All weekend
KEITH HARING: Moco Museum London stages a display of 30 of Keith Haring’s subway drawings — hastily chalked vignettes he made across the NYC Subway between 1980-85 — presented within a mocked-up 1980s subway environment. Admire these cheeky public-facing works, and learn how they fed into Haring’s later career. From 18 March 2026
MUSEUM OF EDIBLE EARTH: Geophagy — the practice of eating earth for health, and customary, or culinary benefit — is the subject of exhibition The Museum of Edible Earth at Somerset House. The touring display brings together over 600 edible samples including clay, chalk, volcanic rock and limestone from over 44 countries, and includes a communal tasting table where guided tasting sessions take place. 18 March-26 April 2026
THE STITCH FESTIVAL: Embroidery, batik, pattern design, punch needle, crochet and dressmaking are just some of the skills and hobbies encompassed in The Stitch Festival in Islington. Shows, talks and workshops are programmed throughout the weekend, with 150+ traders selling supplies and equipment. 19-22 March 2026
MOVE IT: Claiming to be the world’s biggest dance event, Move It jives into the Excel Centre. Watch performances on three different stages, and take part in classes and workshops. There are also competitions, while companies including Disney and Royal Caribbean hold auditions for dancers to join their crews. 20-22 March 2026
WARTIME LONDON: View the effects of the Second World War in London through the works of artists who were active at the time. The Imperial War Museum’s new, free exhibition Beauty and Destruction: Wartime London in Art contains over 45 paintings and drawings alongside photographs, film, objects and oral histories, showcasing scenes from the Docklands to St Paul’s. FREE, 20 March-1 November 2026
FAMILY WILDLIFE TRAIL: The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ is coming to Walthamstow Wetlands, to welcome the start of spring! One of our favourite places for a plod about — now buzzing with new life — launches a vibrant, family-friendly trail featuring the beloved literary icon this weekend. Look out for Eric Carle’s classic illustrations alongside the incredible changes in the natural environment which spring brings. 21 March-30 June (sponsor)
ARAB HALL: Leighton House in Kensington opens The Arab Hall: Past and Present, the first major exploration of the spectacular 19th century room, through contemporary art, film, research and historic exhibition. The room was created by Victorian artist Frederic Leighton following extensive travels across North Africa and the Middle East, showcasing a blend of Islamic, Mediterranean and Victorian craft traditions. From 21 March 2026
RAILWAY MODELLING: Model railway enthusiasts from all over country gather at Alexandra Palace this weekend for the London Festival of Railway Modelling. 35+ exhibitors show off their layouts, and there’s a chance to pick up rarer scales and gauges. 21-22 March 2026
GREY ARIAS: Bearded, drag diva feminist Le Gateau Chocolat and comedian and provocateur Adrienne Truscott share the stage at Southbank Centre for a one‑hour show that mixes drag cabaret, operatic musical numbers and provocative stand‑up. The duo trade musical performances with political debate, interrogating allyship and the boundaries of the politically correct. 21-22 March 2026
GOLD BUNNY HUNT: The Easter Bunny comes to south-west London early — well, several bunnies actually — as the Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt returns to the grounds of Hampton Court Palace. Seek out the statues (no, you can’t eat them) and look on their red ribbons for their names, then pick up a small chocolate treat. 21 March-12 April 2026
GARDEN DAYS OUT: As spring in London (hopefully) warms up, your thoughts are probably turning to getting outside. Peruse our guide to days out in the capital for garden lovers, and find plenty of outdoor space which’ll be well worth a visit over the coming months. The roundup covers well-known outdoor spaces like Kew Gardens, as well as small walled gardens, palace gardens, and even an “architectural dumping ground” on the fringes of London.
Saturday 21 March
THE BEAT GOES ON: Head to Battersea Power Station for a free, high-energy celebration of music, movement and community for all the family. The Beat Goes On marks the end of Wandsworth’s year as The Mayor’s London Borough of Culture with live music, dance takeovers and creative workshops. UK garage and grime stars Lisa Maffia and Romeo host the main stage, with a performance from Sarah Jayne’s Dolly Parton Experience. Also look out for family-friendly circus and street theatre performances, and a colourful flag parade. FREE, 11am-6pm (sponsor)
URBAN ELEPHANT: Urban Elephant Festival returns to Elephant & Castle for a day of local art, music, dance and community-focused stalls across Castle Square, Walworth Square, Sayer Street and the new Elephant Shopping Centre Square. 12pm-6pm
RUTH ELLIS: A British noir musical about Ruth Ellis, the last woman executed in Britain, comes to Wilton’s Music Hall. Writer Caroline Slocock explained to Londonist why she wrote the musical, how she set about it, and if society might view Ruth Ellis differently were she convicted of the murder today. 2pm/7pm (and until 28 March 2026)
AVENUE Q: Musical Avenue Q is back on the block, returning to the West End after two decades. A cast of human and puppet characters sings and dances through the (rather naughty) tale of a fresh college graduate who finds himself living in a rundown New York apartment among some eclectic neighbours. 2.30pm/7.30pm
KINKY BOOTS: Strictly Come Dancing’s Johannes Radebe struts into the West End to star as Lola in Kinky Boots The Musical at the London Coliseum. For the uninitiated, it’s the story of the owner of a failing shoe factory and a drag queen working together to reboot the business. 2.30pm/7.30pm (and until 11 July 2026)
INTER ALIA: Transferring to the West End after a run at the National Theatre, Inter Alia is at Wyndham’s Theatre, with Rosamund Pike returning as judge Jessica Parks, who is trying to balance her career with the demands of motherhood. 2.30pm/7.30pm (and until 20 June 2026)
KAMERON N. SAUNDERS: Known by Swifties as ‘Kam’, one of Taylor Swift’s back-up dancers on the Eras Tour, Kameron N. Saunders is a choreographer in his own right, and is one of two debuting new work at Sadler’s Wells this week. Body & Soul, performed by the English National Ballet, features the UK premiere of Body and Soul (Part 1) from acclaimed choreographer Crystal Pite, as well as the world premiere of Saunders’ Proper Conduct, which explores the battle to find our authentic self under crushing societal scrutiny. 2.30pm/7.30pm (and until 28 March 2026)
SPIDER-MAN: Southbank Centre hosts one-off screening of the 2018 animated film Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, with the hip-hop based score performed live by orchestra, turntables and percussion. 3pm
CLUB DE FROMAGE: Club de Fromage stages a daytime disco at Infernos in Clapham, strictly for over‑30s with DJs spinning pop, indie and dance floor classics. Party the afternoon away, and get home at a reasonable hour. 3pm-7pm
BIRTHDAY SUPPER CLUB: Indian restaurant Cinnamon Kitchen City marks 25 years to the day since Executive Chef Vivek Singh opened his first London restaurant, with a birthday supper club. Enjoy a nine-dish sharing
JOURNEY INTO CONSCIOUSNESS: Science journalist Michael Pollan is joined by neuroscientist Anil Seth for a public conversation about consciousness, sentience and the science behind subjective experience, at the Royal Institution. They discuss topics such as whether animals, and even plants, experience some level of selfhood. 7pm-8.30pm
CANDLELIGHT CLUB: 1920s-themed speakeasy party The Candlelight Club returns to a secret ballroom location somewhere in south London for a Spring Ball. Entertainment includes live jazz from the Shirt Tail Stompers, burlesque from Bonnie Fox, a tarot reader — and plenty of glitz and glamour. 7pm-1am
EMMANUEL SONUBI: Comedian Emmanuel Sonubi hosts a special video recording of his Edinburgh‑nominated show Life After Near Death at Soho Theatre Walthamstow. He turns surviving heart failure and the aftermath of trauma into sharp, often darkly funny storytelling. 7.30pm
MOZART’S REQUIEM: Young chamber choir Evoke performs Mozart’s Requiem at St Peter’s Church in Notting Hill, with soloists Vanessa Bowers (soprano), Frances Gregory (mezzo), Jack Roberts (tenor) and Johannes Moore (bass) accompanied by orchestra. It’s part of Evoke’s 10th anniversary season of events, and a live jazz ensemble plays after the concert. 7.30pm
SCARED TO DANCE: Regular club night Scared To Dance hosts Austin Williams from Swim Deep as guest DJ, joining resident DJ Paul Richards at The Shacklewell Arms. Expect a playlist of post‑punk, indie pop, new wave and art‑rock. 11pm
Sunday 22 March
NO CAR BOOT SALE: The first West Green No Car Boot Sale comes to West Green Primary School in Tottenham, offering a twist on the traditional car boot format, hosting stalls with pre-loved finds, vintage bits and pieces, coffee & pastries and chats with locals 9.30am-12.30pm
SUNDAY MARKETS WALK: Join guide Rich to explore four Sunday markets, namely Broadway Market, Columbia Road Flower Market, Brick Lane Market and Spitalfields Market. From flowers to hand crafted goods to street food, you’ll get a real taste of artisan London. And be sure to skip breakfast! 10am-1pm
MIDCENTURY MODERN: Vintage and contemporary furniture fair Midcentury Modern returns to Dulwich College with about 85 top furniture dealers offering pieces from Cherner and Eames to newer British designers. The show takes place in the college’s 1960s hall and the adjoining Victorian cloisters, with food vans on site. 10am-4pm
ANTIQUES FAIR: Adams Antiques Fairs takes place at Royal Horticultural Halls in Victoria with more than 100 dealers selling jewellery, decorative antiques, furniture and other collectables. Arrive early if you want to be one of the first in, as a queue usually builds before doors open. 10am-4.30pm
GIANT LONDON FLEA: The Giant London Flea Market fills Here East (Olympic Park) with dozens of independent stalls selling vintage clothing, furniture, collectables and upcycled homewares — a chance to shop sustainably and find second‑hand bargains. 10am-5pm
RETRO GAMES FAIR: Traders from all over the UK come together for the Retro Games Fair at the Royal National Hotel in Bloomsbury, where retro video games, board games and merchandise are available to buy. Staggered entry times at 10.30am, 12pm and 1.30pm. 10.30am-4.30pm
CLASSICAL COFFEE MORNING: Part of the Royal Albert Hall’s Classical Coffee Mornings series, Duo Eunoia give a short morning recital of chamber music in the Elgar Room. A pastry and hot drink are included with your ticket. 11am
BLADE RUNNER: Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner: The Final Cut and Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049 are shown back-to-back at the Prince Charles Cinema in 4K, with a 10-minute break between films. The double bill runs for approximately 304 minutes in total. 11.15am
FAMILY RAVE: Under and over the sea is the theme of a Big Fish Little Fish family rave at Night Tales in Hackney. DJ Terry Francis plays acid house, techno, house and drum ‘n’ bass for children aged up to eight and their families. Other entertainment includes foam, bubbles, giant balloons and crafting tables. 2pm-4pm
USEFUL ART: Professor John Byrne explores how art can be useful rather than merely aesthetic, looking at projects from Turner Prize-winning urban regeneration to bakeries, vegetable gardens and multi-use arts spaces. He discusses his research and his book Useful Art: How Activist Artists Can Change the World, at Conway Hall. 3pm-4.30pm
BREWERY COMEDY: Collywobblers present Rory O’Hanlon with Catie Wilkins, Salma Lyons, Dan Boerman and musical comic Alex Prescot, hosted by MC Sion James for a Sunday evening comedy show at Brockley Brewery Taproom. Ticket includes a £5 donation to Lewisham Foodbank. 7pm
BARNET SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: Barnet Symphony Orchestra presents Johannes Brahms’s Symphony No.4 alongside Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto at St John’s Church. The programme pairs Brahms’ intense, four-movement symphony with Clara Schumann’s virtuosic concerto. 7pm-9.15pm
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