Sick of the World Cup and wanting to make the most of the summer weather? Leave the crowded bars behind and take your pick from a diverse selection of festivals taking place all over London. Music, dance and outdoor theatre are just some of the attractions to get you out and about this summer.
Hampton Court Palace Festival
Thursday 8th June – Saturday 24th June, Hampton Court Palace
Taking place for the 14th consecutive year, the Hampton Court Festival brings together a selection of world class acts in a premier live music event. Music fans have the chance to enjoy an eclectic range of concerts in intimate, picturesque surroundings, ideal for long summer evenings. The line up for 2006 includes Tracy Chapman, Art Garfunkel and Eric Clapton, as well as Jools Holland and the Glyndebourne Festival Opera.
Visit: Hampton Court website
West End Live 2006
Saturday 17th June and Sunday 18th June, Leicester Square
Enjoy live West End theatre for free in a unique event that brings a selection of top productions out into the open, live in Leicester Square. This year’s West End Live will see performances from Chicago, Mamma Mia, The Lion King, Guys and Dolls, The Producers and Stomp, to name a few. Exhibits will be on display from Madame Tussauds, the Theatre Museum, Hamleys, the British Film Institute and more, promising a weekend of interactive fun for the crowds. Other highlights include special performances from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Ronnie Scott’s, Wigmore Hall and The 100 Club.
West End Live 2006 takes place from 12 noon – 6pm on each day. Events are free to attend.
Visit: West End Live
O2 Wireless Festival
Wednesday 21st June – Sunday 25th June, Hyde Park
Hyde Park will come alive this summer with a string of electrifying performances from some of the top names in rock, pop and indie. The festival line up includes the Strokes, KT Tunstall, Pharrell Williams, Massive Attack and James Blunt, guaranteeing a feast of live music for fans of all genres. Tickets are in heavy demand for exclusive performances in London for what promises to be one of the music events of the year.
Visit: o2 Wireless Festival website
Hyde Park Calling Festival
1st – 2nd July, Hyde Park
The highly anticipated Hyde Park Calling Festival takes place in one of the most famous parks in London and promises to be a summer highlight for rock music lovers.
The first day of the festival will see Roger Waters taking to the stage to perform The Dark Side Of The Moon, alongside Texas and Starsailor. The following day The Who will headline supported by live performances from Razorlight, Primal Scream and Ocean Colour Scene. Part of the appeal of the Hyde Park Calling Festival 2006 is the variety of entertaining things you'll find to do when you're not listening to the acts themselves. The music festival also features performance art, a chill out zone, a healing area, markets and much more.
Visit: Hyde Park Calling - for tickets.
Rise Festival
Saturday 8th July, Finsbury Park
Stand up against racism at Rise, one of London’s biggest free live music festivals. Officially titled Rise: London United, Rise Festival 2006 returns for its sixth year and presents a diverse line up of live acts spanning hip hop, indie, pop, jazz, punk, reggae and more. Highlights for 2006 include Graham Coxon, Buzzcocks, The Wailers, Sway, Killa Kela and Roy Ayers, not to mention a selection of family attractions to enjoy.
Visit: Rise Festival website\n\nSomerset House Summer Series
Thursday 6th July – Sunday 16th July, Somerset House
A diverse selection of artists will take to the stage in the historic setting of Somerset House courtyard, presenting an eclectic range of music styles in London. Headline acts include The Divine Comedy, Robert Plant, Damian Marley and Erykah Badu, as well as Jose Gonzalez, Elbow and Corrine Bailey Rae. The Somerset House Summer Series is one of the most popular open air music events of the year, regularly attracting thousands of music fans.
Tickets range from £22.50 - £28.50
Visit: Sumemrset House Summer Series website
Big Dance London
Thursday 15th July – Friday 23rd July, various venues
Enjoy a week long series of events and activities celebrating all things dance in London. Big Dance London will take place at locations across the capital, ending with a dance extravaganza in Trafalgar Square.
Whether it’s ballroom or ballet, tap dancing or tango, there will be plenty to keep you moving for the whole week. Londoners can learn about a whole range of dance styles and have a go on the dance floor at schools, health clubs, theatres, cinemas, shops and community centres, to name a few of the venues participating in the event.
Big Dance will end with a massive finale in Trafalgar Square, in what organisers hope will be the biggest piece of mass choreography performed to one track of music.
Visit: Big Dance website
Lovebox Weekender
Saturday 22nd July – Sunday 23rd July, Victoria Park
Victoria Park will come alive with live music in July at a huge summer party, featuring a massive line up of live acts and DJs. Groove Armada will be joined by a host of acts including Jamie Lidell, New Young Pony Club, Shlomo and Roots Manuva, who will be performing an exclusive DJ set. The second day of the event will see the likes of Jamiroquai, The Bees, Mr Scruff and Secret Stealth, joined by DJ Cash Money, The Feeling and more. Lovebox Weekender tickets are in heavy demand for a chance to see all these top acts in one huge live showcase.
Tickets are £35.00 for one day or £60.00 for the full weekend.
Visit: Lovebox Weekender\n\nTrafalgar Square Festival 2006
Thursday 3rd August – Sunday 20th August
Over three weeks in August Trafalgar Square will be alive with vibrant shows, demonstrating cultural diversity in the capital – all for free! Performance art, acrobatics and dance are just some of the activities exploding into Trafalgar Square, in what is set to be one of the biggest outdoor events of the summer. The concept for 2006 is City on the Move, designed to reflect the energy of life in London.
The Trafalgar Square Festival takes place from Thursday 3rd August – Sunday 20th August, from Thursday to Sunday each week.
Visit: Trafalgar Square Festival webiste
Get Loaded In The Park
Sunday 27th August, Clapham Common
Whether its hip hop, indie, grime, electronica or dance, there will be something for all music fans at Get Loaded In The Park. Clapham Common will be transformed into the ultimate outdoor live music venue, with an eclectic line up of live acts taking to the stage - The Buzzocks, Lethal Bizzle, British Sea Power, De La Soul and Babyshambles, to name a few. The atmosphere is guaranteed to be electric on the day, with 20,000 music fans partying in the sun to a selection of top live acts.
The event starts at 12pm. Early bird Get Loaded In The Park tickets are £25.00, increasing to £30.00 at a later date.
Get Loaded In The Park - Get tickets here.
Great British Beer Festival
Tuesday 1st August - Saturday 5th August, Earls Court
Have a pint or two at the Great British Beer Festival. There will be more than enough to quench your thirst this summer, with a wide selection of beers, ciders, perries, ales and lagers from the UK and abroad. A series of tutored tastings also gives you the chance to get some expert guidance on a selection of beers. Enthusiasts can find out about everything from how to distinguish a good German Beer to endangered species of beer, in a relaxed, informative setting.
Admission is £7.00 or £5.00 for CAMRA members. Tickets are available at the door.
Visit: Great British Beer Festival website
