London's Olympic Games on a Budget

Heading to London for the 2012 Summer Olympics? Check out these free events and see the athletes in action.
By: Visit Britain

65852561

Photo by: Clive Mason

Clive Mason

There are just 6 months to go to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London. The excitement is building and the athletes are training hard. For travelers making their own preparations to visit Britain this summer, here are some top tips about how to enjoy the spectacular events and soak up the atmosphere without spending a fortune.




London 2012 Festival
June 21-Sept. 9, 2012
Get into the spirit of London 2012 through dance, music, theater, the visual arts, film and digital innovation. This festival features more than 1,000 events, with 10 million free opportunities. Some of the events are ticketed, but the majority are free to attend, including BBC Radio 1's free, live music event during Hackney Weekend 2012. Visitors can also experience a weekend of West End LIVE, the very best of London theater for free in Trafalgar Square. Check out BT River of Music, too; it’s a weekend of music from around the world on stages along the River Thames -- all for free.

Olympic and Paralympic Cycling Road Races
July 28-Aug. 1, 2012
There are lots of ways to enjoy the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games without a ticket. Some of the most iconic events will be viewed from great vantage points -- at no cost. The men’s and women’s road races will begin on The Mall, a popular backdrop for formal ceremonies and major sporting events throughout the year. From The Mall, the riders will head southwest through London; cross the famous River Thames at Putney Bridge; and continue out through Richmond Park past Hampton Court Palace. Before the riders make it back to The Mall for a dramatic finish, they will head to Surrey, Leatherhead, Esher and Kingston.

Olympic Sailing
July 29-Aug. 11, 2012
The deep, sapphire-blue waters of Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour will play host to 10 sailing events over the course of 14 days during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. These free events will offer fans excitement and drama as they watch teams race in the beautiful but testy waters on England’s southern coast.

Olympic Race Walks
Aug. 4 and Aug. 11, 2012
Known for its regal beauty and nature, visitors can watch the race walks, which begin and finish at The Mall in St. James’s Park. Along the 1.2-mile race, visitors can take in the sites of Buckingham Palace (the official residence of the Queen) and the Commonwealth Memorial Gates.

Olympic Live Sites
With large screens carrying live broadcasts of the Olympic events, visitors -- in at least 20 locations around the UK-- will have the best seat in the house to watch their favorite event in Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park or Victoria Park.

Next Up

What to Miss in London

Madame Tussauds and Big Ben are just a couple places it's OK to miss if you're visiting London. Get the details about these tourist spots and more.

Best Ways to Enjoy the London Olympic Summer Games

See VisitBritain.com's picks for the best events to help travelers enjoy the London Olympic Summer Games, including the London 2012 Festival.

Early Check-In: 2012 London Olympics

Plan your sports adventure to the 2012 Olympics in London with helpful tips from Travel Channel.

Can't Get to Europe This Summer? A Scottish Highland Games is a Close Second

Experience the British Isles without the pricey airfare. There are many great Scottish festivals in North America where you can watch ancient athletic games (caber toss!), enjoy excellent food, beer and whisky all while listening to traditional bagpipers or modern Celtic music.

Global Marathon Travels: London

Floyd Miller discusses running a marathon in every continent.

International Soccer

Experience the thrills, the passion, the artistry and the unparalleled dedication of soccer fans worldwide by visiting the world's best soccer stadiums.

Tennis Meccas: The Grand Slam Tournaments

Follow Travel Channel's tips for tennis lovers to watch their favorite Grand Slam tourneys, hit the courts themselves or dive deeper into the tennis culture of a Grand Slam city.

London's Football Pubs

We’ve tracked down the best match-day pubs for the five premier league teams in London.

London's Football Stadiums

Fans of English football: whether you're in London to catch the FA Cup Final or to root for your favorite team, catch a match at one of these stadiums.

Horseback Riding

One of the most pleasurable ways to see the world is from horseback.

More Creepy Content

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss Travel Channel in your favorite social media feeds.

On TV