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Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year is celebrated every year in London's Chinatown, which is located in Soho. As the Chinese calendar is based on lunar and solar movements, this festival takes place on a different date every year. The festival consists of numerous parades, which often snake their way through to Covent Garden. The celebrations give rise to a variety of food stalls in the area, serving Chinese cuisine, and visitors and tourists are always welcome to watch and participate. English is still the second language for many Chinese in London, so visitors should remember to wish them a happy New Year in their own language. In Cantonese it is Gueng Huei Fa Zuai, pronounced gwung-hway-fa-tzoo-eye and in Mandarin it is Gong Xi Fa Cai, pronounced gong-she-fatsai. In 2009 begins the Year of the Ox.

London Marathon

The Flora London Marathon is a 26.2 mile (42km) race from Greenwich Park to the Mall, via Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. Around 30,000 professional and amateur runners compete every year, many dressed in fancy dress to raise money for charity. The route is lined with spectators and has a very festive atmosphere.

Chelsea Flower Show

The Chelsea Flower Show is an annual event organised by the Royal Horticultural Society and since its inception in 1913, has been recognised as the foremost show of its kind in the world. An immensely popular event, the show draws crowds of thousands every year with its colourful and beautifully sculptured displays. Experts from the Royal Horticultural Society are on hand, ready to impart gardening advice to the show's many visitors. Tickets can be bought via the website and visitors are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

Trooping the Colour (Queen's Birthday Parade)

The ceremony of the Trooping the Colour (or Queen's Birthday Parade) takes place each year on Horse Guards Parade on the Queen's birthday and dates back to the time of Charles II in the 17th century. Although the Queen was actually born on 21 April, her official birthday is celebrated in the summer, when the weather is better. The parade begins with one of the Foot Guard regiments of the Household Division escorting their regimental colour, before giving the Queen a salute in front of Buckingham Palace, and is followed by a march of the Massed Bands before the Queen is escorted back home by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment on their magnificent black chargers.

London Mardi Gras

The London Gay & Lesbian Pride and Mardi Gras consists of three main events - the Pride Parade, the Mardi Gras Arts Festival, and the Mardi Gras Festival. Details of these events are released in the run up to Mardi Gras, which is usually held in June or July. For the Pride Parade, London's gay and lesbian community takes to the streets with a morning celebration of costumes, floats and music. The Mardi Gras Festival is then usually held in the afternoon in one of London's bigger public venues with dance tents, stalls, a funfair, bars and many other attractions. Tickets for the Pride Parade can be bought by telephone: (0870) 1200 722.

Wimbledon Tennis Championships

The Wimbledon Championships are the highlight of the year's tennis calendar, bringing together the world's leading tennis professionals in a battle for glory. The first championship event at Wimbledon dates back to 1877, but the first Ladies' Singles championship was only introduced in 1884. Since then the tradition of strawberries and cream on centre court has been enjoyed by thousands of fans from around the world. The Wimbledon Championships are the most famous of the four tournaments known as the Grand Slam. The Grand Slam refers to the actual victory in this event, The Australian Open, The US Open and The French Open.

Notting Hill Carnival

The first Notting Hill Carnival took place in 1964 when London's Caribbean community introduced the carnival to ease racial tensions. Since then it has become a popular and colourful annual event celebrated by more than two million Londoners of all backgrounds. It is the world's second largest street party after the Rio Carnival held in Brazil. The carnival consists of costume parades, a steel band, jazz and reggae performances, and countless street vendors selling exotic Caribbean food. For more information contact London Notting Hill Carnival Ltd on 08700 59 1111 ( weekdays 9am to 6pm).

Lord Mayor's Show

The Lord Mayor's Show is an annual event held in the City of London when the Mayor makes his way from Mansion House to the Royal Courts of Justice to swear allegiance to the crown. The procession has been marked by each Lord Mayor since 1215, including Dick Whittington (famous for having a cat). Since then the journey has grown into a rich pageant ending with a magnificent fireworks display over the Thames.

Changing the Guard

This is one of the oldest and most familiar of all royal ceremonies. Every other day a throng of tourists gather outside Buckingham Palace to watch the exchange of duty between the Old Guard and the New Guard. The Foot Guards wear their traditional uniforms, complete with bearskins, but carry modern weapons as their role is practical as well as ceremonial. The handover is accompanied by a band from one of the five Foot Guard regiments who play anything from traditional military marches to pop tunes. Guard Mounting also takes place daily at the same time at Windsor Castle and the Tower of London. The Changing of the Queens Life Guards involves the handover of duty between the two mounted regiments, the Blues and Royals and the Life Guards. When the Queen is in residence (most weekdays) it is more flamboyant as the Captain of the Guard and trumpeter lead the procession.

Carling Weekend Reading

One of the English Summer's great festivals of music boasts many of the biggest names in Pop/Rock/Indie/Folk and Comedy. The Carling sponsored event is increasing in popularity each year and tens of thousands make their way to the fields to enjoy the finest in popular world music. The festival normally falls on the bank holiday weekend. Over the same weekend the sibling festival is held in Leeds.

Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race

An annual tradition since 1829, the rowing race between two of Britain's oldest university sides creates a festival atmosphere along the banks of the Thames River between Putney and Mortlake. Thousands of people gather at various vantage points along the riverbank, many of them conveniently close to pubs, to watch the famous four-and-a-quarter mile race that marks the beginning of the English social season.

BBC Henry Wood Proms

The Proms claims to be the greatest classical musical festival in the world and every summer it presents a wide range of music from symphony orchestras to operas and contemporary music. Performances take place in one of the capital's most majestic venues and visitors to London during the summer months would be foolish to miss it; soloists and ensembles from among the greatest in the world have played the Proms.

West End Shows

Famed for its musicals, the West End in the centre of London boasts some of the best theatre in the world, from musicals to comedy and drama. There are ongoing shows that have been running for years, such as Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Lion King and Blood Brothers and new shows are added to the lineup regularly.

V Festival Chelmsford

Richard Branson's answer to the popular music festivals during the British summers offers many of the biggest live acts from around the world. The festival is noted for its professionalism, and low queuing times ensuring its sold-out status every year. Like the Carling festivals, this one has a sibling festival too, with acts playing on alternate days, held in Weston Park, Staffordshire.

Carling Cup Final

The Carling Cup is gaining a larger following each year, and although not as prestigious as many of the other major European football festivals it nonetheless showcases some of the best in football talent.

FA Cup Final

The cherished FA Cup is football's oldest tournament and has a special place in the hearts of fans around the world. What separates this tournament from many of the others is that it champions the underdog as lower division teams have a chance to play the premier league teams and often heroes are created in the tournament.

The Times BFI London Film Festival

Film-fever spreads all across London for two weeks during The Times and British Film Institute sponsored London Film Festival. It is the most important film festival in the UK and features premieres, short films, Experimental, World Cinema and the classics.

Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair

Showcasing the finest selection of Christmas gifts, fabulously-festive home decorations and a delicious range of food and drink from luxury Christmas puddings to Cornish Cheese and fine wines, the Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair is the ultimate Christmas bazaar. Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the annual fair where a multitude of products will be on offer at over 400 exhibitor stands. From local and national crafts, bespoke fashion and jewellery to handmade products including rocking chairs, kitchenware, tree swings and soaps, there are gift ideas to suit all the family. All the ingredients, and the trimmings, needed for a simply scrumptious Christmas dinner, can also be found.

 
 
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