Your Annual Diary: All the Fabulous Things to Do In 2024

Terrific Theatre & Film

This year, there are some incredible shows coming your way. Book now for Wizard of Oz (12-16 March) at New Wimbledon Theatre, straight from the London Palladium and starring RuPaul’s Drag Race’s The Vivienne. Over at the Rose, they will be offering The Glass Menagerie (17 April – 4 May) – Tennessee Williams’ seminal masterpiece about a family on the brink of change. There are also two top film festivals to look forward to: Kingston Film Festival (21-23 June) and Wimbledon International Short Film Festival (October) showcasing innovative work from up-and coming filmmakers. There will also be a month-long season at BFI Southbank called Journeys Into The Unknown: The Best of Werner Herzog (throughout January) celebrating the works of the distinctive filmmaker.

Wizard of Oz

Awesome Arts & Culture

Don’t miss this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show (21-25 May) which promises some fabulous garden designs and floral displays. Wandsworth Arts Fringe (7-23 June) will feature a monumental line up of cutting edge theatre, comedy, concerts, exhibitions and performance art. FUSE International will be coming to Kingston from 28 June until 7 July, bringing a host of talented artists from across the UK and the world to showcase their work. Tom Kerridge’s Pub in the Park will be rolling into Reigate from 12-14 July – the ultimate food and music festival. Head to West Horsley Place for Hosting Henry VIII (27-28 July) – a new historical festival where you can spend a day living like a king: from tasting the King’s feast, to Tudor music, falconry and jousting displays. Autumn means book festival season, so Barnes, Wimbledon, Clapham and Guildford book festivals will be returning to spread literary magic across south west London and Surrey.

Spectacular Sport

Six Nations Rugby returns in February, and England will face off against Wales on the 10th at Twickenham Stadium, then on 9 March they will return to Twickenham to play against Ireland. March will also mark the return of the iconic Oxford vs Cambridge boat race, which will set off downstream from Putney Bridge on 30 March. Epsom Derby will be racing back into our lives from 31 May until 1 June. Watch out for Wimbledon Tennis Championships (1-14 July) – the oldest tennis tournament in the world will be back and better than ever this summer! Applications for the Wimbledon Public Ballot are now closed, but if you’d still love to get tickets, it’s always worth joining the Queue.

Magical Music

Grange Park Opera will be back at West Horsley Place for the 2024 season (6 June – 14 July). Be sure to book Hampton Court Palace Festival (11-22 June) this year, featuring Paloma Faith, Sheryl Crow and other artists, plus a live edition of the popular The Rest is History podcast. The first artists for Kew the Music 2024 (9-14 July) have been announced, with Mika, Passenger and JLS set to be headliners. Plus, Wimbledon International Music Festival will roll around in November – previous performers included the Julliard Quartet and Blues & Roots Ensemble.

Hampton Court Palace Festival (c) Joshua Atkins

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