The Best Festivals and Fairs in London this July

The issue of gender equality is a hot topic right now, with women’s rights at the forefront of political, social and cultural agendas across the world. In London, the Matchwomen’s Festival celebrates a landmark moment in the history of the female fight for rights, when, in 1888, over a thousand women in the East End walked out of a match making factory over hazardous working conditions and management bullying. It was an incident that shook the world and sparked the modern movement for workers’ rights. Held at the Canning Town Caravanserai, the festival features guest speakers and live music, all designed to commemorate the forebears who helped carve a space in society for female voices to be heard. Notable speakers this year include Trade Unionist Scarlet Harris, author Kate Connelly and actor and director Kate Hardie. (Photo: Matchwomen’s Festival)

Film fan boys and comic connoisseurs will be licking their lips in anticipation ahead of the 2016 edition of London Film & Comic Con, which returns to Olympia this July. With nearly 100,000 visitors likely to attend, there can be no doubt that the power of popular culture remains alive and well. The event offers a broad programme, but the main attraction is the chance to meet your TV, film and comic heroes in the flesh. There’s also a host of other activities including photo shoots, panels, autograph sessions and hundreds of stalls packed full of TV and film memorabilia. (Photo: London Film & Comic Con)

With so much negativity surrounding the banking industry nowadays, it is easy to forget that the cathedrals of commerce in which its proponents ply their trade are some of the city’s finest buildings. Helping to ensure that future generations understand the architectural legacy of the city is Archikids, an annual festival which sees streets, markets and plazas across the City of London (or ‘Square Mile’ as it’s known) transformed into educational zones for children to learn about and appreciate the craft that went into the area’s structural marvels. Architects, artists, engineers, designers, students and city workers all help run the event, bringing a professional expertise to proceedings and helping to inspire the master builders of the future. (Photo: Archikids Festival)

For the past few years, London Wonderground has been at the vanguard of the city’s alternative entertainment scene, showcasing weird and wonderful cabaret, comedy, circus and family shows each summer. Held under the roof of the beautiful and atmospheric Paradiso Spiegeltent at the Southbank Center, Wonderground is a companion show to the nearby Uderbelly Festival, but with a distinctly ‘left-field’ twist. Among the stand-out shows for 2016 include the world premiere of The Raunch, an explosive circus-cabaret show of dancing twins, sheriff, sword-swallower, circus stars and more. There’s also a daring feat of muscle and skill by the acrobats from Cirque Alfonse and an award-winning contemporary burlesque show called Between The Sheets. (Photo: London Wonderground)

Situated amid the urban jungle of South London, Lambeth is not the most obvious location for a country fair. Nevertheless, the Lambeth Country Show attracts large audiences each year and has now been running for over four decades – no mean feat with so many bigger boys on London’s festival calendar each summer. Organised by EventLambeth, the two-day event has all the attractions of a traditional country fair, including horticultural shows, sheep dog and owl displays, home grown vegetables, numerous craft & food stalls and even its own on-site farm. There’s also an impressive line-up of live music, as Lambeth amply demonstrates that city and country life can be celebrated in perfect harmony. (Photo: Simon Battle via Flickr)

One of Europe’s most popular music festivals, Wireless returns to Finsbury Park this July for another weekend of pop, dance, urban and R&B to further cement its reputation as a major highlight on London’s musical calendar. Since its inception in 2005, the festival has welcomed some of dance and urban’s biggest names, and this year will be no different, with eminent talents including Calvin Harris, Chase & Status, J. Cole and Boy Better Know all performing. Other notable names on the line-up are UK garage legend Craig David, grime icon Lady Leshurr and UK singer Kyla. And whisper it quietly, there’s also a rumour that renowned Canadian rapper Drake is being lined up as surprise guest. (Photo: Wireless Festival)

The world’s largest annual flower show returns to London this July, with the historic palace at RHS Hampton Court once again serving as the backdrop to the prestigious event. Visitors can marvel at the stunning flowers in the floral marquee and the innovative conceptual gardens showcasing the next big things in the world of garden design. There’s also demonstrations by celebrity gardeners, a Butterfly Dome featuring butterflies from Indonesia and South America, a retrospective exhibition on the 18th century British landscape architect Capability Brown, and a prize giving ceremony for the best garden designs and floral exhibits at the show. For children, Family Saturday features a day full of kids’ activities including a cookery class and a storytelling bus. (Photo: Hampton Court Palace Flower Show)

The Star Wars phenomenon continues to capture the imagination of millions of fans around the world and with the latest movie, The Force Awakens, launching last year, there has been a renewed interest in the iconic franchise. In fact, there’s an argument to say there has never been a more exciting time to be a Star Wars fan, and Star Wars Celebration Europe, which takes place in London this July, supports that opinion. Bringing fans of all ages together from all around the world to celebrate the three-day event, Lucasfilm’s love letter to fans is a veritable shrine to all things Star Wars. In a nutshell, it will deliver a landmark experience where memories are made, families brought together, old friends reunited, and new friendships formed — all in the setting of the ever-evolving Star Wars universe. (Photo: Star Wars Celebration)

Attracting both established and emerging artists, the Parallax Art Fair showcases up to 3,000 pieces, making it one of the most diverse and varied art shows in London or anywhere else. Now in its ninth year, the upcoming edition at Chelsea Town Hall will follow the same pattern as previous editions – namely subverting traditional art fairs and their tendency to explain everything to visitors through tours and lectures. Instead, Parallax leaves you to interpret the art for yourself. It’s a novel approach – and a hugely successful one. As an added bonus, attendance is free of charge. (Photo: Parallax Art Fair)

Widely considered one of the best festivals in London, Lovebox manages to pack as much fun into two days as most festivals manage in four. Taking place in the historical Victoria Park in Tower Hamlets, it’s grown to become one of the highlights of summertime in London thanks to a top-class line-up of DJs electronic acts and live bands spanning any number of musical genres. As well as the music, there’s also live performance, art and dance – but there’s no questioning the major news this year, and that’s the eagerly awaited return of James Murphy’s dance crew LCD Soundsystem, who will headline on the Saturday, with renowned electric-dancehall group Major Lazer following the day after. (Photo: Lovebox)

With its elevated position at the top of a hill offering stunning views across London, the 195-acre Alexander Palace is one of the most popular spots in London – and never more so than in summertime. This July, there’s an extra special reason to head to the famous north London landmark, and that’s to visit the Alexander Palace Summer Festival. An action-packed ay of activities, events and experiences includes an outdoor cinema, a silent disco, an ice rink gala, a funfair, pitch and putt, an organ concert and live music. There’s also an array of street food & craft beer to keep you refreshed. (Photo: Alexander Palace Summer Festival)

At most festivals, Sunday is the day of rest – in the most literal sense – following the excesses and indulgences of the previous days. One of the few exceptions to this rule is the Citadel Festival, a one-day event in east London featuring arts, culture, street food, music and more. Held annually on a Sunday in Victoria Park, revellers come brimming with energy and enthusiasm for the diverse programme of events and, most notably, hugely impressive line-up of musical performers who appear at the festival each year. Among the distinguished names for 2016 include renowned Icelandic experimental rock outfit Sigur Rós, plus Caribou, Lianne La Havas, Calexico, Submotion Orchestra, Battles and more. (Photo: Citadel Festival)