Loserville Loves… London Festivals – Part 1

Get your shorts on, it’s summer.

Pretty much.

Stick two fingers up at the ever present threat of rain, for festival season is fast approaching. Of course, it’s not all about Glastonbury, and here at Loserville, we’re quite happy to stick within the confines of this magnificent capital city of ours, and enjoy all the festival type fun and frolics that London has to offer.

In the first part of our guide to enjoying Festivaltabulous London, we’re ALL ABOUT THE FREE STUFF! That’s right, everything below is free (or free-ish), so there’s no excuse not to get stuck in!

April 13 – September 30 | More London Festival |  The Scoop

An outdoor sunken amphitheatre with seating for 800, The Scoop is home to a variety of free events throughout the summer, including free films, music and theatre.

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

April 30 – May 2 | Canalway Cavalcade |Little Venice

A unique community and waterways festival in the heart of London, including trade shows, bands, a real ale bar, and a variety of tasty snacks and food.

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

POSTPONED | Little London Fields Festival | London Fields

A fusion of up and comers, already there’s and super secret, smashing headliners (TBC), eschewing musical tones from genres: Dub, Electro, Indie, dance, rockabilly, prog, pop & house (with a lil garage). UPDATE: Hackney Council, in their wisdom, have forced a postponement – Little London Fields Festival should now be taking place on August 20th. Fingers crossed.

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

June 4 & 5 | London Green Fair | Regents Park

A festival that reflects the green aspirations and achievements of London as a whole, as well as providing an enjoyable and engaging day out for people from all walks of life – an interactive smorgasbord of both serious and suggestive takes on the environmental issues that affect Londoners.

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

June 18 & 19 | Paradise Gardens Festival | Victoria Park

Otherwise known as a 21st Century pleasure garden, Paradise Gardens will host a variety of music venues, innovative street arts and dance performances, sprinkled with quality bars and even boasting a craft fair.

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

June 24 – July 2 | Greenwich & Docklands International Festival | Various Venues

Be sure to head to this unique and diverse festival which the Sunday Times called “a thrilling showcase of high octane perfoming arts”. Last year, highlights included Oxymer, a spectacular and surreal parable for the 21st century, evoking extraordinary images of evolution and environmental catastrophe. Obviously.

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

July 1 – September 11 | Watch This Space Festival | National Theatre, South Bank

Theatre, fire, circus, juggling, music, dance and street performance… the National Theatre’s free festival of outdoor entertainment is back this summer!

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

July 1-31 | iTunes Festival | Roundhouse, Camden

More than 60 artists perform 31 consecutive nights of live music at the Roundhouse in Camden. Every ticket  is free (you can enter a ballot on the iTunes Festival website) – the 2011 lineup includes Adele, Foo Fighters, Manic Street Preachers, White Lies and, um, Duran Duran.

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

July 2-24 | Ealing Summer Festival | Various Venues

An explosion of laughter, music and culture throughout July. With Comedy, Jazz, Blues, Opera and Global music filling the big top tent in Walpole Park, and Carnival celebrations in Acton and Greenford, the season will end in a finale of modern and traditional Asian culture at the London Mela.

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

July 10 | Lewisham Peoples Day | Mountsfield Park, Lewisham

Celebrating its 27th year, Lewisham’s biggest (only?) festival brings together 100s of performers, businesses and community groups in one amazing day! 2010 saw Katrina (of Katrina & The Waves fame!) headlining… This year we’re hoping for Sonia!

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

July 16 & 17 | Lambeth Country Show | Brockwell Park

Celebrating all that’s best about the countryside (in London), entertainment over the weekend will include sheep dog displays, jousting, flower and vegetable competitions – bring on the funny-shaped turnips!

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

August 15-28 | London Culture Festival | Various Venues

A two week celebration showcasing London’s cultural diversity through music, literature, photography and fun. Yes, fun!

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

September 10 & 11 | Thames Festival | Various Venues

Spaces on and around the River Thames are tarted up, with a mixture of music, dancing, street arts, river races, carnival, pyrotechnics, art installations, massed choirs, food and feasting, topped off by a magical illuminated Night Carnival that winds along the south and north banks of the Thames. With fireworks.

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

September 17 & 18 | Open House London | Various Venues

Hundreds of great buildings of all types and periods open up their doors to all, completely for FREE. Enough said.

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

September 18 | Newham London Waterfront Festival | Royal Victoria Dock

Food, music, entertainment and cycling in London’s historic docklands. Yes, that says cycling. What could possibly go better alongside a bustling Food Village and a live music stage, than the final stage of the Tour of Britain. Men in lycra. Just saying.

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

View Loserville Loves… London Festivals – Part 1 on a map