London Festivals - Summer 2011

I don't know about you, but I love festivals. Before the children, my husband and I used to go to the Big Chill every year, to kick back, relax, be at one with nature and then party the night away to an array of eclectic music with a fun-loving crowd. We had such a good time. And since having the twins we have remained true to our hedonistic festival going ritual by taking the boys to festivals whenever we get the chance, in or out of London. Camp Bestival is our favourite at the mo!

Obviously it is going to be a bit of a struggle taking one year old, then two year, now three year old twin boys on a hippy trail with tent, luggage and wellies to boot, but when you see their little faces full of wonderment and excitement and watch the way they immerse themselves in the magical pop up village that is the festival, you know that it's worth all the additional stress.  But for some parents, taking the entire brood off to some far flung green space with portaloos, mile long queues for showers and no guarantee of good weather or a good nights sleep is simply one step too far!

So thank festivals! For the city one-dayer. You get all the fun, vibe, culture, music and energy for as long as you can muster with the full knowledge that you'll be able to go home, have a shower and sleep in your lovely comfy bed. It's a winner!

So here are the details of some of the hottest one day festivals coming up in London this summer.

VINTAGE FESTIVAL - THE SOUTHBANK
Friday 29th July - Sunday 31st July 2011
£60:00 per day (£75 with evening review).

I have to say, this festival sounds utterly amazing. It is the brainchild of Wayne Hemmingway, the fashion designer, who has combined all the classic design in art, music, fashion and food to bring us vintage cool at its very best.

The festival, designed to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 1951 Festival of Britain,  will take ownership of The Southbank for three whole days transforming it into a Vintage wonderland.

From the 40's to the 80's each decade is to be unashamedly celebrated. Apparently the Royal Festival Hall will be unrecognisable as the entire building will be given a vintage makeover. Every single floor will be themed and those who have paid the fee can enjoy, dance lessons, makeovers, exclusive DJ sets, food, cocktails and indulge in the sale of a crop of vintage classics. There will be catwalk shows and unmissable music performances from the likes of Sandi Shaw and Percy Sledge (my mum loves him!) included in over 12 hours of performances every single day! My sources tell me there will also be 8 themed nightclubs spinning 60's funk to 70's punk, soul, swing, disco, pop and everything in between.

Plus the British Film Institute is going to screen a score of much loved vintage classic films and there will be themed party boats on the Thames. The excitement!!

It could be a day out with the kids or a night out with the girls or a romantic trip down memory lane but it has surely got to be done.

LOLLIBOP - REGENTS PARK
Friday 5th August - Sunday 7th August 2011
£80:00 for family of four. See website for more details. Lollibop Festival

I heard about this festival last year and I was so gutted we were unable to go. But this year we've booked our tickets and we can't wait. This is (to my knowledge) the only festival completely dedicated to little people. Every event, act and stall is targeted at the under 10's!

By all accounts the headline acts include a debut performance by Rastamouse and da Easy Crew. Plus, Charlie and Lola perform the best bestest play ever! The Waybuloos are teaching yoga and Minimission offers an Ibiza style club and beach for the mini movers! And there is so much more.  It starts at 11am and runs till the evening so there is no doubt that the little ones will have festival fatigue by the end but it sounds as though it will be worth it.

Just to note only 2500 family tickets are on sale for each day and the lineup is pretty much the same for each day too.

Enjoy.

NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL
Saturday 27th August - Monday 29th August
£ Free

Yes people, London and indeed Europe's largest street festival is back, with 1 million people expected to line the streets of Notting Hill to celebrate the vibrant cultural melting pot that London has become. Float after float will showcase a plethora of colourful entertainers enticing you to groove along to their predominantly Caribbean beats. Thousands of dancers dressed head to toe often in feathered and dramatically designed costumes, that they admirably wear despite the heat, will sashay for 20 miles to keep you absorbed in the attraction. The hundreds of food stalls will keep you fed and watered and the 40,000 sound systems erected in the area will keep your toes tapping and your hips shaking and the local residents from sleeping - all in the name of Carnival!

It is without doubt an unbelievable experience. Definitely nerve racking for the more crowd conscious among us but all the same it is something you should do at some point in your life. There really is nothing like it (not even Rio - which is markedly different, and i've been to both).

To be completely honest I am not sure about taking young children to this event because it is extremely crowded and there are times when you are being carried along by the crowd and feel as though your feet aren't even touching the ground. If you do want to go for it though, Sunday is the day to take the offspring because its Kids day. Monday is when the main parade is showcased. The festivities usually kick off at about 10am and go on into the early hours although officially it closes down at 7pm.

It's London's most famous Carnival and has become a treasured date in the calendar.

Notting Hill Carnival

VYNER STREET FESTIVAL
Saturday 27th August - Sunday 28th August 2011
£ Free

Going head to head with the Notting Hill Carnival on the same weekend is the Vyner Street festival, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Definitely for the more Bohemian amongst us, this musical extravaganza takes place in East London's vibrant and contemporary gallery district. Head to Bethnal Green for the action, apparently there are lots of fun things for the kids. A real hippy fest with local bands, arty types but a cool and cosy vibe.

THE TASTE FESTIVAL  - REGENTS PARK

Thursday 16th June - Sunday 19th June

£22;00 - £75:00

If you and your family are foodies. Then this is the festival for you because 40 of London's best restaurants will be cooking up exquisite culinary cuisine for you to enjoy this summer. Described as 'an unbeatable alfresco gourmet feast', you taste buds will be on another level once you have devoured the signature dishes created by some of the cities most globally respected chefs.

The setting is pretty laid back, much like a boutique food market and you get the chance to shop from over 200 producers who have supplied the chefs with a veritable feast of foods and beverages.

There are two sessions per day; 12pm-4pm and 5:30pm -9:30pm, except on Sunday when one session runs from midday until 5pm.

Alongside the food, great wine and stalls there are master-classes, demonstrations and theatre productions. Apparently the event has its own currency too called The Crown, so make sure you get your money changed up when you're there!

I think there could be such a thing as a free lunch for my two, as you don't have to pay entry for children under the age of 6. I'm there.

Enjoy

Mama xx