Special Events in London

January
Early-Late January: Harrods Annual Sale. The shopping event of the year at the legendary Harrods. Brompton Road, Knightsbridge. For information, call 7730-1234..

1 January: New Year's Day Festival. London's New Year's Day Festival, composed of a parade and concerts, is an international event. More than 1 million people view approximately 10,000 performers from at least 16 countries as they pass along the 2.2-mi/3.5-km route from Parliament Square to Berkley Square. The Music for London concerts feature young artists, including marching bands, chamber-hall musicians, singers, pipers and baton twirlers. For information, call 8566-8586.

Throughout January: Concert. The London Symphony Orchestra gives nearly 100 concerts each season at the Barbican Centre, Silk Street. For information, call 7588-1116. For tickets, call 7638-8891. Continues through late June

February
Early-Mid February: Flamenco Festival London. This festival hosts performances by some of the best contemporary flamenco dancers and singers from Spain. Sadler's Wells, Rosebery Avenue. For information, call 7863-8198. For tickets, call 087-0737-7737.

Late February: Winter Bearfest. More than 150 national and international companies display thousands of teddy bears for sale, in addition to books and bear-making supplies. Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, Kensington. For information, call 127-3697-974.

March
Mid-Late March: BADA Antique Fair. The British Antique Dealers Association (BADA) hosts this annual event showcasing Britain's leading art and antique dealers. Duke of York's Headquarters, Kings Road, Chelsea. For information, call 7589-6108.

Early March: Olympia Spring Fine Art and Antiques Fair. Extensive collections span the ancient past and the present with an unusual mix of decorative artworks and period pieces. Olympia Exhibition Centre, Hammersmith Road. For information, call 7370-8212. For tickets, call 087-0126-1725 or 087-0900-6050.

Late March: Boat Race. More than 250,000 spectators crowd the banks of the Thames River to watch this historic rowing contest between crews from Oxford and Cambridge universities. Starting point for the rowers is University Stone, Putney. Continues through early April.

Late March: Theater. After a five-year renovation, Almeida Theatre has reopened to present a season of theatrical and operatic productions. Almeida Street, Islington. For information and tickets, call the box office at 7359-4404. Continues through late July

April
Early-Mid April: Hammersmith and Fulham Festival. This large annual festival celebrates the borough's multicultural heritage with concerts, art exhibits, theatrical productions, sports events, comedy shows and more at venues throughout the neighborhood. call 8753-6567.

Mid-Late April: Chelsea Art. This intimate fair features contemporary and 20th-century paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures and ceramics from more than 40 well-known British and international galleries. Chelsea Old Town Hall, King's Road. For information, call 18257-44074.

May
Early-Mid May: The Prince's Trust Urban Music Festival. The U.K.'s largest urban music festival is headlined by top hip-hop, rap and R&B stars from the U.S. Music-industry workshops, street soccer games, computer gaming competitions and more. Earl's Court, Warwick Road. For information and tickets, call 087-0160-7030.

Early-Late May: Theater. The theater season at Shakespeare's Globe includes performances of works by England's famous bard and others. 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside (SE1). For information, call 7902-1400. For tickets, call 7401-9919. Continues through late September

Mid May: Floral London Marathon. Top international runners compete in one of the world's most prestigious marathons. Also seven other races, including a wheelchair race and mini-marathon. For information, call 016-1703-8161.

Late May: Chelsea Flower Show. The self-billed "world's greatest flower show" features more than 600 exhibitors from at least four continents. Displays include courtyard, city and street gardens. Sponsored by the Royal Horticulture Society. Royal Hospital, Chelsea. For information, call 7834-4333. For tickets, call 087-0906-3781.

June
Early-Mid June: Hampton Court Palace Music Festival. Internationally renowned artists and companies perform in this premier classical-music festival in a beautiful, historic setting. East Molesey, Surrey. For information, call 8233-6400. For tickets, call 8781-9545.

Mid June: Horse Races. At once one of the world's most prestigious horse races and London's social event of the year, the five-day Royal Ascot
Mid June: Trooping the Colour. Massed bands and troops create a colorful parade in honor of the Queen's official birthday. It leaves Buckingham Palace at 11 am and continues to the Horse Guards Parade. For information, call 7414-2479.

Late June: City of London Festival. The city celebrates the best in classical and world music, theater, dance, the visual arts and poetry. Various venues, including St. Paul's Cathedral, the Barbican Centre and other historic sites. Ticket prices vary for different events. For information, call 7377-0540.

Early-Late June: Olympia Summer Fine Art and Antiques Fair. More than 400 British and international dealers exhibit thousands of collectibles. Olympia Exhibition Centre, Hammersmith Road. For information, call 7370-8212. For tickets, call 087-0126-1725 or 087-0900-6050.

July
Mid-Late July: BCC Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. Called "the Proms", this internationally renowned music festival draws top artists and orchestras. Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, and other venues. For information, call 7589-8212. Individual tickets are sold on concert days at Door 7 of the Royal Albert Hall box office. Continues through mid September

Late July: Opening of Buckingham Palace. The State rooms at Buckingham Palace are open to visitors each summer and the beginning of fall. For information and tickets, call 7766-7300. Continues through late September

August
Early-Late August: Portobello Film Festival. The world's largest free film festival screens more than 700 new independent shorts, features, documentaries, animations, digital works and more, annually. Various cinemas. For information, call 8960-0996.

3-7 Aug: The Great British Beer Festival. . London Olympia, Hammersmith Road. For information and tickets, call 017-2786-7201. It features more than 450 British ales, cider, perry, lagers and imported beers, in addition to food, there are pub quizzes, traditional pub games, roving entertainers, live music and a family room.

Late August: Notting Hill Carnival. Europe's largest street festival includes music, dance, theater, food and parades. Daily events from 10 am. Streets around Ladbrooke Grove. For information, call 8964-0544 or 7937-5464.

Throughout September: Summer Opening of Parliament. During the summer recess, the House of Lords and the House of Commons are open for guided tours. Tickets can be purchased from mid July at the Abingdon Green ticket office, opposite Parliament and the Victoria Tower Gardens, or by calling 087-0906-3773. For information, call 7219-3000 or 7219-4272.

October
Early-Mid October: London Festival of Chamber Music. London's finest classical musicians, including the English String Quartet, give 16 concerts in various churches and concert halls throughout the city. For information and tickets, call 7435-6232 or 018-6530-5305.

Mid October: London International Tango Festival and Ball. Events include tango demonstrations by world-class performers, workshops, classes and a formal-dress dance party. Royal Albert Hall and other venues. For information, call 7221-9535 or 221-9538.

Late October: Times London Film Festival. Europe's largest public film festival, presents two weeks of features, shorts, animations, experimental films, and world cinema, including many London premieres, in approximately 350 screenings to an audience of more than 100,000. For information and tickets, call 7928-3232. Continues through early November

November
Mid-Late November: State Opening of Parliament. In the fall of each year, the Queen opens Parliament in the House of Lords. The ceremony dates from the Middle Ages and includes an inspection of both houses of parliament by the royal official bodyguards, the Yeomen of the Guard. The Queen, as well as peers and bishops, in traditional garb, travel from Buckingham Palace in a royal procession. For information, call 7219-3000 or 7219-4272.

Mid November: Olympia Winter Fine Art and Antiques Fair. Approximately 250 dealers exhibit antique furniture and fine artworks at this holiday fair held in conjunction with the British Antique Dealers Association. Olympia Exhibition Centre, Hammersmith Road. For information, call 7370-8212. For tickets, call 0870-126-1725 or 0870-900-6050.