Free Activities in London During the 2012 Olympic Games
While people have been clamouring for tickets for the Olympic Games there are plenty of other things happening in London during the games that do not require a ticket. London is hosting a myriad of free events to coincide with the games, here is a selection:
No Ticket Required Sporting Events
Not all of the events at the games require a ticket, events like the Marathon and the 50km and 20km Road Races, as well as the Road Cycling and Time Trials are available to view without a ticket. All you need to do is pick your spot along the routes to watch the action as the athletes pass by. The time trials are being held at fabulous Hampton Court so you can combine your visit there with some free Olympic activity.
As part of London Live you will be able to watch many of the events on big screens set up in venues such as Hyde Park, Potter’s Field and Victoria Park, you will be able to see coverage of the events and the medal ceremonies on the big screens and the parks will be filled with a whole host of other entertainment from live music to fairground rides. If you have been unable to get tickets for your favourite event the atmosphere in the parks offers the next best thing to being there.
The London 2012 Festival
To coincide with the arrival of the games the city of London is going to be the host of a massive cultural celebration. The city’s parks and open spaces are set to be filled with a wide variety of performers from home and abroad. Open air concerts have been planned as well as outdoor performances of Shakespeare and plenty of music and dance. The majority of the events on offer are free, and where there is a charge every effort is being made to keep prices as low as possible to avoid anyone being excluded from the festival. There are literally hundreds of different events scheduled across the city which will appeal to all ages.
Activities and Attractions for All
Kids Week, takes place throughout August in London’s West End, and will include things like theatre workshops and events where the kids can win prizes, including tickets to some of the top London theatre shows. From February through to September the British Museum are exhibiting the Olympic medals that were awarded at the 1908 and 1948 games that were held in London, as well as the 1960 and 1984 Paralympics. You can also learn about how the 2012 medals have been designed and made as well as leave the exhibition with a replica medal of your own.
Hackney Marshes will host a comedy and music festival, as well as a food and drink festival much of which will be free, though there will be some charge made for some of the shows. These events have been planned to ensure that there is something for everyone, so make sure you head to London to see what all the fuss is about.
