Picadilly Circus, London (UK) » Entertainment » Festivals

Piccadilly Circus is London's most popular place for tourists and locals. Read on to know more about the popular events, festivals celebrated in and around Piccadilly, London.

Raindance Film Festival

The Raindance Film Festival is the UK’s largest film festival, highlighting some of the most memorable short feature films and directorial debuts. It is different from all the regular film festivals due to its rock and roll attitude and therefore is extremely popular among London’s West End party goers. For last 15 years, more than 90 feature films and 160 short films have been screened with Judi Dench and Ewan McGregor attending the festival. The festival takes place between September & October.

Address: Raindance Film Centre, 10 Craven Street, WC2N 5PE, London, United Kingdom

World on Regent Street Festival

On the 3rd of September, Regent’s Street remains closed to traffic as a theatrical and musical extravaganza goes live. Every year there’s a different theme, sometimes it may be a ‘Great British Experience’ or like in 2010 when it was ‘Fashion’. A huge street party is organised with events, food stalls, live music and entertainment based on the theme. Workshops, makeovers in stores, special offers and loads of entertainment help the shoppers get in the spending mood.

Innocent Village Fete

Innocent Village Fete takes place in the first week of August at Regent’s Park. Complete fun and frolic festival features live music, tombola, coconut shy, dog agility shy, food stalls, farmers’ market and funfair rides.

Handel’s Messiah by Candlelight

Every year, during the Christmas season, at the beautiful location of the Georgian St. James’s Church in Piccadilly, the Joyful Company of Singers and the Georgian Camerata conducted by Peter Broadbent, bring to life Handel’s masterpiece ‘Messiah’. The ‘Messiah’ has been instrumental in charity work since 1741 and is a symbol of dedication on Handel’s part, which he continued despite his blindness.

Regent Street Christmas lights

Londoners welcome Christmas in their unique style by switching on the Christmas lights on Regent Street. It’s like an official announcement that yes, Christmas has arrived, and everybody should gear up for fun, shopping and prayers. Every year a well-known celebrity/personality is called to do the honours. Once the proceedings are over, the street is closed from 4.00pm so that people can enjoy the street's beauty.

London New Year Day Parade ( Visit Site )

London’s New Year Parade is the biggest event celebrated in England, with more than 10,000 performers taking part in various concerts, events, parades, marching bands, dance troupes and music groups. For this spectacular event, people come from various continents and countries and experience three hours of non-stop celebration. The Parade starts from Parliament Square at noon when Big Ben gives the signal, marching towards Whitehall, Trafalgar Square, Cockspur St, Pall Mall, Lower Regent St, Piccadilly Circus and finally to Piccadilly.