Regent Street Festival

Every year the Regent Street Festival means the busy shopping boulevard is shut to traffic, allowing food stalls, marching bands, crafts and - if you're lucky - a pop up vodka bar to entertain the crowds. The details for this year's festival have yet to be revealed but there's usually a theme - last year's was 'A Great British Experience' with Bond and afternoon tea featuring. But the real pleasure of this free annual event is that Regent Street is rescued from the tyranny of the motorcar. With space to get off the pavements, suddenly the dramatic sweep of John Nash's stunning Georgian architecture comes into full focus, and the jaunty fume-free atmosphere and delicious food smells make exploring the shops and cafes a pleasure. A giddy day, full of spectacle and colour.