Like a blousy divorcee throwing herself into a night on the tiles after a crash diet and a whirlwind visit to the make-up department of John Lewis, Trafalgar Square has had a bit of a facelift of late and now England’s most famous historic meeting place is looking to flaunt it.

So bring on the Trafalgar Square Festival - three weeks of dizzying outdoor performances arranged along three themes: China, the Olympics and the fabulous city itself. Week one brings spectaculars from Yellow Earth Theatre and the Flying Dragon Circus, while week three heralds the rather more frivolous sounding Miss High Leg Kick, a fashion show representing trends from around London.

All events are free, and guaranteed to draw large and slightly irritating crowds, although you’re laughing if you can find a space on that small and tempting bit of grass that borders the National Gallery.

Bring: water, booze, food and comfortable shoes. And if you’re looking to whet your whistle you could also do worse than popping into the splendid Chandos on the corner of the square, a remarkably cheap watering hole for somewhere so central

www.london.gov.uktrafalgarsquare.