20 Festivals in London in 2020

A few weeks ago, Barack Obama shared his annual list of favorites — books, films, and music. The former US President reflected that ‘outlets like literature and art can enhance our day-to-day experiences’. As a Psychiatrist, I couldn’t agree more. In fact, one of the reasons why I love living in London is the number of music and film festivals, as well as other cultural events, available. Last year, I attended quite a few festivals and cultural events, and I subsequently published several posts about my favorite festivals in London. I particularly enjoyed the music festivals taking place in the summer, and the film festivals in the autumn.

Here are 20 festivals in London I am looking forward to attending this year.

Music Festivals in London in 2020

Ealing Music & Film Valentine Festival (from 12 to 16 February 2020)

The first festival on my list had to be in Ealing, my neighboring borough. Taking place in a few weeks’ time, this is more than a music festival. As well as the concerts (including jazz and classical music ones), it also features film screenings (such as the classic silent film Rapsodia Satanica), theatre (the play Enron), and workshops. The music, however, plays a central role: Enron incorporates an original score provided by London College of Music composition students; also, most of the workshops are about how music interacts with film, and have the support of the London College of Music.

Before you go, check out my tips for Ealing.

Hastings International Piano Festival (from 26 February to 8 March 2020)

Technically not in London, this festival takes place in Hastings, a seaside town in Sussex, on the southeast coast of England, and about an hour and a half from London (on the train). It is headlined by Rufus Wainwright and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performing on the 28th of February.

All Points East (from 22 to 31 May 2020)

All Points East is an outdoor music festival held over two weekends in Victoria Park in late May. In 2020, the line-up (yet to be fully announced) will include Tame Impala, due to perform on 23 May.

Lovebox (from 12 to 14 June 2020)

A couple of years ago, Lovebox moved from Victoria Park in East London to Gunnersbury Park, which is located in the London Borough of Hounslow between Acton, Brentford, Chiswick and Ealing in West London. This year, it is due to take place in June (rather than July) and it is expanding to three days (instead of two) covering the gap that the cancellation of the one-day Citadel Festival left behind. The line-up will include Disclosure, due to perform on 13 June 2020.

Before you go, check out my tips for Chiswick and Ealing.

Hampton Court Palace Festival (June 2020)

The Hampton Court Palace Festival is an annually held music festival; the open-air concerts take place in the Tudor Courtyard of the Hampton Court Palace over 18 days in June. Last year, Kylie was amongst the artists who performed there. This year, however, it will be headlined by Lionel Richie and Rick Astley, and I have to admit I am quite disappointed.

BST Hyde Park (from 3 to 12 July 2020)

Also known as British Summer Time Hyde Park, this is another outdoor music festival taking place over two weekends. In 2020, the line-up (yet to be fully announced) will include Taylor Swift, due to perform on the 11th of July, and James Blake performing on the 5th of July.

Ealing Blues Festival (from 18 to 19 July 2020) & Ealing Jazz Festival (July 2020)

The Ealing Summer Festivals take place over June and July. They include several Carnivals, the Ealing Comedy Festival, the Ealing Beer Festival, and two music festivals: the Ealing Blues Festival, and the Ealing Jazz Festival. All four festivals take place in Walpole Park in Ealing.

Before you go, check out my tips for Ealing.

The Proms (from 17 July to 12 September 2020)

The Proms is a series of summer concerts, of (mostly) classical music; they are held daily over an eight-week period across quite a few venues, including the Royal Albert Hall. This year, the Proms take place between the 17th of July and the 12th of September.

EFG London Jazz Festival (November 2020)

Every November, the EFG London Jazz Festival brings some of the biggest names in music (not exclusively jazz) to London. It takes place across multiple venues, including the iconic Southbank Centre.

Film Festivals in London in 2020

BFI London Film Festival (from 7 to 18 October 2020)

Founded in 1957, the BFI London Film Festival takes place every October in multiple cinemas around London. Over the last couple of years, I have watched quite a few thought-provoking films, both from the United Kingdom and abroad, and had the chance to hear film-makers answering questions from the audience.

French Film Festival UK (November – December 2020)

As both a cinephile and Francophile, I have always been interested in the French cinema, and naturally the French Film Festival UK never fails to provide a space to watch French films. The exact dates for 2020 are yet to be announced. The French Film Festival UK takes place in London and other British cities.

London Korean Film Festival (November 2020) & UK Jewish Film Festival (November – December 2020)

As well as the French Film Festival UK, I would like to also mention two more festivals taking place in November in London: the London Korean Film Festival, and the UK Jewish Film Festival (which is actually a nationwide festival taking place in London and other British cities). The exact dates for 2020 are yet to be announced.

Other festivals in London in 2020

London Coffee Festival (from 2 to 5 April 2020)

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the London Coffee Festival returns to the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane, in the East End of London, in April. This is the place to be for any coffee aficionado.

Before you go, check out my tips for Shoreditch.

Balance Festival (from 17 to 19 April 2020)

Balance Festival also takes place in April, and also in the Old Truman Brewery. Branded as ‘the wellness and fitness festival’, it features exercise, yoga and meditation sessions, as well as talks and workshops.

Gelato Festival (summer 2020)

In 2019, Gelato Festival came to London on the last weekend of June. I attended on the 29th of June, which was the hottest day of the year. The ticket cost £16 and allowed me to try 19 unique flavors from different ice cream makers, from both the UK and abroad. In the end, I struggled to vote for my favorite one, as I was torn between Giampaolo Dotti’s Il Cremino and Fabiano Franzoso’s Amaretto Salato. This year, I can only hope that the Gelato Festival comes back to London, so I can try even more delicious ice creams.

Ealing Beer Festival (from 8 to 11 July 2020)

As mentioned earlier, the Ealing Beer Festival is part of the Ealing Summer Festivals, which take place in Walpole Park in July. In 2020, it is due from the 8th to the 11th of July; make sure you go at the beginning, as the availability of most beers is limited and most kegs and barrels empty before the end of the festival.

Before you go, check out my tips for Ealing.

Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place Festival (from 1 to 2 August 2020) & Chiswick Book Festival (from 10 to 14 September 2020)

Also in West London, there is the Chiswick House & Gardens, where you can admire Lord Burlington’s 18th-century villa, have a coffee at the nearby café, and then stroll in the gardens. Or, you can join the special activities and events taking place in the summer. In 2020, these will include Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place Festival in August and the Chiswick Book Festival in September.

Before you go, check out my tips for Chiswick.

Meanwhile, check out the Happy Place podcast, featuring Fearne Cotton’s weekly discussions with various celebrities, such as artists, authors and athletes.

Further reading

For festivals elsewhere, check out my posts about festivals in Norway and in California.

Alex

(the Traveling Psychiatrist)