The Best Summer Festivals in London

The summer season in London brings with it an eclectic mix of festival-based fun. Each year, an unforgettable array of events take place in the capital, many of which are free to attend. Summer festivals are certainly one of the most exciting ways to experience this vibrant city - here are just a few that you won't want to miss out on:

Spitalfields Summer Music Festival

London plays host to a number of music festivals during the summer, but none of them are quite like Spitalfields Summer Music Festival. If you're not keen on braving the crowds of Hyde Park's mega-festivals, then this is the perfect alternative, with a range of classical, folk and contemporary music performances across a variety of small east London venues and outdoor spaces. This biannual festival also offers a series of talks and debates, walks, visits, and interactive workshops, too.

Greenwich and Docklands International Festival

For those spending the summer on a budget, this nine-day free festival is not to be missed! Bradley Hemmings, Co-Artistic Director of the London 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony, is the man behind the occasion, bringing exceptional dance, music and theatre performances to the streets of Greenwich. Prepare to be wowed by this packed programmed of creative installations and events from around the world.

Clapham Common Foodies Festival

Deck chairs adorn south London's Clapham Common for this food-based festival, with celebrity chefs in attendance and cooking demonstrations galore. Sample signature dishes from some of London's top restaurants and be filled with culinary inspiration during this three-day event which is sure to encourage even the most modest chef to become more creative in the kitchen.

City of London Festival

This annual festival is comprised over 100 free outdoor events, as well as concerts in some of the capital's most iconic buildings, including St. Paul's Cathedral. Seeking to "entertain and inspire" those who work and live in the City, as well as the capital's many summer visitors, the City of London Festival programme is packed full of music, visual arts, films, walks and debates - so there's sure to be something for everyone. This year's festival centres around three themes: city walls, conflict and resolution, and trees.

The Scoop at More London Free Festival

Another free festival, The Scoop amphitheatre at the South Bank's More London offers a range of film screenings, theatre performances and musical events throughout the course of the summer season. Suitable for all ages, seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and offer stunning views over London's Tower Bridge, as well as the perfect al fresco way to enjoy the arts. Keep comfy by bringing a blanket or hiring a cushion!



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Canada's Best Summer Festivals

Summer festivals are the Canadian way of celebrating the season and truly enjoying the best of the glorious sunshine and all round good cheer. Across Canada, summer festivals add an air of festivity with a wide range of entertainments and exciting events.

The Fringe Festival represents the spirit of summer festivals in Canada. This is where anyone can perform and get away with appreciation. These perform or perish events grant the performers one whole minute to win the audience or retreat. Events include dance, music, comedy shows, drama, musicals, theatre and more. Audience can use the festival guide to help decide what to watch from the literally hundreds on show. Fringe Festivals can be found in cities including Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Victoria, Ottawa, London and many more.

Canada's summer festivals celebrate music like none other. The Cisco Systems Bluesfest in Ottawa, Ontario is a perfect example. Anything from Cuban music to jam bands can be expected at this extremely exhilarating music fest. To add to the melee there are the side shows and the overall festival atmosphere.

Here's one for the funny bone. Canada's summer festival celebration sets great store by comedy shows. The Funnyfest Comedy Festival in Calgary, Alberta is where the good humor spreads good vibes all around. Hilarious comedy shows, stand up comics that make you double over, and plenty of laughing matter is on for about 16 nights incorporating over a hundred performers. It's a punch line a minute attack that will have you ROFL.

Montreal of course has the Just for Laughs Festival and the Giggleshots-International Comedy Short Film Festival in Toronto is the largest of its kind in the world and everything you've heard about it is true. This major event is now all set to be staged in the UK.

The Canada Dance Festival in Ottawa began in 1987 and is growing stronger by the year. It is now the primary showcase for professional dancers to strut their stuff. Get ready to witness an awesome range of performances that will have you entranced. The Toronto International Tango Festival is another venue where dancers from all over the world come to stage their passion for tango.

Folk Festivals are held as part of summer festivals in Canada in Ottawa, Calgary, Winnipeg, and Edmonton among other places. All sorts of music from all over the world including Celtic, aboriginal, country, swing, and anything else you can think of are performed with gusto, and uninterrupted for four days.

No celebration can be complete without wine and beer. Canada's summer festivals celebrate this in style at the Great Canadian Beer Festival in Victoria, BC. Contrary to conclusions one may jump to, this is not a drink all you can fest but rather an upmarket venture where the quality of the beer has to be irreproachable as does the integrity of the brewer. It's more a celebration of the craft of beer brewing and its artistic aspect. The Niagara Wine Festival is a magnet that draws visitors in their thousands to the area. It runs in a series including the Ice-wine Festival, the New Vintage Festival, and finally the Niagara Wine Festival.



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