Whether you didn’t want them or couldn’t get them, the chances are, you don’t have tickets to the Olympics in London this summer. With all the hype, all the preparation and the billions invested, you might think it’s the end of the world that you’re missing out, but don’t despair. If you come to London this summer (or you live there already!) there is still a ton of exciting and fun things to do, see and experience that have nothing at all to do with running, jumping or gold medals.
Where are the free events?
Summertime is when London loosens the purse strings a little and we see a huge influx of free events. We may not be able to guarantee sunshine or temperatures in the thirties, but we can guarantee a good time. Here are a few ideas to get the ball rolling:
- The Mayor’s Thames Festival – On 8th and 9th of September, the Mayor’s Thames Festival returns to the banks of the river to wow the whole city. Officially it marks the end of summer and the official close to the Olympic games and is, of course, completely free for everyone. There’ll be fireworks, live music, a night time carnival, free food and drink and a whole spectrum of other exciting events. Take a look on the official Thames Festival website for exact timings, locations and information.
- More London Free – running from early June to late September, More London Free is a mixture of film screenings, theatre, music and every other type of live performance theatre. It takes place at The Scoop and is completely free!
- Peninsula Festival London – From 19th June until 13th August, Peninsula Square in Greenwich (nearest tube station is North Greenwich) will be playing host to giant television screens (playing the Olympics, what else!), mock beaches with sports, ice cream stalls and plenty of live music. The festival is mostly free with only a few of the most popular events requiring tickets, but it’s sure to be a lot of fun for everyone in attendance.
- Notting Hill Carnival – this particular event needs no introduction, so I won’t give it one! It’s going to be bigger, louder and more fun than ever, and unless you decide to splash out on food and drink (which you will want to do, I assure you) the whole event and parade is free to attend. A great weekend to see London at its finest, it takes place 26th and 27th August, a bank holiday weekend, no less!
Where are the top cultural activities?
The cultural programme is packed this summer in London. Museums, galleries, tourist attractions and places of historical interest will all be as busy as ever and are expecting record numbers of visitors.
Aside from the typical tourist spots, make the most of your time in the capital this summer and do something a little different. One popular idea is to take some sort of course during your free time, when the schools, colleges and universities are quieter and can therefore offer cheap courses across a range of subjects. One option that is always popular with foreign visitors is to take a course to learn English in England, so why not follow their lead and learn a new foreign language for yourself?! Ever wanted to learn French, to learn how to cook, to paint, to swim backstroke? Make the most of the summer vacation period and try something cultural, new and, maybe, discover a new hobby!
If you want to know more about what’s happening in London this summer, head to ViewLondon.co.uk for up to date details about what’s going on or just use your browser’s search engine for specific events. For more details on the foreign language and English courses mentioned above, you’ll find more info here.
