The culmination of the Cultural Olympiad will be the London 2012 Festival , which runs in venues and open spaces all over the capital from 21 June 2012 (Midsummer's Day) until 9 September 2012 (the last day of the 2012 Paralympics). During the 12 weeks, leading artists from all over the world will descend upon London to be a part of the UK's biggest ever festival.
Celebrating both the Olympics and Paralympics through dance, music, theatre, the visual arts, film and digital innovation, the London 2012 Festival will feature commissions from the likes of dancer Akram Khan, actress Cate Blanchett, director Mike Leigh, artist Tracy Emin, the singer Damon Albarn and the late painter Lucian Freud.
Whether you're into circuses, carnivals, fashion, opera, African music, sculpture, Shakespeare, dance or the paintings of David Hockney - to cover but a handful of bases - there'll be something for you in a programme which boasts more than 1,000 events and which will reach an estimated audience of 10 million people. And while some major events will be ticketed, the majority will be free and easily accessible for everyone, adding to the party atmosphere and feel-good vibe of the Games.
Like the trickle-down effect Team GB hopes to have on the sporting aspirations of the entire nation, the London 2012 Festival intends to leave a lasting legacy for the arts in the UK for many years to come. For more information and ticketing details please visit www.london2012.com/festival.