Events

A general listing of the latest events in Kensington can also be found at Spoonfed.

ONGOING

Family Activity Days
Chelsea Psychic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4HS
Website: www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk
One of London's best kept secrets, this wonderful hidden garden is hosting 20 family days in 2010 (9 during August - perfect for the school holidays!) that explore the garden and its creepy-crawly residents throught activities and workshops. Cost: £5.50 per person, including adults. Pre-booking essential.

Holland Park Opera
Held each summer in June, July and August, this wonderful open-air venue right in the centre of Holland Park is home to some fantastic opera performances each year.

Details of operas held and how to book can be found at www.ohp.rbkc.gov.uk

JULY

Earls Court Festival - 4th-31st July 2010
Various venues
Website: www.earlscourtfestival.co.uk
This near month-long community arts festival has its beginnings as a humble street fair 30 years ago! Today, it has expanded to include a whole range of events, including art and photography exhibitions, talks, tours (such as of the Brompton Cemetary), plenty of music events - and more - such as the Street Fair, of course! It really is a great way of having fun and exploring the area. Some events are free, some require tickets - see the website for full details.

InTRANSIT Festival - 19th July-1st August 2010
Various venues
Website: InTRANSIT Festival
A variety of events across Kensington & Chelsea, the aim of this festival is for people to enjoy talks, walks, opera and dance in the open air surroundings of the Borough.

Fuse Arts - 25th July 2010
Kensington Gardens, W8 - 12pm - 7pm
Website: www.fuse-arts.org.uk
A one-day arts festival, designed to show off and involve the creative talents of young people. There will be a whole variety of events taking place, including dance performances, theatre, art and film, with plenty of opportunity for opportunity to take part too.

AUGUST

The Notting Hill Carnival
Taking place over the last weekend of August, the Notting Hill Carnival gets bigger, bolder and better every year.

In case you're wondering, the Monday after that weekend is always a public holiday in the UK - so you can party hard with no work consequences!

Read more about it on our sister site: Notting Hill Carnival.

NOVEMBER

Ice Skating at the Natural History Museum
Every winter (November to January), a 1000 square foot ice-skating rink is created in the grounds of the Natural History Museum. Over the years, this pastime has increased in popularity in London during winter, and a number of rinks appear all around the capital - including some in very scenic locations (e.g. Somerset House, or the Tower of London).

The rink at the Natural History Museum, November 2007

The rink at the Natural History Museum, although smaller than some others, is amongst the more established ones in London and is hence very popular. The excellent location and the beautifully decorated surroundings attract numerous visitors. There's also a Christmas fair next to the rink, although this shuts in the evenings, and a bar serving the ultimate winter warmer - Winter Pimms.

You definitely have to book in advance as tickets tend to sell out relatively quickly, and if you prefer not to skate amongst the crowds, try to go on a weekday afternoon.

Alternatively, I'd recommend going in the evening to get the full effect of the atmosphere and the pretty fairylights twinkling in the trees.

There's also a little side rink for beginners or those wishing to brush up their somewhat rusty skating skills. There are also marshalls on the rink who provide tips, or help those that haven't quite got the hang of it. And don't worry, plenty of people fall down!

Tickets can be bought online. Skates are provided at no additional cost to the ticket.

See Ice Rink and Christmas Fair at the Natural History Museum for further details.

Past Events

See a listing of recent past events that have taken place in Kensington & Chelsea.