City of London Festival

Now in its 50th year, the City of London Festival gives you the chance to discover the hidden life of the Square Mile and enjoy a wide variety of cultural activities. 

Despite its austere exterior, a broad range of art, music, and literature blossoms in the City and this popular festival highlights its incredible diversity.  

Explore the hidden life of the City during this month-long celebration of its arts, history and influences.

Festival Music

A huge variety of musical performances are taking place throughout the festival, ranging from classical concerts at St Paul's Cathedral to diverse intra-European musical collaborations at the Euromix Garden.

The festival will be opened by bell ringing at St Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside, and concerts will take place at many prestigious venues around the Square Mile.

To mark its golden jubilee, the festival is also placing 50 golden pianos around the City, at which you can show off your musical skills or take free lessons from experts on certain days.   

Festival Activities

Watch a colourful procession of 1,000 children and young people weave through the city in celebration of the world's flowers, enjoy a special selection of films at the Barbican, or listen to Sir Andrew Motion give a commemorative festival lecture.

Travel to Hampstead Heath for a range of nature and history-themed walks, as well as an exciting family day of music and traditional games on 1 July.

Those wanting to see more of the traditional side to the City should not miss festival tours of landmarks such as the Bank of England and Mansion House.

Festival Art

Special exhibitions will be staged at Goldsmith's Hall, the October Gallery and Guildhall. You also have a rare opportunity to view the art in private buildings such as Clifford Chance, Charterhouse and Mansion House.

Local Produce

Those who associate the area with busy bankers might be surprised that money is not the only golden substance valued in the capital: the City is home to a large number of beehives and local honey will be available to taste at the Honey Feast in Paternoster Square on 27 July.

Building on the nature theme, there will be many other events that bring the essence of the countryside into the city, including a procession and ceremonial planting of wildflowers in city churches, accompanied by celebratory commissioned music and bee-themed poetry.  

Festival Dance

Watch a diverse range of free outdoor performances, from the English National Ballet at St Paul’s to contemporary dance by the Millennium Bridge.