At last, things seem to be returning to normal! Covid rates in London have dropped 90 per cent since the peak and the vaccination rollout is going according to plan.
Now that the lockdown we thought would never end is beginning to ease, everyone is going mad looking for all the events after lockdown in London. So you don’t miss out on the best The City has to offer, here is our guide to London events in 2021.
Latest Updates on London events
The roadmap out of Lockdown is happening in four phases. We are currently in the first phase which opened on 29th March. Non-essential shops are open, pubs are open, and restaurants are opening for outdoor dining. You can meet someone that you don’t live with! Masks are still required for indoor spaces, but finally, a sense of normality is starting to return. Restrictions will continue to ease with the following phases: the second was on 12th April, the third on 17th May, and the fourth after 21st June.
Hopefully, with the vaccinations underway and the curbing of infection rates, things will go ahead as planned. However, be aware that circumstances are subject to change and social distancing rules should still be adhered to.
Events are back in 2021
Have your diary handy, because your social calendar is about to get filled.
The Terrace Beer Garden at Alexandra Palace
Last year The Terrace, a huge 1500 square metre beer garden was opened in Alexandra Palace, facing south for beautiful panoramic views of the city. Most likely, you’re itching to get your booze on – conveniently for you, the Ally Pally beer garden is open and available for booking now. Also expect to be ordering some amazing street food, because it will be incredibly exciting to eat something that you didn’t have to make after months of lockdown.
There’s a £5 charge for a table which hosts a maximum of six people and a minimum of two. Even more conveniently, the beer garden is operating with table service, meaning no queueing and inevitably failing to get the bartender’s attention. Payments will be made via an app.
The same venue has also announced the 2021 Kaleidoscope festival will be taking place here on Saturday 24th July. It’s a fun event open to all ages, featuring live music and stand-comedy. Expect live music from The Coral, Groove Armada, and Norman Jay MBE and spoken-word and comedy performances from Irvine Welsh, Phil Wang, Sophie Duker, and more! You can book tickets for the Kaleidoscope Festival here.
Buckingham Palace Tour
Whether you’re a long-time lover of HRH the Queen, or if you’ve only just become obsessed with The Crown over lockdown we have the perfect tour for you – Buckingham Palace! The beautiful official residence of the Queen is open for tours during the summer months and is available for booking now. Tours take place every Friday, Saturday, Sunday from Friday 21st May 2021 – Sunday 20th June.
Pub in the Park at Dulwich and Chiswick
Pub in the Park is chef Tom Kerridge’s event that combines food, alcohol, and live music. What more could you want? We can already picture the park filled with pubs and restaurant pop-ups. Pub in the Park tours nationwide, but comes to London in 2021 twice in Dulwich (June 26-27) and then a bit later Chiswick (September 3-5). Tickets for both events are available now.
West End Live at Trafalgar Square
For all you musical theatre junkies who have been deprived of emotive storytelling in the medium of song, West End LIVE is your first port of call out of lockdown! The free event is planned to take place in June 2021.
The free event is life in Trafalgar Square, where there will be a variety of performances from all of your favourite West End musicals and more top London shows. Past line-ups for West End LIVE included classic West End musicals such as Mamma Mia!, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Wicked, and The Lion King.
Exact dates are to be confirmed, but keep your eyes peeled as the hugely popular event will sell out quickly.
Vincent Van Gogh Alive at Kensington Gardens
Vincent Van Gogh live is the most visited interactive art exhibition in the world, which is now making it to our very own Kensington Gardens. There will be more than 3,000 images projected in the 2,323 square-metre custom-built venue. The interactive venue uses projections, digital surround sound, and scents, to create an immersive 4D experience, transporting you right into Van Gogh’s paintings. There’s also a sunflower selfie room which will make for the perfect Instagram pic.
This event will take place from 4th June 2021 to 26th September 2021, and is available for booking now.
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience at a secret London location
If you’re obsessed with Impressionism and one Van Gogh exhibition isn’t enough for you, you’re in luck! Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is coming to London in October 2021. The London location is top secret, but tickets are available to book now.
There will be a 20,000 square foot light and sound spectacle featuring two-story projections of Van Gogh’s best works, with 360 degrees immersion. The exhibition also promises a technologically sophisticated VR interaction totally immersing you in Van Gogh’s works; including Vincent’s Bedroom at Arles, and Starry Night over the Rhone River.
Scenes in the Square at Leicester Square
At Leicester Square this summer you can see all your favourite film icons in statue form at Scenes in the Square at Leicester Square. The family-friendly event comes in the form of an interactive trail of statues in London. Wonder Woman, Laurel and Hardy, Batman, Gene Kelly, Paddington, and Harry Potter are just a few of the fan favourites on display.
This recurring event is open to all, and what’s more, it’s free! What’s not to love? Scenes in the Square is ready to visit now.
Royal Opera House at Covent Garden
The cultured ones among us will be overjoyed to know that the Royal Opera House is back in business from 17th May. New productions will run alongside ROH online streaming which has entertained fans for free during lockdown.
If you want to see something in real life, the Mozart opera, ‘La Clemenza di Tito’ is ready to be performed. The ROH has also announced the production of the world’s first hyperreality opera: ‘Current, Rising’, a collaboration with Figment Productions and Royal Holloway, University of London. Visit the ROH online to see the full list of events.
Film4 Summer Screen at Somerset House
Film4 and Somerset House have teamed up again to create the open-air film festival where you can watch modern and classic films under the summer night skies. The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court provides the backdrop to London’s largest screen set against Somerset House.
The exact dates are to be confirmed, but the event will take place in August 2021for 2 weeks.
Photo London at Somerset House
At Photo London photography buffs can experience the best contemporary photography from all over the globe, as nearly 100 international galleries come together to celebrate photography in events and exhibitions as part of Photo London 2021.
This free event takes place from 9th September 2021 to 12th September 2021.
Now that your diary is filled up, you may need a hand capturing some of these amazing memories-about-to-happen on camera, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with someone from our team.
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