Travellers from Kuwait can enjoy a number of festivals, cultural events and activities taking place in London in July and August as the new visa rules make visiting the UK simpler and faster for Kuwaiti passport holders.

The new procedures allow Kuwaitis to travel to the UK on business or leisure for a period of up to six months once an online application has been made, removing the previous need to submit documentation to visa application centres.

To make the holiday time in London more enjoyable, British Airways has pulled together a list of some of the best festivities taking place across the city that all the family will enjoy:

View modern art along the Thames: Tate Modern has a new building, and with it new spaces for art and a new ethos. The beautifully-designed New Tate Modern opened to the public on June 17, just behind the original power station site, allowing visitors to see contemporary art, interactive and experimental projects from further afield – Russia, Latin America and the Middle East.
www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern

Visit royal gardens and floral creations: All those with green fingers should venture to Hampton Court Palace, where the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is in full bloom from 5 to 10 July 2016. With stunning floral arrangements, delicious artisanal food and some celebrity gardeners giving talks, this is not to be missed.
www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-hampton-court-palace-flower-show

Gain the power of the force: Returning from a galaxy far, far away to London’s ExCeL (London Exhibition Centre), the Star Wars Celebration Europe takes place from July 15 to 17. Fans of the epic saga will revel in the success of the latest film, The Force Awakens, and get a sneak preview glimpse of the upcoming Rogue One. There is also an impressive cosplay competition and a few celeb speakers to enjoy.
www.starwarscelebration.com

Dive into childhood fairytales: Lewis Carroll’s influential and imitable fantasy Alice in Wonderland has been given the opera treatment by composer Will Todd. Now in its fourth year, Opera Holland Park brings this strange tale to life at Holland Park on 28 and 29 July 2016, one for all the family.
www.aliceopera.com

Dance to the Notting Hill drums: Don’t miss the excitement of the Notting Hill Carnival, which takes place over the Bank Holiday weekend on August 28 and 29. The overwhelming sights, sounds and smells are at the very heart of this colourful celebration - with two days of festivities including live music, traditional cuisine and a flamboyant parade that is not to be missed.
www.thenottinghillcarnival.com

Eat like royalty: The culinary elite come together for the Foodies Festival Alexandra Palace, which takes place over the Bank Holiday weekend and ends on 29 August 2016. Enjoy this food-themed event, as celebrity chefs and familiar MasterChef faces cook up a storm. Relish in flavours from around the world and creations by expert mixologists, or pick up tasty products from the Artisan Producers Market. Cookery classes for children and live music make this a great day for everyone.
www.foodiesfestival.com/alexandra-food-festival

Take a ride on the Hogwarts Express: Go behind-the-scenes of the Harry Potter film series with a tour of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, to see where it all began. If you’re travelling by train across the city, look out for the sign at King’s Cross Railway Station to Platform 9¾, the departure point for students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, of which its most famous student, Harry Potter, attends.
www.wbstudiotour.co.uk

British Airways flies direct to London Heathrow from Kuwait daily and for a limited time until July 12, return flights are available from KWD233.10 ($770.9) with travel valid between July 8 and August 10 2016. - TradeArabia News Service