Pearly King Harvest Festival

Name: Pearly King Harvest Festival
Start: 2025-09-27
Location: London

A London Tradition Shining with Generosity and Community Spirit

2026/09/26

Every autumn, the center of London is transformed by the glimmer of thousands of pearl buttons, Cockney songs, and a spirit of charity. At the Pearly King Harvest Festival, London’s “other royal family”—the Pearly Kings and Queens—parade through the city in costumes adorned with thousands of mother-of-pearl buttons. Locals and tourists alike gather to celebrate the harvest, tradition, and the spirit of helping one another. If you want to experience living history, authentic London street culture, and a day filled with laughter and music, this festival is for you.

The Pearly King Harvest Festival is held every September, beginning with a parade from Guildhall and culminating in a harvest thanksgiving service at St Mary-le-Bow Church in the City. Londoners, tourists, and those drawn to Cockney culture and the spirit of charity gather from all over the country for this event.

Main Attractions

The Pearly Parade

The highlight of the festival is the grand parade of Pearly Kings, Queens, Princes, and Princesses representing each London borough. Dressed in suits covered with pearl buttons, they march through the city accompanied by pipe bands, vintage cars, and donkey carts loaded with harvest offerings. The sound of the bands, the buttons sparkling in the autumn sun, and the cheers along the route create an atmosphere that is unmistakably London.

Harvest Thanksgiving Service

The parade ends at St Mary-le-Bow Church, where a traditional Christian harvest thanksgiving service is held. Pearly Princesses present bouquets of vegetables and fruit as offerings, and the congregation sings London songs and hymns together. The scent of autumn produce and the warmth of community fill the church, making for a moving and memorable celebration.

Costumes and Decorations

Pearly suits are true works of art. Each suit can be hand-sewn with up to 30,000 pearl buttons, sometimes weighing over 30kg. Designs feature stars, moons, suns, flowers, and Cockney symbols, with each family’s unique pattern passed down through generations. The feel of the buttons, the way they catch the light, and the proud expressions of the wearers are all part of the spectacle.

Cultural and Historical Background

The Pearly Kings and Queens tradition began in the late 19th century, when Henry Croft, an orphan and street sweeper, sewed pearl buttons onto his suit to draw attention for his charity work. Inspired by the pearl-trimmed clothes of the costermongers (market traders), the “pearly” tradition soon spread throughout London. Today, about 60 families continue to uphold this tradition, carrying on both charity work and London’s working-class culture.

Participant Voices

"We stumbled upon the parade as tourists and were blown away by the color and kindness. A Pearly Queen explained the meaning behind the patterns on her suit—each stitch sewn with the spirit of charity."

Fun Facts

Pearly suits can feature over 30,000 buttons and sometimes weigh more than 30kg.
Each family has its own unique button pattern, passed down through generations.