Listed below are some out of the box festivals in and around London. Well some of the festival are not really in London, but are easy to get to via public transport and/or train. And I have to admit some of them are not really out of the box either, but they are the best of the best in the box!
Festival season means a couple of things, firstly remember wellies second of all be prepared for a big portion on fun.MimeFest: is for you who want to enter a different world. It is a annual mime event in London and have existed since it started in 1977 and is the longest running event of its kind. Different shows every day and delivers some absolutely fantastic shows and I am definitively attending next year.
When: 13th – 31st January Where: ICA opera house, Southbank
StreetFest: is the first live art festival in the UK and include performing artist from many genres including creative painters, skaters, performers and many more. This festival is absolutely recommended to pay a visit.
When: 30th May Where: TBA
London Pride: festival hosted by the Pride London charity and hosts a wide range of events including music, art and parade. In 2009 around 1 million people attended the festival in Trafalgar square and Soho.
When: 19th June – 3rd July Where: Trafalgar Square/Soho
Glastonbury: is the largest green field music and performing arts festival in the world. The festival is best known for its contemporary music, but also features dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and many other arts. Over 700 acts played on over 80 stages with a capacity of massive 200 000 people!! The 2010 line up still to be confirmed but a great line up are guaranteed.
When: 23rd – 27th June Where: Worthy Farm, Pilton
Guilfest: A small music festival with lots of soul and identity. Awarded Best Family Festival in the UK festival awards 2006. Line ups normally include old and new bands. Motorhead was among the headlines last year.
When: 16th – 18th July Where: Guildford
The Notting Hill Carnival: is an annual event which since 1966 has taken place on the streets of Notting Hill, West London. This is among the largest street festivals in the world with almost 1 million attending every year.
When: 29th – 30th August Where: Notting Hill
Underage Festival: is an annual music festival for young people. This is one of the few festivals hosted with young people in mind. Great line up and atmosphere.
When: 1st August Where: Victoria Park
The London Rat offers an Urban Adventure with unprecedented access to some of the most famous venues in the UK, on and off the beaten track. Featuring an eclectic mixture of adrenalin, action and adventure city-wide, the London Rat Race is arguably the greatest urban adventure challenge in the World!
Bonfire Night Festival: is an annual festival held at various location and venues around London. The festival is to mark the failed gunpowder plot in 1605. The celebrations include food, drinks firework and more.
