Britain on the Cheap

The City of London Festival, June 26-Aug. 12, is going island this year—with an Oceania theme that celebrates Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. There are dozens of free events, including concerts, dance performances and lectures throughout the fest.  

Oliver!, in its second record-breaking year, is offering holiday deals at Theatre Royal Drury Lane Dec. 17 through Jan. 8. Balcony tickets are now £20.99/$33.80, down from £25.75/$41. Stalls and Dress Circle are now £39.99/$64.60, down from £49.50/$78.

Hurry! Snap up a free Frommer’s mobile app guide to London from iTunes for a limited time. The app, usually $4.99, has regularly updated content with the latest reviews, prices and maps.

Headline artist Hamilton Loomis, supported by Tommy Allen’s Trafficker, will kick off the fifth Blues Festival Nov. 12-14 in the coastal resort of Tenby, Pembrokeshire, southwest Wales. More than 30 bands, plus an open mic session, will make this the largest festival ever. In addition to Loomis and Trafficker in Hooters, a new venue sponsored [...]

Liverpool will celebrate native son John Lennon with a two-month Tribute Season marking 70 years since his birth and 30 years since his death. From Oct. 9, which would have been Lennon’s 70th birthday, to Dec. 9, the day after the 30th anniversary of his assassination, groups in Liverpool will host a series of live [...]

Superbreak is offering some fall ticket/overnight packages for O2 Arena events in London, from the outrageous Ozzy Osborne to a 25th birthday bash for Les Miserables. Ozzfest, Sept. 18, £105/$163pp – Ozzy will be accompanied on the main stage by Korn, Murderdolls and Skindred and others. Ozzfest will take over the entire O2 complex, with [...]

Travelers to London can explore the dance, music, food and handicrafts of India’s Kerala region with a free carnival noon-8 p.m. July 7 and 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. July 8 at Riverside Walkway, Gabriel’s Wharf on the capital’s South Bank. You can also sample Ayurvedic health and beauty treatments and home spa massage oils. Kerala [...]

Many travelers think of the City of London as just the capital’s financial heart, but once a year it breaks out of its pinstripes for the exuberant City of London Festival. From June 18-July 8, the Square Mile’s exquisite guild halls and churches will resonate with music and other performances—the closing concert takes place at [...]

Save $29 on tickets to Carmen, one of the world’s most popular operas. Singers from around the world will be accompanied by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Gareth Hancock, at The O2 in London. Only three performances from May 21-23. Tickets are now $68/£42.50, discounted from $97/£60.

Can’t wait for the 2012 London Olympics? Get a free countdown to the Olympic and Paralympic Games with the Destination Greenwich App. Local actor Nick Day narrates the app highlights. Greenwich is a host borough for London 2012. In addition to sports, the app will provide the latest on the Greenwich Festivals, from street theater [...]