceremonies
London loves Christmas - From mid-November the lights go on in all the major shopping streets, you may be lucky (!) enough to see an A lister celebrity turning on the lights – or a Z lister in the lesser known streets!
Guy Fawkes Night
In 1605 Guy Fawkes failed to blow up Parliament. We celebrate by making an effigy of him, putting him on a bonfire and setting him on fire – and for good measure it’s the biggest night of the year for fireworks.
Lord Mayor’s Procession and Show
Since the 17th century Lord Mayor of the City of London has guarded the Square Mile. This ceremony takes place at Guildhall and 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
The day the post Christmas sales start! Bargains all over London and major shopping centres and venues

If you have an event that you think we should be telling everyone about then please email us: feedback@discount-london.com and we’ll tell everybody else!