Bonjour lecteurs! We LOVE London. But sometimes, there is so much going on, it’s difficile to follow up with events etc. You might miss your fav artist’s concert or a spectacle might get sold out before you even have the time to check it out. It’s one of those cities where the calendar is absolutely relentless, which is brilliant, but also genuinely exhausting if you’re trying to keep up with it. There is so much stuff to do and see in London: street food markets, outdoor cinema screenings, theatre premieres, underground club nights, family workshops at the museum… Here is how to not miss what’s on in London right now.
Getting Past the Tourist Traps
Events like West End shows, Borough Market on a Saturday and Winter Wonderland are what I would call a tourist trap. Sure, they can make fun days out. But they are often over-priced and it usually rammed. So I am not sure it’s really enjoyable, especially if you know the area well.
The interesting stuff tends to happen slightly further out, or in smaller venues. You have to think out of the box. Par exemple, Peckham Levels is pretty cool on a Friday night. I also like going to a random jazz bars in Soho that don’t take reservations so you just have to show up and enjoy. Un autre exemple? Who doesn’t like an independent cinema where you can see arty movies? Most cool events take place in the suburbs of London and not central.
For anyone trying to get a proper overview of what’s actually happening across the capital, something like London events listings give you a broader sweep. That’s way easier than relying on a single venue’s newsletter or randomly finding an event on social media. It’s genuinely useful when you’re planning a few weeks ahead rather than scrambling on a Thursday night.
Seasons Change the City Completely
London in June feels like a completely different city to London in November. The summer brings more outdoor events than ever. From concerts in the parks to open-air theatre at Regent’s Park, take your pick! The Southbank is also pretty cool at this time of the year, with all sorts of shows, even for a younger audience.
In Winter, though, London slows down. The galleries are quieter. The smaller music venues get more intimate. But it’s still magical and exciting if you happen to be here.
Autumn is arguably underrated as a season to be in London, especially in September and October. A lot of theatres open their new seasons, independent venues do their bigger bookings, and the festival circuit shifts indoors in ways.
Planning Ahead
The key to snatch the best seats and tickets and to be organisé. Pick what really matters to you and google ahead in the year what you really want to see. And if there is a particular topic or type of entertainment you love, subscribe to their newsletter. This way, you will be the first to hear about future events.
Some things genuinely do need booking early. Major exhibitions at the V&A or Natural History Museum can sell specific time slots fast. Popular comedy shows at places like the O2 Academy Brixton or the Palladium go quickly.
Don’t get too stressed about it. At the end of the day, you can’t see it all. Plus, sometimes, a huge amount of what makes London worthwhile is still all the walk-in, last-minute, or spontaneous experiences. Those moments are the best and truly the most memorable.
The key is knowing where to look when you do want to plan something. Or keep an eye on what’s coming. You don’t know, you might find some hidden gems like that. I can genuinely say that I have found some of my favourite places out of the blue or while with friends in town.
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