Find out what special events and exhibitions are on in April, including family attractions over the Easter Holidays.

Spring is here!

March is always a bit of a dodgy month weather wise and usually feels pretty wintry, so the coming of April means (hopefully) spring will be in full swing.

With Easter falling at the tail end of March, the long weekend eases us in gently to a new month with Easter Monday kicking off April. The first half of the month coincides with most schools’ Easter holidays, so expect plenty of family activities on around town. This month is full of cultural celebrations from our vibrant multi-cultural city, with the Sikh and Punjabi celebration of Vaisakhi, the Muslim celebration of Eid, as well as St George’s Day.

Find out what special events, festivals and exhibitions are on in London this April.

Look out for the 🐻 for family-friendly activities.

• 1 – 30 April 2024 : Easter @ Leadenhall Market

Take part in a treasure hunt with the Great Leadenhall Market Wild Goose Chase, including quirky in-market challenges, clue hunting and dressing up, with a first prize of £500 up for grabs. Leadenhall Market (access from Gracechurch Street, Lime Street and Whittington Avenue), City of London, EC3V 1LT. Nearest stations: Monument or Fenchurch Street. For more information, visit the Leadenhall Market website.

• 2 – 4 April 2024 : Market Explorers’ Garden @ Borough Market

Three days of educational, fun activities for children, including seed planting, what’s in the box, and arts and crafts. 11am-3pm. Free. Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, SE1 1TL. Nearest station: London Bridge. For more information, visit the Borough Market website. 🐻

• 6 April 2024 : Vaisakhi 2024

Trafalgar Square hosts a celebration of Sikh and Punjabi tradition, heritage and culture. Featuring Kirtan (spiritual music), Gatka (Sikh martial arts), Langar, cooking demonstrations and Sikh art display. From 1pm-6pm. Free. Trafalgar Square, Westminster, WC2N 5DN. Nearest stations: Charing Cross, Embankment, Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square. For more information, visit the London.gov.uk website. 🐻

• 6 – 14 April 2024 : Now Play This

The UK’s leading experimental games festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary, with games, installations, workshops and activities. Open Sat-Sun, Thu 11am-6pm, Tues-Wed 12pm-6pm, Fri 12pm-8pm, Mon closed. Tickets: Adults £9, Children 12-16yrs £6.50, under 12yrs free. Somerset House, Strand, Westminster, WC2R 1LA. Nearest station: Temple. For more information, visit the Somerset House website. 🐻

• Now until 7 April 2024 : Ideal Home Show 2024 and Eat & Drink Festival

Two festivals in the same venue. One is home inspiration, with interiors, fittings and gardens. Includes plenty of opportunities to buy things both big and small for the house. Celebrity guests and experts include Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Scarlette & Stuart Douglas, Martin Lewis, George Clarke, Danni Menzies, Style Sisters, Sophie Liard, David Domoney, Kate Hardcastle, Tanya Sanyal, Danielle Mason, Dr Arora, and more. and many more. Open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm. Advance tickets (more on the door): Weekday £14 or Weekend £16, Children 15 yrs and younger free. Olympia, Hammersmith Road, Kensington, W14 8UX. Nearest station: Kensington Olympia. For more tickets, visit the Ideal Home Show website. 🐻

• 9 – 25 April 2024 : London Games Festival 2024

In-person and online festival to promote gaming and interactive entertainment, including Ensemble exhibition, Games Finance Market, Open Studios, Fringe event, BAFTA Games Awards, industry talks, and more. For more information, visit the Games London website. 🐻

• 11 – 14 April 2024 : The London Coffee Festival 2024

Festival of Java, featuring tastings, coffee masters, latte art live, brew school, samples, food court, DJs and more. Entry times via timed sessions. Thu and Fri daytime for industry only. Open to public: Sat 9am-6.30pm, Sun 9am-3.15pm. Tickets from £38. Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, Spitalfields, E1 6QR. Nearest station: Shoreditch High Street or Aldgate East. For more information and tickets, visit the London Coffee Festival website.

• 12 – 22 April 2024 : La Linea 24 – the London Latin Music Festival

The London Latin Music Festival returns at venues across the capital. Venues include Barbican, Cafe Oto, Eventim Apollo, Fox & Firkin, Jazz Cafe, Rio Cinema, Servant Jazz Quarters, St James’s Church, Village Underground. For more information and booking, visit the Como No website.

• 12 April – 8 September 2024 : Anne Desmet: Kaleidoscope/London exhibition

Explore three decades of wood engraver Anne Desmet’s artwork, including 41 London-themed prints. Open 10am-5pm. Admission: Pay what you can. Guildhall Art Gallery, Guildhall Yard, City of London, EC2V 5AE. Nearest stations: St Paul’s, Bank or Moorgate. For more information, visit the City of London website.

• 13 April – 30 November 2024 : Billingsgate Roman House and Baths

Visit the Roman ruins of a house and bathhouse in the basement of a City office block. 8yrs and over. Tours on Saturday only. Times vary. Tickets: Adults £12, Children 8-12 yrs £10. 101 Lower Thames Street, City of London, EC3R 6DL. Nearest station: Monument. For more information and booking, visit the City of London website. Check out Metro Girl’s blog post on the ruins.🐻

The Balloon Museum has been extended until April

• Now until 14 April 2024 : Balloon Museum

An immersive art experience made of balloons comes to the capital, following popular runs in New York, Paris, Rome, Milan, Madrid and Naples. Featuring inflatable work from over 20 international artists. Tickets: Adults £32, Children £15. Old Billingsgate, 1 Old Billingsgate Walk, City of London, EC3R 6DX. Nearest stations: Monument, Cannon Street or Tower Hill. For more information, visit the Balloon Museum website. 🐻

• Now until 14 April 2024 : Easter Trail @ Handel Hendrix House

Children can discover hidden treasures in the Georgian townhouse that was previously home to two iconic musicians. Open 10am-4pm. Free for children. 25 Brook Street, Mayfair, W1K 4HB. Nearest station: Bond Street or Marble Arch. For more information, visit the Handel Hendrix House website. 🐻

• Now until 14 April 2024 : Cute @ Somerset House

New exhibition explores the cult of cuteness in contemporary culture, including music, toys, fashion, social media and video games. Open Tues-Wed, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm, Thur-Fri 12pm-9pm. Tickets: £18.50. Somerset House, Strand, Aldwych, WC2R 1LA. Nearest station: Temple. For more information, visit the Somerset House website. 🐻

• 15 April – 6 May 2024 : Tulip Festival @ Hampton Court Palace

Check out the UK’s biggest display of planted tulips in the grounds of historic Hampton Court Palace. Open 10am-5.30pm. Tickets (inc with regular entry): Adults £27.20-£30, Children £13.60-£15, under 5s free. Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, KT8 9AU. Nearest station: Hampton Court. For more information, visit the Hampton Court Palace website. 🐻

• 18 April – 31 May 2024 : Rooftop Film Club

Watch your favourite classic movies or newer releases on a cosy deckchair on a east or south London rooftop. Times vary. Tickets from £16.95. Venues include Roof East (7–8 Stratford Multi Storey Car Park, Great Eastern Street, Stratford, E15 1XE. Nearest station: Stratford) and the Bussey Building (133 Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST. Nearest station: Peckham Rye). For more information, visit the Rooftop Film Club website.

• 19 – 21 April 2024 : Ceramic Art London

International ceramics event, featuring 118 ceramic artists, talks, exhibitors, and more. Open Fri-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm. Tickets: £18.50, under 16s free. Olympia West, 12 Blythe Road, Kensington, W14 8UX. Nearest station: Kensington Olympia. For more information, visit the Ceramic Art London website. 🐻

• 19 April – 6 May 2024 : Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition

Check out images from the competitions of the annual awards. Open daily 11am-8pm. Tickets: Standard £15, Children under 12 free. Somerset House, Strand, Westminster, WC2R 1LA. Nearest station: Temple. For more information, visit the Somerset House website. 🐻

• Now until 20 April 2024 : London Handel Festival 2024 – Spring Awakenings

A celebration of Handel’s music through live and digital performances. Times and ticket prices vary. At various venues, including Handel Hendrix House, St George’s Hanover Square, The Charterhouse, The Foundling Museum, Grosvenor Chapel, The King’s Chapel of The Savoy, St Martin-in-the-Fields Church and Trinity Buoy Wharf Lighthouse. For booking and information, visit the festival website.

• 20 April 2024 : Eid in the Square

Free annual festival returns to Trafalgar Square to celebrate the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month. Featuring activities, market stalls, performances and food ands drink. From 12pm-6pm. Free. Trafalgar Square, Westminster, WC2N 5DN. Nearest stations: Charing Cross, Embankment, Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square. For more information, visit the London.gov.uk website. 🐻

© Salad Days Market

• 20 – 21 April 2024 : Salad Days Market @ Dulwich Picture Gallery

Pop-up market comes to the historic picture gallery, featuring 20 small brands. 11am-4pm. Free entry. Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, Dulwich Village, SE21 7AD. Nearest station: West Dulwich or North Dulwich. For more information, visit the Salad Days website.

• Now until 21 April 2024 : Ainu Stories

New exhibition exploring the contemporary culture of the indigenous Ainu community of Japan, featuring videos and works and related events. Open Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-6pm. Free admission. Japan House London, 101-111 Kensington High Street, Kensington, W8 5SA. Nearest station: High Street Kensington. For more information, visit the Japan House London website.

• 21 April 2024 : London Marathon 2024

Around 100,000 runners challenging themselves while raising money for charity. The 26 mile marathon starts in Greenwich/Blackheath and ends on The Mall. Free for spectators. For more information and spectator maps, visit the London Marathon website. 

• 21 April 2024 : St George’s Day 2024

Celebrate England’s Patron Saint with an afternoon of live music, entertainment, family activities and traditional food and drink stalls. From 12pm-6pm. Free. Trafalgar Square, Westminster, WC2N 5DN. Nearest stations: Charing Cross, Embankment, Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square. For more information, visit the London.gov.uk website. 🐻 

• 24 – 27 April 2024 : Brew/LDN Beer Festival

Beer festival comes to the South Bank, featuring beer and cider, street food, and entertainment. Open Wed-Fri 6pm-11pm, Sat 12pm-5pm, 6pm-11pm. Tickets: £9.95. BBQ Dept @ Between the Bridges, The Queen’s Walk, South Bank, SE1. Nearest stations: Waterloo or Waterloo East. For tickets, visit the Brew/LDN website. 

• Now until Spring 2024 : Sculpture in the City 2023-2024

The 12th edition of the free contemporary art sculpture walk returns to the City of London, featuring 18th artworks. Free. At various locations in the Square Mile. For more information and a map of the artworks, visit the Sculpture in the City website. Read Metro Girl’s blog post on the 12th edition 🐻

• 26 April 2024 : Soane Late – Personalities Past and Present

Late-night opening of the Soane Museum, with spotlight talks and wine, inspired by the people who shaped the life of Sir John Soane. Timed entry at 6pm, 6.30pm, 7.30pm, 8pm. Tickets: £25 (inc glass of wine). Sir John’s Soane Museum, 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Holborn, WC2A 3BP. Nearest station: Holborn. For more information, visit the Sir John Soane Museum website.

• 26 – 27 April 2024 : Searcys Bubbly Show

A festival of bubbly drinks, including 16 Champagne houses and 10 English sparkling wine producers. Featuring tastings, masterclasses and Afternoon Tea pairings. Open Fri 3pm-8.30pm, Sat 12pm-5pm. Tickets from £60 (includes entry, light bites and 10 tasting glasses of Champagne or sparkling wines). 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St. James’s, SW1Y 5AH. Nearest station: Green Park or St James’s Park. For more information and booking, visit the Searcys website.

• 27 April 2024 : Tweed Run 2024

The quirky bicycle ride sees participants dressing up in vintage tweed and cycling past London’s landmarks. Starting in a secret location at 10am-11am and going for 12 miles, before ending at another location for the Closing Ceremony. Rider tickets: £50. For more information, visit The Tweed Run website.

• 27 – 28 April 2024 : Classic Car Boot Sale

Vintage lovers can shop pre-loved and upcycled goods, including fashion, homewares, fashion and more. Featuring motorcycle and scooter club ride-ins, live DJs, craft beer and cocktails and more. 10am-6pm. Tickets: £7, free entry for under 12s. Granary Square, Lewis Cubitt Square and Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, N1C. Nearest station: King’s Cross St Pancras. For more information, visit the Classic Car Boot Sale website. 🐻

• Now until 28 April 2024 : Entangled Pasts

New exhibition brings together contemporary and historic artworks and their role in depicting narratives  of empire, enslavement, resistance, abolition and colonialism. Open Tues-Thu, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm, Fri 10am-9pm. Tickets: £22. Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, Mayfair, W1J 9ER. Nearest station: Green Park or Bond Street. For tickets, visit the RA website.

• Now until 30 April 2024 : Disney 100 – The Exhibition

Exhibition to celebrate 100 years of Disney magic in 10 themed galleries returns following its hit run over Christmas and new year. Featuring original artworks, artefacts, costumes, props, memorabilia and 14 interactive installations. Tickets: Adults from £28, Children 5-16 yrs £20. ExCel, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, Docklands, E16 1XL. Nearest stations: Prince Regent or Custom House. For more information, visit the Disney100 website. 🐻

• Now until 6 May 2024 : Burtynsky – Extraction / Abstraction

Exploring 40 years of work by renowned photographic artist, Edward Burtynsky. Open daily 10am-6pm. Tickets from £10. Saatchi Gallery, King’s Road, Chelsea, SW3 4RY. Nearest station: Sloane Square. For tickets, visit the Saatchi Gallery website.

The Art Of The Brick returns to London

• Now until 12 May 2024 : Art of the Brick

An exhibition of Lego art from Nathan Sawaya, which is back in London after touring 24 countries. Open Mon, Wed-Thur 10am-8pm, Fri-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-8pm. Tickets: Adults £16-£20, Child 4-17 yrs £13.90. The Boiler House, 152 Brick Lane, Spitalfields, E1 6RU. Nearest station: Shoreditch High Street or Liverpool Street. For tickets, visit the Art of the Brick website. Check out Metro Girl’s blog post on the 2014 Art of the Brick exhibition.🐻

• Now until 12 May 2024 : Zineb Sedira – Dreams Have No Titles

The UK debut of Zineb Sedira’s critically-acclaimed immersive installation comprising film, sculpture, photography and performance. The experience interweaves her life story with activist films produced across France, Algeria and Italy in the 1960s and 1970s. Open Tues-Sun 11am-6pm. Tickets: £12.50. Whitechapel Gallery, 77-82 Whitechapel High Street, Whitechapel, E1 7QX. Nearest station: Aldgate East or Liverpool Street. For more information, visit the Whitechapel Gallery website.

• Now until 15 May 2024 : The Subversive Tea Towel Series exhibition

Artist Holly Searle showcases her collection of textile art highlight social and domestic issues. She will also be hosting stitching workshops on 6, 13 and 28 April. Free entry. Riverside Studios, 101 Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, W6 9BN. Nearest station: Hammersmith. For more information, visit the Riverside Studios website.

• Now until 19 May 2024 : The Time Is Always Now – Artists Reframe the Black Figure

Exhibition showcases 22 contemporary artists from the African diaspora, including Michael Armitage, Lubaina Himid, Kerry James Marshall, Toyin Ojih Odutola and Amy Sherald. Open 10.30am-6pm. Tickets: £16/£18. National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, Westminster, WC2H 0HE. Nearest stations: Leicester Square, Charing Cross or Embankment. For more information, visit the National Portrait Gallery website.

• Now until 19 May 2024 : SmileyWorld Art Trail

A new, free art trail around the Battersea Station Power complex, featuring unique artworks inside smileys. Free. Battersea Power Station, Circus Road West, Battersea, SW8 5BN. Nearest stations: Battersea Power Station, Battersea Park or Queenstown Road Battersea. For more information, visit the Battersea Power Station website. 🐻

• Now until 2 June 2024 : Like a Melody – Myths, Memories and Fantasy

Artist and illustrator Charlotte Mei explores escapism with paintings, figurines, and sculptures. Open Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. Register online for a free ticket. NOW Gallery, Soames Walk, Greenwich Peninsula, SE10 0SQ. Nearest station: North Greenwich. For more information, visit the NOW Gallery website.

• Now until 9 June 2024 : Bubble Planet

An interactive, multisensory journey into a world of bubbles. Open Mon, Wed-Thur 10am-8pm, Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 10am-8pm, closed Tues. Tickets: Adults from £18, Children from £18.90, under 4yrs free. 22 Fulton Road, Wembley, HA9 0TF. Nearest station: Wembley Park. For more information, visit the Bubble Planet website. 🐻

• Now until 1 September 2024 : Yoko Ono – Music of the Mind

Exhibition covers nearly 70 years of Yoko Ono’s career, with over 200 works exploring politics, performance, photography, music and participation. Open daily 10am-6pm. Tickets: £22. Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG. Nearest stations: Blackfriars or Southwark. For more information, visit the Tate Modern website.

• Now until 29 September 2024 : Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds – The Immersive Experience

An immersive experience inspired by the classic story. Travel back in time to Victorian London and the Martian invasion of 1898. Experience immersive theatre, virtual reality, augmented reality, holograms and other cutting-edge technology. Over 12s only. Times vary. Tickets: £45-£130. The Old Metal Exchange, 56 Leadenhall Street, City of London, EC3A 2BJ. Nearest station: Aldgate or Fenchurch Street. For booking, visit the War of the World’s website. Check out Metro Girl’s review of the show.

• Now until 13 October 2024 : The Moonwalkers – a Journey with Tom Hanks

Hollywood star Tom Hanks narrates an immersive experience exploring humankinds’ past and future trips to the Moon. Opening hours vary. Tickets: Adults from £25, Children and teens from £15. Lightroom, 12 Lewis Cubitt Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4DY. Nearest station: King’s Cross St Pancras. For more information, visit the Lightroom website. 🐻

• Now until 31 December 2024 : Frameless

Explore a new way to engage with art in an immersive, multi-sensory experience. Visitors can travel through four galleries, coming up close to masterpieces from the likes of Cezanne, Kandinsky, Monet, Dalí, Van Gogh, Canaletto, Rembrandt and Klimt, among others. Opening hours vary. Tickets from £15, Kids under 5 yrs free. 6 Marble Arch Place, Marylebone, W1H 7AP. Nearest station: Marble Arch. For tickets, visit the Frameless website. Check out Metro Girl’s review of the show. 🐻

Find out what else is on in London

Frameless review: Step into iconic masterpieces of the art world in an immersive experience

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Sculpture in the City 2023/2024 | Contemporary art exhibition returns to the City of London

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