London 2012 Festival - Will it Keep You Home this Summer?

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Aug 01, 2012, 09:00 ET

LONDON, August 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The Olympics and its spin-off festivals are a great reason to spend your summer in the UK, but there are just as many fun events going on overseas.

On average, Brits going abroad spend £532 of their holiday money in the UK before even jetting off, according to a recent report from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) (1). This might inspire you to stay at home and enjoy free performances like those at the London 2012 Festival or instead book cheap holidays to Spain.

Waterloo sunset

Although the Olympics themselves are a massive occasion, they're also surrounded by lots of spin-off events and shows, including free music performances. In fact, there are 25,000 artists performing in 12,000 Olympics-related events, which are mostly free.

Along the Thames, the BT River of Music involves six stages and many global acts, from the Scissor Sisters to Baaba Maal.

But you don't have to miss out on musical fun if you're heading abroad this summer, especially if you've booked Menorca holidays. The island is ideal for relaxing breaks thanks to its pretty coves and laidback atmosphere, and extra entertainment arrives every July and August when the Mahon Music Festival welcomes international acts and artists.

Paved with comedy gold

As well as music, there are lots of comedy shows going on as part of the London 2012 Festival. Tim Minchin, Stephen Fry and others will tour London and other UK cities as part of the Playing the Games event.

You can also see comedy gold abroad, especially if you're heading off on holidays to Benidorm. The resort's main beach is fringed by lots of clubs, pubs and entertainment venues. You can also take part in the Las Fallas festival, which honours St Joseph. As part of this event, locals make comedic effigies of celebrities and politicians.

Underground, overground

Quirky shows and exhibitions can turn a music and arts festival into a major talking point, and the London 2012 Festival will be no exception. An inflatable Stonehenge is set to tour the UK, a replica coach poised on the edge of a building will pay homage to the Italian Job, and BMW cars with bodywork designs by Andy Warhol will be installed at secret locations.

Europeans also know how to put on a great exhibition and there's much to see on holidays in Portugal, for example. In July, Lisbon hosts the Almada International Theatre Festival, which features many international and local acts from dance stars to musical artists and quirky exhibitions.

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