1: The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
June 2 – 5, 2012
In honour of the Lilibet’s Diamond Jubilee, celebrating 60 years on the throne, many events will be happening across Britain in June, with the main events taking place over an extended weekend from June 2 – 5, 2012.Lilibet is only the second monarch, after Victoria in 1897, to reach this 60-year milestone.
Several major events have already been announced, including a concert at Buckingham Palace and a flotilla along the River Thames. More information will be available online throughout 2012.
www.direct.gov.uk
2: WorldPride
June 23 – July 8, 2012
The eyes, ears and rainbows of the world will be on London in 2012 as it hosts WorldPride.What promises to be an event on a truly mammoth scale, WorldPride will be held between two other significant celebrations, The Queens Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Organized by InterPride, WorldPride promotes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues on an international level through parades, festivals and other cultural activities.
London’s WorldPride in 2012 is expected to attract over one million visitors. The two week festivities will take place from June 23 – July 8, 2012, with the main parade held on July 7.
www.pridelondon.org
3: London 2012 Festival
June 21 – September 9, 2012
The London 2012 Festival is the finale of the four-year Cultural Olympiad, taking place June 21 – September 9, 2012.Complementing the sporting events at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the festival will be the biggest party the UK has ever seen, with over 1000 events taking place all over the UK from leading artists from around the world. Events will continue to be announced throughout the year.
festival.london2012.com
4: 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens
February 7, 2012
The year will bring many activities and events to commemorate the 200th anniversary of one of England’s best loved authors, Charles Dickens.Dickens was born in Portsmouth, but spent much of his time in Kent and his London home is now a museum, currently the subject of a major £3million project to restore and redevelop it in time for 2012.
Charles Dickens was born on February 7 1812, and in 2012, organizations in England and worldwide are planning festivals, exhibitions and other events in honour of the internationally acclaimed English novelist.
In addition, the year of the bicentenary will see new long-lasting commemorative initiatives, including exciting legacy projects and heritage trails.
www.dickens2012.org
www.visitkent.co.uk
www.dickensmuseum.com
5: Cotswolds Olympicks, 400th Anniversary
June, 2012
At the time of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, England will also be celebrating the 400th anniversary of its Olympic roots – Robert Dover’s Cotswolds Olympicks.Started by a local barrister, Captain Robert Dover, the world’s inaugural Olympick Games were staged on a Cotswold hillside in 1612.
Today the annual event, held at the start of June, attracts thousands of spectators as ‘athletes’ partake in country-side games such as obstacle courses and tug-of-war, in addition to unique sporting competitions such as shin-kicking.
www.olimpickgames.co.uk
6: Marc Rees: Adain Avion
June – August, 2012
Adain Avion is the fuselage of a DC9 airplane that has been transformed into a mobile art space.As part of the Cultural Olympiad, it will travel across Wales, ‘nesting’ in different locations, with the public encouraged to document its fantastic journey through online media.
Adain Avion will make stops in Swansea, Ebbw Vale, LLandudno, and Llandow throughout summer 2012.
www.adainavion.org
7: The Sinking of the Titanic, 100th Anniversary
April, 2012
April 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the Titanic disaster and to mark this moment in history, the city of Belfast will be unveiling the ‘Titanic Quarter,’ set to become the largest waterfront development project in Europe.New tours and attractions will also be unveiled across Belfast and other parts of Britain with a connection to the doomed ship, including a new interactive museum, Sea City, in Southampton, England.
This unique visitor attraction will house permanent and temporary exhibitions focusing on different areas of the Titanic story.
A program of events will also take place offering theatre, lectures and much more.
www.nitb.com
www.visit-southampton.co.uk
8: Wales Coastal Path
The Wales Coastal Path is set for completion in 2012, creating 250 miles of uninterrupted walking paths along the stunning Welsh Coast.Last year, National Geographic ranked the Pembrokeshire Coast the second best coastal destination in the world.
The completion of this path is set to encourage even more visitors to discover this hidden gem.
www.visitwales.com
9: Edinburgh Hogmanay
December 30 2011 – January 2 2012
New Year’s celebrations are held world-wide but there is no better place to party than Edinburgh.In 2012,the Edinburgh Hogmanay street party will span four days from December 30 2011 – January 2 2012, and will be one of the major events in the countdown to the London 2012 Festival.
This will be the first in a series of events to be staged in Scotland as part of the London 2012 Festival and will feature a new commission as part of New Year’s celebrations.
www.edinburghshogmanay.org
10: Harry Potter Studio Tour
Spring 2012
With the final Harry Potter film released in July 2011, Harry Potter fans won’t have to wait too long to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his wizardly world.To add to the 2012 excitement, Warner Bros Studios will be opening a tour of their Leavesdon Studio, just north of London, featuring original sets, costumes, props and effects used in all eight Harry Potter films.
wbstudiotour.co.uk
11: Speed of Light
August 2012
Presented in partnership with the Edinburgh International Festival, Speed of Light will be one of the most extraordinary and high-profile events in the London 2012 Festival program.For three weeks in August2012, Edinburgh’s famed Arthur’s Seat will be transformed into an innovative combination of sporting endeavour and visual art.
During a series of night time events, Speed of Light will feature as a signature contribution to Scotland’s Cultural Olympiad program.
www.speedoflight2012.org
12: The Olympic Torch Relay – Be a Part of It!
May – July 2012
The Olympic Torch will arrive in Britain on May 18 2012, and make its way across every nation and region on a 70 day, 8,000 mile journey.It is said that the Olympic flame will travel within one hour of 95% of the UK population.
Celebrations and events across Britain will mark the flame’s arrival, creating unique local experiences across the UK.
www.london2012.com