BEST TIME TO VISIT LONDON

Best time to visit London

London offers endless fun and is somewhere to have the time of your life in. There is loads happening all year round so pick your best time to visit London.

Best time to visit London

  • Best Time to Book London Hotels: London is a busy year-round destination, so it’s best to book around 4 to 6 months in advance.
  • Best Time to See the Royal Sites: The warmer weather is a great time to see all the sights, including everything related to the Royal family. In summer, many of the Royal residences are open to the public as their occupants have gone on vacation. You can tour the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace from late July into September and Clarence House, where the Prince of Wales lives, is open to the public in August. The Changing of the Guard happens daily at Buckingham Palace from April to July and on alternate days for the rest of the year. In June you can enjoy the Trooping of the Color (the Queen’s birthday parade) or attend the Royal Ascot.
  • Best Time for Shopping: London’s legendary summer sales in late June and July offer the best bargains. The busiest time for shopping is during the Festive Season before Christmas and the sales that follow also offer great bargains.
  • Best Time for Shows & Theatre: Best time to go to the theater if you’re looking for good prices for tickets is in January and February, out of season. Around this time, the GILT (Get Into London Theater) promotion is on, offering tickets at bargain prices. 
  • Best Time for Kids and Families: Because there are so many free attractions in London, it’s a great place to visit with kids any time of the year and kids under the age of 11 travel free on buses and on the Tube. In August during London Kids Theater Week you can get free theater tickets for kids – one ticket free for every adult ticket bought to any of the top shows in the West End. These tickets go on sale in June, so try to pick them up early. Kids have fun no matter the weather, but try to avoid the busiest times eg in Christmas and at Easter, or during Britain’s half-term breaks in February, May and October. The in-between seasons, spring and fall, are the cheapest times to travel and the weather is good.
  • Best Time for Museums and Galleries: You won’t need to stand in queues for museums and galleries in January or February, as well as that lazy week between Christmas and New Year. Family-friendly attractions are busiest when the kids are on vacation in Britain and the rest of the world. Once a week many of London’s galleries and museums offer late opening times, which are great, as you can visit when the crowds have left.
  • Best Time for Christmas Activities: From mid-November, Christmas starts featuring on everybody’s radar in London, with lots of decorations in shops and the streets. The gorgeous tree in Trafalgar Square is lit up in the first week of December, and throughout the month there are plenty of Christmas festivities including markets, plays, pantomimes… you name it. A lot of museums and galleries close between December 24 and 26, while the sales begin on Boxing Day, December 26. 

London Travel Seasons

  • High Season (May to Mid-September and December): In the warm months, spring and summer, London is packed and the kids are on vacation. You can expect long queues and flights, hotels and restaurants to be booked out. So make sure to plan ahead and book everything in advance if you’re travelling to London at this time.
  • Shoulder Season (Mid-September to November, March to April): The mild in-between seasons of spring and fall are popular times to travel to London, as prices are cheaper and tourist attractions less crowded. Fall can be chilly, but dress accordingly, pack an umbrella and you’ll be fine.
  • Low Season (January and February): It’s cold at this time and it rains a lot, so few tourists visit at this time. So if you can handle the chill you can get good prices for airfare, accommodation and sightseeing. Just dress warm and keep dry.

 

London Events and Festivals by Month

January

February

  • Chinese New Year  February 12 2021: The largest celebration outside of Asia. Features a huge parade through the West End, into Chinatown and Shaftesbury Avenue.  
  • London Fashion Week February 19 2021: One of the fab 4 fashion weeks around the world at this time of year. A chance to see what’s on trend in the fashion world for 

March

April

  • Diwali on the Square April 11: Diwali in London is held in Trafalgar Square to celebrate the festival of lights.
  • London Marathon April 25: The city’s famous marathon causes traffic jams as spectators cheer on 36,000 runners.

May

June

  • Royal Academy Summer Exhibition June to August: Exhibition of works from famous and upcoming artists at Burlington House in Piccadilly.
  • Trooping the Colour June 13: The Queen’s annual birthday parade from The Mall to Buckingham Palace.  
  • Royal Ascot June 15-19 2021: Major British horseracing event, a time to dress up, drink bubbly and gamble on the ponies. 
  • City of London Festival TBA: 3-week festival that celebrates the arts in all their manifestations – music, dance, film, comedy, you name it. 
  • Taste of London TBA for 2021: London’s top restaurants offer a taste of their menus at this fabulous food and wine festival in Regents Park.
  • Open Garden Squares Weekend Last weekend in March: Lots of London’s gorgeous gardens open to the public.
  • The Wimbledon Championships June 28 to July 11: 2 weeks of legendary pro tennis, strawberries and cream. 

July

  • Hampton Court Palace Flower Show TBA: Gardening inspiration at the largest annual flower show in southwest London.
  • BBC Proms July 17 to September 12: 8-week classical music fest with daily concerts at the Royal Albert Hall.
  • Pride in London TBA: London’s famous celebration of the GLBT community with accompanying parades and parties.

August

  • Notting Hill Carnival TBA: Not just London’s but also Europe’s biggest street festival takes place over 2 days featuring food, live music, floats and costumes. 

September

October

  • Frieze Fair October 8-11: 2 huge art fairs in Regents Park, including Frieze London for contemporary art and Frieze Masters for classic masterpieces.
  • BFI London Film Festival October 7-18: The second of the British Film Institute’s celebrations of film for the year at IMAX theaters and BFI Southbank.
  • Dance Umbrella TBA:  2 weeks celebrating the best dancing in the world at various venues around London.

November

  • Guy Fawkes Night/Bonfire Night November 5: Bonfires and fireworks take over the city. Major events are held on the weekend closest to this date.
  • The Lord Mayor’s Show Second Saturday in November: Celebrating London’s new mayor with boats on the Thames, a street parade, carnival and fireworks.
  • Remembrance Sunday Second Sunday in November: Honoring the heroes and victims of the wars in the 20th century. Includes a parade, memorials, concerts and a Royal ceremony in Whitehall.
  • EFG London Jazz Festival November 13-22: 10-day festival of jazz held in venues across London.
  • Taste of London Winter TBA: London’s restaurants offer a chance to sample their delicious dishes at this popular food and wine fest in Regents Park.
  • Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park Mid-November to end of December: Christmas festivities begin, including circus performances, ice skating, food and drink and Santa, of course.  

December

  • Christmas Markets Late November to January 1: Charming Christmas markets all over the city, including the famous Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. 
  • Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree First week in December to January 6: The legendary lighting ceremony of the tree in Trafalgar Square with carols and festivities.
  • Ice Skating Rinks Throughout December: Ice-skating is a popular pastime in London, especially at the rinks in Hyde Park and at the Natural History Museum. Others to try: Somerset House, the Tower of London, Hampton Court and Kew Gardens.
  • New Year’s Eve Fireworks December 31: Gather on the banks of the Thames along with thousands of other spectators to enjoy the dramatic display of fireworks at midnight.