London - Annual Events guide

Home | Information | Events | Annual Events

Annual Events

Ceremonial events which occur annually.

Items 11 to 20 of 43 - Page: 1 2 3 4 5

Hot-Cross Bun Service (Good Friday)

Although many people eat traditional hot cross buns on Friday, this ceremony specifically provides money and buns to 21 selected widows in the 1,000 year old church of St.Bartholomew-the-Great. St.

The Widow's Bun (Good Friday)

From an old East End pub known to locals as the Bun House, comes a melancholy story. Over 150 years ago a widow lived in the house. After receiving a letter from her son asking for a hot cross bun to celebrate his return from sea, the widow set to work on Good Friday.

Easter Parade (Easter Monday)

The first parade occurred in 1885 to encourage drivers to take a humane view of their horses. Today a huge variety of vehicles can be seen in action from rarely used horse drawn fire engines to the Harrods delivery 'unicorn' which is used every day.

Spital Sermon Procession (2nd Wednesday after Easter)

Colourful procession by the Lord Mayor of London, the Court of Common Council and Court of Aldermen (the government of the City of London) and city dignitaries from the Guildhall to St. Lawrence Jewry ...

John Stow's Quill Pen Ceremony (5th April)

A rarely used church comes alive once a year when a memorial service takes place for John Stow, compiler of a survey of London in 1598. During the service, the Lord Mayor of London places a quill in the hand of John Stow's statue which remains there for the entire year.

Cavalry Memorial Parade (2nd Sunday in May)

The British army is divided into regiments which command great loyalty from their members. The cavalry regiments parade in Hyde Park once a year to the bandstand where a short memorial service is held.

Lilies and Roses (21st May)

In 1471 King Henry VI was murdered at prayers in the Tower of London between eleven and twelve o'clock on the night of the 21st May. The King's birthday has long been celebrated by both his Colleges as Founders Day and two King's Scholars of Eton lay a sheaf of its white lilies on his tomb on that day while roses are presented from King's College, Cambridge.

Oak Apple Day (29th May)

Chelsea Pensioners (distinguished military veterans) dressed in their traditional scarlet coats and tricorn hats commemorate Charles II who hid in an oak tree after the Battle of Worcester. A statue of Charles, who founded the Royal Hospital, is decorated with oak leaves.

Morris Dancing (Every Wednesday evening in Summer)

Pop to the gardens behind Westminster Abbey to see traditional English dancing taking place. The exact origins of Morris dancing are now lost in the mists of time, although it is known to pre-date Christianity.

Beating the Bounds (early June)

Although this ceremony is performed by many churches throughout the land in a similar fashion, that which occurs at All Hallows-by-the-Tower is one of the most famous. It takes place every 3 years (the next one is in 2002).

Items 11 to 20 of 43 - Page: 1 2 3 4 5