Exciting London annual events you won’t want to miss include the popular Notting Hill Carnival, the Portobello Film Festival, the Carnaval Del Pueblo and more.

Most famous is the Notting Hill Carnival. It takes place over the August bank holiday weekend and has an Afro-Caribbean flavor. The Carnival originated in 1964 as a celebration of Afro-Caribbean cultures and traditions, and now is an annual event that attracts 1.5 million people. Highlights include London steelpan band competitions and a 3-mile parade.

Another exciting event is the Carnaval Del Pueblo, the greatest Latin American Festival in Europe which also takes place in August each year. Held in London every year since 1999, the event draws as many as 19 different countries that participate. Festivities include a three-mile carnival procession with over 15 floats, live music on four different stages, dancing, Latin American artists, and many other activities in Burgess Park. There are no entrance fees for Carnaval Del Pueblo.

The Portobello Film Festival was established 1996 to provide a forum for new film-makers and give exposure to movies on different formats. Initially lacking a permanent venue, the Festival has screened films in diverse venues like parks, theatres, clubs and bars. In recent years, films at Cannes and Edinburgh are regularly screened first at the Portobello Film Festival. The festival is attended by over 15,000 film enthusiasts.

There are also large parades held on St. George's Day (April 23) and St Patrick's Day (March 17). The Dance Umbrella is held every October, and features a variety of dance companies putting on displays across London.