London’s near 2000 year history means the city has amassed a great many traditions. Whilst some are once in a lifetime, others take place annually and are part of what makes London such an exciting holiday prospect for guests of the Brewery Hotel Chiswell Street. Regardless of the time of year that you’re visiting, there’ll always be a unique event that brings you closer to the heart of London’s true essence.
This blog will explore some of the amazing events that will take place in London in 2023. From the once in a lifetime to the annual traditions, these events and festivities will help guests of Montcalm Hotels learn a little bit more about the quirks of British culture.
St George’s Day
St George’s Day is a day to celebrate the history of England through its patron saint St George. Taking place on the 23rd of April, Trafalgar Square will be festooned with reds and whites as well as a wealth of performers on the Trafalgar Square stage celebrating the culture of the country from the heart of its capital city.
Eid Festival
Taking place on the 29th of April, Eid celebrates the end of the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims. London is home to nearly 4 million practising Muslims, making Eid an especially vibrant day for London visitors. Once again, Trafalgar Square will be hosting celebrations, combining live music and food stalls that all reflect and celebrate the beauty of Islamic culture.
The Coronation of King Charles III
This once in a lifetime event will be hosted on the first weekend of May and marks the day that the new king of England is crowned since the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. Whilst Charles has been acting as king since then, this long weekend in May is the official beginning of his reign, and will see celebrations take place all across England. Among the official celebrations, a royal parade will march from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6th of May, and will be followed by a concert on Sunday 7th at Windsor Castle.
Chelsea Flower Show
This annual tradition is televised across the country and celebrates the coming of summer through an explosion of flower arrangements at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Chelsea Flower Show has been running since 1913.
Trooping The Colour
The Trooping of the Colour is an annual event that celebrates the “official” birthday of the monarch. Though King Charles III was born in November, the date of 17th of June is more an excuse for the King’s Royal Guard and members of his family to march the traditional Pall Mall parade route in full regalia. An advance ballot of tickets will be released in the prior weeks for seated admission along the parade route.
London Pride
Taking place on the 1st of January in 2023, London Pride is a parade and party day centred around Soho and celebrating all aspects of queerness. This LGBTQ+ awareness weekend bursts with street parties, sound systems and art exhibitions and is one of the most popular events of the London summer calendar.
Wimbledon Tennis Championships
Wimbledon is one of the big four international tennis tournaments, and takes place at the historic Wimbledon Tennis Club between the 3rd and the 16th of July. The tournament draws in the best players in the world and if you don’t manage to get tickets, fear not, it is constantly televised across the BBC every year.
British Summer Time Music Festival
British Summer Time Music Festival makes the most of Hyde Park’s 350 acres of space by programming a yearly music festival consisting of the best in pop, rock and hip hop. Taking place over the Fridays to Sundays of the 23rd of June to the 9th of July, this year’s headliners include P!NK, Take That and Guns N Roses.
BBC Proms In The Park
BBC Proms In The Park goes down very nicely with an appetiser of Montcalm London afternoon tea. The classy Britishness of this picnic-cum-classical music festival takes over Hyde park between the 14th of July and 9th of September. Focused on international classical music, Prims In The Park almost always programmes the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, a staple of British classical in pop culture.
Notting Hill Carnival
Seeing off the British summer is Notting HIll Carnival, an August bank holiday celebration of Black-British culture in the English capital. Notting Hill Carnival takes place in the titular Notting Hill area of West London and showcases Afrocaribbean and West Indian traditional costumes and dance, alongside a labyrinth of sound systems and special events that reflect Black-British culture.
Halloween
From horror movie marathons at the Prince Charles Cinema to mass trick or treating from the kids, the 31st of October is always a delight in London. With a history of macabre and iconic horror movie locations, London really gives the USA a run for its money when it comes to celebrating Halloween in truly ghoulish style.
Diwali
With no dates yet set for October, Trafalgar Square celebrates the faiths of many cultures throughout the year, but Diwali – the Hindu Festival of Light – takes the biscuit for most colourful. Diwali is most closely linked to the goddess Lakshmi and marks the beginning of the Hindu financial year. Trafalgar Square’s Diwali will include yoga and meditation sessions, dance workshops, live music and great Indian food stalls.
Bonfire Night
Bonfire Night celebrates the foiling of Guy Fawkes 1605 plot to destroy the Houses of Parliament… by blowing something else up! Fireworks abound, London’s parks are lit up with beautiful explosions of colour, sparklers and fairground attractions. The anti-Catholic sentiment of the original Bonfire Night has burnt away over the years to reveal a true celebration of British culture.
Winter Wonderland
Guests of the Montcalm Marble Arch will probably see the lights from their hotel room, Winter Wonderland is a festive fair within Hyde Park that bursts colour into the early night sky. The Christmas themed festival usually takes place between late November and early January, and includes funfair attractions, ice rinks, Christmas market stalls and much more.
