The best International Women’s Day events in London

International Women’s Day (IWD)

This is annually held on March 8th to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, while also highlighting the need for gender equality. It is a day to recognise and celebrate the progress that has been made in women’s rights, while acknowledging that there is still much work to be done.

The aim of the IWD 2023 #EmbraceEquity campaign theme is to get the world talking about Why equal opportunities aren’t enough. People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action.

Southbank : WOW: Women of the World Festival

Date/Time/Price: 10-12 Mar. Paid and free events
Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
The Women of the World Festival (WOW) is an annual arts and science festival that takes place in London and celebrates the achievements of women and girls while addressing the obstacles they face worldwide. Founded in 2010, the festival seeks to inspire new generations of women and girls, generating life-changing conversations, incredible performances, and world-class speakers, activists, musicians, and comedians.

The Lexi Cinema

Location: 194b Chamberlayne Rd, London NW10 3JU
Date/time/price: 8th Mar, 7pm, (sold out) 
The Lexi Cinema want to pay tribute to, and extend their solidarity to the women of Iran who are bravely leading a movement against a brutal regime, following the death of a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, Jina (Mahsa) Amini, after being arrested by the morality police for wearing “improper” hijab. Since then, nationwide protests have erupted with video footage circulating globally of women and schoolgirls cutting their hair, removing their hijabs and chanting slogans of mass-resistance against the regime.

The film Profession: Documentarist, explores the importance, and also the risk, of documenting and filmmaking in Iran, especially during times of social and political unrest. Consisting of seven short films, together they reveal how the political and the personal are so closely intertwined.

Before the feature, there will be a recorded message made especially for the Lexi audience, from two of the seven filmmakers, Shirin Barghnavard and Sahar Salahshoor.

Dancing on a Knife’s Edge : Wilder Gallery

Location: 77 College Road, NW10 5ES
Date/time/price: until 11th Mar, to attend: contact gallery
Dancing on a Knife’s Edge is the debut solo exhibition by London-based Iranian artist Fa Razavi, in collaboration with Molliee Barnes/She Curates. Nationwide protests in Iran shook the country in Autumn 2022. This revolution directly responded to the shocking death of 22 year old Mahsa Amini while in custody of the so-called ‘morality police’. Months of revolution have ensued, and continue to this day. The beautifully sensitive portraits are those same brave women. All across the planet, where patriarchy surges, women have been oppressed. Within Fa Razavi’s portraits, faces aren’t clear. They are blurred, muddied, and devoid of senses other than sight. These women see all, but are unheard. Unknown. “The figures in the portraits are everyone. They are women. They are all of us.”

Walking tours: International Women’s Day 2023
If you enjoy Walking tours and learning along the way- there are five different walking tours of London across 9 days to celebrate International Women’s Day 2023!

Myths, Mothers & Matriarchs – Women in the British Museum
Location: The British Museum Great Russell, WC1B 3DG, paid
Date/time/price: 10th Mar, 12pm-2pm. £25
International Women’s Day – Working Women of the East End Walking tour
Location:Tower Hill Underground Station Tram Refreshment Cart London EC3N 4DJ
Date/time/Price: 8th/9th/11th Mar. 2pm-4:30pm, £20-£25
International Women’s Day – Women of Bloomsbury – Walking Tour
Location : Seven Dials 45 Seven Dials London WC2H 9HD
Date/time/price: 7th, 9th, 11th Mar, 10am-12:30pm, £22.38 – £25
International Women’s Day – Women of Westminster Walking Tour
Location: Agatha Christie memorial Cranbourn Street London WC2H 9JZ
Date/time/price: 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th & 11th Mar, 10am -12:30pm, £20 – £25
International Women’s Day – Women in Art Walking Tour
Location: The National Gallery Trafalgar Square London WC2N 5DN
Date/time/price: 8th Mar, 10am-12:30pm, £20 – £25

International Women’s Day at the Irish Cultural Centre

Location:50-52 Camden Square, NW1 9XB
Date/time/price: 8th Mar, 7pm, free
The Irish Cultural Centre’s International Women’s Day celebrations are all about the power of the spoken word and music. This year’s host is disco-pop artist Ódú, though the line-up currently also includes poet Jan Brierton, who’ll be performing excerpts of her 2021 collection, ‘What Day Is It? Who Gives A F*ck’.

International Women’s Day 2023: Dear Black Women Festival

Location : Novotel West London Hammersmith International Ctre 1, Shortlands Hammersmith London W6 8DR
Date/time/price: 11th Mar, 11am-18pm, £6 – £13.37 (sold out)
This festival is a special event created to celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. Black women and girls are invited to attend this festival and be part of an exciting schedule of activities that will honour and highlight their experiences and needs. This intimate event is a perfect opportunity for Black women and girls to take a break and celebrate with each other. The festival includes yoga, sound healing, and meditation classes that will help attendees feel rejuvenated, empowered, and connected.

Brent International Women’s Day Marketplace & Fashion Show

Location: Engineers Way, Wembley Park, Wembley HA9 0FJ
Date/time/price : 25th Mar, 4pm-7pm, free
There will be a fantastic selection of local female-led Brent businesses showcasing and selling their products, just in time for Mother’s Day! From 6pm, Brent women will be modelling spectacular fashion from around the globe to celebrate all women and women’s bodies. With Sancia Williams as panel facilitator.

Notting Hill Arts Club: Int’l Women’s Day – A music showcase

Location: 21 Notting Hill Gate , W11 3JQ
Date/time/price: 8th Mar, 7:30 pm onwards, £9
Notting Hill Arts Club are excited to announce their first International Women’s Day event. It will showcase five grassroots female-led acts, including Rosa Cecilia, DJ Poppy Richler, and electronic artist EVA. Cactus City, the first female-led production studio in the UK, will host a discussion about women’s experiences in the music industry. Goodie bags will be given to the first 20 attendees.

The Granville : Pampering with Pamela

Location: 140 Carlton Vale London NW6 5HE
Date/time/price: 8th Mar, 1.30pm – 4.30pm, free
Pampering by Pamela : Drop in for friendly and informative discussions on general women’s topics, health, wealth, relationships, body image and body changes, food, support with budgeting and finance, families, breast health and awareness, finding work or hobbies, building confidence, make new friends or come and have a laugh, relax, and have some afternoon tea and cake!

Our Yard at Clitterhouse Farm: Mindfulness Through Art Workshop

Location: Clitterhouse Farm OutbuildingsClaremont Road, NW2
Date/time/price: 2nd Mar, 11am -12pm,  From £12.08
Creating art is a way to access a meditative state of mind and reap the benefits of the profound healing it brings. Each week sessions will start off with some short breathing exercise to music to reach a state of calm, before they begin the guided art element of the workshop. Each week they look at an artist, their history and creative journey. Their inspirations and how they and their art embodies female empowerment.