Special Events in London
• New Year in Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is liken to Times Square of New York City where many people gather at the square to usher in every new year. Countdowns to other festivals also occur at Trafalgar Square. Look out for the giant christmas tree at the square every christmas. Apart from countdowns and festive celebrations, Trafalgar Square is also known for many protests by activists.
• The Henry Wood Promenade Concerts presented by the BBC
This yearly summer event span 8 weeks and is predominantly held at the Royal Albert Hall and Cadogan Hall. It is a series of daily concerts featuring orchestral classical music. The BBC Symphony Orchestra is the main performer of this event. The BBC Orchestra performs every Monday and Friday and other major bands take turn to perform for the other days. There are no Sunday concerts. The one concert not to be missed has got to be the Last Night – where performers gather to perform select pieces for the final night of the Proms. Tickets are highly sought after particularly for the Last Night and people will have to book in advance and even submit an application to obtain tickets to it. The Last Night is simulcast on BBC Radio Stations for those who are not able to make it live.
• FA Cup (Soccer) & Wimbledon (Tennis)
The FA Cup is a knock-out soccer tournament featuring clubs from all divisions and levels. This is a non- discriminatory cup game and people who enjoy rooting the underdogs and the chance to see them win eventually will definitely like to see the FA cup games live. The FA Cup final is played at the Wembley Stadium in London.
Wimbledon is regarded as the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world and is held every summer in the outer boroughs of London. World famous players converge in London in a face-off to determine the champion.
• New Year’s Day Parade
Starting at Ritz Hotel and ending at Parliament Square, the New Year’s Day Parade is London’s version of the Macy’s Parade. Featuring marching bands and various troupes and parade cars, the New Year’s Day Parade is a great way to spend the very first morning of a new year. Past guests at the parade include high school marching bands from the United States. Join in the crowd for a fun-filled family-oriented new year’s morning!
• The Boat Race
Age-old traditions which include a boating competition between Oxford and Cambridge University takes place
in April on the Thames in London. Televised live on the BBC Channel, this boat race started off as a school-based rivalry between Oxford and Cambridge and has since evolved to become a national event in London. Millions of people pour onto the banks of the river to watch this event live. The American counterpart would be ‘The Game’, where Harvard plays Yale in football near Thanksgiving break.
• London Film Festival
Travelers travelling to London in the fall will be able to attend the London Film Festival – the largest of its kind in the world. Emerging film makers and seasoned film makers showcase their productions in this annual film festival that takes place in London. Classes are offered by film makers and film production crew members, Questions&Answers session for movie critics and fans and general viewing and appreciation of movies take place. Awards are also given out during this event to honor film makers and production crew members. Not to be missed by movie buffs.
• Carnaval del Pueblo
A carnival held during the first week of August every year in Burgess Park, London to celebrate Latin American culture. The largest of its kind in Europe, Carnaval del Pueblo features a spectacular procession of exotic floats, costumes, musicians and dancers, making their way through London Bridge, along Borough High Street, Elephant and Castle and Walworth Road, finally arriving in Burgess Park. Originated in 1999, the Carnaval del Pueblo may be the youngest incorporated annual event but definitely exemplifies London as the cosmopolitan city where people from all races live and work together.