All weekend
EASTER HOLIDAYS: Most London schools are closed for the Easter holidays this week. If you've got little ones to entertain, peruse our guide to Easter holiday events in London, for ways to keep them busy, whatever their age and whatever your budget.
BRITISH SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS: The British Swimming Championships continue at the London Aquatics Centre this weekend, with the best swimmers in the country going head to head. Tickets are available for the public to watch both heats and finals events, with Olympic and Paralympic swimming event schedules running concurrently, and the championship event playing a role in team selection for the Paris Olympics this summer. 2-7 April
WOMEN IN REVOLT: A major survey of work by over 100 women artists working in the UK from 1970 to 1990, Women in Revolt! explores and reflects on issues and events such as the British Women's Liberation movement, and the visibility of Black and South Asian Women artists, through painting, drawing, sculpture, film and performance. This is the final weekend to see it at Tate Britain. Until 7 April
DIVA: The V&A's deep-dive into the power and creativity of iconic performers from the 19th century onwards is in its final weekend. The exhibition looks at the origins of the term 'diva' and how it has been subverted and embraced through film, TV, music and fashion. Until 10 April
DOGS DON'T DO BALLET: Aimed at ages 2-6, Dogs Don't Do Ballet is a lively theatre show featuring music and puppetry, about Biff the dog who thinks he's a ballerina. Running time is only 40 minutes, so ideal for younger viewers. See it at Artsdepot in Finchley. 2-7 April
WORLD UNSEEN: In partnership with the RNIB and camera brand Canon, Somerset House opens new photography exhibition World Unseen. It ensures that everyone, including people with sight loss, can experience the images in the same way, using a combination of new printing technology, soundscaped audio of photographers describing their images, braille, and tactile printing. FREE, 5-7 April
ICE HOCKEY WEEKENDER: See out the ice hockey season in style, with the NIHL Playoffs taking place at Alexandra Palace all weekend. South Divisions 1 and 2 of the National Ice Hockey League play in six matches across the weekend, with one ticket giving you access to watch them all. 6-7 April
NOW PLAY THIS: Tying in with the ongoing London Games Festival (9-25 April), Somerset House hosts Now Play This 2024, a festival of experimental games featuring interactive exhibitions, live shows, and plenty of chances to test drive some of those games, beginning on Saturday. 6-14 April
Saturday 6 April
RELAXED ROMANS: The British Museum opens its doors early, for a relaxed look at its Roman Britain galleries. The event is designed for anyone — adults and children — who are autistic, learning disabled, or have mental health conditions. As the museum won't be open to the public, it'll be quieter and less crowded than normal, and there are sensory activities in some of the galleries. FREE, 8am-10am
VELVETEEN RABBIT: Beloved children's book The Velveteen Rabbit comes to life in ballet form on stage, as part of dance company BalletLORENT's 30th anniversary celebrations at Sadler's Wells. Storytelling, music and dance all features as a nursery of toys comes to life. 11am/2pm
RUBBISH SHAKESPEARE: Intended as an introduction to Shakespeare — or theatre as a whole — the Rubbish Shakespeare Company brings its take on Romeo and Juliet to the Leicester Square Theatre. Three actors attempt to stage the famous tragedy using limited props and costumes, with comedic results. Suitable for all ages. 11.30am/2pm
VAISAKHI FESTIVAL: Vaisakhi — the colourful Sikh and Punjabi cultural festival — takes place on 13 April this year, but London's main celebration returns to Trafalgar Square today. The free festival features live entertainment and performances, martial arts demonstrations, a showcase of Sikh art, plus food and drink stalls. FREE, 12pm-6pm
SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS: The Cinema Museum in Kennington marks the 50th anniversary of the Swallows and Amazons film, with a special screening hosted by writer and broadcaster Brian Sibley. Cast members including Simon West, Sophie Neville, Stephen Grendon and Suzanna Hamilton are present — and there's a Q&A after the film. 2pm
SEWING MACHINE MUSEUM: The monthly opening of London's Sewing Machine Museum — located in Balham — takes place today, offering you a chance to see inside one man's collection of the machines. Many of them are historic, including one which belonged to Queen Victoria's daughter. Here's some more background on the little-known museum. 2pm-5pm
MINISTRY OF SOUND: Though better known for its lively club nights, Ministry of Sound tackles classical music in two special concerts this evening. Head to the Royal Albert Hall for orchestral renditions of the greatest dance compilations of all time, including tunes by the likes of The Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim. 6pm/9.45pm
BLACKSTAGE PRESENTS: COMMUNITY: Pole dancers of colour are in the spotlight at Blackstage Presents: Community, an international pole dancing competition at Clapham Grand. Blackstage is a Black Queer sex worker-led company centring BPOC pole dancers. 6.30pm-10pm
BRUCE JUICE: Brilliantly-named Bruce Springsteen tribute act Bruce Juice rocks out the Half Moon in Putney. Spend three hours singing and dancing to tunes by The Boss, from the well-known, to rare, live arrangements from the 1970s. 7.15pm
Sunday 7 April
MINIATURE RAILWAY: Brockwell Park's miniature railway is up and running for the season — you can ride it every Sunday, so long as the weather's not utterly miserable, in which case it won't open. Why not fold in a ride with a visit to the newly refurbished Florence. 11am-4pm
MAKER'S MARKET: Big Penny Social in Walthamstow brings together local traders for the Maker's Market. Focus is on high-quality products spanning illustration, vintage bric-a-brac, plants, jewellery, food, ceramics, candles and more. 11am-5pm
CEILIDH DANCING: Folk Dance Remixed host a family-friendly Ceilidh Jam on the Riverside Terrace at Southbank Centre. Take part in maypole and ceilidh dancing and street dance. No experience necessary, you can learn the moves on the day. FREE, 12pm
HAT WALK: Show up at St James's Church, Piccadilly at 1pm today, and you'll be greeted by a multitude of people all wearing hats. This is London Hat Walk — part of an international clutch of such walks taking place across Europe. It's unclear at time of writing where the walk will head, but it ends up back at the church at 2.30pm. FREE, 1pm
BANNED BLACK FILMS: Black History Walks teams up with film club The African Odysseys for an afternoon of Black films which have been banned. Find out about at least 20 films, including what they were about, why they were banned and the current methods of suppressing Black films that challenge Hollywood stereotypes. Takes places at the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton. 1.30pm-4.30pm
FREE JAZZ: Round off the weekend at Kentish Town's MAP Studio Cafe with a cup of coffee/glass of wine, and the sweet sounds of the Equinox Jazz Quartet, laying on some suitably smooth grooves. FREE, 2pm
SKETCH-OFF FINAL: Watch sketch artists and comedy character acts go head to head in the Sketch Off 2024 final at Leicester Square Theatre. The winner receives a cash prize and their own comedy showcase. Age 14+. 7pm
