Great Cultural Events to Enjoy in London

London is a culture capital at the best of times, but this year’s calendar of events is particularly exciting. Find out what’s not to be missed in our London culture guide for 2023.

Upcoming Cultural Events in London

There are plenty of museum and art exhibitions, musical events, and other happenings in the offing. Here’s our pick of the best for exploring London in a different way.

1. Beyond the Streets London

See the renowned Saatchi Gallery transformed by more than 150 street artists at an immersive exhibition that brings together graffiti, street art, punk rock, and hip hop.

Venue: Saatchi Gallery

Date: Until 9 May

Admission: book ticket from £25 

2. Ai Weiwei: Making Sense

Be spellbound by Chinese contemporary artist, activist, and documentarian Ai Weiwei’s first design-focused exhibition featuring recent works and commissioned pieces that will take you through a meditation on value, humanity, art, and activism.

Venue: Design Museum

Date: 7 April – 30 July

Admission: book ticket from £15 

3. Hilma af Klint and Piet Mondrian: Forms of Life

Discover the visionary, highly symbolic works of Swedish painter Hilma af Klint and Dutch painter Piet Mondrian at this exhibition.

Venue: Tate Modern

Date: 20 April – 3 September

Admission: free entry

4. Luxury and Power: Persia to Greece

Explore luxury as a political tool in the Middle East and southeast Europe between 550 and 530 BC in an exhibition which features star loans as well as gold, silver, and glass objects from the museum’s collection, such as the Bulgarian Panagyurishte Treasure.

Venue: British Museum

Date: 4 May – 13 August

Admission: book ticket from £15

5. The Coronation of King Charles

The coronation of King Charles III is set to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience of pomp, ceremony, and tradition. Millions of people are expected to line the streets for the King’s Procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. The capital will be awash with special events and street parties.

Venue: various with the Coronation Ceremony at Westminster Abbey and Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle

Date: 6 May

Admission: subject to activities

6. Crown to Couture

The largest exhibition ever staged at Kensington Palace, Crown to Couture shows how the fashions of 18th century nobility inspired today’s iconic red carpet looks. See garments worn by today’s stars alongside historic costume, fashion, and accessories.

Venue: Kensington Palace

Date:  5 April – 29 October

Admission: book ticket from £25.4

7. BFI London Film Festival

Take your pick of the more than 200 films, talks, workshops, and other events that comprise London’s finest film festival.

Venue: British Film Institute and various cinemas

Date: October – exact dates to be confirmed

Admission: book tickets from £10

Music Events in London

From festivals to award-winning musicals, there are many great reasons to get your toes tapping this year. We’ve chosen these highlights for our 2023 London culture guide.

1. Gala Festival 2023

Groove to the finest electronic music, soul, afrobeat, and jazz alongside London’s clubbing elite at this year’s Gala Festival. Among those in this year’s line-up are Jordan Rakei, Amadou & Mariam, Overmono, and Kerri Chandler.

Venue: Packham Rye Park

Date: 26-28 May

Admission: book ticket from £37.5

2. Hampton Court Palace Festival 2023

Get down to headliners such as Grace Jones, Kaiser Chiefs, Björn Again, and Rick Astley in King Henry VIII’s old pad.

Venue: Hampton Court Palace

Date: 8-17 June

Admission: book ticket here

3. BBC Proms

Enjoy brilliant performances at the two-month-long BBC Proms, one of the world’s greatest classical music festivals. The grand finale takes place in Hyde Park.

Venue: Royal Albert Hall and other venues

Date: 14 July – 9 September

Admission: book ticket here

4. Cabaret

Don’t miss this Olivier Award-winning of the classic 1966 musical about the relationship between an American writer and an English cabaret performer in Berlin the last hedonistic days of the Weimar Republic while the Nazis ascend to power.

Venue: Playhouse Theatre

Date: Until 16 December

Admission: book ticket from £30

5. Only Fools and Horses

Del Boy, Rodney, and other iconic characters from the beloved 1980s sitcom take to the stage in a musical which features scenes from the original TV series alongside new material.

Venue: Theatre Royal Haymarket

Date: Ongoing

Admission: book ticket from £17.50

Other Annual Cultural Events in London

Looking for more cultural highlights that make exploring London even more exciting? These definitely deserve a mention in our London culture guide.

1. St Patrick’s Day

Celebrate Ireland’s patron saint at the St Patrick events to be held a little earlier than his 17 March feast day. A colourful parade wends its way through Central London before Irish musicians, rising stars, and special guests entertain the crowd in Trafalgar Square, where you’ll also find craft stalls and traditional and modern Irish fare.

Venue: Trafalgar Square

Date: 12 March

Admission: free entrance

2. Chelsea Flower Show

Marvel at intricate floral displays, stunning blooms, and exquisite garden designs created by floral artists, designers, and growers from around the world at this prestigious event.

Venue: Royal Hospital Chelsea

Date: 23-27 May

Admission: book ticket from £37.85

Places to stay in London

Located in South Kensington, Central London, Fraser Suites Queens Gate is the perfect base from which to attend the upcoming events in London. Stay in comfort in a lovingly conserved 19th century building with sophisticated contemporary interiors, well-appointed suites, amenities to make your stay a magical one, and proximity to good transport links. Make use of our latest offers and bookmark our London city guide to start planning the trip of a lifetime.