London’s reopening – here’s what to look out for this week

Once again London is slowly starting to reopen, and we hope it’s for good this time. Here are some of the best things to look out for this week. With several places set to announce even more events, definitely keep an eye out for more announcements.

 The Royal Opera House

Image: Gabriel Varaljay

#FLODown: The Royal Opera House (ROH) has announced they will be reopening on May 17. Opening with a programme of 21st Century works, including Christopher Wheeldon’s shimmering ballet Within the Golden Hour and two pieces that are new to The Royal Ballet by Crystal Pite.

They will also bring together an international group of distinguished singers to perform Mozart’s opera seria, La Clemenza di Tito, in a new production directed by Richard Jones. The ROH is set to announce full details of their spring/summer programme on 13 April. 

Until then you can watch live from the Royal Opera House at home with #OurHouseToYourHouse. 

Click here to stream now.

 The Barbican Conservatory

Image: MTotoe

#FLODown: The Barbican Conservatory will be open to visitors once more from May 17!

The Conservatory will be open seven days a week and is completely free to visit. Tickets will be released one week in advance online, so don’t forget to book your free ticket before visiting.The Barbican Conservatory is the second biggest conservatory in London and definitely a hidden gem. It is home to over 2,000 species of tropical plants and trees. It’s a wonderful tropical oasis and a great place to relax and recuperate, there’s even a café inside! Click here for more. 

Alfresco dining returns to London

Image: MTotoe

#FLODown: It has been announced that up to 60 roads will be closed from April 12 to sometime in September in the creation of alfresco dining boulevards. Just what we need to get back into the swing of a great British summer. 

Westminster City Council has announced daytime and evening closures include Dean Street, Old Compton Street and Greek Street in Soho, Lisle Street in Chinatown, St Martin’s Lane and Maiden Lane in Covent Garden, and Chiltern Street in Marylebone.

Other roads that will close include Pavilion Road, Byte Street and Elystan Street in Kensington and Chelsea. Excitingly, Portobello Road in Notting Hill will also be closed to traffic during the day on market days. 

All Points East and Field Day 

Where: Victoria Park

When: 28 August (All points East) /29 August (Field Day) 

Image: @allpointseastuk

#FLODown: All Points East will be back this August Bank Holiday for an epic take over with an impressive line-up – we are excited to groove again. On Saturday expect artists including Jamie XX, Kano, Little Simz and Arlo Parks.

Field Day will also be returning home to Victoria Park this summer! The festival is set to take place on Sunday with some of the big hitters in electronic music such as Bicep, the Blessed Madonna and Artwork to take to the stage.

Pub in the Park

When: various dates 

Where: Nationwide 

Image: @pubinthepark

#FLODown: Pub in the Park will be back this summer providing the opportunity to indulge in music, drinks and food. Let's face it, we are all seriously craving this. Pub in the Park will be happening all over the UK and will be pitching up in London twice this year with events set to go ahead in Dulwich in early summer and Chiswick towards the end of summer. Click here for more.

London dates :

Dulwich: 26-27 June 2021 Click here to sign up.

Chiswick: 3 – 5 September 2021. Click here to sign up.

Day of reflection 

Image: Melissa Askew

Marie Curie UK has arranged for a day of national reflection on March 23. This will mark a year after the start of lockdown and is an opportunity to reflect on our collective loss, show support for people bereaving, and to hope for a brighter future.

On 23 March they are encouraging the public to come together to observe a minute of silence at 12 noon, and at 8pm to light up the night by standing on your doorstep with a light, a candle, a torch, or even your phone out.

Share your support by using the tag #DayOfReflection.