Search For Top Events In London

The Queen's Birthday Parade

2nd week June

Horse Guards Parade. SW1.

The Trooping the Color ceremony is one of England’s most famous ceremonies,

and is as traditional as the Changing of the Guards.  This colorful ceremony is

accompanied by an annual parade of music and pageantry in celebration of the

Queens Birthday.   This year also celebrates Queen Elizabeth’s 50th year on

the throne.

Queen's Official Birthday Gun Salute

June 16

To mark The Queen's official birthday the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery Fires a

41-gun salute in Green Park and the Honorable Artillery Company fires a 62-gun salute

at the Tower of London also honoring the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Knollys Red Rose Rent

June 24

Every year on the Feast of John the Baptist, since 1381, one red rose is plucked from

Seething lane and presented to the Lord Mayor on the altar of All Hallows by the Tower. 

The Rent of One rose is paid in recognition of Sir Robert Knollys who built an

unauthorized foot bridge across Seething Lane.

Swan Upping

last Monday in July

Since Medieval times both the Dyres and Vintner’s Livery Companies, as well as the

crown, have the right to keep swans on the Thames River.  Every year 6 wooden Skiffs

pass along the Thames River, through Marlow Lock, to mark the cygnets,

or baby swans.

Doggett's Coat and Badge Race

late July or early August

In 1715 Irish Actor Thomas Dogett held a rowing race from London Bridge upstream

to Albert Bridge commemorating the crowning of George the I.  The prize…A scarlet

livery and a silver badge of the Horse of Hanover worn on the left elbow.

Election of the Lord Mayor

September 29

Every year since 1546 a new Lord Mayor is selected at the annual Meeting of the city

Counsel in The Guildhall.

Quit-Rents Ceremony

late October

In a ceremony dating so far back the origins have been forgotten, the City Solicitor

pays the one of the Queens officials a token for the rent of properties leased long ago. 

For Shropshire two faggots of wood, a bill hook and a hatchet, and for the Forge

in the Strand, 61 Nails and six horseshoes.

Trafalgar Parade and Service

October 21 (or nearest Sunday)

In honor of Nelsons victor at Trafalgar in 1805, wreaths are laid at the foot of Nelson's

Column in the Square.

RAC Veteran Car Run

1st Sunday in November

“Red Flag” laws made it illegal to carry Revolutionary Banners.  In 1905 a ceremony,

including a precession of vehicles built before 1905, honors the repeal of this

 “Red Flag” law.

The Lord Mayor's Show

Second Saturday in November

In a colorful procession nearly 800 years old, the Lord Mayor must make his way to

the Royal courts of justice to pledge his allegiance to the crown.  With more than

3 million spectators each year, this event was the first to be broadcast on live TV.

Installation of the Lord Mayor

November 8

Elected on Michaelmas (September 28),

the Lord Mayor is sworn in by the Alderman on November 8 and is installed on the 9. 

After the Alderman swears in the New Lord Mayor there is a luncheon held at Mansion

House followed by a procession to the Guild hall where the new Lord Mayor officially

takes office.

Festival of St. Cecilia

Last Sunday of the Liturgical year

Coinciding with the feast of Christ the King, St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music,

is remembered with organ and choral music at St Sepulchres (Holborn).

Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree

Mid December

Every Christmas the city of Oslo, Norway gives Britain a Christmas tree in thanks of

Britain’s help in World War II.  Erected in Trafalgar Square Carols can be heard daily

beneath the tree until Christmas.