Come one, come all to the Exhibition Road Festival, one of London’s biggest musical and cultural events. Celebrating the start of the London Olympic Games in 2012, there’ll be scores of live performances along Exhibition Road in South Kensington, and lucky for you and your wallet, it’s totally free.

Why you should go
Missed out on your chance to buy a ticket for the loads of summer festivals coming to London this year? Or worse still – can’t afford losing out on rent just so you can go? Never fear, a free festival is here – the Exhibition Road Festival taking place once again on Exhibition Road.

Genre busting acts
Can’t stand crunchy festival rock? Not a problem. The Exhibition Road Festival combines a wealth of musical genres, from folk to funk to indie to classical. Whether you like your guitars loud or your pianos playing softly, there’ll be something for you to bop your head to. For the 2012 event, the festival has been inspired by the cultural legacy of the Great Exhibition of 1851, and takes place during the first nine days of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Don’t miss
This is also your chance to see one of the most cultured areas of the capital turn into a live performance free for all. The V&A, the Natural History Museum and the Royal Albert Hall are all scheduled to take part, turning their hallowed exhibition halls into full on festival arenas.

Highlights
The 2012 Exhibition Road Festival features must-see acts, from dance and science demonstrations to acrobatics, aerial displays, visual art installations and music. The festival celebrates the work of young and up and coming artists from the UK and across the world, at venues such as the Royal Geographical Society, the Science Museum, Imperial College London and other museums, galleries and cultural institutions in the area.

Chill out
Taking some kids along? Keep them out of trouble at the loads of festival workshops geared towards children. The new street design along the road features changes such as a kerb-free single road surface, minimal street clutter and barriers and larger walking areas to make the whole area safer and more user-friendly for pedestrians, so you can make the most of all the live events taking place without worrying about dodging traffic all the time.

The Exhibition Festival takes place from Saturday 28th July - Sunday 5th August 2011 on and around Exhibition Road. Admission is free.

Free Summer Festivals in London

Summer Holiday London

Outdoor Film Events

Cultural Olympiad London Festival

World Shakespeare Festival London

Olympic Outdoor Screenings

Olympic Festival at Hyde Park

Olympic Festival at Victoria Park

Olympic Festival at Potters Fields

Paralympics at Trafalgar Square

Diamond Jubilee Celebration Exhibition

Edvard Munch Exhibition London

Pre-Raphaelites Exhibition London

Damien Hirst at Tate Modern