Love Parks Week: Outdoor Events Taking Place In London This Summer

From 23 July until 1 August, it is Love Parks Week. We felt it was a great excuse to take a closer look at what’s happening across our London parks this summer. There are wild rumours flying around that there will be consistent sunshine from mid-July for a few weeks – so fingers crossed the stars will align, and we can all make the most of the good weather. Here are just a few park-based events you might like to check out over the next few weeks.

Dates: 28 July – 8 September 2021
Times: 12pm (doors open) – 2pm
Location: Westminster Abbey

This isn’t technically a park, but it is located in a green public space, namely the College Garden of Westminster Abbey – so we’ll let this one slip through the net. This free event offers a series of fantastic lunchtime concerts throughout summer. These free brass band concerts are a great way to spend a Wednesday lunchtime. With each band providing a broad and varied programme every week, there’s sure to be something for everyone. Refreshments will be available to purchase, so you don’t even need to take your lunch. Doors open at 12.00pm but the performances will start at 12.30pm. The capacity for this event is approximately 200 people. Once capacity has been reached the organisers will not be able to admit anyone else. Entrance is via the Cloisters.

Wednesday 28 July 2021 – Tilbury Brass Band

Wednesday 4 August 2021 – Band of the Surrey Yeomanry

Wednesday 11 August 2021 – Regent Brass

Wednesday 18 August 2021 – Enfield Brass Band

Wednesday 25 August 2021 – Friary Brass Band

Wednesday 8 September 2021 – Merton Concert Band

Dates: 26 & 27 August
Times: 6.30pm (doors open) – 9.45pm
Location: Dean’s Yard

Illyria returns to Westminster Abbey this summer with their unique Open-Air Theatre experience for Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Now In their 29th open-air touring season, Illyria return to Dean’s Yard this summer doing what they do best – Shakespearean Comedy! The show will take place in the beautiful setting of Dean’s Yard and is suitable for the whole family. Seating is not provided at these performances. Be sure to bring your own seating/rug and warm clothes. Picnics are welcome but glass containers are sadly not permitted within Dean’s Yard. Doors will open at 6.30pm but the performance will start at 7.30pm. The running time is 2 hours and 10 minutes including a 20 minute interval.

Dates: Weekends from 3 July to 19 September including Bank Holiday Monday
Times: 12.30pm – 2.30pm and 3.30pm to 5.30pm
Location: Regent’s Park

Enjoy a free music festival every weekend throughout the Summer at Regent’s Park.

Saturday Performances are held at the Broadwalk Bandstand across from the Broadwalk Cafe. The Performers will be small Jazz Bands, sometimes with singers and choirs.

Dates: 21 August
Times: 11am – 7pm
Location: Peckham

Love your chillies? Then make sure you head over to London’s original Hot Sauce festival in Peckham on 21 August.

The famous Hot Sauce market will allow you to try and discover a wide range of chilli sauces from over 40 different hot sauce makers, as well as try out street food and craft beer.

Tickets are only £13, and along with cocktails and DJs supplying great music throughout the day, it’s sure to be a great day.

Dates: 30 August
Times: 9.30am – 1pm
Location: Palewell Park

Yoga and ecstasy anyone? Let us explain. Yogastasy is more than a yoga class. It’s said to set you on the ecstasy state by practicing heart openers, as well as inversions combining by hip flexors asanas leading to improved flexibility, strength, balance and concentration. Yoga is Ecstasy is a unique style of yoga that been mixed with sound meditation. It is a modern version of Hatha-Raja Yoga, fused with the vinyasa flow and Kundalini breathing techniques presented with high quality headphones by using hypnosis frequencies to take you in a deeper meditative state and strong physical practice to keep your mind connected to your body in the present moment during the event.

Join this silent disco-style, outdoor yoga and ecstatic dance party on Monday 30 August (Bank Holiday) at Palewell Park. This event takes places over a 3 -hour LIVE DJ set and starts and finishes with a short opening and closing.

9.30 Meeting in front of Palewell Cafe

9.45 Leaving to our spot

10.00 – 10.15 Meditation (Pranayama)

10.15 – 11.45 Asana

11.45 – 12.00 Meditation (Pranayama)

12.00 – 13.00 Ecstatic Dance

13.00 – Open Speech

Brunch (optional) – picnic & socialising

Head to the Royal Parks website for more events being held at Royal Parks throughout the summer.