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Kicking off Refugee Week in London, Celebrating Sanctuary at Coin Street Festival celebrates the enormous contribution that refugee communities make to the cultural life of the capital.

Free summer festival
Showcasing the work of musicians, artists, dancers and storytellers, you can expect to see some of the most vibrant and unusual art and music performances at Celebrating Sanctuary. Providing a platform for new performances and artworks, many of which are the culmination of outreach projects involving refugee artists working with children and young people in their communities, the day is a special chance for many to get their work seen by a wider cultural audience.

Music and more
Alongside the music and performances, there will be stalls filled with food, drink and crafts from many refugee communities and workshop activities which can be enjoyed by all the family. Celebrating Sanctuary at Coin Street Festival is now in its 13th year, and continues to be one of the most vibrant and colourful of the free summer festivals taking place in the city.

Celebrating Sanctuary at Coin Street Festival takes place from 2pm - 7pm, Sunday 17th June 2012 at Bernie Spain Gardens. Admission is free.

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Head to the Connaught Village Summer Festival for an afternoon and evening of shopping and genteel, family friendly fun.

Street party
With live music, an art show and Blue Badge tours of the local area, there are plenty of events and activities to keep all ages happy at the Connaught Village Summer Festival. Kids will be especially interested in the craft workshops, as well as the face painting and live street acts.

Vintage fun
There's plenty of good old fashioned fun at the Connaught Village Summer Festival, with Victorian stalls and flower arranging. Four legged friends can also take part in the festivities and come spruced up and ready to entertain all at the dog show, which runs from 4pm.

Shopping destination
Secreted away between Bayswater and Marble Arch and a short walk away from Hyde Park and Oxford Street, the Connaught Village Summer Festival takes place amongst the neighbourhood's shops and homes. Expect all the charm of a traditional village fete at the festival, with a family friendly atmosphere and plenty of stalls to browse.

The Connaught Village Summer Festival takes place from 2.30pm - 8pm, Wednesday 20th June 2012. Admission is free.

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When
Saturday 23rd June 2012


Where
Kensington Gardens and Exhibition Road

Head to the 2012 Exhibition Road Music Day for a series of free concerts and gigs hosted by the venerable museums and galleries of the local area.

A day of free music
From the Royal Geographical Society to the Natural History Museum and the V&A to the Science Museum, there are plenty of institutions offering a range of exciting live music sessions for the Exhibition Road Music Day festival. Fans of every musical genre from soul and gypsy jazz to classical and grime will be able to find something to keep them happy at the free one day festival.

Festival highlights
Highlights of the 2012 Exhibition Road Music Day include live gigs from French soul sensation Imany and the ever popular Ska Cubano, as well as the world premiere of Live and Roar featuring Booker Prize winning author DBC Pierre at the Natural History Museum. Many live acts will be taking to the outdoor stage in Kensington Gardens, with many more performances also taking place within the museums and galleries that line Exhibition Road.

Musical workshops
Kids and adults of all ages can get involved with a series of workshops for Exhibition Road Music Day, with the Science Museum holding a series of interactive sessions where families can create their own music. Meanwhile, the Royal Geographical Society is hosting a day of geography themed musical activities, and the Royal College of Music is hosting a day of free Indonesian gamelan workshops.

Gigs and concerts
Other stand out events of the day include a special performance by beatboxer Jason Singh on the Kensington Gardens stage, as well as Congolese and Latin music from Grupo Lokito. Fans of English folk can catch Martin Ledner at the Natural History Museum, while all female a cappella group Imperielles will be performing at Imperial College London.

2012 venues
More than 100 artists will be performing at the 2012 Music Day festival, giving music fans of all tastes and ages something to enjoy. Alongside the Kensington Gardens stage, there will also be performances at the following venues:

Royal Geographical Society

Science Museum

Natural History Museum

The Ismaili Centre

Imperial College London

The V&A

Exhibition Road Music Day takes place on Saturday 23rd June. All events are free to attend.

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Part of the 2012 Greenwich and Docklands Festival, the Greenwich Fair takes over Monument Gardens at the Old Royal Naval College for a weekend of free events for all ages.

Free fair
With a flying grand piano, a show in a giant pig, a Catalan labyrinth and more live entertainment over the weekend, there's plenty to keep kids and all ages amused at the Greenwich Fair. Families can expect street theatre performances, live music and more anarchic fun over the weekend.

Historic occasion
The 2012 Greenwich Fair draws inspiration from the fairs described by Charles Dickens in Boz, where travelling menageries, dancing booths and other traditional types of Victorian entertainment drew in huge crowds. Back for the second time after its successful revival in 2011 following a 150 year hiatus, the fair promises plenty of outdoor arts and interactive entertainment for a 21st century audience.

Greenwich and Docklands Festival
The free Greenwich Fair at the Old Royal Naval College is just one of the special events taking place as part of this year's Greenwich and Docklands Festival. For more information on the festival, click on the link below.

Greenwich and Docklands Festival

What to expect
Highlights of the 2012 fair include an invasion of friendly, bright pink aliens, as well as Oolong tea and storytelling by the newly reopened Cutty Sark. There's also acrobatics, theatre and dance from all female street theatre company Mimbre, as well as sideshow inspired entertainment featuring gadgets that come to life courtesy of Pangottic.

The Greenwich Fair runs from Friday 23rd June - Sunday 24th June 2012. Admission is free. The fair takes place in Monument Gardens at the Old Royal Naval College, as well as by the Cutty Sark and around Greenwich Town Centre.

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The Tottenham Carnival promises to be a huge summer street party, with a complete line up of events and activities for crowds to enjoy in June 2012. Thousands are expected to take part in what has become one of London's biggest carnival events, which this year celebrates its 15th anniversary.

A history of partying in Tottenham
First held over 100 years ago as a parade, the Tottenham Carnival has become established as one of the foremost summer carnivals in London, continuing to attract thousands of partygoers each year. Children and adults can expect a massive street party bristling with a vibrant festival atmosphere, attended by tens of thousands of people.

Fun in the sun at the Tottenham Carnival
Summer has definitely arrived and Londoners can make the most of the weather throughout the Tottenham Carnival. Outdoor events and activities will be taking place all day, including live music, dance, fairground attractions and more, promising a day of summer fun in London.

Live music
A line up of live acts are taking to the stage at the Tottenham Carnival, rocking out in the sun across a number of sound stages. Highlights at the festival include the music from floats along the carnival parade route, as well as flamboyant performances and interactive events at Bruce Castle Park.

Olympic year
For 2012, you can expect even more of a party atmosphere as the carnival parade and festival tap into the spirit of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Following the parade, the events in Tottenham really hot up with a free family festival at Bruce Castle Park, featuring everything from salsa dancing and live music to food stalls, a sports zone and funfair rides.

The Tottenham Carnival takes place on Saturday 23rd June 2012. The carnival procession leaves from Eade Road, Tottenham, and finishes at Bruce Castle Park. Click back soon for further information on the timetable of events for the day. Admission to the carnival is free.

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West End Live returns to London for another year in June 2012, and for the first time ever features performances from every single one of the hit musicals and theatre shows playing in the West End. This year, the free event takes place at Trafalgar Square as part of the London 2012 Festival to celebrate the best in arts and culture ahead of the Olympic Games.

Live theatre in West End Live
West End Live 2012 is a unique theatre event that brings a selection of top productions out into the open, live in Trafalgar Square. Musical fans can catch acts from all the big West End shows including Matilda The Musical, The Lion King, Ghost, Wicked, The Wizard of Oz, Shrek, Mamma Mia! and Stomp, as part of a fresh, exciting and jam packed programme.

Family fun all weekend
Visitors to West End Live can enjoy a range of exhibits and displays as well as the live performances. Exhibits will be on display from The Science Museum, the London Film Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not, the National Gallery and more during a weekend of interactive fun for the crowds. In 2011, other highlights included special performances from Bob the Builder Live as well as music from The Gleeks and the West End Gospel Choir. Click back soon for further information on the 2012 lineup.

Join the crowds at Trafalgar Square
The West End Live event is expected to attract some 200,000 people this year. Londoners have a special opportunity to enjoy live West End theatre for free, in a high spirited, open air event. Various different acts will be on hand to entertain all day long, with a variety of performances to suit young and old alike.

Summer fun in London
West End Live has become one of the most popular summer events in the capital, attracting thousands of children and adults to central London each year. The crowds will be in high spirits, out to enjoy live theatre and music in the sun. West End shows making a welcome return to the festival in 2012 include Thriller Live, Billy Elliot The Musical, Chicago, Jersey Boys and Rock of Ages, and this year they are joined by the cast of Blood Brothers, Les Miserables, Dreamcoats and Petticoats, Sweeney Todd, Singin' In The Rain, Horrible Histories and more popular shows.

West End Live at Trafalgar Square takes place from Saturday 23rd June - Sunday 24th June 2012. Opening times are 11am - 6pm Saturday and 12pm - 6pm Sunday.

Events are free to attend. Please note that there is a viewing platform for disabled visitors on the north terrace of Trafalgar Square; wheelchair access can be gained from the centre or from the Charing Cross entrance.

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Canada Day at Trafalgar Square looks set to bring a true taste of the big country to London again for 2012, with Canadian food and drink, sports and live music. Catch some great street hockey games, a band or two, or just chow down on some authentic Canadian grub.

Happy birthday Canada
Kicking off the celebrations for Canada Day at Trafalgar Square, a full programme of live music and performances is due to start at 10am. A free live concert that allows people of all ages and nationalities to be part of the Canada Day party in London will see performances from a range of bands and solo acts sure to wow the crowds.

Street sports
For Canada Day at Trafalgar Square, visitors will be able to experience a full on festival of Canadian delights. Street hockey will be in full swing all day long, giving you the chance to see this fast paced and exciting sport up close and personal, and there'll also be some free treats handed out by the folks at the Tourism Pavilion.

Canadian cuisine
Canadians finding themselves far from home will be able to sample some authentic Canadian cuisine on the day, and non-Canadians will also have the chance to try out some new and unusual cuisine. Proving that there is more to Canadian cooking than maple syrup, a variety of flavoursome and unusual dishes will be on offer, as well as Canadian beer.

Sing out loud
If all this Canadian business has got you interested in the country itself, there are plenty of impressive locations to visit. Head to the Tourism Pavilion for more information on the stunning provinces, or simply channel the spirit of the great nation by singing along to O Canada.

Street party
To round off Canada Day at Trafalgar Square, the evening gets pumped up again for more free live music and entertainment, which finishes at 10pm. So forget your patriotic leanings, dress in red and white, grab a Canadian and make for Trafalgar Square for a day of maple flavoured fun.

Canada Day at Trafalgar Square takes place from 10am - 10pm, Sunday 1st July 2012, and is free to attend.

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Celebrate Gay Pride at Trafalgar Square with live music, comedy, dance acts and more spectacular live entertainment.

Pride London
The site of Pride London's main stage and the finishing point for the huge parade that starts on Baker Street and winds its way down Regent Street and Piccadilly, Gay Pride at Trafalgar Square is a massive celebration of LGBT rights and self expression. Regardless of whether you're gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, head to the party and show you're proud of your sexuality at this free and celebratory event.

Main stage
An eclectic mix of performers will be taking to the stage for Gay Pride at Trafalgar Square, with a heady mix of classic acts and up and coming talent appearing live. Look forward to an afternoon of live music, stand up comedy, dance acts and DJ sets as an array of performers take to the stage.

Highlight event
As well as the main stage, Gay Pride at Trafalgar Square also includes a number of stalls and a lineup of inspiration speakers. Elsewhere, the streets of Soho are going traffic free for the day and there's also a dance stage nearby for clubbers.

Gay Pride at Trafalgar Square takes place from 2pm, Saturday 7th July 2012. Admission is free

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The Tapas Fantasticas wine festival comes to Potters Field Park for one weekend in July, and brings you all the best wine from Rioja celebrating Spanish tapas, wine and lifestyle. Inviting you to taste a spectacular variety of red, white and rose wines from some of Rioja’s most famous vineyards, you can make your way around the vibrant wine and tapas stalls sampling the best in Spanish wine and food.

Spanish food and wine
Indulge in a fabulous selection of tapas from London’s finest Spanish restaurants, and see what the chefs from Spain’s legendary tapas venues are cooking up for you to eat. There is also the chance to sign up for Rioja wine tasting seminars to learn a little more about the region, and novices can get to grips with the basics. Take a mouth watering journey with the Tapas Fantasticas wine festival as lively and fun tips help you discover what tickles your taste buds and dispels any fears you may have about tasting and b*ying Spanish wine.

Live entertainment
It's not all wine and food at the Tapas Fantasticas wine festival - there will be plenty of live entertainment to keep you and the kids happy too. This year, there's live Spanish music, including Spanish guitar based music, as well as DJs, dancing and arts and crafts sessions for the kids, too. Click back soon for more information on that the 2012 Tapas Fantasticas event has to offer.

Stock up
Once you have totally fallen in love with the taste of Spain, the food and wine festival also offers you the opportunity to sample food from some of the best well known restaurants in the capital. Sample some of the best Spanish cuisine outside of Spain.

The Tapas Fantasticas wine festival takes place from Saturday 14th July - Sunday 15th July 2011. Opening hours are 12pm - 8pm Saturday and 12pm - 6pm Sunday. Entry is free.

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Save the dates for the 2012 City of London Festival!
24 June - 27 July 2012

Check out the full programme of the Level Playing Field Symposium, which brings together 25 experts in the fields of music, arts, education and disability. See the details here.

http://www.colf.org/whats-on.cfm

The Brodsky Quartet have released the pieces on their Wheel of Four Tunes. Take look at the list of pieces they might play on 2 July here!

50 Golden Pianos will hit the City streets in 2012! Find out how you can become a Street Piano Champion

The four-day programme is full to bursting, but highlights include Tchaikovsky's dramatic 1812 Overture played in Guildhall Yard (Thu 21 June, 6pm); the chance to drink champagne and watch the sunset from Tower Bridge (Fri 22 June, 6.30pm); and a giant street fayre on Cheapside (Sat 23 June, 10am-5pm).

In addition, historic buildings will be throwing open their doors to visitors, there will be daily walks and talks on all sorts of subjects, plenty to keep children entertained and a host of exciting new exhibitions.