August 2009

Traditionally August is the time when London's parks fill up with sunbathers, the banks of the Thames lend themselves to picnics in places like Richmond and pub gardens get packed with party folk. Huge music festivals are the mainstay of the month, 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.

Mazda London Triathlon 2009

ExCel Exhibition Centre, London, E16 1XL
1st & 2nd August 2009

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 8,000 people participate in a punishing programme 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.

More info: Mazda London Triathlon 2009 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Buckingham Palace Summer Opening

Buckingham Palace, SW1A 1AA
1st August 2009 - 27th September 2009

For two months in the summer visitors have the chance to look round Buckingham Palace and admire the interiors of this principal royal residence. The State Rooms tour includes a look at some exquisite royal gifts including Faberge Eggs and a walk through the Royal Mews, which remains a functioning stable facility. This year, there's a special exhibition, Queen & Commonwealth: The Royal Tour, showing the Queen's dresses and jewels, as well as photographs and gifts presented to her by the people of the Commonwealth. The exhibition marks the 60th anniversary of the London Declaration of 1949 which recognised the British Sovereign as Head of the Commonwealth. Visitors are also permitted access to the impressive State Rooms which are still used by the Royal Family to receive and entertain guests on state and ceremonial occasions. Decorated in lavish fashion, they include paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto, Sevres porcelain and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world. This is a fascinating opportunity to admire the taste - often wonderful, sometimes comically bad - of Britain's monarchy..

The State Rooms, Buckingham Palace - Information

Carnaval del Pueblo 2009

Burgess Park, London, SE5 0RJ
2nd August 2009

This loud, colourful fiesta of all things Latin American is a celebration of their roots for expat communities in the capital, and a massive party for the rest of us. This year, thanks to a £50,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant, local people have been asked to contribute to the design of the main carnival float. The winner of the competition, announced on 12th May, gets to learn how to take their design from concept to completion - and can take pride in seeing their float parading down the street, admired by over 100,000 people who are expected to attend. Proceedings kick off at noon when a procession of brightly-coloured floats wind their way from London City Hall down to Burgess Park, taking in Tooley Street, Borough High Street and Elephant and Castle along the way. Once at the park, revellers can enjoy regionally-themed food, drink, live music and, of course, dance late into the night. There are a number of different stages offering everything from traditional music to the freshest reggaeton and Latin hip-hop.

More info: Carnaval del Pueblo 2009 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

The Great British Beer Festival 2009

Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, SW5 9TA
4th August 2009 - 8th August 2009

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 fun 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 brings it as close to an art form as possible.

More info: The Great British Beer Festival 2009 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Walking with Dinosaurs - O2 Arena

O2, London, SE10 0PE
5th August 2009 - 9th August 2009

Following the hugely popular BBC series, 'Walking with Dinosaurs', first broadcast in 1999, here comes the real thing. You can get up close to the terrifying Tyrannosaurus rex, who towers over us at an impressive 39ft, and walk alongside Allosaurus - one of the largest carnivores of the Jurassic period. There are 15 life-size - and scarily life-like - models of the long-extinct creatures as part of the £10 million display which tours nationwide. In London, this five-day show at the O2 is followed by a short run at Wembley later in the month.

More info: Walking with Dinosaurs - O2 Arena Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Trafalgar Square Festival 2009

Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ

NOTE: THIS EVENT IS NOT TAKING PLACE THIS YEAR
The annual Trafalgar Square Festival which previously took place in August is not happening this year. With the change in personnel and in policy at City Hall, Boris has done away with many of the free festivals and events from the previous regime. So instead of Rise and Trafalgar Square festivals we have two new events this year: the Story of London Festival in June and the Rhythm of London, taking place at local schools and venues across the city on 10th and 11th July.

More info: Trafalgar Square Festival 2009 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Kids' Week 2009

Multiple venues in The West End, WC2H 7BP
14th - 28th August 2009

It's now over 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. Hairspray, Wicked and Sister Act are just some of the popular musicals on offer. 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.

More info: Kids' Week 2009 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

London Mela 2009

Gunnersbury Park, London, W5 4NE
16th August 2009

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 and a few minor Bollywood figures, as well as traditional and classical performances. This is all backed up with hundreds of stalls selling food and handicrafts, a fun fair for the kids and a fantastic convivial atmosphere.

More info: London Mela 2009 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Notting Hill Carnival 2009

Ladbroke Grove, London, W10 5QZ
30th & 30st August 2009

Held since 1966, the Notting Hill Carnival is under threat for 2009 due to concerns over public safetybut we'd be surprised if it doesn't go ahead. Originally a local affair for west London's homesick Caribbean community, this has evolved into Europe's biggest street party. 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. 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 - fingers crossed the city gets to party in Carnival style this year...

More info: Notting Hill Carnival 2009 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Metro Weekender 2009

Clapham Common, London, SW4 0AA
29th & 30th August 2009

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 dance music marathon SW4, while Sunday is Get Loaded in the Park. Headlining on the main stage on the Saturday are Sasha & Digweed, the Asterix and Obelix of progressive house, a timeless double act that is to dance music what Ronaldo and Rooney are to football. Also featuring is French legend David Guetta, Saved's Nic Fanciulli and the likes of Timo Maas, Layo & Bushwacka!, and James Lavelle. This year's Sunday event sees Orbital, the zany techno brothers who used to work the decks while wearing futuristic torch-beam sunglasses, back and headlining. Norwegian duo Royksopp, French legend Laurent Garnier and glitzy electroclash combo Miss Kitten & The Hacker are among the line up playing across the four stages. These parties on Clapham Common can cater for up to 20,000 and are always cheerful summer fun.

More info: Metro Weekender 2009 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube