Pantomime
With roots deep in Celtic legends, medieval morality and the art of mumming, the modern version is a post Christmas ritual enjoyed throughout the country. People pack into theatres to see old favourites loosely based on stories such as Cinderella or Jack and the Bean Stock. These are updated to touch on current political scandals or celebrity gossip, and a celebrity always stars in the show.  Held at theatres all over during January and February.

University Boat Race
Traditional rowing contest between Oxford and Cambridge held on the River Thames in late March.

Chelsea Flower Show
Chelsea Flower Show is one of the biggest London events held for five days in late May at various venues in the Chelsea district. It is open to the public, but it is also loved and visited by the Royal Family.

Wireless Festival
Taking place over four different days in late June, Hyde Park hosts the Wireless Festival, set to be the new big thing on the London music calendar. Aside from the music there will also be markets, side shows, chill out areas and plenty more to pique your interest.

Opera & Ballet
Bring a picnic for the perfect way to spend a summer evening with friends at these popular, completely free summer events. Live relays from the main stage of the Royal Opera House will be beamed onto big screens across London.

Beating Retreat
Military bands march in strict tempo at Whitehall in early June.

Trooping the Colour
The Queen’s birthday parade with spectacular pageantry at Whitehall, held in mid-June.

Tennis Championships
Two weeks of rapid-fire returns at Wimbledon, held in late June.

Tower of London Festival of Music
2006 rings in the first Tower of London Festival of Music, giving you a chance to hear opera and jazz performed in stunning surroundings by some of the most talented artists around. Held for two weeks in the beginning of July.

Kew Summer Swing
This is a hugely popular open-air music festival and firework show, held in Surrey's Kew Gardens for six days in mid-July. Groove to the tunes of salsa, swing, R&B and more. Colourful craft and gift boutiques, excellent food and drink stalls are on offer as well.

Hampton Court Palace International Flower Show
Held in early July.

Notting Hill Carnival
One of the largest street festivals in the world, this is a must-visit for any Londoner, whether it's for the food, the atmosphere, the music and sound systems or the whole package. Held during the bank holiday weekend in late August.

Portobello Film Festival
The Portobello Film Festival is the largest independent film festival in Europe and an opportunity to see literally hundreds of different offerings, from the tiny to the career-launching (Guy Ritchie, amongst others, cut his teeth here). Films show on a mega-screen in Athlone Gardens during the month of August. www.portobellofilmfestival.com/

Harvest Festival of the Pearly Kings & Queens (October 6)
A cherished part of cockney life, pearly kings and queens are sparkly spectacles with tens of thousands of lavishly studded buttons sewn into their clothes. It all started when a barrow boy wanted to help the poor and began sewing pearl buttons onto his garments to attract attention. Today’s pearlies, often descendents of the originals, work for charities and gather at Trafalgar Square’s St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church to sing cockney songs, speak in rhyming slang, slap their thighs and pose for pictures.

Guy Fawkes Day
Fireworks and bonfires light up the sky all over the country on November 5. The day commemorates the capture and execution of Guy Fawkes and co-conspirators who, in 1605, attempted to blow up King James 1 and the Houses of Parliament in what has become known as the Gunpowder Plot. Hot drinks and food are a tradition as well as the burning of a Guy effigy.

New Year’s Eve (December 31)
Celebrations are held all over the city and country, with London’s biggest crowds gathering at Trafalgar Square. The London Eye gigantic Ferris wheel is a spectacular place to watch the fireworks from a bird's eye view.

January 1 New Year's Day
March / April Good Friday, Easter Monday
May May Day (first Monday in May)
May Spring Bank Holiday (last Monday in May)
August Summer Bank Holiday (last Monday in August)
December 25 Christmas Day
December 26 Boxing Day