THIS IS LONDON SEPTEMBER EDITION 2025 copy - Flipbook - Page 4
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THE PEARLY KINGS AND QUEENS
HARVEST FESTIVAL
Every September, the City of London
bursts into colour and Cockney charm
with the Pearly Kings & Queens Harvest
Festival – a uniquely London celebration
of tradition, community spirit, and
charitable giving. For visitors, it’s a
chance to see the capital at its most
authentic and joyful.
The Pearly tradition dates back to the
late 1800s, when Henry Croft, a road
sweeper, decorated his suit with pearl
buttons to raise money for charity. His
idea inspired generations of London
families to become Pearly Kings and
Queens, each representing a borough
and continuing the work of fundraising.
Their dazzling suits, stitched with
thousands of buttons, remain a glittering
symbol of working-class pride.
This year’s festival takes place on
Sunday 21 September, starting at 13:15 in
Guildhall Yard in the City of London.
From there, a lively procession makes its
way through the streets to St Mary-le-Bow
Church on Cheapside, where a harvest
thanksgiving service begins at 15:00.
Visitors can expect a colourful parade
filled with music, laughter, and tradition.
The Pearly Kings and Queens will march
in their sparkling costumes, joined by
Morris dancers, maypole performers,
marching bands, and donkeys pulling
carts piled high with fruit and
vegetables. All the produce and
donations collected go to local charities.
The best views are at Guildhall Yard,
where the Pearly families gather before
the parade, or along Cheapside as the
procession reaches the church.
PENN & TELLER RETURN TO THE
WEST END
Penn & Teller, the undisputed masters
of modern magic, are coming to the
West End’s London Palladium to
celebrate their incredible 50th
Anniversary with Penn & Teller 50
Years of Magic. Renowned for their
jaw-dropping performances, a joyous
exploration of magic and comedy,
Penn & Teller first performed together on
19 August 1975 and are now arguably
the world’s most famous magicians.
Celebrating this incredible milestone,
these 50th Anniversary UK dates will be
Penn & Teller’s first ever shows at a
West End theatre.
Penn & Teller have redefined the
genre of magic and carved out their
well-deserved status as icons. Using
every year of their experience of magic
and mayhem, the anniversary tour will
showcase incredible new tricks, and
offer UK audiences a rare opportunity to
see the duo perform live. Lifelong
friends, they have astounded and dazzled
global audiences for generations with
their mix of mind-blowing magic and
comedy. Performances are from 13 to 24
September at the London Palladium.
www.pennandteller.com
T H I S I S L O N D O N M A G A Z I N E • T H I S I S L O N D O N O N L I N E • w w w. t i l . c o m • @ t h i s i s l o n d o n m a g
