London’s much-loved one-day party of live entertainment is returning to one of the capital’s most iconic stages. Alexandra Palace will once again play host to a packed programme of music and comedy as “London Now” brings together established names, emerging talent and thousands of fans for a high-energy day overlooking the city skyline. With multiple stages, a diverse line-up and the promise of both big laughs and standout performances, the festival is positioning itself as a key fixture in London’s cultural calendar – and a snapshot of the capital’s creative scene in 2024.
What to expect at London’s one day festival of music and comedy at Alexandra Palace
From the moment you climb the hill to the Palace, the day unfolds as a rotating carousel of stages, food stalls and pop-up bars, all framed by one of the city’s most commanding skyline views. Across indoor halls and outdoor terraces, you’ll find tightly curated line-ups where up-and-coming indie bands share billing with established headliners, while stand‑ups test new material before it hits tour level. Expect roaming performers between sets, surprise guest appearances and a production that leans into spectacle: sharp sound, clever lighting and the kind of spontaneous crowd singalongs that feel tailor‑made for social clips.
- Live music from early afternoon until late evening
- Back-to-back comedy in intimate side rooms
- Street food from London’s cult vendors
- Panoramic bars overlooking the city
- Family-friendly pockets and quiet corners to regroup
| Time | Zone | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00-15:00 | Main Lawn | Opening acts, picnic crowds |
| 15:00-19:00 | Great Hall | Mid-bill bands, early headliners |
| 19:00-22:30 | Comedy Rooms | Big-name sets, late-night showcases |
| All day | Terraces | DJs, skyline views, sundown sets |
The atmosphere leans relaxed but switched-on: the crowd is a mix of local regulars, curious first-timers and international visitors chasing a compact festival hit without the mud or campsite logistics. Short walking distances between stages mean you can improvise your schedule, ducking from a packed music set into an under-the-radar comic’s slot, or trading the crush of the front row for a craft beer overlooking the reservoir. With cashless bars, cloakrooms and clear site maps, the logistics are built for one-day immersion-arrive with a charged phone, layered clothing and a plan loose enough to follow the buzz.
Standout acts emerging talent and must see performances on every stage
From sunrise soundchecks to the last encore, every corner of Alexandra Palace becomes a hunting ground for new favourites. This year’s bill threads together boundary-pushing voices and genre-splicing bands with the kind of comics who can turn a casual anecdote into a viral moment. Keep an eye on the mid-afternoon slots: that’s where you’ll find the artists taking real risks-acts blending UK jazz with alt‑R&B, South London rappers backed by live brass, and comedians testing bold new material in front of the most switched‑on crowd in the capital. Between the main hall, terrace stage and pop‑up comedy rooms, there’s barely a quiet minute.
- Rising headliners serving future‑classic sets before they outgrow one‑day festivals.
- DIY bands bringing warehouse‑show energy to the grand Victorian hall.
- Alt‑pop storytellers turning break‑up ballads into sing‑along anthems.
- Podcast‑famous comics road‑testing sharp, unrecorded material.
- Genre disruptors fusing spoken word, drill, club beats and jazz.
| Stage | Must‑See Slot | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Main Hall | 8:30pm | Breakthrough artist tipped for next year’s Mercury shortlist. |
| Terrace Stage | 6:00pm | Sunset set mixing live electronics with cinematic strings. |
| Comedy Room | 5:15pm | Rotating bill of TV‑ready comics in an intimate club setting. |
Insider tips for tickets timings and navigating Alexandra Palace like a local
Locals know that the sweet spot for securing tickets is just after the first wave of announcements, before day-split details drop and prices creep up. Watch for early-bird batches and pre-sales via mailing lists-these often come with lower fees and better allocation, especially for premium viewing and after-show options. If you miss that window, keep an eye on official resale channels in the week leading up to the event; Londoners frequently offload extras at face value when plans change. On the day, aim to arrive before mid-afternoon to breeze through security and settle in before the biggest comedy and headline music sets begin.
- Arrive early: Fewer queues for security, bars and food traders.
- Use the hill: Locals head to the higher ground for the best stage sightlines and city views.
- Know your exits: Leaving 10 minutes before the final song can save 30 minutes of crowd shuffle.
- Layer up: The Palace and surrounding park can feel several degrees cooler after sunset.
- Cashless readiness: Most vendors are card-only-plan ahead to avoid ATM queues.
| When to Buy | Why it effectively works |
|---|---|
| Mailing list pre-sale | Best price bands, lower fees |
| Post-lineup reveal | Clearer day plans, mid-range prices |
| Week-of official resale | Face-value returns, last-minute bargains |
To move around like a seasoned North Londoner, treat Alexandra Palace as a mini campus. The East Court is your landmark for indoor facilities and swift coffee stops, while the South Terrace is the place for skyline photos between sets. Regulars cut through the side paths rather than following the main crowds snaking around the building; these smaller walkways are faster and often lead you directly to quieter bars.After dark, check the festival map for alternative exits via the park, which can deliver you more swiftly to buses and the overground without the bottlenecks at the primary gates.
Food drink and late night entertainment making the most of London Now in a single day
As the sun dips behind the Palace and the last chords fade from the main stage,the focus shifts to everything edible,sip-worthy and gloriously nocturnal. A curated strip of street-food trucks lines the palace terrace,serving everything from Neapolitan-style pizza to fragrant Korean fried chicken and plant-based loaded fries. Inside, pop-up stalls pair small plates with micro-roastery coffee and low-ABV spritzes, while a rotating cast of craft brewers showcases limited-batch IPAs and alcohol-free lagers. Between sets, audiences drift from bar to bar, comparing tasting notes, pausing at dessert stands piled high with pastel-hued macarons and warm churros. The food offer is deliberately compact yet eclectic, designed to fuel a marathon of stages and side-shows without pulling you too far from the action.
- Street Eats: wood-fired slices, bao buns, gourmet hot dogs
- Drinks: East London craft beers, natural wines, cocktails-on-tap
- Sweet Finish: churros, gelato, artisan brownies
- Late-Night Bites: loaded fries, tacos, vegan doner wraps
| Time | Spot | Why Go |
|---|---|---|
| 6-8pm | Terrace Food Court | Sunset, first drink, quick street-food hit |
| 8-10pm | Great Hall Bars | Cocktails between headline sets |
| 10pm-late | Basement Club Rooms | After-hours DJs, nightcaps, last snacks |
Once the comedy stages wind down, the Palace’s labyrinth of corridors and side rooms becomes a sprawling, indoor night garden. Pop-up DJ booths turn foyers into miniature clubs; a disco room spins 90s house and UKG until the small hours, while another space leans into indie, funk and global beats. Bar service extends with a focus on sessionable cocktails and zero-proof options, making it easy to keep pace without burning out. The atmosphere is more informal than a traditional venue night: audiences cross paths with performers at the bar, sketch artists capture the crowd in quick ink drawings, and roaming performers stage impromptu bits between queues. It’s a compact slice of London’s after-dark culture, compressed into one building and one night, with just enough structure to keep you moving and just enough chaos to feel like the city is improvising around you.
Insights and Conclusions
As London’s cultural calendar continues to fill at pace, the return of the one-day music and comedy festival at Alexandra Palace confirms the city’s appetite for shared, in-person experiences is as strong as ever. With its panoramic views, historic setting and carefully curated line-up, the event is positioning itself as a key fixture for those keen to sample the capital’s creative energy in a single, concentrated burst.
Tickets are already on sale and,if previous editions are any indication,demand is likely to be brisk. Whether you’re there for breakthrough acts, established headliners or simply the spectacle of thousands converging on “Ally Pally” for a day, the festival offers a snapshot of London now: noisy, diverse and determined to make the most of every moment.
