Summer Loving – Part II
Holi One:Wembley Park, 2nd August
Paint the town red, yellow, purple, yellow, blue – you decide on this intensely colorful day of music, dance, performance art and getting messy. The event, inspired by the Hindu festival of colours, sees hundreds of people chucking powdered paint at each other. Although these London events are often removed from the religious aspects of Holi, the same air of convivial fun and abandon are at their heart and gatherings like this are becoming increasingly popular in Britain.
Nearest stations: Wembley Stadium (National Rail) and Wembley Park (Jubilee and Metropolitan)
Somerset House Screenings: 7-20th August
The elegant, neo-classical courtyard is transformed into an open-air cinema. Take a picnic and enjoy the new releases, classic films and current blockbusters.
Nearest stations: London Charing Cross (National Rail and Northern Line) and Temple (Circle and District Line)
http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/film
Notting Hill Carnival: 24-25th August (Bank Holiday weekend)
The one weekend of the year when the smart and exclusive streets of Notting Hill are taken over by Europe’s biggest street festival. First held in 1964 and designed to promote cultural unity, the Notting Hill carnival remains true to its Caribbean roots. The costumes, amazing floats and performers, dancing, music and food vendors, attract over one million people over the weekend – it’s one massive party, for everyone!
If you’re new to carnival it’s worth checking the Carnival information guide for route details, tips on having fun and staying safe. And, in order to avoid congestion, some of the local tube stations are temporarily shut during the event and so it is best to plan your journey in advance.
BBC Proms, the Royal Albert Hall: 18th July – 13th September.
The world’s greatest classical music event with a programmed of daily concerts and recitals.
Nearest stations: Gloucester Rd (Circle and District Line) and South Kensington (Circle, District and Piccadilly Line)
The Mayor’s Thames Festival or Totally Thames: the month of September
30 days, 42 miles and 100+ events featuring live music, dance, art installations, educational events and carnival processions along, on and over the river Thames.
Nearest stations: Southwark (Jubilee) and Waterloo (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern, Waterloo & City and National Rail)
The Oval: Kennington
The Kia Oval is home to the Surrey Cricket Club and was the first ground to host an international Test cricket match, and therefore, the last Test of the English season is traditionally held here. Tickets range from £1 to £105, depending on the match and seats, and can be booked online.
Nearest Stations: Kennington (Northern line), Vauxhall (National Rail, Victoria Line), and Oval (Northern Line).
Lord’s Cricket: 5th July to 20th September
Lord’s cricket ground, named after the Yorkshire-born cricketer and business man Thomas Lord, is home to the world’s most famous cricket club: The Marylebone Cricket Club (better known as the MCC). The current grounds are located just west of Regents’ Park and are seen as one of the greatest homes for cricket. For those who want to experience a truly British sport, tickets can be acquired for free for the lesser known matches – it’s just simply cricket!
Nearest Stations: Marylebone (National Rail), Baker Street (Bakerloo, Metropolitan, Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Jubilee lines).
Open House London: 20-21st September
Over the weekend more than 700 of the capital’s most unusual, awesome and interesting buildings open their doors to the public. Created and delivered by the independent non-profit organisation Open-City, Open House is the capital’s largest annual festival of architecture and design. Now in its 22nd year, it is a citywide celebration of the buildings, places and neighbourhoods.
www.openhouse.org
The Great River Race: 27th September
Known as London’s River Marathon, it’s a colourful spectacle of more than 300 crews (with oars or paddles) from all over the world. The 21-mile (34km) route passes some of London’s most iconic landmarks and attracts every level of competitor, from serious sportsmen and women, to fun fancy dress and charity stunts – it’s a fun day out for competitors and spectators. The race route passes through all areas of London, from Tower Bridge, through Lambeth, Putney, and Hammersmith, ending up in Ham, Richmond. For time estimates of when they will be passing through these areas visit the website.