When to visit London: seasons, events and booking periods

May and September offer a useful balance of longer days and fewer school-holiday crowds. Your reason for visiting may point to a different month: gardens, Wimbledon, concerts and Christmas each have their own season.

Spring and summer

April can still be cool, while May brings blossom and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital. Its late-May dates affect accommodation demand. Easter school holidays also bring busier museum visits, often during April.

In summer, Portobello Road’s early Saturday stalls, riverside walks and outdoor meals fit the longer days. Wimbledon runs over a fortnight from late June into July. The BBC Proms occupies about eight weeks from mid-July to September, with day-of-sale standing tickets for many concerts.

Notting Hill Carnival affects streets and stations across W10 and W11 over the August bank holiday weekend. For a summer apartment booking, include air conditioning in the requirements when it matters to you.

Autumn and winter

September brings schools back, the Proms’ final concerts and Open House Festival, when normally private buildings admit visitors. By November, Christmas lights appear on Regent Street and Oxford Street and department stores unveil their windows.

Winter Wonderland runs in Hyde Park from 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Somerset House skating runs from 11 November 2026 to 10 January 2027. New Year’s Eve fireworks on the Thames require tickets released in autumn batches. December demand makes early accommodation planning useful, especially for larger apartments.

January and February may offer lower apartment rates and more restaurant choice. Short daylight and colder weather make them a different kind of visit, with museums and other indoor plans taking a larger role.