Each summer the City of London Festival brings the City's unique buildings and outdoor spaces to life with an extensive artistic programme of music, visual arts, film, walks and talks, much of it free to the public.

Inaugurated in 1962 to revitalise the cultural life of the City it has established itself as one of the UK's leading arts events. The Festival entertains all those that live, work and visit this special location with unique events and world-class artists in beautiful surroundings. Discover the Festival, uncover the City.

The 2013 Festival – Director Ian Ritchie’s final Festival after eight years at the helm – will build on previous years’ successes with a challenging and thought-provoking programme built upon three main interlocking themes:

• Conflict and resolution
• City walls – connecting the City of London with Derry~Londonderry and other historic walled cities from Utrecht to Jerusalem
• Trees: sustaining the Festival’s artistic responses to the environment

Using these themes as a platform for creative dexterity, the Festival will reflect on significant historical landmark anniversaries, including the 400-year relationship between the City of London and Derry~Londonderry, the 300th anniversary of the Treaty of Utrecht and the 100th anniversary of Benjamin Britten – one of Britain’s most important composers.

2013 Festival Dates: 23 June - 26 July 2013