Grimaldi Clowns’ Service
Haggerston, London
Clowns in full costume attend a church service in Hackney honouring Joseph Grimaldi.
7 February 2027Traditional date
Odd day trips from London
London keeps its own odd calendar: clowns at a church service, puppets in Covent Garden, Pearlies at harvest and the nightly locking of the Tower. Beyond the capital, Maldon’s mud race, Dorking’s carrying race and Hungerford’s Hocktide all make a good case for a day trip.
Near London is a starting point, not a promised journey time. Compare your actual route, the event’s start and finish and the last sensible service home. The Keys needs a reservation, public ceremonies have their own access arrangements and a town-centre event can change the usual station or road access. Use each guide to judge whether a day return really works.
10 events in this guide
In date order
- 7FebGrimaldi Clowns’ ServiceHaggerston, London7 February 2027 — traditional dateStay nearby
- 14MarUK Wife Carrying RaceDorking, Surrey14 March 2027 — date announcedStay nearby
- 6AprHungerford Hocktide (Tutti Day)Hungerford, Berkshire6 April 2027 — traditional dateStay nearby
- 9MayCovent Garden May Fayre and Puppet FestivalCovent Garden, London9 May 2027 — traditional dateStay nearby
- 30MayMaldon Mud RacePromenade Park, Maldon, Essex30 May 2027 — date announcedStay nearby
- SepusuallyPearly Kings and Queens Harvest FestivalCity of London, LondonA Sunday in late September (2026: Sunday 20 September)Stay nearby
- AnynightCeremony of the KeysTower of London, LondonEvery night of the year at 9.30pm (free tickets, released in batches and snapped up fast)Stay nearby
- MarusuallyOranges and Lemons ServiceSt Clement Danes, Strand, LondonAround the third Thursday in MarchStay nearby
- SepusuallyDoggett’s Coat and Badge RaceRiver Thames, LondonOnce a year in late summer, timed to the tide; recently early September (2026: Wednesday 2 September)Stay nearby
- JulusuallySwan UppingRiver Thames, Sunbury to AbingdonFive days, Monday to Friday, in mid-July (2026: 13-17 July)Stay nearby
Base yourself in London
Rooms near the big nights go early. Compare places to stay and check cancellation terms.
Find a place to stay on Booking.comThe events
UK Wife Carrying Race
Dorking, Surrey
Pairs tackle a course with one adult carrying another.
14 March 2027Date announcedHave a go
Hungerford Hocktide (Tutti Day)
Hungerford, Berkshire
Tutti Men with flower poles collect kisses and hand out oranges as Hungerford holds its court.
6 April 2027Traditional date
Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival
Covent Garden, London
Punch and Judy puppeteers parade, attend church and perform for Mr Punch’s birthday.
9 May 2027Traditional date
Maldon Mud Race
Promenade Park, Maldon, Essex
Competitors race across the muddy riverbed.
30 May 2027Date announcedHave a go
Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
City of London, London
London’s button-covered Pearlies parade from Guildhall Yard to St Mary-le-Bow for harvest.
A Sunday in late September (2026: Sunday 20 September)
Ceremony of the Keys
Tower of London, London
The Tower of London is locked up for the night in a short ceremony held every evening.
Every night of the year at 9.30pm (free tickets, released in batches and snapped up fast)
Oranges and Lemons Service
St Clement Danes, Strand, London
Schoolchildren receive an orange and a lemon as the church bells ring out the nursery rhyme.
Around the third Thursday in March
Doggett’s Coat and Badge Race
River Thames, London
Apprentice watermen scull from London Bridge to Chelsea in the world’s oldest rowing race.
Once a year in late summer, timed to the tide; recently early September (2026: Wednesday 2 September)
Swan Upping
River Thames, Sunbury to Abingdon
The King’s Swan Uppers row up the Thames for five days counting and checking cygnets.
Five days, Monday to Friday, in mid-July (2026: 13-17 July)
“Stay nearby” links go to Booking.com, and each event guide also has train links. These are affiliate links. What that means.