Olympia, Olympia, Olympia!

Kensington Olympia is London’s premier exhibition and conference space, hosting a huge variety of trade and public shows. Opened in December 1886 as the National Agricultural Hall, over its 126 year history it has undergone many architectural changes as well as playing host to some seminal events such as the first Ideal Homes Show in 1908. With last year’s closure of Earls Court Exhibition Centre, Kensington Olympia’s schedule has expanded to include many annual events Londoners and tourists’ alike look forward to each year. Here is our pick for the best this year…

Getting hitched? Put down that dog-eared magazine, step away from Pinterest and head to The National Wedding Show (25th – 27th September), the self-proclaimed ultimate ‘Little Black Book’ of the best wedding suppliers around. Whether it’s The Dress, cakes, venues, canapés or those little finishing touches that will make your big day one of a kind, this show will be the ultimate source of inspiration.

If you’re vegetarian, vegan or just looking for more fun ways to get your ‘five-a-day’, VegFest (10th – 11th October) could be the answer to your dietary dreams. The event promotes all aspects of vegan living, with more than 200 stalls showcasing the best food, home, lifestyle and beauty products as well as a vegan body building competition, cookery demonstrations, and celebrity appearances.

We’ll race you for a ticket to our next top pick: The Chocolate Show London (16th – 18th October)! Suppliers, artisans, chefs and cocoa-connoisseurs from around the world gather together to celebrate all things chocolate– there’s even full outfits made out of the sweet stuff! Get your taste buds ready and arrive with an empty stomach…

For a more refined affair, head to the annual Winter Olympia Arts and Antiques Fayre (2nd – 8th November). An extensive collection of furniture, glass, ceramics, art, jewellery and more, each item is vetted by an independent team so you can be guaranteed an authentic purchase.

 As much as we hate to say it, heading into autumn means one thing – whisper it – that Christmas will soon be around the corner. We say it every year, but why not get prepared early with a visit to The Spirit of Christmas Fayre (2nd – 8th November)? Browse hundreds of stalls with a curated selection of gift ideas from independent designers and make a day of it with a visit to Mosimann’s winter restaurant or the Louis Roederers Champagne bars.