All weekend
ROUNDHOUSE THREE SIXTY: A community 'Good Vibes Day' and a performance by London ballroom collective Vogue Rites are part of the Three Sixty Festival at Roundhouse in Camden this weekend. Watch the global ballroom community battle it out in Hollywood-inspired categories on Sunday afternoon, and check the schedule to see what else is on. Until 29 April 2026
ANCESTRAL MEMORY WEEKEND: South African cellist Abel Selaocoe curates a weekend of music, stories, workshops and dance at Barbican. Mbuso Khoza, Nduduzo Makhathini, Gontse Makhene, BCUC, Toya Delazy, SNO and choreographer Mthuthuzeli November are among the artists partaking in Mohopolo/Ancestral Memory Weekend, in which Selaocoe goes back to his roots. 23-26 April 2026
BOOK FESTIVAL: One of London's newest literary festivals, the North London Book Fest returns to Alexandra Palace with events for all ages. Tessa Hadley, Ben Aaronovitch, Michael Rosen, Simon Mole and Rachel Parris are among the names confirmed over the weekend. 23-26 April 2026
BRICK LANE JAZZ FESTIVAL: The Brick Lane Jazz Festival returns for a weekend of live music around east London. Headline acts include American multi-instrumentalist Kwame Yeboah performing at JuJu's, and south London producer Footshooter at 93 Feet East, both on Saturday night. 23-26 April 2026
GHOST IN THE MACHINE: Bertha DocHouse in Bloomsbury screens new-release documentary Ghost in the Machine, a visceral investigative essay exploring the untold origins of artificial intelligence. Directed by Valerie Veatch, the film takes aim at the power structures of Silicon Valley to reveal the fantasies and political forces driving the current AI boom. 25 and 26 April 2026
COMEDY 4 KIDS: James Campbell's family stand-up show returns to the Museum of Comedy with an hour of jokes, songs and physical silliness aimed at children aged six and over. The performance may include exploding penguins, 17 ways to eat jam and songs about worms. 25-26 April 2026
AIRFIX MODEL CLUB: Join a squadron of model makers at the RAF Museum (Hendon) and build a Red Arrows Hawk at this weekend's Airfix Model Club, recommended for children age eight+ and their families. 25-26 April 2026
LONDRA FESTIVAL: Citizen Live and TIJ Events partner with Dingwalls in Camden to host the first edition of Londra Festival, a celebration of the Italian alternative rock scene. The opening night on Saturday features influential artists Zen Circus, Dente and Lamante. 25-26 April 2026
TEENAGE SHE-DEVIL: Comedy-horror rock musical about wallflower Nancy Nelson, who is transformed into a revenge‑seeking rocker by the Devil, I Was A Teenage She-Devil stars Aoife Haakenson, Sean Arkless and Jacob Birch, and runs until the end of this week at The Other Palace. Until 26 April 2026
SERPENTINE CURRENTS: Dana‑Fiona Armour's Serpentine Currents courtyard installation is a three-part illuminated sculpture modelled from a 3D scan of the endangered sea snake Aipysurus fuscus, its mesh LED surface animated using historic and predictive ocean data. FREE, until 26 April 2026. Also closing at Somerset House on Sunday is the Museum of Edible Earth, an exhibition about the practice of geophagy for health, ritual and culinary benefit. Until 26 April 2026
LITTLE VENICE FILM FESTIVAL: Kids' films, a student showcase, female stories and girls in film are some of the themed events at the Little Venice Film Festival this weekend. Despite the festival's name, screenings take place at venues including Vue Piccadilly. Until 28 April 2026
Saturday 25 April
WELCOME TO THE WORLD: Little Wild Theatre brings Welcome to the World to Grand Junction at St Mary Magdalene's in Paddington. This fully interactive adventure for children aged 0-5 follows Mother Earth's children — Tide, Ariel, and Blaze — through original songs, dances and puppets crafted from natural and found objects. 10am/11.30am/1.30pm
UPCYCLED FLOWERS: Artist Siân, founder of PLASTIQUE, returns to the Lakeside Centre in Thamesmead for the Lakeside Garden Club: Spring Upcycled Plastic Flower Workshop. Learn how to transform single-use waste — such as cleaning spray bottles and takeaway lids — into bright, waterproof sculptural decorations for your home or garden. FREE, 11am–1pm
JEWELLERY SAMPLE SALE: London-based jewellery brand Tatty Devine hosts a sample sale on Neal Street, right next to its Covent Garden store. More products are added throughout the day, so you won't miss out if you can't get there as soon as doors open. 11am-4pm
ROYAL ALBERT WHARF OPEN STUDIOS: Bow Arts invites the public to peek behind closed doors at the Royal Albert Wharf Open Studios in the Royal Docks. Explore 40 different artist spaces and take part in free creative workshops and family-friendly activities throughout the afternoon. FREE, 11am–5pm
BOOKS IN THE PARK: Literary festival Books in the Park returns to Beckenham Place Park with author talks from Ruth Ware and Paul Sinha — while Simon Goddard and Alexander Larman present a special event marking David Bowie's legacy. There are also writing workshops, family sessions, a pop-up bookshop (courtesy of Beckenham Bookshop) and a farmers market. Festival entrance is free, but individual events are ticketed. 11am-8pm
CITY NATURE CHALLENGE: Regent’s Park hosts a Nature Recording Pop-up as part of a global effort to document urban biodiversity. Drop in to use binoculars, explore different habitats and learn how to use the iNaturalist app to record local plants, animals and fungi. The family-friendly event also features a sightings board to track nearby wildlife discoveries throughout the afternoon. FREE, 12pm-3pm
KING'S DAY: King's Day at the Dutch Centre in Austin Friars brings Dutch music, food stalls, children's activities and community celebrations to the City to celebrate Koningsdag (or Kingsday), a national holiday in the Netherlands. Wear your brightest orange clothes. FREE, 12pm-6pm
PLAY FAIR: A one-day community festival at Hackney Bridge, Play Fair brings together 40+ stalls from local groups such as Headway East London, Knight Club Chess and East London Waterworks Park, as well as a line-up of east London DJs curated by Werk Records, and 20+ activities including yoga, zine‑making, dodgeball, embroidery, breathwork and pottery. 1pm-6pm
FAMILY SCIENCE TALK: Dr Sheila Kanani leads a hands‑on, family‑friendly talk at the Royal Institution, introducing 25 inspiring scientists from history, spanning physicists, astronauts, volcanologists and more, with demonstrations and simple experiments for children. Copies of Kanani's new book, This Book Will Make You a Scientist, are available to buy afterwards. 2.30pm-3.45pm
PAINT YOUR PARTNER: Join the London Art Bar in Holborn for a creative date night where your partner serves as the artistic muse. Paint Your Partner is a beginner-friendly sip and paint session that includes all necessary supplies, a glass of prosecco, and step-by-step guidance from a professional artist. You can follow the expert's lead or let your own creativity take over while an upbeat themed playlist sets the mood. 4.30pm-6.30pm
FRANK SKINNER: Comic legend Frank Skinner brings his critically acclaimed stand-up show 30 Years of Dirt to Soho Theatre Walthamstow for two exclusive performances. These final live sets of the 85-date national tour are being filmed for a brand-new television special set to air later this year. 5pm/8pm
KIP KOMPLIN: Poplar Union hosts an intimate evening celebrating Sierra Leone Independence through a showcase of creativity from the African Diaspora. Kip Komplin 10 features an interactive quiz game show alongside live music, poetry, comedy and a film screening. The night also includes a wildcard open mic slot and a Q&A session for networking with the artists. 7pm-9.30pm
THE ROD STEWART SONGBOOK: Pete McCall, widely regarded as one of Europe’s finest tribute artists, brings The Rod Stewart Songbook to the Millfield Theatre in Edmonton. Accompanied by a live band, the production charts 50 years of hits including Maggie May and Sailing. 7.30pm
SARA PASCOE: Household name and confessional comedian Sara Pascoe headlines a night of stand-up as Live at the Rose returns to Kingston. The stellar supporting line-up features Funny Women Award winner Laura Smyth, energetic improviser Phil Nichol, and viral sketch comic Muhsin Yesilada. 7.30pm
SAM SWEENEY TRIO: Acclaimed fiddler Sam Sweeney brings together a trio of the UK's most compelling folk musicians to Kings Place for an evening of traditional and original material. Joined by double bassist Ben Nicholls and guitarist Louis Campbell, the Sam Sweeney Trio explores Sweeney's extensive discography with richly textured arrangements and contemporary energy. 7.30pm
GARTH MARENGHI: Horror fiction's 'Grand Frightener' comes to the London Palladium to present This Bursted Earth, the final instalment of his Sunday Times-bestselling trilogy. Expect a night of freshly rancid tales and pitch-perfect parody as the author explores the fevered imagination of fictional novelist Nick Steen. 7.30pm
NIGHT SHIFT: Rachel Fenn's one-act play Night Shift follows two supermarket night-shift workers after a driven new graduate, Nadia, arrives and upends their lives. See it at the Drayton Arms Theatre (Old Brompton Road). 7.30pm
RESISTANCE COMEDY: Enfield’s Dugdale Arts Centre hosts a night of stand-up as part of its Resistance Comedy: Spotlight Series. This edition features a headline set from Junior Booker, bringing sharp storytelling to the independent north London venue. 8pm
SUSAN HARRISON: Character comedian Susan Harrison brings a collection of oddball alter-egos — from a life-size Sindy doll to a 90s Chester Zoo panda — to Soho Theatre Dean Street for an entertaining one-hour show, following an Edinburgh Fringe run. 8.45pm
Sunday 26 April
LONDON MARATHON: Thousands of runners take to the streets today for the London Marathon 2026, which weaves through the heart of the capital. The iconic course begins with participants gathering in Greenwich Park and concludes with a grand finish on The Mall in St. James's Park. Our guide includes everything you need to know, including the best spots to watch from. Even if you're not involved directly, be aware of road closures and diversions throughout central London this weekend. From 8.30am
ANTIQUES FAIR: The long-running 'Horti' antiques fair returns to Lindley Hall with over 130 dealers selling antique jewellery, silver, decorative pieces and collectables. Doors open at 10am but expect a queue before opening. 10am-4.30pm
SPRING FLEA MARKET: The Big Spring Walthamstow Flea is a daytime market at Big Penny Social organised by the team behind Hackney Flea Market and Walthamstow Flea Market. Explore numerous traders and stalls selling vintage, pre-loved and handmade goods alongside food and drink. 11am-5pm
GUITAR HISTORY: Nigel Jones, resident guitarist of the Handel/Hendrix House Museum, leads a musical journey through the evolution of guitar style at V&A South Kensington. Blues to Bowie, Beatles to Britpop explores everything from early rhythm and blues to modern rock, across two afternoon sessions. FREE, 12pm–3pm
GEORGIAN FEAST: A selection of seasonal pkhali, and 12-hour-cooked lamb in a plum and mint sauce are on the menu at DakaDaka, Heddon Street's Georgian restaurant, which is now dishing up a feast every Sunday afternoon. Wine pairing is also available for an extra charge. Served 12pm-4pm (every Sunday)
GOSPEL MOTOWN BRUNCH: The Refinery's Gospel Motown Brunch brings a live gospel choir and powerhouse vocalists to the Regent's Place restaurant for a high-energy, soul-filled Sunday session. Expect Motown and soul covers — from Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder to Sister Act and Beyoncé — alongside indulgent brunch plates and cocktails. 12pm-4pm
PRO WRESTLING: Live pro-wrestling show Grapple Days pops up at PlayFight in Woolwich, with appearances from Jerry Bakewell (Britain's Got Talent), Connor Mills (Rev Pro), Ollie Jackson (Fist Club) and Cara Noir (Progress). Expect hard hitting, intense, camp and over the top action, from some of the best wrestlers and biggest characters in the UK. 1pm-4pm
HIDDEN HOLBORN: London Blue Badge tour guide Diane Burstein gives a talk on the history of Holborn’s once Italian quarter — from organ grinders and ice-cream sellers to mosaic makers at St Peter's church, and the annual Italian Festival. The talk, at Wilderness Kitchen, also touches on the area's links to Dickens and London's diamond district. 3pm
SPIKE LEE'S BAMBOOZLED: The Distorted Frame Film Club marks 25 years since the UK release of Spike Lee's Bamboozled with a screening preceded by a special introduction, plus a short film, all taking place at the Victoria in Dalston. 4pm
HARLOTS, STRUMPETS AND TARTS: Herstorical Tours' guide, performing as 'The Baroness', leads a two-hour theatrical walk through 18th century Covent Garden and the backstreets of Charing Cross. The tour brings the stories of Georgian sex workers to life, finishing at the Nell Gwynne pub for a tot of gin. 5pm
BARTHOLOMEW LAFOLLETTE: Conway Hall's 2026 Artist-in-Residence, cellist Bartholomew LaFollette, performs a colourful programme of chamber music alongside violinist Hyeyoon Park and pianist Caroline Palmer. The evening at the Holborn venue features Rachmaninoff's passionate Cello Sonata and Schubert's evergreen E flat trio. 6.30pm-8.30pm
MAN IN THE MIRROR: Join a talented cast of musicians and dancers at His Majesty's Theatre for Man In The Mirror, an electrifying tribute to Michael Jackson. Starring CJ, one of the world's leading tribute artists, the production features dazzling choreography and authentic costumes to bring hits like Thriller and Billie Jean to life. 7.30pm
