The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad is the largest cultural celebration in the history of the modern Olympic and Paralympic Movements.  Spread over 4 years, it will culminate in a UK-wide festival, bringing together leading artists from all over the world.  The Cultural Olympiad is designed to give everyone in the UK a chance to be part of London 2012 and inspire creativity in all forms of culture, especially among young people. 

London 2012 Festival,  21 June - 29 September

A spectacular 12-week, nationwide celebration of the world’s best music, theatre, dance, art, literature, film and fashion.   Many London 2012 Festival events taking place in Westminster are free and there is something for everyone including:  All the Bells   Big Dance   River of Music  

Cultural Olympiad for Westminster Community Groups

Community groups across Westminster will be given the opportunity to deliver their own projects inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic Games, by bidding for a share of the fund being managed by Westminster charity Vital Regeneration on behalf of Westminster City Council.

These grants will be for a maximum of £2,500 per project and all projects which receive funding must be completed by September 11, 2012.  For more information on applying for a grant please contact Katy Haigh at Vital Regeneration, 020 7245 2261 or email kchaigh@vitalregen.org.

London 2012 Opening and Closing Ceremonies: the biggest shows on Earth

Get involved - there are lots of opportunities to be part of the London 2012 Ceremonies: either by supplying goods and services, or working as a member of staff, or performing in front of a billion people around the world.

The Culture Diary is a huge online calendar for London where cultural organizations and groups can upload planned 2012 activities and search the diary for other events happening across the 33 boroughs.

Open Weekend 22 - 24 July 2011 celebrated One Year to go to the Games

There were over 1,000 art, dance, music, film, sport and other events throughout the UK during the Open Weekend.  In Westminster these included:

Launching L.E.A.P (London Experience of Art du Deplacement & Parkour) the UK's only and largest purpose-built Managed Parkour Park 

Watching the  Tate Movie  in Trafalgar Square, The Itch of the Golden Nit!   created by thousands of children across the UK and produced by Aardman Animations

Storytelling at the National Portrait Gallery - A Sporting Chance the epic adventure of a boy who dreams of competing in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

See how Westminster residents have taken part since 2008

FUSE (July Open Weekend 2010)  

FUSE is a one-day free arts festival designed with and for young people. Organised by the Royal Parks in partnership with Westminster City Council and Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, an estimated 3,000-4,000 people attended throughout the day: fuse-arts.org.uk

 Click on the links below to download the evaluation report:

• FUSE evaluation report
• FUSE evaluation report appendices

Passport 2 Pimlico (September 2009)

The Passport 2 Pimlico cultural trail took place in September 2009 with the aims of showcasing creative projects funded by the council and presented by local people in collaboration with some of the city's leading arts organisations. The trail was Westminster's contribution to the Cultural Olympiad for 2009.

Click below to download the event report.

Culture 8, West London Arts Partnership (September 2008)

Culture 8 is a non-stop family festival of music, dance, sport, circus and street entertainment from West London's best. Winners of the Westminster Dance Challenge were invited to showcase their piece at the Wembley Arena.  

Culture 8 was awarded the Inspire Mark

Click on this below to download the evaluation report:

• Evaluation report for West London Cultural Festival 2008

For information about Olympic events in Westminster including the Torch Relay visit:

www.westminster.gov.uk/services/leisureandculture/olympics/2012-events