Fabulous British Events To Look Forward To in 2021

With British arts and culture finally out of Covid hibernation, summer 2021 is looking set to be a fun one. Here are all the dates you need for your diary. 

DODGE: Drink, Dine & Dodgems at Somerset House

An exciting new outdoor event featuring dodgems, art installations and delicious food and drink. Visit Somerset House in 2021 and witness the magnificent ‘dodgems with a difference’, complete with DJ sets and music from composer, producer and musician Anna Meredith and BAFTA-winning sound designer Nick Ryan. With an impressive multi-coloured courtyard installation and outdoor seating booths designed by artist Yinka llori, tasty treats from culinary star Jimmy Garcia and a beautiful range of products from independent retailers at their pop-up boutique, it’s an upcoming event you won’t want to miss. 15 July – 22 August 2021, somersethouse.org.uk

Fitzrovia Arts Festival

Now in its fifth year, Fitzrovia Arts Festival is a celebration of the area’s rich artistic past. The week-long community event features an eclectic programme of concerts, talks, walks, readings and fitness classes, taking place at different venues across the London borough. Enjoy live jazz from IndigoBlue, see paintings from Jesse Brown at Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery, stretch it out with acclaimed yoga teacher Amparo Rodriguez, embark on an Oscar Wilde-themed walk and much more. Image: Jesse Brown, Lore of the Land, 2021. 20 – 26 June 2021, fitzfest.co.uk

ENO Performs Tosca at Crystal Palace Bowl

A rollercoaster ride of love, lust, murder and political betrayal, it’s no wonder Tosca is one of opera’s best loved shows. So it’s a great one to mark English National Opera‘s first performance after more than a year of Covid-19 restrictions wreaked havoc on the Arts.Even better, the ENO will be performing Tosca al fresco at Crystal Palace Bowl this summer, meaning opera lovers can enjoy the show while the sun goes down. It’s all part of the new South Facing Festival, an open-air concert series that will be held at Crystal Palace throughout the summer, featuring acts like Dizzee Rascal and the Outlook Orchestra, Corinne Bailey Rae and Supergrass. 27 – 29 August 2021, eno.org

Coventry UK City of Culture 2021

Visit Coventry for the array of events lined up in celebration of the UK’s City of Culture 2021. With magnificent installations, performances and digital works by Coventry Moves, plus a sensational programme of innovative visual art and culture, Coventry is sure to be next year’s hotspot. To commemorate the history of refugees and the 5,000 mile journey of fictional refugee Little Amal, visitors will also witness The Walk, a public artwork from the creators of War House. May 2021 – May 2022, coventry2021.co.uk

Monopoly Immersive Experience

‘Do not pass go, do not collect £200’. One of the world’s favourite board games, Monopoly is coming to a secret location in London’s West End next Autumn. The brand-new immersive experience created by Gamepath and Hasbro will see players racing against the clock to complete thrilling challenges and tasks in order to move across the giant monopoly board and buy up their property. Seventy-five minutes of competitive fun. Autumn 2021, londontheatredirect.com

Shoephoria at The Fashion Museum

Calling all shoe lovers! The Fashion Museum is showcasing a world-class selection of over 100 pairs of shoes in its new exhibition, Shoephoria. The event aims to highlight the creativity and skill of shoemakers throughout history, from the oldest shoes in the collection – a pair of diamante bow shoes which belonged to Her Majesty Queen Mary – to the evolution of shoe style with several pairs of trainers and sneakers from Converse to Nike Air Jordan. 29 March 2021 – 2022, fashionmuseum.co.uk

Waterfronts

Take a trip to England’s Creative Coast and witness a series of seven new art commissions curated by Tamsin Dillion, which will be spanning 1,400km of coastline from Kent, Sussex and Essex. The commissions will explore the border between water and land in this artistic world of coastal art, with artists including Andreas Angelidaskis, Michael Rakowtiz and Holly Hendry. Visitors will get the chance to see the artworks up close as part of the world’s first geocache tour, where experts will showcase hidden gems, limitless cultural adventures, and lead guests through stunning landscapes along the way. Spring 2021, englandscreativecoast.com

Killing Eve Film Tour

BritMovie is bringing one of the UK’s favourite spy-drama series to life with a spectacular Killing Eve film locations tour. Although the award-winning show was filmed in various locations throughout Europe, much of the action was shot in London, in which visitors can walk around the ten filming locations from London Bridge to Bloomsbury. Visit where Eve (Sandra Oh) and Villanelle (Jodie Comer) first crossed paths and discover an array of behind-the-scenes secrets. Various dates throughout 2021, britmovietours.com

Rugby World League Cup

For the first time in history, the men’s, women’s, and wheelchair games will all come together on the sport’s biggest stage in 2021. The men’s and women’s final will take place on the same day in Old Trafford on Saturday 27 November with the wheelchair competition receiving the same level of support (and with an inclusive mix of male and female players). Bringing England together as one next year. 23 October – 27 November 2021, rlwc2021.com

Featured Image: © Somerset House

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