|
January
- February - March - April
- May - June - July
- August - September - October
- November - December
| SEPTEMBER 2006: |
| 11
- 12 September MAYOR'S THAMES FESTIVAL
| River
Thames |
| |
| 18
- 19 September - London Open House Weekend
| Various
venues in London |
| |
| September
2 - BRICK LANE FESTIVAL |
| In the heart of London ’s Bengali community,
you will find a diverse mix of live music and entertaining street
performance, with great food, music and a festive atmosphere. |
| 31
July - 26 September BUCKINGHAM PALACE Summer Opening
| |
| During August and September when The Queen
makes her annual visit to Scotland, the Palace's nineteen state rooms
are open to visitors. They include the Throne Room, Picture Gallery
and Ballroom. The 42-acre garden is an oasis for wildlife and visitors
can enjoy a garden walk which offers superb views |
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| OCTOBER 2006: |
| HALF
TERM - Escape from the Tower
| |
| Join
the Tower prisoners in their daring escape from Britain 's most notorious
state prison! Ranulf Flambard, Bishop of Durham; Gruffydd ap Llewelyn;
Roger Mortimer and Father John Gerard will be among those making a
break for it. Take part in the interactive escape trail and watch
stuntmen re-create some of the more daring breakouts. |
| |
| 21 October 2006 -
23 January 2007 TURNER PRIZE
| Tate
Gallery, SW1 |
| |
| 24 October 2006- Trafalgar
Day Parade
| Trafalgar
Square, WC2 |
| |
| LONDON TO BRIGHTON
VETERAN CAR RUN
| |
| Only the very oldest cars are allowed to
enter the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run . Polished until they
glam, the cars are cranked up for the start at Hyde Park Corner in
the early morning, arriving in Madeira Drive, Brighton, hopefully,
some three hours later. Drivers dress for the part in goggles and
plus- fours, while passengers wrap themselves in rugs. |
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| NOVEMBER 2006: |
| Early
November 2006 - THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT
| |
| London ’s Asian communities banish the
winter blues with five days of fasting and fireworks for Diwali.
This represents the end of the Indian year and sees Hindu and Sikh
communities all over the city including in parades, live music events
and street theatre celebrating the triumph of good over evil |
| 13 November 2006 -
LORD MAYOR'S SHOW
| City
of London |
Lord Mayor's Show - the purpose of the
Show, more than seven hundrets years old, is for the new Lord Mayor
to greet his people and to take his oath of office at the Royal Courts
of Justice.Six powerful white horses pull the elaborate gilded coach,
from which the Lord Mayor waves his hat to the citizens of the City.
Dozens of decorated floats, many sponsored by livery companies, take
part in the procession, which has a theme, such as a good cause or
tropic of national importance. Regimental bands add to the joyful
atmosphere
Station: Temple FREE |
| 13 November 2006 -
Festival of Remembrance
| Royal
Albert Hall, SW7 |
|
| 14 November 2006 -
Remembrance Day Service and Parade
| Cenotaph,
Whitehall, SW1 |
|
| November 2006 STATE OPENING
OF PARLIAMENT
| House
of Lords, SW1 |
Although the public isn't admitted to the
State Opening of Parliament itself, thousands of spectators line the
route from Buckingham Palace, down The Mall and Whitehall, to the
Palace of Westminster, in the hope of catching a glimpse of The Queen
and the Duke of Edinburgh driving by in the Australian State Coach.
Ahead of The Queen's procession is another State Coach, Queen Alexandra's,
which conveys the Imperial State Crown, the Sword of State and the
Cap of Maintenance used at the ceremony.
Before their arrival at the Palace of Westminster, the Yeomen of the
Guard have searched the cellars by the light of lanterns, to make
sure that no modern Guy Fawkes has been planning to blow up Parliament.
A royal salute is fired by the King's Troop of the Royal Horse Artillery
in Hyde Park and The Queen and other members of her family enter the
Houses of Parliament through the great arch under the Victoria Tower.
Then The Queen puts on the Imperial State Crown and royal robes with
long red train in the Robing Room, which has on its walls five huge
frescoes of Arthurian legend. To the sound of trumpets, she is conducted
to the House of Lords where she ascends the red-carpeted dais to the
throne. The Lords are present in their splendid robes. The Gentleman
Usher of the Black Rod knocks three times on the door leading to the
Commons and requests admittance. He summons the members of the Commons,
who enter, led by the Speaker wearing his full-bottomed wig and his
robe of black satin damask trimmed with gold. Then The Queen reads
her speech, which outlines the government's policies. This part of
the ritual can be traced back to the mid-thirteenth century |
| Late November - Christmas
Lights - Oxford Street
| Oxford
Street, W1 |
| |
| Late November - Christmas
Lights - Regent Street
| Regent
Street, W1 |
|
| November -
London Film Festival
| National
Film Theatre, South Bank, SE1 |
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|
| DECEMBER 2006: |
| 16 - 20 December
Olimpia International Showjumping Championships
| Olimpia,
W14 |
| |
| Mid-December CHRISTMAS
TREE AT TRAFALGAR SQUARE
| |
| In mid-December the people of Oslo present
an enormous Christmas tree to Londoners, which is erected in Trafalgar
Square and decorated with many sparkling white lights. This becomes
a focal point for carol singing in aid of charities |
| 27-31 December
Norman Christmas
| |
| What
would Christmas have been like in Norman times? Step back to the year
1100 and join King Henry I and his court as they celebrate this ancient
festival. Music and food will be essential elements of this lively
look at the home life of William the Conqueror's son |
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| |
| 1 January
- New Year's Day Parade
| London |
| Parliament Square,
SW1 to Green Park, SW1 |
| 19 - 23
January - London Contemporary Art Fair
| London - Islington |
| Business Design Centre, Islington London
N1 |
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| FEBRUARY 2006 |
| Sun
13 February - Chinese New Year Celebrations
| China Town
- London |
| Traditional celebration to
bring the Chinese New Year by members of the Chinese community with
Lion and Dragon Dance Parades, music, cookery and martial arts demonstrations
. Event times to be announced. Spectators welcome. www.chinatownchinese.com
. Station: Leicester Square . |
|
London Fashion Week
| London
- Chelsea |
| Content British designer clothing
at industry prices, onsite hairstyling from a top hair salon, makeovers
from industry experts and revealing tips on what to look for in the
seasons to come. Admission fee.. Ticket office 0871 222 3214. www.londonfashionweek.co.uk
. Duke of York's Headquarters, King's Road, Chelsea, London
SW3 Station: Sloane Square. |
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| MARCH 2006 |
| 2 -
28 March Daily Mail IDEAL HOME SHOW
Exhibition
| London
- Earl's Court |
| EXHIBITION Earl's Court 1 & 2, Warwick
Road, London SW5 |
| The
Boat R ace
| West
London |
| From Putney, SW15 to Mortlake
SW14
|
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| APRIL 2006: |
| 23
April 2006 - Flora London Marathon
| Greenwich Park,
SE10 to The Mall, Westminster |
| Thousands of fitness enthusiasts assemble
at Greenwich to compete in this challenge: gruelling twenty-seven
mile course along the streets to The Mall outside Buckingham Palace.
The London Marathon is a friendship and a touch of humour |
| Easter Monday - Harness
Horse Parade
| Regent's
Park, London |
| working horses demonstrate their skills
at pulling brewers' drays, large commercial vans, private carriages
and small traps. Parade shows the best horses in each class. |
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| MAY 2006: |
| Royal Windsor Horse
Show
| Windsor |
| Windsor Castle provides an imposing backdrop
to the Royal Windsor Horse Show , founded in 1943. Members of the
Royal Family have competed enthusiastically here including Prince
Philip, who has frequently proved his skills in the International
Driving Grand Prix. A popular event is the heart-warming Musical Ride
of the Household Cavalry |
| 24-29 May Chelsea
Flower Show
| Royal
Hospital, Chelsea SW3 |
| For four days in May, gardening enthusiasts
congregate in the grounds of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, to enjoy
the glorious colours and perfumes of the thousands of blooms at the
famous Flower Show. Every kind of plant can be seen, from the exotic
shapes of miniature Bonsai trees to stately rows of giant delphiniums |
|
| Chelsea,
London SW3 |
| On the Thursday after 29 May, known as
Oak Apple Day , the Chelsea Pensioners honour Charles II, founder
of the Royal Hospital where they live. The Pensioners parade in their
eighteenth-century- -style scarlet coats, proudly displaying their
medals, and wearing their distinctive black tricorone hats with gold
trimming |
| Early
Summer - The annual May Fayre and Puppet Festival,
| COVENT
GARDEN |
| The Punch and Judy shows from all over
the country come to take part. |
| May -
September Open-air Theatre seasons. |
| Varius venues, icnluding Shakespare's Glibe,
regent's Park open Air Theatre, Holland Park Opera |
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| JUNE 2006: |
| Beating Retreat
| Horse
Guards Parade, SW1 |
|
| Mid
June - The
Flower Festival
| Covent
Garden |
| The Flower Festival offers the chance to
see installation art, design and performance by contemporary artists
against a series of horticultural backdrops |
| Thu 3 June 2006 Oak
Apple Day
| |
On the Thursday after 29 May, known
as Oak Apple Day , the Chelsea Pensioners honour Charles II, founder
of the Royal Hospital where they live. The Pensioners parade in their
eighteenth-century-
-style scarlet coats, proudly displaying their medals, and wearing
their distinctive black tricorone hats with gold trimming. |
| June 2006 Trooping
the Colour,
| Horse
Guards Parade, SW1 |
Trooping
the Colour which marks The Queen's official birthday, is probably
the greatest parade of all. The ceremony evolved from the display
of the regimental flag to the soldiers, so that they would instantly
recognize it on the battlefield. The sovereign's birthday has been
honoured in this way since 1805.
The Queen leaves Buckingham
Palace mid-morning and rides down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade,
accompanied by the Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry.
The National Anthem is played by the massed mounted bands, resplendent
in their golden tunics, and a gun salute is fired in Green Park.
The guards drill in both slow and quick time, but the central part
of the ceremony begins when a lone drummer leaves the other musicians
to beat the 'Drumer's Call' to the Escourt for the Colour. The colour
is trooped down the entire line of guards to the rousing tune of
'The Grenadiers' March', then all regiments pay their respects to
Her Majesty before the return procession up The Mall.
At one o'clock The Queen appears on the balcony of Buckingham Palace
with members of her family, to view the fly-past given by the RAF.
Station: Westminster/St James Park
FREE |
| June 2006 Royal Ascot
,
| Windsor |
| Royal Ascot represents the height of 'The
Season', especially on the Thursday, known as 'Ladies Day' or 'Gold
Cup Day', when the many fabulous hats worn by spectators seem to receive
more attention than the horses. The Queen and other members of the
Royal Family drive from Windsor in open landaus, then on down the
course before racing begins. Formal attire is compulsory in the Royal
Enclosure, and the gentlemen look exceedingly elegant in their top
hats |
| Late June - Festival
of Music and Arts
| City
of London |
| Everything from opera to chamber music,
poetry and jazz can be found in historic City venues including St
Paul ’s Cathedral and Mansion House |
| 20 June
- 3 July 2006 Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships |
| Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships are
one of the famous tennis challenges, when international tennis stars
compete for a full fortnight for the coveted titles. Opened by King
George V in 1922, the complex includes thirty grass courts made of
cherished Cumberland turf. The Centre Court is the arena for the most
exciting finals, and a ticket here is highly prized |
| June -
August 2004 THE COIN STREET FESTIVAL |
| Free Concerts located near the Oxo Tower
and Bernie Spain Gardens |
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| JULY 2006: |
| 5 -
10 July Hampton Court Palace Show
| Hampton
Court Palace |
|
|
| Soho,
London |
|
| July
HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA
| |
| Really
fashionable event, begun in 1839,is the Henley Royal Regatta , when
the Thames once again provides the course. Competitors row against
the current for one mile almost up to Henley Bridge. Blazers and straw
boaters are the customary wear for smart young men, while the ladies
flaunt their prettiest summer dresses |
| JAZZ ON
THE STREETS in Soho - Free Concerts
| Soho,
London |
|
| |
| 15 July - early September
Henry Wood Promenade Concerts (Proms)
| Royal
Albert Hall |
|
The celebrated eight-weeks festival of music at the Royal
Albert Hall. The season opens on 19 July and features many
world-renowned musicians and conductors.
|
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| AUGUST 2006: |
| 28-29
August 2006 NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL
| |
| Nothing Hill Carnival – the music is loud,
the floats are extravagant and the colourful costumes and brash and
bold. Mixture of reggae, jazz and calypso tunes with the exotic Caribbean
beach-party atmosphere.Nothing Hill Carnival – the music is loud,
the floats are extravagant and the colourful costumes and brash and
bold. Mixture of reggae, jazz and calypso tunes with the exotic Caribbean
beach-party atmosphere |
| early
August - late September BUCKINGHAM PALACE Summer Opening
| |
| During August and September when The Queen
makes her annual visit to Scotland, the Palace's nineteen state rooms
are open to visitors. They include the Throne Room, Picture Gallery
and Ballroom. The 42-acre garden is an oasis for wildlife and visitors
can enjoy a garden walk which offers superb views |
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|
|
| Other Events: |
| Gun
Salutes |
| TOWER
OF LONDON
Since the time of Henry VIII (1509-47),
guns have been fired by the Honourable Artillery Company from Tower
Wharf on occasions of national rejoicing. Today, the Honourable Artillery
Company fires royal salutes from the gunpark, at the western end of
the Wharf |
| HYDE
PARK
Gun salutes , which commemorate various
royal events, take place in Hyde Park (fired by the King's Troop,
Royal Horse Artillery) The horses galloping across the park, pulling
the six gun carriages behind them, create a fine spectacle |
| CEREMONY OF THE KEY -
TOWER OF LONDON |
| Ceremony of the Keys –taking
place in the late evening, beneath the gloomy walls of the
Tower of London-has a special atmosphere. After locking the gates
of the Middle and Byward Towers, there is a formal conversation and
then the guard presents arms.The bugle sounds the lone call of the
Last Post and the Keys are conveyed to the Resident Governor at the
Queen's House |
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| Discalaimer: This
information was believed to be correct at time of going to print.
PLUS travel Services cannot
be held responsible for any errors or omissions. |
|