With 12,000 events on during the Olympics, here’s our pick of the best in London
London River Party
This new party night takes to the water two evenings a week for drinking and dancing with the backdrop of London’s lights. A house DJ will provide the tunes as the boat departs from Westminster Pier at 7.30pm, returning to Blackfriars Pier at 11.30pm. The price includes a free shot with your first drink, nibbles, plus free entry to Temple Walkabout, so the party doesn’t have to end when you dock.
£15 Monday & Tuesday nights Victoria Embankment, Westminster SW1A 2JH Tube | Westminster thelondonriverparty.co.uk
Olympic Journey: Story of the Games
Learn about the Olympics through the ages at the Royal Opera House. This one-off exhibition has teamed up with the Olympic Museum in Lausanne to include artefacts from athletes as well as audio and film on display in the capital for the first time. You’ll also be able to have a look at medals since 1896 and the torches since 1936. There’s also a section dedicated to the first Games, held in Ancient Greece.
July 28-Aug 12 Bow Street, Covent Gardens, WC2E 9DD Tube | Covent Garden roh.org.uk/visit
London Eye Olympic Lates
For two weeks only during the Olympics, the London Eye will be running until midnight, affording stunning views over the capital. Visitors can also book a new capsule experience, which includes either champagne, or finger food and wine. If you’re yet to go on the Eye, this will be your best chance to do it. Book now.
£15+ | July 27-Aug 12 Westminster Bridge Road, South Bank, SE1 7PB Tube | Waterloo, Embankment, Charing Cross, Westminster londoneye.com
Social Archive Two
Have your say about the impact of the Games by taking part in this series of short films looking at how people living in London have been affected. It’s part of three stages of shorts, which will be screened in a free exhibition.
Workshops £5: June 23 & 30, July 5. Exhibition July 12-21. Free | Rivington Place, EC2A 3BA Tube | Old Street rivingtonplace.org
The Olympic Trail
Check out how the sought-after medals were made for this year’s Games: from the designs and the mining of the metal, through to their production at the Royal Mint.
Until Sept 9 | Free British Museum, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG Tube | Holborn britishmuseum.org
Casa Brasil
Anticipating the spirit of Rio 2016 Games, Somerset House will be filled with Brazilian culture with Casa Brasil (Olympic House). Expect exhibitions, fashion, and arts on display, Brazilian food on offer, as well as a carnival atmosphere.
Free | July 12-Sept 12 Somerset House, WC2R 1LA Tube | Temple somerset-house.org.uk
Road to 2012: Aiming High
Check out this range of photographic Games commissions, taken as Olympians prepare to compete. Includes behind-the-scenes images as well.
Free | July 19-Sept 23 National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, WC2H 0HE Tube | Charing Cross npg.org.uk
Team Parade
More than 500,000 are expected to line the streets as Olympic and Paralympic stars parade across London. A procession of 900 athletes will walk from the Guildhall, through the City past iconic sites, including St Paul’s Cathedral and Trafalgar Square, along the Mall to the Queen Victoria Monument. There will be a grand finale in front of Buckingham Palace. Top excuse to keep the party going full swing.
Free | Sept 10 Across London, from Guildhall to Buckingham Palace molpresents.com/parade
Olympic Swingball Champion 2012
As part of the Camden Fringe, comedian Rosie Wilby will give you a giggle as she revisits the title of her 2006 debut show. The stand-up will be pondering why her petition to introduce swingball as an Olympic sport at the 2012 Games stalled at 32 signatures. And she’ll keep you in fits of laughter throughout.
£7+ | Aug 1, 6 & 8 The Camden Head, NQ1 0LU Tube | Camden Town camdenfringe.com
Exhibition Road Show
This nine-day event boasts a top line-up of art, music, science, literature and acrobatics. Look out for the pop-up ballroom, and the one-man alien band. Enjoy games from the V&A’s vintage collection, as well as readings from Road Stories – shorts which have been put together by well-known writers. Taking centre stage will be by Katie Paterson, who has taken a four-and-a-half-billion-year-old meteorite and created a new artwork. See it to believe it.
Free | July 28-Aug 5 Exhibition Road, SW7 2AZ Tube | South Kensington exhibitionroadshow.co.uk
Peninsula Festival
Relax on Europe’s largest man-made city beach, sail along the Thames in a Tall Ship, and go glamping in Greenwich. Events at this festival – the theme of which is ‘Get in touch with the Dutch’ – also include live music, big screen events, and live coverage of the Olympics. As well as DJs from around the world, the festival will also hold an ‘I Love Jamaica Day’ and the London Soul and Blues Festival with Jools Holland.
£30+ July 25-Aug 12 Greenwich Peninsula, SE10 0PE Tube | North Greenwich peninsula-festival.eu
Olympic Park Walking Tours
Not got tickets for Olympic events? Then this is your best bet of seeing the venues in which the athletes compete. Stroll around all three Olympic sites with the Going For Gold tour, or opt for one of the daily walks that will take you around the east London site. Your guide will give you the lowdown on everything from the history of the area, to why east London was chosen to host 2012.
Free | Daily – various times Gold tour at White City Tube. Daily walks at Bromley-by-Bow Tube toursof2012sites.com
Olympic Festival at Potters Field
Get caught up in the buzz of the Olympics as the park screens the sporting action as well as a host of entertainment, including prizes and games.
July 27-Aug 12; Aug 19-Sept 9 Off Tooley St, SE1 2AA Tube | London Bridge molpresents.com/picture
Festival of the World
This celebration is going on all summer long, and is made up of smaller festivals and weekenders. Enjoy comedy, immersive theatre, exhibitions, cabaret and music running until the end of the Paralympic Games.
Various prices | Until Sept 9 Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX Tube | Waterloo southbankcentre.co.uk
Festival Hackney
Expect musical street parades and comedy as the Olympic torch lands in Hackney, heading to Clissold Park, Stoke Newington, with special guests expected.
Free | July 21 Starts Pitfield St, N1 6BU Tube | Hoxton onehackneyfestival.co.uk
The Fringe 2012
At the top end of your budget, this pop-up members’ club will be opening in a four-storey mid-19th-century Victorian warehouse, a 100m walk from the Olympic Park. Open all day til 2am, dine all day on top food, sipping cocktails, overlooking the place of the moment.
£90 | July 20-Sept 9 Swan Whf, E3 2NG Station | Hackney Wick thefringe2012.com
The House of Switzerland
The House of Switzerland is one of the few national buildings opening up to the public. It will be turning 3000sqm into a “Red Zone” mini-village. Guests can take part in sporting events, listen to live music, tuck into top food and enjoy cultural performances. On display will be traditional Swiss sports, and there will be medal ceremonies with Swiss athletes in attendance.
Free | July 20-Aug 12 Glaziers Hall, 9 Montague Close, SE1 9DD Tube | London Bridge houseofswitzerland.org
Have-A-Go-Sports
Of course you could be an Olympic athlete. To prove it to your mates, take part in these sporting events at the BT Live sites. Get involved in Wheelchair Rugby League in Victoria Park, or at Hyde Park have a taster session of wheelchair basketball (pictured), enjoy ping pong tables, and there’s also a triathlon course. Plus there’s cricket, lacrosse, football, handball, volleyball, badminton and netball at both sites, with coaches and professionals.
VP July 27-Aug 12. HP July 28-Aug 11. All day every day VP E9 7BT/ HP W2 2UH VP Bethnal Green/ Hyde Park btlondonlive.com
Link Source: http://www.tntmagazine.com/london/events/alternative-olympics-other-things-to-do-in-london-during-the-games/page/3
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