All weekend
EARTH DAY WEEKENDER: Somerset House hosts the Earth Day Weekender 2026, a three-day programme exploring environmental questions through art, workshops and collective action. Highlights include a major courtyard installation by Dana-Fiona Armour, screen printing sessions and a sensory geophagy workshop with temporary exhibition, the Museum of Edible Earth. 16-18 April 2026
SALON PRIVE: Supercars of all shapes and sizes roar into the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea for Salon Privé London. Wander among the world's finest cars (brands including Aston Martin, Porsche and Maserati are normally represented), though as you might expect, tickets for this one aren't cheap! 16-18 April 2026
ANOTHER SKY FESTIVAL: Another Sky Festival returns for its third edition, celebrating experimental music from the SWANA (South-West Africa and North Asia) region and diaspora. Expect composed and improvised music performances, film screenings, a book club and an independent label market across the weekend. Most events take place at Cafe OTO in Dalston. 17-19 April 2026
CLASSIC CAR BOOT SALE: Pre-1990 vehicles including cars, campervans, hot rods, scooters, caravans, motorbikes and custom bicycles park up in King's Cross for the Classic Car Boot Sale — a weekend of shopping, eating and dancing. Browse and buy vintage clothing and homewares as you snap photos of the rare vehicles. 18-19 April 2026
HISTFEST: Two days of talks and conversations at the British Library and online form HistFest 2026, covering topics from Ancient Athens and reinterpretations of Cleopatra, to histories of motherhood and 20th century queer life. Speakers include Professor Michael Scott, Saara El-Arifi, Dr Wanda Wyporska, Lucy Inglis and Michael Palin. 18-19 April 2026
BEYOND BURMA: Marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, National Army Museum exhibition Beyond Burma is in its final week, bringing together rarely seen weapons, medals, uniforms and personal accounts from British, Indian, Burmese and African troops who served in the Far East. FREE, until 19 April 2026
ARCA EXHIBITION: It's your last chance this week to catch the ICA's solo exhibition of multidisciplinary artist Arca. Working with paint and mixed media, recurring motifs in the Venezuelan artist's work explore bodily forms through layering and revision. Until 19 April 2026
Saturday 18 April
STRANGE CENTRAL: The London Fortean Society returns to Conway Hall in Holborn for Strange Central: Mysteries, Monsters, Ghosts and UFOs, a full day of deep-dives into the paranormal. Expert speakers explore everything from the folklore of the Calvine UFO photograph to "occult numismatics"— the strange history of haunted money and coins used to ward off witches. 10am-5pm
PADDINGTON’S PICNIC: The Foundling Museum in Bloomsbury hosts Family Workshop: Paddington’s Picnic, an explorative sculpture session for children. Led by artist Jess Heritage, the drop-in event invites families to craft a gigantic cardboard feast featuring jam sandwiches and tea sets. The workshop is suitable for ages four+ and is included in museum entry. 10am-2pm
FOR THE LOVE OF BOOKS: Enfield's Dugdale Arts Centre hosts For the Love of Books, a festival dedicated to the written word. The independent venue brings together the local community for a day-long celebration of literature and storytelling. Join for workshops, a bookswap, and talks from writers including poet Gayathiri Kamalakanthan. 10am-2.30pm
VICTORIAN HIGH LIFE AND LOW LIFE: The Florence Nightingale Museum hosts a new Victorian High Life and Low Life walking tour starting from Pall Mall. Led by professional guides, the two-hour stroll explores the stark contrast between immense wealth and abject poverty, touching on adult themes of disease, prostitution and criminality in the 19th century city. 11am
TWEED RUN: Style meets cycling as the Tweed Run meanders through London's streets and parks on Saturday, with cyclists competing in categories including best-dressed individuals, finest moustaches and most elegantly adorned bicycles. Stops for tea, a picnic and a celebratory cocktail are built into the schedule. You'll need a ticket to take part, or you can turn up and watch for free — exact location and route details are announced on the day. Times TBC
WILDLIFE WANDER: Ornithological investigator J D Swann leads a seasonal nature walk through Thamesmead, starting from the Lakeside Centre. Thamesmead Wildlife Wanders explores marshes and woodland to spot returning migrating birds like blackcaps and sand martins. The three-mile route includes the Ridgeway and the Thames Path, with stamped notebooks provided for those wanting to document their observations. FREE, 11am-1.30pm
BOARD GAME CAFE: Kingston's Rose Theatre hosts a free day of tabletop gaming in the Rose Cafe, featuring a massive collection of over 150 board and card games. Run by Shakes and Ladders, the Board Game Cafe is open to all ages and skill levels, from families looking for a Saturday activity to students wanting to try out new party games. The cafe's open throughout the day, serving paninis, flatbreads and cakes. FREE, 11am-4pm
MEDICAL MENAGERIE: The Wellcome Collection hosts Medical Menagerie, a drop-in session exploring the historical relationship between humans and animals, through archival materials. Inspired by medieval bestiaries, the event covers everything from the symbolism of unicorns to the role of fruit flies in scientific discovery, and offers visitors the chance to craft their own zine. FREE, 11.30am-3.30pm
VAISAKHI ON THE SQUARE: Trafalgar Square hosts Vaisakhi on the Square 2026, a large-scale celebration of Sikh culture and the founding of the Khalsa. The family-friendly afternoon features vibrant performances and martial arts displays, alongside the tradition of Langar, where visitors can share free vegetarian treats and Indian tea. FREE, 12pm-6pm
WIND IN THE WILLOWS: Explore the stretch of the Thames that Sir David Attenborough calls his favourite place on the planet with this Wind in the Willows walking tour from Richmond to Twickenham. Led by Laura Agustín of Footprints of London, the route takes in the Tudor gatehouse of Richmond Palace, the wildflowers of Marble Hill Park and the rock/blues history of Eel Pie Island. 1pm-4.30pm
SPRING FESTIVAL: Grand Junction at St Mary Magdalene's hosts the Loved & Wanted Spring Festival, a free afternoon of community-focused activities in Paddington. The family-friendly line-up includes storytelling for little ones, a clothes swap, face painting and greening activities, with free tea and cake for all visitors. FREE, 2pm–5pm
THE BLINKING BUZZARDS: The Cinema Museum hosts the quarterly meeting of the Blinking Buzzards, the UK Buster Keaton Society, a dedicated gathering for fans of the silent film icon. This session features a screening of the 1932 comedy Speak Easily, starring Keaton as a shy professor alongside Jimmy Durante, plus a curated selection of shorts and rarities. 4pm–7pm
THE WEST END TENORS: Leading men from some of the world’s most iconic musicals join forces for a powerhouse vocal performance at Greenwich Theatre. The cast of The West End Tenors features stars from Les Misérables, Mamma Mia and The Phantom of the Opera, performing a repertoire of stage and film triumphs. Having previously played arenas across Europe and the BBC Proms, the group now brings their first UK tour to the capital for a single evening. 7.30pm
GO YOUR OWN WAY: Kingston’s Rose Theatre hosts Go Your Own Way - The Fleetwood Mac Legacy, a West End-born tribute to the legendary Grammy-winning rock group. An acclaimed ensemble of musicians recreates the live energy of the iconic Rumours-era line-up, performing hits including Dreams, Everywhere, Rhiannon and The Chain. 7.30pm
FOC IT UP!: Kemah Bob brings the fiercely unapologetic FOC IT UP! Comedy Club to Soho Theatre for a night of high-energy stand-up. The mixed bill celebrates the perspectives of comedians of colour who aren’t cis-men, featuring a line-up including Kyrah Gray, Kate Cheka and Dre Spisto. 8pm
RIO FOREVER: Dalston’s historic Rio Cinema kicks off its 50th anniversary season with Doc’n Roll: Sports Banger x Jeremy Deller, a special night of film, music and Hackney’s creative spirit. Curated in collaboration with artist Jeremy Deller and the Sports Banger collective, the one-off party celebrates radical DIY culture and grassroots subculture through a community-selected programme of films. 8pm
DALISO CHAPONDA: Britain’s Got Talent finalist Daliso Chaponda brings his new stand-up show, Topical Storm, to Blackheath Halls. The performance moves beyond the daily headlines to interrogate the nature of news itself, exploring how fake news and polarising reporting affect modern society. Expect a sharp-witted evening of one-liners and satirical storytelling from a comedian who's appeared on shows including Radio 4's News Quiz and Have I Got News For You. 8pm
WEST AFRICAN RHYTHMS: King's Cross venue Jamboree hosts an evening of high-energy Ghanaian fusion with Okailey + Mouad Neghma. Led by master drummer Abass Dodoo, the ensemble blends traditional Ga melodies and polyrhythms with Afro-rock and jazz, even reimagining classics by Ginger Baker and Cream. Support comes from Moroccan multi-instrumentalist Mouad Neghma, who performs a contemporary mix of Gnawa music, blues and sounds from other parts of the world. 9pm
Sunday 19 April
SLT WARDROBE SEWING BEE: The South London Theatre hosts a sociable SLT Wardrobe Sewing Bee at its Old Fire Station venue in West Norwood. Volunteers of all skill levels are invited to help maintain the theatre's extensive costume collection by carrying out running repairs, with a focus on hand-sewing projects. Note that while learners are welcome, you must be an SLT member to participate in the session. 10am-12pm
SPRING PLANT FAIR: Browse and buy garden plants from expert growers hailing from all over the country at the Garden Museum's Spring Plant Fair. Great Dixter Nursery in East Sussex and Beth Chatto Garden in Essex are among the organisations taking part, with a programme of talks and workshops happening throughout the day. 19 April 2026
OPEN GARDENS: Highgate’s OmVed Gardens hosts an Open Gardens Fundraiser for the North London Hospice as part of the Good to Grow week. Visitors can explore the regenerative kitchen gardens and meadow at their own pace or join a guided tour with the gardening team, plus chai, cake and a raffle. 11am
ROMAN LONDON: Qualified City of London Guides lead a two-hour Roman London Guided Walk starting from the City Information Centre. The tour reveals the ancient city of Londinium hidden beneath modern streets, featuring a visit to a Roman bathhouse garden, the temple to Mithras and the 1,800-year-old original City wall. 11am
YARD SALE: The Museum of the Home in Hoxton returns with its much-loved Yard Sale, transforming the Grade I-listed site into a bustling market of unique treasures. Browse an eclectic mix of homewares, studio clear-out bargains and one-of-a-kind designs from local makers including KCHossack Pottery and Laura von Behr Vintage. 11am-4pm
ST GEORGE'S DAY: Trafalgar Square hosts the Mayor of London’s free, family-friendly St George's Day festival celebrating English culture and heritage. The vibrant afternoon features a main stage with live music and dance, alongside creative workshops, crafts and a variety of street food stalls. FREE, 12pm-6pm
BLACK IS… BLACK AIN'T: The Horse Hospital in Bloomsbury hosts a screening of Marlon Riggs' final film, Black Is… Black Ain't, as part of its underground queer cinema series. The feature explores the rich diversity of Black identities through a mix of personal testimony and commentary from figures like Angela Davis, preceded by anarchic short films from video artist Tom Rubnitz. 1pm-4pm
NICOLA BENEDETTI PLAYS ELGAR: Superstar violinist Nicola Benedetti joins the Philharmonia at the Royal Festival Hall for a performance of Elgar's tempestuous and tender Violin Concerto. Conducted by Cristian Măcelaru, the programme also features Debussy's La Mer and the suite from Cécile Chaminade’s 1888 ballet Callirhoë. A free insights talk with Benedetti takes place in the Clore Ballroom following the main concert. 3pm
A NIGHT AT THE MUSICALS: Lawrence Academy stages A Night at the Musicals at the Millfield Theatre in Edmonton. The showcase features students performing iconic songs and scenes from West End favourites including Les Misérables, The Lion King and Sister Act. It's a high-energy journey through musical theatre history that highlights the talent of the academy's young performers. 4pm-6pm
ALBUM RELEASE PARTY: Camden’s legendary independent venue the Fiddler's Elbow hosts a high-energy night of live music to celebrate the launch of As It Ever Was. The InSect headline the evening, supported by Social Youth Cult and Blinded By Passion, for a showcase of the local independent scene. 7pm-11pm
TONY ANN: Canadian pianist and composer Tony Ann brings his viral contemporary piano music to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane for a one-off concert. Known for blending classical precision with modern emotion, the JUNO Award nominee has amassed over a billion views online and recently featured on Lang Lang's latest album. Support for the evening comes from Van Toan and Louisiana Bloom. 7.30pm
