All week
TULIPS: Tulip season is in full swing, with plenty of nature's trumpets popping up across London, including at two major tulip festivals. Here's our pick of places to spot and snap them this Easter.
EASTER HOLIDAYS: Kids off school and in need of entertainment? Take a look at our guide to Easter holiday events in London, covering exhibitions, shows and more for all ages. We know the pennies don't stretch as far as they used to, so we've included some free, family-friendly things to do too.
IMPORTANCE OF BEING OSCAR: Time's running out to catch the first London revival in over 25 years of Micheál Mac Liammóir's play, The Importance of Being Oscar. Alastair Whatley stars as playwright Oscar Wilde, telling the story of how his life of fame, glamour, and romance led him to become an imprisoned outcast. Until 19 April
THREE SISTERS: For the first time ever, the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at the Globe Theatre hosts the work of Anton Chekhov. A new translation of Three Sisters tells the story of three sisters, their brother and his fiancé, in a small town in the middle of nowhere. Until 19 April
LIVES LESS ORDINARY: Two Temple Place hosts Lives Less Ordinary, a free exhibition diving into working-class representation in British art through more than 150 works by working-class artists, spanning painting, photography, film, sculpture and ceramics. It challenges the notion that art is the domain of the middle and upper classes. FREE, until 20 April
JOHN MORLEY: The first solo exhibition of work by painter John Morley in almost 30 years is at the Garden Museum. John Morley: Artist Gardener showcases his paintings and pastels of flowers, fruits and garden plants, many of which have never been publicly displayed. Until 20 April
VERSAILLES: Science Museum hosts the final week of exhibition Versailles: Science and Splendour. Find out how the famous French palace became a major site of scientific thinking in the 17th and 18th centuries, from mapping the moon to pioneer Madame du Coudray, who trained thousands of midwives across rural France. Until 21 April
BRASIL! BRASIL!: The Royal Academy is home to a major exhibition featuring over 130 works by 10 important Brazilian artists from the 20th century. Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism spans the 1910s-1970s, with works from rarely seen Brazilian private collections, as well as Brazilian public collections, most of which have never been exhibited in the UK. Until 21 April
CIRCUS BERLIN: Circus Berlin returns to Richmond for its 2025 European tour, promising an array of impressive acts and circus performances spread across multiple days. From acrobats to clowns, the event is designed for audiences of all ages. Until 21 April
EXPLORING SPACE: The Easter holidays are your last chance to see the entirety of the Exploring Space gallery at Science Museum. From 22 April, the gallery will be partly closed (and completely closed from June) to make way for a new space-themed display opening later this year. Objects on display include the descent module that carried astronauts Tim Peake, Yuri Malenchenko and Tim Kopra back from the International Space Station. FREE, until 22 April
SHOW OF THE WEEK: Sabrage — which fizzes with high-octane spectacle, titillating humour and lashings of champagne fuelled hedonism — has received superb notices from the likes of the Stage and the Guardian. It's on at Menier Chocolate Factory in Southwark for the next three months — why not book yourself in. Until 6 July
PUB OF THE WEEK: From the ashes of the Blue Eyed Maid pub on Borough High Street — which closed in 2019 and was subsequently squatted — springs the Blue Maid, a simple but beautiful looking indie boozer, pouring beers from the likes of Five Points, Burning Sky and Kernel. It promises to be a welcome alternative to an area which has plenty of pubs, but not many serving an exciting array of brews.
Monday 14 April
COMEDY ABOUT SPIES: Mischief, the comedy theatre troupe who created The Play That Goes Wrong, launch a new show, The Comedy About Spies. Opening at the Noël Coward Theatre, it's a spy thriller caper set in 1960s London, about a rogue British agent who steals plans for a secret new weapon. From 14 April
WHO MOVED THE TORTOISE: The Royal Institution hosts a live recording of science podcast Who Moved The Tortoise?, with a whole panel of special guests to celebrate 200 years of the RI's famous Christmas lectures. Hosts Alex Hemingway and Kate Dooley chat to physicist, oceanographer and previous Christmas Lecturer Helen Czerski, Windfall Films' chairman David Dugan, and long time demonstration technician Andy Marmery. 7pm-8.30pm
BRAIN SCIENCE COMEDY: The UCL Brain Sciences department hosts a comedy evening, open to all, at Bloomsbury Theatre. Staff and students from the department, along with stand-up comedian Abigoliah Schamaun, take to the stage to blend laughs with insights from cognitive neuroscience. 7pm
WINEMAKER'S DINNER: Join winemaker Marco Venturini of Le Bertarole for an exclusive dinner at Babur Indian restaurant in Forest Hill. The evening features a carefully curated menu, paired with wines, including champagne and dishes such as pan-seared barramundi, and slow cooked Punjabi pulled lamb. 7pm
SCHRÖDINGER'S LESBIANS: "If two women fall in love but none of the men write about it, did it happen?" Tonight's your last chance to catch Schrödinger's Lesbians, Themis Theatre's irreverent play about love, lesbians, and how to cope with a history that's written you out of it. It's on at the Glitch in Waterloo. 7pm-8pm
RU PAUL'S DRAG RACE: RuPaul’s Drag Race Werq the World tour comes to the London Palladium. Sasha Velour hosts, with Derrick Barry as Britney Spears, Jaida Essence Hall as Beyoncé, Marina Summers as Ariana Grande, Roxxxy Andrews as Mariah Carey and Vanessa Vanjie as Rihanna. 8pm
Tuesday 15 April
BRITISH SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS: There are six days of action at the London Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park, at the British Swimming Championships, which begin today. Tickets are available for the public to watch both heats and finals, with swimming and para-swimming event schedules running concurrently, and the event playing a role in team selection for the world championships. 15-20 April
TENDING: Opening at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, Tending is an award-winning play exploring the daily lives of NHS nurses. Based on over 70 interviews, it captures the blend of humanity and humour in life on the wards, while raising important questions about caring for the caregivers in a strained healthcare system. 15 April-4 May
EASTER PANTO: It's panto season... oh no it's not! In fact, pantomimes also traditionally happened at Easter, and Fairfield Halls in Croydon is embracing this with two family-friendly performances of Pinocchio starring Bobby Davro and Katie Price. 2pm/6pm
ROB RINDER: Criminal barrister and television personality Rob Rinder is at the Imperial War Museum's Holocaust Galleries for a Q&A session about his new documentary, My Family, the Holocaust and Me, and his ongoing commitment to Holocaust education. He's joined by Dr James Bulgin, IWM's Head of Public History. 6.30pm-9pm
BRITAIN'S BEST WALKS: Travel writer Christopher Somerville is at Stanfords in Covent Garden to discuss his new book Britain’s Best Walks, in conversation with broadcaster and presenter Julia Somerville (who also happens to be his sister). It's a comprehensive guide to walks in the UK, from Cornwall to Shetland via Pembrokeshire and Barrowdale — whether you're after a light stroll to the pub of a lengthy ramble. 7pm-8.30pm
Wednesday 16 April
EVERYTHING ELECTRIC LONDON: Here’s an enticing event for anyone seeking a more sustainable lifestyle. Everything Electric London is a home energy and e-vehicle expo packed with product demos, expert talks, and chances to take the latest e-cars, e-bikes, e-scooters and even e-skateboards for a spin. It’s family-friendly, with kids' crafts, an Easter egg hunt and free entry for under 16s. Plus, our readers get 20% off tickets with the code LONDONIST20. 16-18 April (sponsor)
BEYOND THE PRIZE: The Federation of British Artists opens exhibition Beyond The Prize: Celebrating Contemporary Figurative Art at Mall Galleries. Curated by Londonist's art critic, Tabish Khan, it showcases figurative art by artists who have recently won awards, the impact of prizes on their work, and their work on the world. 16-26 April
SWAN LAKE: English National Ballet and English National Ballet School offer performances of My First Ballet: Swan Lake, at the Peacock Theatre. It's a reimagined version of the famous ballet created especially for children (age 3+), shortened to an hour in length, with a narrator to help you follow the story. 16-27 April
TRUE CRIME CULTURE: Why are we so drawn to true crime stories? Various statistics show that women make up the majority of audiences for true crime podcasts and books, and tonight at Conway Hall, authors Kate Summerscale and Hallie Rubenhold discuss the hold that narratives of crime and murder have over us, and whether it's an ethical form of entertainment. 6.30pm-8pm
ROMANCE BOOKS LAUNCH: Join New York Times bestselling authors Ali Hazelwood and Alex Aster as they discuss their new releases and the art of romance writing, at Islington's Union Chapel. A chance to hear from both authors on crafting chemistry in storytelling, followed by a post-show signing. 6.30pm
FOR THE LOVE OF RUGBY: Join Ben Youngs and Dan Cole for a live recording of podcast For The Love Of Rugby, at the Clapham Grand. The English rugby legends discuss their experiences and insights from their extensive careers, including playing together at Leicester Tigers and touring with the British and Irish Lions. Hear behind-the-scenes stories from Twickenham and what goes on in an England camp. 6.30pm-10pm
COLLYWOBBLERS COMEDY: Josie Long and Helen Bauer headline a double bill of work-in-progress shows at this week's Collywobblers Comedy, taking place in the cosy basement at The Albany in Fitzrovia. 7pm-10.30pm
MYSTERY MOVIE: Every Wednesday, the film-savvy staff at the Prince Charles Cinema take turns to pick the content for a mystery movie night. Tonight it's the go of Nathalie, and though you won't know what's being shown until you turn up, it's guaranteed that it won't be one of these, as they've already been shown at mystery movie sessions. 8.30pm
Thursday 17 April
ROOF EAST REOPENS: Stratford's summer party venue Roof East reopens today, on top of a multi-storey car park. Entertainment options this year include crazy golf, batting cages, glitter bowls, ping pong, and open-air film screenings from Rooftop Film Club. Fried chicken from Chick 'n' Sours and Turkish dishes from Piddaji are among the food options, with a well stocked bar on site too. From 17 April
BETWEEN THE BRIDGES: An excellent day for fans of al fresco drinking and socialising: in addition to Roof East (above), South Bank's Between the Bridges also kicks off its summer season today with an opening party. In a space alongside the London Eye, you'll find various food and drink traders, and a programme of events including themed club nights and events running throughout the summer. From 17 April
SONY WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS: One of our favourite annual photography shows, the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition returns to Somerset House, showcasing images taken all over the world in the past year, spanning portraiture, documentary photography, architecture, sports and more. Previously unseen works by the 2024 Photographer of the Year Juliette Pavy are also on show. 17 April-5 May
MY MASTER BUILDER: Ewan McGregor, Kate Fleetwood and Elizabeth Debicki star in new play My Master Builder, set in the Hamptons on the eve of American Independence Day. It's the story of a wealthy couple whose marriage is shattered by the unexpected arrival of Mathilde, a former student of the architect husband. See it at Wyndham's Theatre. 17 April-12 July
1880 THAT: Wellcome Collection's latest exhibition, 1880 THAT: Christine Sun Kim and Thomas Mader, explores sign language and the right to communicate. It brings together new and recent work by the artists Christine Sun Kim and Thomas Mader which focus on the fallout of the Second International Congress on Education of the Deaf, held in Milan in 1880, and resulting in the sidelining and suppression of the teaching of sign language. FREE, 17 April-16 November
PRUE LEITH: Cookery writer and GBBO judge Prue Leith takes part in the British Library's Food Season, reflecting on a life in food, and the changes she has witnessed, with food writer and restaurant critic Jimi Famurewa. Hear about Leith's experiences from starting a private catering company in the 1960s, to opening a cookery school, to advising the government on hospital food. 7pm
POETRY SLAM FINAL: Still a few tickets remaining for the annual Poetry Slam Final at Camden Roundhouse, which this year is part of the new Roundhouse Three Sixty festival. BBC Radio 1's Vick Hope and award-winning poet Toby Campion host the evening, with poets Aditya Narayan, Eli Amit, Shermya Modupe, Sky Frances, Thomas Egbujie, Chloe Giles, Nathalia Khawand, Isobel (Biz) Bond, Astrid Solace and Flo Cornall the 10 spoken word artists competing for the coveted title and a cash prize. 7.30pm
NEIL YOUNG: Barbican Cinema screens Neil Young: Coastal, a behind-the-scenes documentary of Neil Young's 2023 solo tour, directed by his wife, actress and filmmaker Daryl Hannah. Watch songs which are rarely played live, along with other clips from the stage, and more private moments on the tour bus. 8pm
Good Friday 18 April
EASTER WEEKEND EVENTS: Today is Good Friday, the first day of Easter weekend. Get into the seasonal mood with Easter egg and bunny hunts, a spring fair, and other Easter events in London this year.
BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND: Today is a bank holiday, as is Monday, making this a four-day weekend for anyone lucky enough to have the time off work. If that's you, browse our recommendations for things to do in London on a bank holiday, from guided walks to little-known parks to sporting pursuits.
PASSION OF JESUS: Every Good Friday, Trafalgar Square is packed out with thousands of people gathering to watch The Passion of Jesus, a free retelling of the Easter story, with 100 actors taking part. Everyone's welcome, but it involves — spoiler — a crucifixion scene, so may not be suitable for younger kiddies. There are two performances, and it gets very busy. FREE, 12pm/3.15pm
MESSIAH ON GOOD FRIDAY: For the 149th time, the Royal Choral Society performs Handel's Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall on Good Friday — a tradition that's only ever been interrupted by the Blitz and Covid. 150 singers are conducted by the choir's Music Director Richard Cooke, and accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and a quartet of soloists. 2.30pm
ACADEMY OF ANCIENT MUSIC: As always on Good Friday, Barbican hosts a performance of Bach's St John Passion, performed by the Academy of Ancient Music. 3pm
BAD FRIDAY: Windmill Brixton hosts Bad Friday, a BBQ all-dayer featuring eight live bands, including Belfast garage punk trio Jock, feminist garage-rockers The Baby Seals, and the gothic darkwave pop of Border Widow (featuring ex-members of Big Joanie). Barbecue food is included in your ticket, with vegan options available. 3.30pm
ALWAYS BE COMEDY: Seann Walsh, Michelle de Swarte and Glenn Moore are at the Tommyfield in Kennington for another instalment of Always Be Comedy, one of the finest stand up nights in London. 8pm-10pm
Saturday 19 April
CRUX FESTIVAL: Audiovisual music event Crux Festival takes over Rich Mix in Shoreditch for its second edition. The programme features an array of electronic music and audiovisual performances each evening, both headline acts and emerging performers. During the day there are talks from artists and industry figures, workshops and shorter open-mic sets, networking opportunities and a Sunday jam session. 19-20 April
DAWN CHORUS WALK: Make a very early start on Easter Saturday, and get to the London Wetland Centre in Barnes for 5am to join a guided dawn chorus walk. Hear the birds sing as the sun rises over the reed beds, lakes and ponds, and learn to identify the different species by the sounds they make. Bring your own binoculars and wrap up warm. 5am
ANIMATED FILMS: This week's Family Film Club at Barbican Cinema is a special edition, with the London International Animation Festival presenting a programme of Amazing Animated Shorts for two-seven year-olds. Watch 16 short films from all over the world, including about an ambitious dung beetle can’t stop rolling poo, and a restless little rhino who won't go to bed. 11am
VAISAKHI FESTIVAL: Vaisakhi — the Sikh and Punjabi cultural festival — falls on 14 April this year, but London's main celebration returns to Trafalgar Square a few days later, namely 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
BRIXTON ACTIVISM WALK: Join Laura Agustin for a tour of Brixton, focussing on the various minority communities who have made it home and a centre of activism. Like Brixton itself, the walk is hard to summarise in one sentence, so check out Laura's full description, which includes "Windrush, squats, uprising and gay lib". 1pm-3.30pm
DINOSAUR ADVENTURE LIVE: The Big Jurassic Storm is the new production by Dinosaur Adventure Live, bringing giant dinosaur puppets and models on stage at Fairfield Halls. Join a mission to find a hidden code, reboot a satellite and save the dinosaurs from a huge storm. 2pm/4.30pm
JHAM!: Head to Southbank Centre for Jham!, a family-friendly free Indian dance performance and workshop for all ages. A beatboxer, a saxophonist and a traditional Karnatik vocalist perform alongside four Kathak and Bharatanatyam dancers, followed by a dance and beatbox workshop. FREE, 2pm/5pm
GET OFF: Copper Cats in Dalston hosts Get Off — an upbeat club night spinning breaks, Brazilian, funk, house, hip hop, disco — basically anything that'll lower your inhibitions and get you cutting shapes on the dance floor. FREE, 6pm-12am
IMPROV COMEDY: 3: An Improvised Comedy Show comes to Soho Theatre, with three comedians making up a theatrical comedy experience right in front of you, taking three audience suggestions, and using three pieces of set and a live musician. Ambika Mod (of One Day on Netflix) stars. 9.30pm
Easter Sunday 20 April
EASTER SUNDAY: Be aware that special trading laws apply on Easter Sunday, meaning that shops which usually open on a Sunday may stay closed today. Also worth checking museums, restaurants and other attractions before you leave home, to make sure they're open as usual.
BRUNCH: Crispy duck salad, a steamed dim sum trio, and stir-fried black pepper rib eye beef finished with a splash of Merlot are on Hakkasan Mayfair's new Signature Brunch menu, now available every Sunday. Vesper martinis and Shanghai Cosmos are available to go with. 12pm-6.30pm
BRIDGET JONES: If you missed the latest Bridget Jones film when it was in cinemas, there's another chance to catch it today at Firmdale Film Club. The Charlotte Street Hotel screens Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, with the option to add on a three-course meal or champagne to your ticket (popcorn's already included). 5pm
LOS DAWSONS JUKEBOX: Request a song, and the band Los Dawsons can (hopefully) play it. Just rock up to the Pelton Arms in Greenwich, get yourself a pint, and have some song suggestions handy. Beats asking Alexa to play your jam. FREE, 5pm
PADDINGTON TRIO: Chamber ensemble the Paddington Trio take their turn in the spotlight at Conway Hall's Sunday Concerts series. Finnish violinist Tuulia Hero, Irish cellist Patrick Moriarty and American pianist Stephanie Tang perform works by Haydn, Schumann and Ravel. 6.30pm-8.30pm
SPECIAL KINDA MADNESS: Not one but two Madness tribute bands perform at the Half Moon in Putney. The Specials and the Madness 'Nutty Boys' team up for Special Kinda Madness, a night of 2-Tone and ska tunes by Madness. 7pm
IMPROV COMEDY: It may be Easter Sunday, but the Comedy Store Players' regular improv comedy night is still going ahead at the Leicester Square venue. Neil Mullarkey, Josie Lawrence, Ruth Bratt, Lee Simpson, Richard Vranch and Kirsty Newton are among the members of the comedy troupe who take suggestions for characters, locations and themes from the audience, and make a show up on the spot. 7.30pm
