Summer is the time for festivals in London—and whether you’re a music lover,

View of Westminster
View of Westminster
dance fanatic, film buff or beer aficionado, the city has something for everyone!  To check out all the festival fun around the city this season, stay in a centrally located New York Habitat vacation rental in London and head out easily to wherever your heart desires.  From August 4-8 in Earl’s Court, by South Kensington, the Great British Beer Festival is taking place, featuring over 450 different beers from all over the world. Pub food and games are also on hand, adding British flair to international flavor, so get your tickets early. For what is supposedly the biggest South Asian cultural festival outside of the Asian continent, go to the London Mela in Gunnersbury Park on August 16, where you can enjoy urban, classic and experimental music, as well as DJs, circus acts, dance, visual arts and a children’s play area, not to mention a huge selection of flavorful ethnic food.

If fantasy and horror films are your idea of fun (as well as an appealing air-conditioned movie theatre), don’t miss the Film4 Frightfest taking place in Leicester Square, between Soho and West End, running from August 27-31. There’s a schedule of UK premieres, genre classics, quizzes and competitions—as well as surprise and scary special guests. Smear on the fake blood and practice your zombie walk for this one! On August 30, Get Loaded in the Park, one of London’s most highly anticipated summer music concerts, comes to Clapham Common once again. Spotlighting headlining acts as well as up-and-coming artists, this one-day fest doesn’t disappoint. If you’re visiting London at this time, get your tickets for what’s sure to be a summer highlight.

London Accommodation: 2-bedroom apartment in Knightsbridge (LN_274)
London Accommodation: 2-bedroom apartment in Knightsbridge (LN_274)
Of course, summer simply wouldn’t be summer in London without the annual Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s biggest—and brightest…and most boisterous—street festival. With parades, floats, music stages, dance parties, street vendors and thousands of people in flashy costumes cramming the streets, the carnival offers most everything a reveler could want—except adequate public loos! Luckily, there are always coffee shops or pubs to duck into during the festivities. Or take a short break from the action at your nearby New York Habitat vacation rental in Notting Hill or anywhere in London, such as:

· A spacious 2-bedroom rental accommodation in Knightsbridge, Kensington-Chelsea (LN-274) a few steps away from world-famous Harrod’s.

What do you like best about London’s festival season? Share your comments below.