This is a sponsored article on behalf of City of London Corporation.
This Easter holiday period, City of London is getting musical, arty, crafty and foody with cultural events galore. From history to craft, theatre to family trails, there is plenty going on for young and old alike. See the full list here or browse what's getting us excited, by category, below.
Literary
Museum of London - Shakespeare’s London tour
4 April, 10.30am-12.30pm, £13.12
See the sights of Shakespeare’s London with a knowledgeable Museum of London guide. Walk the banks of the Thames, London’s original Theatreland, before traversing the river to explore the City streets that inspired the Bard’s plays.
Find more information and book here
Art
Barbican Art Gallery - Exhibition Tour with Luke Naessens
3 April, 7pm, £12
Throughout history, artists have collected objects for personal and professional reasons — as studio props, sources of inspiration, references for their work, personal mementos, and even investment. Luke Naessens will take you through Barbican’s latest exhibition Magnificent Obsessions, providing detailed insights into the artists and their personal collections.
Find more information and book here
Tower Bridge Exhibition - Art at the Bridge #6
Daily, 10am-5.30pm, £9/£6.30 (children £3.90 and under 5s free)
Enjoy the local London art on display in Tower Bridge’s atmospheric Engine Rooms. Art at the Bridge #6 explores ‘Tides of Change: charting life’s ebbs and flows’ through the work of eight artists over 55 years from Southwark Arts Forum, and is the sixth exhibition to be held in collaboration with the leading arts charity.
Find more information and book here
History
Museum of London - Blitz in the City tour
5 April, 3-4.30pm, £10.50
The City of London was devastated during the Blitz of 1940-41. Join Museum of London for a guided walk to find out how the modern City arose from the flames.
Music
Barbican Contemporary - Benjamin Clementine performance
1 April, 7.30pm, £15-£25
Benjamin Clementine began performing as a busker while sleeping rough in Paris in 2012. A year later, while still unsigned, his performance on Later… With Jools Holland became one of the most talked-about appearances by a new artist in recent years. Now he returns to his native London to perform (see video below).
Find more information and book here
Theatre
Barbican - English National Opera’s Between Worlds
11-25 April, 3pm and 7.30pm, £16-£50
In this world premiere, composer Tansy Davies collaborates with librettist Nick Drake and director Deborah Warner to create a sensitive, spiritual and ultimately uplifting journey inspired by the events of 9/11.
Find more information and book here
Craft
Museum of London - Victorians at Easter
28 March - 12 April, FREE
Join Museum of London for free Victorian craft making, object handling and stories throughout the holiday period. Make Easter bonnets, create a Victorian home, dress up and enter a black and white photograph, get carried away with nonsense rhymes, or get real with Dickens.
Shopping
One New Change
Open daily
If it’s retail therapy you’re after, One New Change’s 40 high street stores are stocked with new spring/summer wear to update your wardrobe.
Gifts, gourmet food and arts & crafts can be found at the weekend markets (11am-3pm), where 20 independent market traders set up stall to showcase a range of one-off pieces and tasty treats, while Bread Street Kitchen, Barbecoa, Wahaca and Searcy’s Champagne Bar are also on hand to keep you refuelled.
And don’t forget to head up to the sixth floor roof terrace to admire the stunning views of the City. There are bars if you’d like to relax with a drink, or just take a walk around and soak up the atmosphere instead.
Architecture
Tower Bridge - Glass walkway
Open daily from 31 March, 10am-5.30pm, £9/£6.30 (children £3.90 and under 5s free)
A new glass floor has been installed in the high-level walkways in Tower Bridge. Yes, if you’re brave enough to cross, you can look down to see the passing Thames, road and pedestrian life, all moving 42 metres below. This is an addition to the current exhibition, which tells the history of the bridge through animations and displays in the towers and Engine Rooms.
Find more information and book here
Family trail
Bank of England Museum - Easter Egg trail
30 March - 2 April and 7-10 April, 10am-4.30pm, FREE
The Bank of England Museum has put together a treat for the whole family this Easter, complete with adventures and chocolatey goodness. Follow the Easter trail to find the chicks and eggs hidden throughout the museum, and decorate your own Easter animal finger puppet. Best of all, every child gets a chocolate egg to finish off the day.
Shaun in the City sculpture trail
28 March - 25 May, FREE
Keep your eyes peeled for colourful sheep which will be popping up at iconic landmarks and locations across London and the City. A flock of 50 sculptures of Shaun the Sheep have been designed by artists and celebrities, and families can follow the free art trail. The sculptures will be auctioned for Wallace & Gromit’s Children’s Charity, to help children in hospitals throughout the UK.
Traditional
St Paul’s Cathedral - Lent and Easter services
Until 21 April, FREE
For many, Easter is a time to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. During this period St Paul’s Cathedral holds many services for prayer and thanksgiving and you are welcome to join them in the magnificent surrounds of Wren's masterpiece.