All weekend
EASTER HOLIDAYS IN LONDON: The majority of London schools begin their Easter holidays this week. If you've got children or teenagers to entertain, have a look at our our Easter holidays events guide for shows, exhibitions and one-off events, as well as some free things to do.
BRIXTON WINDMILL: Brixton Windmill — built in 1816, at a time when Brixton, even if it wasn't exactly all cornfields, was definitely some cornfields — has its first open weekend of the year. Explore the historic landmark, and learn how it still makes flour to this day. 28-29 March 2026
LAMBING WEEKEND: See newly born lambs and rare breeds including Lincoln Longwool, Boreray, Jacob, Manx Loaghtan and Norfolk Horns at the lambing weekend at Forty Hall Farm in Enfield. There are also falconry displays, vintage fairground rides, Morris dancing, a chance to meet pigs, cows and goats — plus street food. 28-29 March 2026
COMEDY 4 KIDS: James Campbell — who claims to have invented proper stand-up for children — brings an hour-long family show to the Museum of Comedy, featuring songs, stories and routines including exploding penguins and 17 ways to eat jam. It's aimed at children aged six and over. 28-29 March 2026
LIFELINE: Featuring a chorus of real-life nurses, doctors, vets, dentists and scientists, Lifeline launches at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant. The split-timeline play looks at Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming falling in love, and a junior doctor whose estranged childhood sweetheart is suddenly rushed to hospital. 28 March-2 May
LAST PRINCESSES OF PUNJAB: Punjabi princess and suffragette icon Sophia Duleep Singh, and five women who shaped her life, are in the spotlight in a new exhibition at Kensington Palace. Sophia and her sisters Catherine and Bamba, her mother Bamba Muller, grandmother Jind Kaur and godmother Queen Victoria each became powerful changemakers in their own right. 26 March-8 November 2026
COMING OF AGE: Experiences and perceptions of ageing, from adolescence to later life, are explored in The Coming of Age at the Wellcome Collection. Artworks and historical artefacts are among the objects on display, looking at why life expectancy is increasing in different areas around the world. FREE, 26 March-29 November
FAIRY TALES: Interactive displays, theatrical design, costumes and activities feature in family-friendly exhibition Fairy Tales at the British Library. Familiar characters and magical creatures are brought to life as you learn how fairy tales have been transformed through time. You can step into a couple of tales too, by sitting at the Three Bears' breakfast table, telling the Genie your wish and smelling the Wicked Witch's potions. 27 March-23 August 2026
PAINT! PATTERN! PRINT: The Fashion & Textile Museum's latest exhibition explores the painterly patterns of design pioneers Susan Collier and Sarah Campbell, from first sketches and studio photographs to printed cloth, fashion and homeware. The sisters worked together for 50 years, creating vibrant patterns and collaborating with brands such as Liberty's, Heals and Jaeger. 27 March-13 September 2026
ASTRONOMERS TAKE OVER: The National Maritime Museum opens new interactive space-themed adventure, Astronomers Take Over, suitable for all ages and anyone with an interest in space. Try your hand at landing a Mars rover, use a starlight splitter and chat with one of the Royal Observatory's astronomy team. Plus, while the Peter Harrison Planetarium is closed for refurbishment, visit an alternative planetarium experience in a more intimate space. From 27 March 2026
DUCK HUNT: At this time of year, many venues host egg hunts. Not so at the Florence Nightingale Museum, which instead does a duck hunt. Seek out Florence Duck-ingale — a rubber duck take on the Lady with the Lamp — and her friends as you explore the museum during the Easter holidays. 28 March-12 April 2026
SCHIAPARELLI: The V&A South Kensington's fashion exhibitions are always phenomenally successful, and they'll be hoping for another hit with Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art. It tells the story of fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli, including the inspiration she took from the Surrealism movement, and the fashion house she established, which is still going strong today. From 28 March 2026
KEW PALACE: Reopening on Saturday for the 2026 season, Kew Palace is the smallest royal palace managed by Historic Royal Palaces, and the former home of George III and Queen Charlotte. It's located within Kew Gardens and encompasses Queen Charlotte's Cottage and the Royal Kitchens (note that you also need a Kew Gardens ticket to access the palace). 28 March-27 September 2026
TEENAGE CANCER TRUST: A week-long series of gigs in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust comes to a close at the Royal Albert Hall this week. Catch Garbage on Saturday, and Wolf Alice on Sunday. 28-29 March 2026
LONDON'S PARKS AND GARDENS: Art exhibition Melissa Scott-Miller: London Parks and Gardens at the Garden Museum showcases the artist's magnificent paintings from around the capital. Both private gardens and well-known parks feature, including the Garden Museum's own green spaces. Until 29 March 2026
BLITZ: The Blitz — the shortlived London club night which launched the careers of Spandau Ballet and Boy George — is the subject of a Design Museum exhibition, with over 250 items: clothing and accessories, design sketches, instruments, flyers, magazines, furniture, artworks, photography, vinyls and rare film footage. Until 29 March 2026
EMERGENCY EXITS: Head to the Imperial War Museum to view Emergency Exits, an exhibition exploring the wave of independence movements that followed the end of the Second World War, as many of Britain’s former imperial territories gained independence. Particular focus is on three significant conflicts, fought in Malaya (now Malaysia), Kenya and Cyprus. FREE, until 29 March 2026
Saturday 28 March
A LETTER IN MIND: The National Brain Appeal's envelope-art fundraiser, A Letter In Mind, holds the final day of an exhibition of the works for sale at Gallery Different in Fitzrovia. This year's theme is 'Spring Forward', with works by professional and amateur artists, patients, clinicians and supporters (though all are kept anonymous until the works are sold via the online auction, starting at £85). 11am-5pm
QUANTUM UNTANGLED: Final day of Science Gallery London's current exhibition Quantum Untangled, which explores quantum science through artworks, immersive installations and research-led projects. Consider big quantum questions and learn about the power quantum science has to transform our futures. FREE, 11am-6pm
FOOTBALL WRITING FESTIVAL: Gunners fans, unite. The British Library hosts football journalists, fans, celebrities and special guests for a day of talks, conversations and fun all about the British Library's local team, Arsenal FC. Meet the journalists who cover the team each week, as well as fans who write and blog about the club, and hear from celebrities including former Arsenal Ladies player Rachel Yankey, and football pundit and former player Martin Keown. 11.30am
RIVER RACE: The Head of the River Race is rowed annually from Mortlake to Putney, with up to 400 crews of eights taking part. Get down to the river's edge to watch the action this afternoon. FREE to watch, from 12.15pm
ASSEMBLY 2026: Catch the final day of Somerset House Studios’ experimental sound and music series, Assembly 2026. Today's programme spans eight performances, featuring works from DeForrest Brown Jr, Jasleen Kaur, Onyeka Igwe and others, alongside a programme of talks and lectures, and Laurel Halo & Hanne Lippard's sound installation, Sour Loop. 1pm-11pm
RUGBY SHOWDOWN: Get to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for The Showdown 6, to watch not one but TWO rugby matches (Saracens Women v Sale Sharks, KO 2.30pm, and Saracens Men v Northampton Saints, KO 6pm). What's more, there's a live set from Dizzee Rascal. From 2.30pm
HARLOTS, STRUMPETS AND TARTS: Herstorical Tours' guide, performing as 'The Baroness', leads a two-hour theatrical walk through 18th century Covent Garden, via the backstreets of Charing Cross, and finishing at the Nell Gwynne pub, telling the stories of courtesans, madams and women working the streets. 5pm
FAIRPORT CONVENTION: Fairport Convention, the band that helped launch British folk‑rock in 1967, perform live at Islington's Union Chapel. The line-up includes founding member Simon Nicol (guitar, vocals) with Dave Pegg (bass), Ric Sanders (violin) and Chris Leslie (fiddle, mandolin, vocals), joined by former member Dave Mattacks on drums. 7.30pm
EARTH HOUR 2026: For one hour this evening, London switches the lights off for WWF's Earth Hour, raising awareness of the effects of global warming. Individual businesses and households are encouraged to take part, and several of the capital's major landmarks will be plunged into darkness too. FREE, 8.30pm-9.30pm
ORCHESTRA FOR THE EARTH: During Earth Hour (see above), the Orchestra For The Earth gives a candlelit performance of Stravinsky's The Soldier’s Tale at Central Saint Martins. The show combines live chamber music with contemporary dance and sustainable fashion elements. 8.30pm
KANE BROWN: A few tickets remain for Kane Brown's night of unscripted comedy at Leicester Square Theatre. The show depends on audience participation so each performance is different. 9.30pm
BAD BUNNY PARTY: A club night dedicated to Puerto Rican and Super Bowl half-timer Bad Bunny comes to the Clapham Grand. DJs spin wall-to-wall Bad Bunny, reggaetón and Latin trap. 10pm-3am
MYSTERY MOVIE MARATHON: Five completely secret films are screened back‑to‑back at the Prince Charles Cinema in an all‑night mystery movie marathon. The films are completely unrelated to each other, and you won't find out what they are until you turn up. 11.30pm
Sunday 29 March
SOUTH LONDON FLEA MARKET: Over 70 curated traders offer 20th century furniture, salvaged French homeware, vintage clothes, curiosities and collectables, kitschenalia, reclaimed industrial fixtures and unexpected oddities at the Big South London Flea in Peckham. 10am-5pm
MAKERS' MARKET: A curated mix of independent stalls comes to Big Penny Social in Walthamstow for the Makers' Market, with illustration, vintage bric‑a‑brac, plants, jewellery, ceramics, candles, sustainable goods and street food available — and a focus on small, local traders rather than mass-produced items. 11am-5pm
GOSPEL MOTOWN: A live gospel choir and powerhouse vocalists pop up at The Refinery – Regents Place for a feel‑good Motown brunch. Expect covers of soul and Motown classics (Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Sister Act, Beyoncé), plus two-course brunch plates, a welcome drink and cocktails. 12pm-4pm
YOUNG BARBICAN TAKEOVER: Barbican Centre hosts a one-day takeover for London's emerging creatives with live music, poetry from Barbican Young Poets (including Theresa Lola), workshops from Material Grrrlz, Craft Forward and ARCCA, a roller disco with Skate Cabal, film programmes and a Makers Market. 12pm-6pm
BLACK HISTORY BUS TOUR: Join a three-hour guided bus tour from Brixton that examines London's landmarks — including the Tower of London, Trafalgar Square and the Houses of Parliament — through an African and Caribbean historical perspective. The event is organised by Black History Walks and covers individuals and themes such as Claudia Jones, Windrush arrival points, Nelson Mandela and James Baldwin. Proceeds support plaques honouring notable Black historical figures. 2pm
PUNK: In the mood for a riotous Sunday afternoon? Walthamstow Trades Hall hosts a boisterous triple bill, featuring Sunderland ragers Irked, Joyously anarchic racket Rabies Babies, and the wild AAA Gripper. You'll be home in time for Antiques Roadshow, too. 2pm-6pm
DARK DAYS: Bertha DocHouse in Bloomsbury screens Marc Singer's 2000 documentary Dark Days, exploring the hidden community living in New York's train tunnels. It's filmed in black and white and features testimonies and participation of the tunnel residents themselves. 3.40pm
FILM CLOSING GALA: Kinoteka Polish film festival comes to an end with a closing night gala at Cine Lumiere in Kensington. Watch Brother, a coming of age drama focused on a family where violence and manipulation is always simmering under the surface, followed by a Q&A with director Maciej Sobieszczański and actor Agnieszka Grochowska. 6pm
BOYBAND PARTY: Enjoy a one-night tribute performance of 90s boyband hits, with pop favourites from Take That, Boyzone, Westlife, NSYNC, Blue, 5IVE and the Backstreet Boys performed with choreography and audience singalongs at Churchill Theatre in Bromley. 7.30pm
ERIC & ERN: Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens revive the sketches, songs and routines of Morecambe & Wise in a West End tribute at the Garrick Theatre, with Michelle Collins appearing as the musical guest. The show recreates moments from the duo's Christmas specials — from Greig’s Piano Concerto to Mr Memory. 7.30pm
THE WONDER OF STEVIE: Saxophonist Derek Nash and singer Noel McCalla celebrate the songs of Stevie Wonder at the 606 Club in Chelsea. Nash is known for his work with the Jools Holland Band and Sax Appeal; McCalla has sung with Morrissey/Mullen and Manfred Mann's Earth Band. 8pm
