Diamond Jubilee
Celebrate in royal style with Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years of the Queen of England's reign on the throne. The festivities will unfold from June 2 to June 5, with a river pageant of 1,000 boats sailing down the Thames on June 3. A televised concert at Buckingham Palace will take place June 3. Also in June, the dazzling 1,100-diamond portrait of the Queen created for the Jubilee will be auctioned off. Royal fans and supporters can take part in the Big Jubilee Lunch on June 3. The event encourages neighbors and friends to sit down and dine together in honor of the Queen.
2012 Summer Olympics
Sports fans from around the world can enjoy the thrill of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London's bustling streets. The best athletes in the world will compete in 26 sports, including archery, beach volleyball, basketball, track, gymnastics, swimming, cycling, boxing, hockey and football. Spectators must purchase tickets to attend events, or you can bask in the electrifying spirit of competition at a local pub with live broadcasts. The opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the Olympic torch relay, will also be unforgettable events of the 2012 Olympic Games.
Literary Festivities
London is rich in literary lore, and there will be plenty of festivities to mark Charles Dickens' 200th birthday. The "Great Expectations" author and famed Londoner has inspired many events to commemorate his birthday. The Museum of London is showcasing a Dickens and London exhibit dedicated to the prolific author. The exhibit is running now through June 10 and includes memorabilia from the setting that inspired Dickens in his life and works. Theater lovers will revel in the many theatrical performances based on Dickens' work, including the first adaptation ever performed of Dickens' "The Life of Our Lord."
Around London
Other notable attractions to check out in London this summer including the spectacular British Museum, which is free and includes historic gems like the Rosetta Stone. The Palace of Westminster is an iconic landmark featuring neo Gothic architecture from the mid nineteenth century and includes famed Big Ben, perhaps the most popular clock tower in the world. London is a museum lover's paradise, with the National Gallery displaying stunning works by the masters - Van Gogh, Renoir, Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. The National Maritime Museum pays homage to the nation's seafaring past.
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