All weekend
COVID 19 & BEYOND: Photojournalism Hub presents a photography exhibition showcasing documentary work created during and after the pandemic. The exhibition, at Sands End Arts & Community Centre in Fulham, includes images and testimonies from a range of photographers and focuses on how Covid-19 exposed and intensified social inequalities. FREE, 12-15 March 2026
STUBBS: The works of visionary British painter George Stubbs — best known for his portrait of racehorse Scrub — are collected together in a free display at the National Gallery. It shines a spotlight on the 18 months Stubbs spent studying and drawing the anatomy of horses in the 1750s. FREE, 12 March-31 May 2026
DAVID HOCKNEY: A free exhibition of David Hockney artworks opens at the Serpentine North Gallery in Hyde Park. It focuses on his most recent works, the majority of which are created on an iPad, and includes Moon Room, which reflects Hockney's lifelong interest in the cycle of light and time passing; his Sunrise body of work; and A Year in Normandie, a 90-metre-long frieze inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, showing the change of seasons at the artist's former studio. FREE, 12 March-23 August 2026
COUNTRY TO COUNTRY: Three days of country music line dance their way into The O2 as Country To Country festival returns. Rising Nashville stars take to the stage(s) between sets from headline acts including Keith Urban, Zach Top and Brooks & Dunn. 13-15 March 2026
OFF MENU LIVE: Popular foodie podcast Off Menu dishes up a platter of live shows in the Royal Albert Hall. Ed Gamble and James Acaster host, with a different guest at each show being served a surprise set of dream dishes. 13-16 March 2026
PALACE GARDENS: One of the semi-regular Open Garden Weekends at Hampton Court Palace is a chance to visit parts of the gardens and grounds without paying the usual admission fees. Should be looking pleasantly spring-like by now too. FREE, 14-15 March 2026
BAROQUE AND ROLL: Twice a month Handel Hendrix House showcases baroque music in Handel's dining room and blues/rock in Jimi Hendrix's bedroom. Expect harpsichord and period-instrument performances of Handel and his contemporaries, followed by guitar-led 1960s blues and rock sessions in the rock star's former flat. 14-15 March 2026
NOWRUZ BAZAAR: Lauderdale House in Highgate celebrates Persian New Year with a Nowruz Festival. This weekend, that takes the shape of a Nowruz Bazaar, with stalls celebrating Persian craft and culture throughout the ground floor of the house. Upstairs, a series of free talks takes place. FREE, 14-15 March 2026
A MIRRORED MONET: Inspired by letters and diaries from French painter Claude Monet and his peers, new theatre show A Mirrored Monet immerses audiences in the cafés, studios and salons of Belle Époque Paris, through music and projections, and tells the story of Monet's struggle to finish his masterpiece, The Water Lillies. See it at Charing Cross Theatre. 14 March-9 May 2026
SOUNDS OF BLOSSOM: Kew Gardens goes all out for blossom season again, with a musical soundtrack playing in the gardens' blossom hotspots. The new pieces of music were composed and recorded by students from the Royal College of Music, and are included in your entry ticket. 14 March-6 April 2026
JANE AUSTEN: The British Library marked Jane Austen's 250th birthday with a small, single-case display of unique manuscripts and rare editions, from her earliest writing to her final completed novel, Persuasion. This weekend is your last chance to see it. FREE, until 15 March 2026
Saturday 14 March
MODEL RAILWAY SHOW: Chug down to south London for the Beckenham and West Wickham Vintage Model Railway Show. Various layouts are on display, and specialist traders will be present, helping you plan your own layout at home. 10am-4.30pm
VINTAGE BUS RIDES: The lovely team from the London Bus Museum are offering free heritage bus rides through central London today. Buses dating from the 1930s-1980s will ply the 38 bus route between Victoria and Hackney, with anyone welcome to board for free (note: if you board the modern TfL version of the route instead, normal charges will still apply). FREE, 10am-5pm
KENSINGTON TO NOTTING HILL: Meet guide Pete Smith at Kensington High Street for a two-hour guided walk organised by Guildhall Library. The route moves from the shopping thoroughfare and royal residences of Kensington towards the more raffish edges of Portobello Road, with commentary on local history, architecture and community. 11am-1pm
WOMEN'S RIVER RACE: Ahead of the famous Boat Races in April, there's the Head of the River Race at the end of March. And before that, there's the Women's Eights Head of the River Race, taking place today. It's the largest women's rowing race in the world, with around 2,880 women racing and up to 320 crews taking part. Find a spot along the river between Mortlake and Putney to watch them passing and cheer them on. FREE to watch, 12.15pm
EATING, DRINKING, THINKING: Kings Place kicks off its new event series Eating, Drinking, Thinking, with author and broadcaster Yasmin Khan. She leads a masterclass on food storytelling, showing you how to turn ingredients, memories and recipes into books, journalism, podcasts and videos. 2pm
SIX NATIONS: Today's the final day of major rugby tournament the Six Nations, with matches at 2.10pm (Ireland and Scotland), 4.40pm (Wales and Italy) and 8.10pm (France and England). Whoever you're supporting, don't miss a minute of the action at these London pubs and venues. Spoiler alert: they'll be packed today, so book ahead, or arrive early to avoid a scrum.
MEDIEVAL BANQUET: Join historians, chefs, minstrels and a sharp-tongued jester for an immersive, multi-sensory supper club, in which you'll "feast upon the wonders of Britain's lost cuisine" in the heart of Smithfield. Hosts Dr Matthew Green and chef-to-the-stars and Times journalist Jack Burke will present such dishes as thyme-stuffed dormice and boar's head pies. 7pm
GRAFFITI BODIES XV: Dam Van Huynh, in collaboration with Elaine Mitchener, presents a multidisciplinary performance that combines dance, sound art, poetry, sculpture and projected imagery inspired by Jean‑Michel Basquiat. The piece explores marginalisation and collective power through a 'performative graffiti' that transforms the space into a living canvas. It's part of the Black Athena Festival, at Rich Mix. 7.30pm
PIANO IN THE ELMS: Julian Joseph performs the newly-composed Nine Elms Suite for piano and string orchestra at World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens, with the string orchestra led by Chi-chi Nwanoku. The work draws on the social and emotive history of the Nine Elms area, and is part of the Piano in the Elms Festival. 7.30pm
PETER'S FIELD: Peter's Field is an extended musical chronicle by Sean Cooney that tells the story of the Peterloo Massacre of 1819. The performance features Cooney with Rowan Rheingans (violin, voice) and Sam Carter (guitar, voice), and combines 19 original songs with spoken material sourced from eyewitness accounts. See it at Conway Hall. 8pm-10pm
Sunday 15 March
MOTHER'S DAY: A reminder that today is Mother's Day. Pick her up a card and maybe a bunch of flowers or a box of chocolates, eh?
PALACE HALF: If ever a half marathon route was fit for a king/queen, it's the Palace Half. It begins at the gates of Hampton Court Palace, passing through the local area — including crossing the Thames twice — before finishing in the palace gardens. If you're in the vicinity, get down there and cheer the runners on, as many are doing it for charity. From 9am
WAR IN FILM: The Imperial War Museum hosts a one-day symposium exploring how war has been represented on film from the First World War to today. Guest speakers include include historian and author Joshua Levine, who served as a historical advisor for Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk and Steve McQueen's Blitz' and Andy Robertshaw, a First World War historian who advised on Steven Spielberg's War Horse. 9.45am-4pm
FAMILY PUB QUIZ: Bring Your Baby Pub Quiz stages a family-friendly Mother's Day special at Big Penny Social, hosted by organiser and professional TV quiz writer Anthony. Settle in for a picture round followed by five quiz rounds for all the family. 11am-1.30pm
SPRING DAY OUT: Take a Mother's Day outing to Chelsea Physic Garden, and spend the day surrounded by flowering plants in a beautiful walled garden close to the Thames. Wander through four acres of green space, including historic glasshouses, then swing by The Physic Garden Café to refuel with drinks, snacks, or dishes crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Don't miss the garden shop, stocked with unique items for gardeners as well as gifts, from food and drink to homewares, art prints, books and jewellery. Admission from £5. Open 11am-5pm, Sunday-Friday (sponsor)
ST PATRICK'S DAY FESTIVAL: Shamrock novelty glasses at the ready as the St Patrick's Day Parade and Festival sweeps into town. Central London becomes a sea of green as it celebrates all things Irish — beginning with a parade from Hyde Park Corner, ending at Trafalgar Square with live entertainment throughout the afternoon. Have a look at other ways to celebrate St Patrick's Day in London too. FREE, 12pm-6pm
LITERARY WOMEN: Join a two-hour walking tour led by Daniella King (Footprints of London) that looks at the lives and work of women connected to the City of London, from Agatha Christie, J.K. Rowling and Mary Wollstonecraft to lesser-known figures such as Maria Hackett, Perdita, 'Mad Madge' Cavendish and Mary Seacole. The walk starts at City Thameslink and finishes near Liverpool Street Station. 1pm-3pm
ROLLER DISCO: Don your skates for a nostalgic and family-friendly roller disco overlooking the Thames at Fulham Pier. The Mother's Day special offers lively music and disco lights, and is suitable both for beginners and more experienced skaters. 1pm-5.15pm
FAMILY RAVE: Big Fish Little Fish brings a Mother's Day family rave to Multi Story at Peckham Levels, with DJ Prime Cuts headlining. Expect a multi-sensory dance floor with bubbles, giant balloons and a parachute finale — plus Wheadon's Wacky Craft tables and face painting. The event is aimed at families with 0-8 year-olds though all ages are welcome. 2pm-4pm
TALL TALES: Camden Comedy Club hosts another instalment of Tall Tales & Cocktails, in which four comedians spin rib-tickling stories. Keep an eye on the Tall Tales Instagram account for the lineup. There's also a £6 pint and a slice of pizza deal. 7.30pm
JEZ LOWE: County Durham folk singer-songwriter Jez Lowe performs songs from his part of the UK, which speak of social, political and historical events — some wry, some likely to bring a tear to your eye. He's on at Walthamstow Folk Club. 7.30pm
