Add a bit of live-like-a-local fun by timing your clients’ London visit to coincide with exhibits and annual events that match their particular interests. Such as:
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries, through December 2022
The museum galleries, set more than 50 feet above Westminster Abbey’s floor in the medieval Triforium, are displaying the greatest treasures from the Abbey’s collection, allowing the public to better understand the rich, thousand-year history of the institution, which, prior to last June, had never been open to the public. Visitors reach the Jubilee Galleries through the new Weston Tower, the first major addition to the Abbey church since 1745.
Van Gogh at Tate Britain, through August
The largest exhibition of Vincent van Gogh’s work in the UK for nearly a decade — and the Tate’s first Van Gogh exhibition since 1947 — includes 40 paintings of the artist’s most famous works, including one of the Sunflowers paintings and Starry Night on the Rhône. The exhibition examines Van Gogh’s relationship with Britain — he lived in London in his early 20s — and the British art, literature and culture he was inspired by, from Constable to Dickens, as well as the British artists he inspired, such as Francis Bacon and Walter Sickert.
Taste of London, June 19-23
Every year Regent's Park transforms into a foodie wonderland for four days of summer eating, drinking and entertainment. Around 40 of the city’s best restaurants dish up their finest dishes for the ultimate al fresco feast, while 200 producers provide a bounty of the best food and beverages from Britain and around the world.
Wimbledon Tennis Championships, July 1-14
Arguably the most famous tennis tournament in the world, and tickets are always in fierce demand. The club operates a public ballot (lottery) for advanced sales of Centre, No. 1 and No. 2 court tickets.
London Fashion Week, September 13-17
This twice-yearly clothing trade show (there's also one in February) showcases more than 250 designers to a global audience of influential media and retailers.
Paul Gaugin at The National Gallery, October 7 – January 26
“The Credit Suisse Exhibition: Gauguin Portraits” is the first-ever exhibition devoted to the artist’s portraiture. Other exhibits of note include "Sorolla: Spanish Master of Light," through July 7; "Sea Star: Sean Scully," through August 11; and "Bartolomé Bermejo: Master of the Spanish Renaissance," June 12 - September 29.
London Literature Festival, Southbank Centre, October 17 - 27
This annual event brings together leading poets, authors, thinkers and cultural observers for talks, readings, poetry and performance. Previous festival participants include Salman Rushdie, Akala, Margaret Atwood, Philip Pullman, Claudia Rankine, Carol Ann Duffy, Louis Theroux, Roger Daltrey, Chibundu Onuzo, Lauren Child, Juno Dawson, Nikesh Shukla, Joy Harjo, Tom Hanks, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sally Field.
London Jazz Festival, November 15-24
This event hosts world-class artists and emerging stars, packed into back-to-back concerts, workshops, talks, classes and free events across London. Shows will take place at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall, as well as Barbican Centre, Kings Place and Cadogan Hall.
To learn more about travel to London, sign up for our London Focus course here.
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