Tag: london events

Celebrating Women: Top International Women’s Day Events in London

Introduction 

It is a significant day observed annually all over the world on 8th March to commemorate and celebrate what women achieved regardless of whether they are past or present. In 2024, London will also host some of the grandest and most important celebrations produced by this kindred event. How about the exciting marches, festivals leading to conferences, and even performances while we look forward to 2024 to honor women?

The WOW Festival Returns

One of the London IWD events that have been around for a fair period is The Women OF World (WOW) festival. Hosted by The Southbank Centre, WOW 2024 will happen from 1st to 5th March with its’ demanding activities including speeches, workshops demonstrations, and live performances. Festival participants were household names such as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Malala Yousafzai, and Margot Robbie in past years. For future participants, in 2024 they may expect thematized discussions on women’s leadership issues, reproductive rights of womanhood, and the power of heroin among other topics. It is the perfect scenario for being informed and empowered in a celebratory way for more days. As you plan your visit to London, consider staying at hotels close to Bupa Cromwell Hospital for convenient access to these empowering events.

March Through Central London

One of the important symbols is IWD in London, whose leaders have a massive march every year. March 8, in the streets of central London; organized by a coalition representing various grassroots women’s rights organizations will probably see tens of thousands of people gathering in what is now one of the world’s powerful platforms to celebrate International Women’s Days. Participants will unite in the advocacy for consolidation of gains made on issues that are sweeping through generations like a widening gender pay gap, violence against women, availability and cost-sharing with regard to healthcare services as well sentiments regarding political representation. The presence of motivational speakers outside yet before the march takes place, will be an inspiring and energizing show around sisterhood dominance.

Network at the IWD Gala

To celebrate the evening event, no one forgets to attend the annual International Women’s Day Gala held by the Mayor of London in City Hall. With over two hundred individuals in attendance, no doubt the 2024 Gala will celebrate a good number of women trailblazers who made waves locally and internationally with their exceptional leadership and accomplishments. Insightful speakers, award presentations, and a chance to mix with inspiring guests will feature. It is also a glamorous evening of food, drinks, and entertainment scheduled for performances. 

You can also read: Chocolate, Pageants and Prosecco – it’s Easter in London

Celebrate Sporting Sisterhood

In 2024, fabulous events will take place in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park of Stratford. Their programming showcases women in sport and STEM through hands-on workshops, panel discussions, skills presentations, and guided tours of facilities such as the Aquatics Centre. Watch women athletes perform and discover interesting possibilities of careers in male-dominated professions. There will also be opportunities to experiment with new sports, get fit by participating in outdoor exercise classes, or simply bask in the beauty of the public areas. Join the whole family for a powerful day out that celebrates women’s success and empowerment through physical activities in both fields of professional sports teams. 

Empowering Conferences

Business and professional organizations are aware of the need to empower women as well as to provide connections among young ambitious female leaders. Some significant conferences will occur in London on IWD 2024. Watch out for ticketed events organized by Women in Banking and Finance, and Women in Technology among other networking associations directed at promoting career women. Events like these offer priceless inspirational and advisory sessions by keynote speakers, intricate panel discussions, new colleagues, and mentors. Also, look for conferences where you can give back through charitable relations.

Community Bonding Over Food

For many cultures food is the language of love, and what better way to unite local women than by breaking bread together? Various women’s social and volunteer groups organize potlucks, brunches, or dinners on IWD to develop relationships through food. Watch out for open-invitation potluck parties, especially in places of worship and community centers across London communities. These discreet socials enable sisterhood and create avenues for developing support systems, discussing issues quietly while sharing dishes that have been cooked at home. 

Guided Walks Through Her Story

Through the stories of great women who have influenced London since its establishment, history is brought to life. There are different walking company tours that aim at bringing out the female narratives on IWD and special guided routes meant to highlight important sites around the city. Storytelling takes you to places where pioneers in politics, arts, sciences, or social justice lived and worked. Favored choices travel through Westmins,ter, Kensington, or East London areas with authentic guides that are dressed in historic outfits. While you plan your visit, consider staying at the Park Grand Hotel in Kensington for a comfortable and convenient stay.

Conclusion 

IWD 2024 promises to be a magnificent showcase of London’s vibrant celebratory spirit and ongoing mission to uplift women from all walks of life. From inspiring festivals and speakers to Marches, networking, and culinary traditions. There is truly an event for everyone enthusiastic about recognizing women’s tireless contributions globally. Mark your calendars now for these unforgettable ways to honor sisterhood and progress in 2024.

A Guide To London’s New Year’s Day Parade

London’s New Year’s Day Parade is one of the most exciting events in the city’s calendar. With Christmas and New Year’s Eve fast approaching, many people have made plans for these two huge holidays but there is no better way to kick of 2023 than by attending one of London’s biggest street parties. The New Year’s Day Parade began back in 1987 and to this day, up to one million people line the streets of the capital to enjoy a celebration of music, dancing and more. The parade is representative of Britain’s love for pomp and pageantry, with participants including military bands, dancers from Latin America, Asia and Africa, and huge floats and inflatables which will travel the streets of London. There will also be pop groups, such as Scouting for Girls and Toploader, a number of local schools and charities, marching bands, classic cars and horses!

You can also read: Glamorous Kensington – Why You Need to Visit This Area of London

Location and timings

This year, London’s New Year’s Day Parade will begin just outside Green Park Station on Piccadilly. The parade will begin at 12pm noon and finish at 3:30pm. The route of the parade will begin outside the station, before heading to Piccadilly Circus, along Regent’s Street and down Pall Mall, before parading all the way along Whitehall and finishing near Birdcage Walk and Buckingham Palace. It’s always best to stay near the parade ground to get the best stand position in the front for that matter book Hotel in South Kensington just few steps away from Green Park Station.

As the New Year’s Parade is extremely popular, it is highly recommended to arrive as early as possible to secure a spot along the road, however it is not necessary to stand at the start of the parade, as it will pass through most of central London and there is plenty of space for everybody. For the best view, some great places to stand include Green Park, Regent Street, St. James’ Park, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall.

Unfortunately, tickets for the Grandstand are now sold out, however if you have been lucky enough to secure tickets already, you will need to arrive at your seating location by 11am.

Getting there

If you plan to stand at the start of the parade, there are a number of easy ways to arrive. Buses are likely to be cancelled or on diversion as many roads will be closed for the parade, therefore the tube is the best way to travel. Green Park Station is on both the Victoria and Jubilee Lines, which can transport you to national rail stations such as Victoria Station.

To reach other areas of the route, take the tube to stations such as:

Charing Cross Road (Northern, Bakerloo)

Westminster (District, Circle, Jubilee)

Victoria (Victoria, District, Circle)

St. James Park (District, Circle)

Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly)

If you’re planning to spend New Year’s in London, consider staying in nearby Kensington, which has easy access via bus, tube, bike and on foot into the West End. At park grand london kensington you can enjoy a comfortable NYE stay and celebration in the capital, and be close enough to attend the parade on 1st January, just a couple of tube stops away.

In London for Halloween? Here’s What You Should See and Do

Halloween is fast approaching and if you are staying in London for the spooky season then don’t worry – there are plenty of scary and fun activities to fill your days until 31st October! From hearing ghost stories by candlelight and creepy explorations of Hyde Park, to pumpkin-spiced baking. If you’re staying in central London, you’ll have easy access to all of London’s best Halloween events, top attractions and more.  

Halloween at Hyde Park

Taking place at the Lookout Centre in one of London’s most famous royal parks, Hyde Park will be hosting creepy Halloween events for all ages. The events are ideal for smaller children and don’t require traveling far, as the park is in the heart of central London. Enjoy ‘feely boxes’, a scary nature trail, spooky ghost stories, potion-making, and even learn about the bats that live in Hyde Park! Kids are encouraged to dress up, and you can pick up cute or creepy Halloween outfits for your little ghosts and ghouls in one of London’s many fancy-dress shops. After the events, kids can build and take home their very own bat box. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a Halloween event, especially if you’re staying nearby at one of the hotels near Royal Albert Hall.

How to get there

Hyde Park is just a short walk from Marble Arch, Knightsbridge, and South Kensington, and these are also the best tube stops to get off at for the park. If you are staying at the Park City Grand Plaza, you can take a bus, tube, or taxi to the park in around 5-10 minutes.

The Month of the Dead

The Month of the Dead is a month-long event with many fun things to do in various locations across London throughout October. There will be guided tours through some of London’s most famous cemeteries, such as Highgate and Brompton. These will be accompanied by spooky tales and information about the people buried there, as well as the fascinating history of the area. The Month of the Dead will also host events such as candlelight ghost stories, lectures about dissections and butterfly preservation, and walking tours of London’s secret locations and backstreets so that you can find out more about the gruesome history of the city. Tickets range in price from £12 upwards, per event.

How to get there

The Month of the Dead events are scattered throughout London, including locations such as Kensal Green Cemetery, Brompton Cemetery and Guy’s Hospital Chapel. These can all be reached via tube or bus from central London.

You can also read: Christmas Markets In London For Gift Shopping

Halloween Baking

A Halloween attraction for the little ones, famous biscuit bakers Biscuiteers will be opening their doors over Halloween for some icing fun for kids of all ages. Book a visit to either their Notting Hill or Belgravia cafes to experience their School of Icing. Visitors will learn how to ice their own delicious pumpkin, ghost and witch cookies, and the experience also includes a free hot chocolate. You’ll get to take a whole box of your tasty iced biscuits home with you to enjoy on Halloween too. For more spooky sweet treats, Gail’s Bakery will be hosting Halloween baking classes in their bakeries across London, including in Richmond and Pimlico. If you can’t make time for a full afternoon of cooking, head to the famous Hummingbird Bakery which has branches in South Kensington, Notting Hill and Victoria and will be selling delectable cupcakes and pumpkin pies throughout October.

How to get there

Biscuiteers has cafes in Notting Hill and Belgravia. Notting Hill can quickly be reached by tube on both the District and Circle Lines, while the Belgravia branch is close to Victoria Station which is also on the Victoria Line and connects to major national rail services. Gail’s Bakery in Pimlico is also located on the Victoria Line, and all three Hummingbird Bakery branches are at stops on the District & Circle Lines.

If you’re planning to take part in some of these spooktacular events in the capital this month, staying in the heart of London at the Park Grand London Kensington offers budget accommodation in central London, ensuring you’re never far from the best Halloween activities. Located near Hyde Park, the West End, and the famous museums of South Kensington, this hotel is the perfect base for your spooky adventure. After a day of exploring London’s creepy attractions, you can return to a comfortable room and prepare for the next day’s fun.