What events are going on in London's parks this summer?

Tuesday, 27 March 2012 4:28 PM

Summer's a great time to visit London. It's brighter for longer and with any luck the weather is warm and dry. Assuming that the conditions hold out - and here's hoping they do! - it's worth spending time in the capital's parks. There's a great range of events taking place and it'd be a crime to stay inside for your entire break.

Click here to find cheap hotels in London and once you've got your accommodation sorted you can start planning which exciting events to go to! With so much going on, you'll find something for you. Read on to find out more about some of the stuff we think you should attend.

Olympic Closing Ceremony, Hyde Park

It's impossible to not know that the Olympics are taking place this summer, with Hyde Park set to host the triathlon and marathon swimming races. Bringing the world's biggest sports event to an end will be the Olympic Closing Ceremony on August 12th, where some of the UK's best-loved bands - including Blur and The Specials - will play in the park.

Hopefully Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah and the rest of Team GB will have done the country proud in the days leading up to the Hyde Park concert and coming here will be a great way to see out the sporting spectacle in style.

African Cultural Festival, Hyde Park

Of course, this summer isn't all about the Olympics and there are plenty of chances for you to experience different cultures before the Games begin.

Visit Hyde Park on July 5th and 6th and you can be a part of the African Cultural Festival. Focusing on the traditions of the dozens of African communities living in the city, you will see fantastic dance and drum performances, before watching a colourful procession and trying authentic dishes.

Picnic in the Park, South Park Gardens

For some family-friendly fun, visit Wimbledon on June 3rd. Each year South Park Gardens hosts the Picnic in the Park event, providing plenty of fun and excitement for little ones.

Organised by the Friends of South Park Gardens, this wonderful event is designed to bring people together and includes races, face-painting, tug-of-war games and a bouncy castle, so there is a lot for people to see and do. Grown-ups, meanwhile, can cool down in the summer sun with a tasty ice cream and get a refreshing drink from the beer tent.

Lovebox Weekender, Victoria Park

London's music scene is world famous and while you can see great shows at indoor venues like the O2 Arena and Brixton Academy, it's worth making the most of the summer weather and attending some of the open-air concerts taking place in the parks.

Victoria Park is hosting the Lovebox Weekender festival from June 15th to 17th and with 12 fantastic stages to check out, you had better bring your dancing shoes! Lana Del Rey, Hot Chip, Kelis and Emile Sande will be playing during the three-day event and as 2012 marks the festival's tenth anniversary, this year's show promises to be extra-special. Fans of funk, disco and house should head to the NYC Download stage, which has been designed to look like the ruins of an American apartment building.

As well as lots of great music, there are alsov street theatre, circus and cabaret performances making for a vibrant event that will captivate all the senses.

What can you do on a weekend break in Costa Teguise?

If you want to go on an overseas holiday but aren't sure where to go, it's worth visiting Lanzarote. Not only is the Spanish island just a few hours' flight from the UK - ideal if you've only got enough free time to go away for a long weekend - but it also benefits from warm weather and has terrific attractions. Costa Teguise is a particularly good destination for a short break, here's a look at why.

London named best city in 2012 by Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2012 is out today and London has been named as the top city for next year. Lonely Planet’s Tom Hall who contributed to the book, said that the book features “Some of Lonely Planet’s must-see spots for 2012, either because they have something special going on next year, there's a lot of buzz about the place, or because we are tipping it as an up-and-coming spot that you should visit, before the crowds get there.”