For those of you who will be in London in September, take a look at the Totally Thames Festival. Their website shows several pages of events: http://totallythames.org/events Especially interesting will be the Tall Ships event at Greenwich: http://totallythames.org/events/info/royal-greenwich-tall-ships-festival The Festival continues for the entire month of September, and includes boat rides up and down the Thames, marathon races, a boat show at St. Katherine's Docks, and my favorite, A Concert at Hampton Court of Handel Music with fireworks! http://totallythames.org/events/info/handels-fireworks-music-and-illuminations Lucky you, if you will be in London in September to enjoy some of these events.
Thanks for posting. Looks like a great event---wish we could be there! Does it end with a parade? I saw something about a really fun parade in late September on one of my London travel videos, probably Globe Trekker.
We are trying to decide on a month to spend in London for our next long trip. May is currently at the top of the list, but maybe we should consider September for events like this.
Lola, for the Tall Ships Festival, I think there will be a crew parade and festival procession through the streets of Greenwich on opening day. On the last day, it mentions: Parade of Sail, Tues 9 Sept - along the River Thames from Greenwich to the mouth of the river - 1pm - 4pm.
"Watch the fleet of 50+ Tall Ships sail in line down the River Thames and out to sea in a dramatic finale in the Tall Ships Festival."
I have not seen a parade mentioned yet that ends the whole Totally Thames Festival at the end of the month. But that doesn't mean it won't happen. I just haven't seen it mentioned anywhere.
This is a yearly event, so yes, next September would be a good time to go. I wish I could hop a plane next week and go for most of these activities, but I can't. I hope to go next year and stay all of September in an apartment/flat.
On your Globe Trekker video, you may have seen Notting Hill Carnival Parade. It took place this year the last weekend in August. But in other years, it may have taken place in September, so that may have been what they filmed for the show.
There is a parade that is an armed services parade, "London Remembers", Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014: http://counties.britishlegion.org.uk/counties/greater-london/whats-on-in-london/annual-parade-richmond-sept-2014
Marching in it will be The Royal British Legion, Army, The Ghurkas, and the Pensioners.
I will have to go back and watch that video again. I am pretty sure it was Globe Trekker, and they have two on London. I probably can find it in my Amazon Prime. The young woman was invited to participate in the parade---it was along the Thames, if I remember correctly, and lots of people in costume. It was billed as a parade for Londoners, not something put on for tourists to watch, but for locals to participate and have fun.
We so much enjoyed the long evenings when we were there in late May this year---families out and about and not dark until after ten. I will have to check on hours of daylight in September.
Yes! The Scottish vote, the Poppies sculpture at the Tower and this. What a great time to be in London. Thank you so much for this information; I can't wait.
Andi, You are welcome!
Lola, I'm sure you are right about there being some sort of parade associated with this in your video. In past years it was called the Mayor's Festival, I think. So the events have probably been slightly different each year. I'd be surprised if there's not a parade this year such as the one you describe; for the people to just get out and have fun and participate!
@ Rebecca , WOW !!! we are there 1 thru 17 September , and this really puts some icing on the cake - Many Thanks for the heads up , My Best , Steve
Steven, you are welcome! I hope you and your wife/family have a great trip!
Hi Rebecca, I will be there in September. Thanks for posting.
OK, I found the video. It is Globe Trekker's " London 3", released in 2013, so should be current.
The parade is indeed during the Thames festival! perhaps the closing event. It is billed as the Night Carnival, and includes a fun parade and fireworks.
The video is well worth watching for ideas on things to see and do in London, some a bit out of the ordinary. It inspired us to walk the Regents Canal towpath from Little Venice to beyond Camden Locks. The young woman narrating the video rides a bike with a guide all the way to the Olympic Park (8 miles). I am glad we walked as the path is far more crowded than the video shows, although there were a few bike riders. We caught the Tube for the last two miles to the Olympic park and went for a swim in the 50-meter pool. It was my birthday and a great day out in London!
Robin, You are welcome! I hope you find some events at the Thames Festival to enjoy!
Lola, Thanks! I am going to look for that video right now! That parade sounds fantastic. Glad you had a great birthday and day in London! What a great place to spend your birthday! I also love walking the Regents Canal towpath from Little Venice to Camden Locks. Love Little Venice!
Just found another event going on in September. The Concours of Elegance, rare/classic car show, Hampton Court. Saturday 6 - Sunday 7 September, 2014.
"The world's rarest historic cars are on their way to Hampton Court Palace for the UK's third International Concours. 2014 will be the UK’s third annual international Concours of Elegance competition, uniquely held each year at a British Royal location. Sixty of the world’s rarest motor cars ranging from 1896 to present day are being brought together by the major historic car collectors from around the world to compete for the highly coveted ‘Best of Show’ award. These 60 exceptional motor cars will be joined within the Fountain Garden grounds of Hampton Court Palace by many other fine automobiles from Britain’s leading car clubs over the Concours weekend."
http://www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/WhatsOn/2014ConcoursofElegance
"The 2014 Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace will be open to the public on Saturday 6 September and Sunday 7 September. Adult entry tickets start at £25 per person for the afternoon and include entry into Hampton Court Palace. Tickets can be purchased in advance from the Concours of Elegance website."
Update on the concert and fireworks event to take place at Hampton Court on 14 September; it is sold out. There is a waiting list for tickets: http://www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/WhatsOn/Handelsfireworksmusicandilluminations
"Sunday 14 September 2014 - SOLD OUT--19.30 - 21.30
If you would like to be added to a waiting list for this event, please email [email protected] with your name and the number of tickets."
From BBC online news, the Tall Ships Festival begins today. Tall ships arriving today in Greenwich:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-29078545
One more great thing to see in September is a special JMW Turner exhibit at Tate Britain starts 10 September and runs until 25 January 2015. Oils and watercolors.
http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/sep/08/late-turner-tate-britain-review or www.tate.org.uk