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Last year was a wash-out, but usually London bakes in August, the parks full of sunbathers, the banks of the river lined with picknickers, and the beer gardens packed out with party folk. Huge music festivals are the main order of the day, though hardier souls can attempt a triathlon, or the even tougher task of trying to get tickets for the West End's wonderful Kids' Week season.
 Trafalgar Square Festival 2008 Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ 3 weeks in August 2008* - exact dates to be confirmed For the fourth year running, August sees Trafalgar Square filled by a program of music, theatre, dance and art - a further reason to enjoy this beautiful space at the heart of our capital. Lasting for three weeks events usually take place at regular times from Thursday to Sunday and there's something different every day, so my advice is just to get down and see what's happening whenever you're in the area. Trafalgar Square is a lovely spot in summer, a natural meeting place in the heart of the capital, and it's great to see it used in such innovative ways. *NB: ACTUAL DATES TO BE CONFIRMED. Venue: Trafalgar Square Address: London, WC2N 4JJ Phone: To be confirmed Date: 3 weeks in August 2008* - exact dates to be confirmed. Time: To be confirmed Pricing: Free Nearest Station: Charing Cross Tube / Rail Trafalgar Square Festival 2008 - Information   Carnaval del Pueblo 2008Burgess Park, SE5 0RJ 3rd August 2008* - date to be confirmed. This loud, colourful fiesta of all things Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American is a celebration of their roots for expat communities in the capital, and a massive party for the rest of us. Proceedings usuallu kick off at about noon when a procession of brightly-coloured floats will wind their way from City Hall down to Burgess Park, where revellers enjoy regionally-themed food, drink, music and, of course, dance. There are a number of different stages offering everything from traditional music to the freshest reggaeton and Latin hip-hop. Over 100,000 people are expected to attend. *NB: DATE AND TIMINGS TO BE CONFIRMED. Venue: Burgess Park Address: Albany Road, Camberwell, SE5 0RJ Phone: To be confirmed. Date: 3rd August 2008* - date to be confirmed. Time: To be confirmed. Last year: Floats 12:00 - 15:00 | Concerts 15:00 - 21:00 Pricing: Free Nearest Station: Kennington Tube Carnaval del Pueblo 2008 - Information  Fashion v SportV & A South Kensington, SW7 2RL 5th August 2008 - 23rd October 2008 Tracksuits, trainers, shell suits and swimming cossies, this unique exhibition at the V & A delves beneath the Lycra to explore the thin (though perfectly tailored) line between contemporary fashion and sportswear. From fashion deisgners reflecting sports branding in their designs to sporting celebs fronting high-profile fashion campaigns (think David Beckham and you'll get the idea) every aspect of this intriguing trend is examined in true V & A style. Venue: V & A South Kensington Address: Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL Phone: 020 7942 2000 Date: 5th August 2008 - 23rd October 2008 Time: Gallery opens: Mon to Sun 10:00-17:45 (22:00 Fridays). Pricing: To be confirmed Nearest Station: South Kensington Tube Fashion v Sport - Information  The Great British Beer Festival 2008Earl's Court Exhibition Centre, SW5 9TA 5th August 2008 - 9th August 2008 Over 66,000 people flock to this massive celebration of our national drink, which features over 450 real ales from the United Kingdom, as well as 200 more from around the world. Although this is a jolly event, do not be surprised to see a lot of very serious faces and concentration - some real ale experts are genuinely obsessive. Tutored tastings are on offer for anyone who wants to learn the subtleties of what makes a great beer. For the rest of us, though, this is a jolly day out with some delicious drinks. There's even a huge range of ciders and perries on offer for those with lighter tastes. Beer swilling may not be the most glamorous activity but this is a wonderfully British festival. Venue: Earl's Court Exhibition Centre Address: Warwick Road, SW5 9TA Phone: 01727 867 201 Date: 5th - 9th August 2008 Time: Tue 5pm - 10.30pm, Wed to Fri 12pm - 10.30pm, Sat 11am - 7pm. Doors close 30 mins before end. Pricing: In Advance - £8 (Adults), £8 (CAMRA Members). On the Door - £10 (Adults) Nearest Station: Earl's Court Tube The Great British Beer Festival 2008 - Information  Mazda London TriathlonExCel Exhibition Centre, E16 1XL 9th August 2008 - 10th August 2008 The triathlon is fast replacing the marathon as the event of choice for testing your body to the limit, and the London Triathlon is the world's largest event of its kind. Over 8000 people participate in a punishing program of running, swimming and cycling, while 40,000 are expected to visit the Triathlon Expo. There is a strong focus on raising money for charity, with £1 million usually donated each year, and media celebrities, major sporting figures and some of the world's best triathletes all expected to take part. Taking place around the ExCel Centre, the Docklands setting is idyllic on a sunny summer weekend, and the Thames hopefully not too cold for the brave athletes. It's a great spectator event too, with the chance to see some of the fittest sports people do battle across three gruelling disciplines. Venue: ExCel Exhibition Centre Address: Royal Victoria Dock, E16 1XL Phone: 020 8233 5900 Date: 9th August 2008 - 10th August 2008 Time: Sat 11:00 - 17:00, Sun 6:30-16:00 Pricing: Free (Spectators). £30 - £76 (Participants). Nearest Station: Canning Town Tube / DLR Mazda London Triathlon - Information  London Mela 2008Gunnersbury Park, W5 4NE 10th August 2008* - date to be confirmed One of the biggest celebrations of Asian music and culture outside the Indian subcontinent, last year's London Mela attracted 55,000 visitors, and this looks to be even bigger. Like so many of London's festivals (the Notting Hill Carnival, the Brick Lane Festival, Rise) this has extended beyond its ethnic roots to attract a multitude of Londoners out for a good time. Expect a line-up of the brightest lights on the British Asian music scene, Bhangra MCs, Bollywood, as well as traditional and classical performances. This is all backed up with hundreds of stalls selling food and handicrafts, a funfair for the kids and a fantastic convivial atmosphere. *NB: DATE AND TIMES TO BE CONFIRMED. Venue: Gunnersbury Park Address: Popes Lane, W5 4NE Phone: To be confirmed Date: 10th August 2008* - date to be confirmed Time: To be confirmed. Pricing: Free Nearest Station: Gunnersbury Tube London Mela 2008 - Information  Kids' Week 2008Multiple venues, WC2H 7BP 15th August 2008 - 29th August 2008 It's now a decade since the excellent idea of Kids' Week was first conjured up. A truly inspired summer treat for families, Theatreland is available for free to excitable tots and teens for two action-packed weeks in August. Children aged 5-16 years can see an awesome selection of dazzling West End hits gratis - as long as an adult pays the full price. Tickets for the most popular shows go fast, so it's best not to make any promises until you've booked. Aside from the shows themselves, there's a whole raft of free children's activities. Kids can peek backstage, participate in workshops, dabble with make-up, learn to dance, scribble a few lines in writing classes and even sing with the cast. And the freebies don't stop there, children can also eat at a number of kid-friendly restaurants for free. See www.kidsweek.co.uk for full details. It's a fantastic initiative and one which can only inspire kids' enthusiasm for the stage in later life. Venue: Multiple venues Address: West End, WC2H 7BP Phone: 0870 400 0800 Date: 15th August 2008 - 29th August 2008 Time: Various Pricing: Free (Children 5-16 years old accompanied by an adult paying full price). There is the option of buying two extra children's tickets at half price. Nearest Station: Leicester Square Tube Kids' Week 2008 - Information  Shoreditch Festival 2008Shoreditch Park, New North Road, N1 6TA 16th August 2008 - 24th August 2008 For nine days in August, the parks, gardens, streets, historical buildings and many weird and wonderful venues of London's trendiest corner open up to a bewildering variety of art and performance. The theme for 2008 is sports and arts. The opening event in Shoreditch Park is followed by a host of street arts, theatre and workshops all around the area, many of which are free. A series of bike-related events take place on the first Sunday. The festival culminates on Sunday 24th with a huge 1948-style street party. Check the website www.shoreditchfestival.org.uk for details. Highlights include: Saturday 16th August: Live music on the main stage, youth stage, workshops, food, dance and family fun. Sunday 17th August: Tour de Shoreditch and bike related events, including bike polo. Saturday 23rd August: Proms in Shoreditch Park with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and fireworks. Sunday 24th August: 3pm handover on a big screen in Shoreditch Park. From 3pm a 1948 street party in Hoxton Street. From 7pm Big Band music on the main stage in Shoreditch Park. Venue: Shoreditch Park, New North Road Address: Shoreditch, N1 6TA Phone: To be confirmed Date: 16th August 2008 - 24th August 2008 Time: Various Pricing: Free Nearest Station: Old Street Tube Shoreditch Festival 2008 - Information  Metro Weekender 2008Clapham Common, SW4 0AA 23rd August 2008 - 24th August 2008 Putting your festival in direct competition with Notting Hill Carnival- Europe's biggest street party - is a bold move by anyone's standards, but the Metro Weekender has proved a great success over the last few years, filling Clapham Common with seas of revellers. The event comprises two totally different days: Saturday is 'SW4', a dance music marathon whilst Sunday's 'Get Loaded in the Park' is left for more traditional bands. Unlike the major festivals, tickets won't be selling out within four minutes - so maybe this will engender a more of a chilled-out atmosphere. These parties are always cheerful summer fun. Venue: Clapham Common Phone: To be confirmed Date: 23rd August 2008 - 24th August 2008 Time: To be confirmed Pricing: To be confirmed Nearest Station: Clapham Common Tube Metro Weekender 2008 - Information  Notting Hill Carnival 2008Ladbroke Grove, W10 5QZ 24th August 2008 - 25th August 2008 Carnival sets London on fire in a blaze of Caribbean spirit as extravagantly costumed dancers, calypso and soca musicians, giant soundsystems and steelbands are joined by over a million revellers of all ages. Held since 1966, and originally a local affair for west London's homesick Caribbean community, this has evolved into Europe's biggest street party. Sunday is officially Children's Day, but there are loads of kids on both days enjoying the bright colours of the floats and the dancers' feathered costumes. Adults can shake their battys at dozens of stages: our favourites are Channel 1's booming dub, and the jazz-reggae at Gaz's Rockin' Blues, but there are tunes for all tastes, from house to hip-hop. It's a huge area, and can get very crowded, so be prepared for an exhausting day out, but for anyone who loves a party, Carnival remains the absolute highlight of the London summer. Venue: Ladbroke Grove Address: Notting Hill, and Westbourne Grove, W10 5QZ Phone: To be confirmed Date: 24th August 2008 - 25th August 2008 Time: Arrive around midday. Things start to cool off at about 19:00. Pricing: Free Nearest Station: Ladbroke Grove/ Westbourne Park Tube Notting Hill Carnival 2008 - Information  Liberty 2008Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN 30th August 2008 - 29th August 2008 The fifth year of London's disability rights festival, Liberty in Trafalgar Square features disabled performers, musicians, actors and dancers, alongside a host of stalls and displays. There's also an organic cafe and a family art workshop to keep the youngsters happy. Performers include comedians, cabaret acts, dancers, musicians and circus acts. Whether you want to take part, educate your kids about disabled arts, or just enjoy some music and comedy in the sunshine, this is an excellent piece of free entertainment. Venue: Trafalgar Square Phone: 020 7983 4277 Date: 30th August 2008 - 30th August 2008 Time: To be confirmed. Pricing: Free Nearest Station: Charing Cross Tube / Rail Liberty 2008 - Information |
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