Our top 12 things to do in London this April
April in London is like a colorful whirlwind of fun and excitement! Somerset House hosts the amazing Now Play This festival, where you can dive into cool installations, workshops, and games and there is the Pokémon Center pop-up too. Cheer on the runners at the London Marathon or discover the eclectic sounds of In the Round House Festival. Take a leisurely stroll through the Hampton Court Palace Tulip Festival and get lost in a sea of beautiful blooms. Art lovers, rejoice! There's the Delight Art Exhibition and Ceramic Art London to explore. Plus, don't miss out on the London Coffee Festival for a caffeine fix and the Car Boot Sale in Kings Cross for some thrifty finds. Feeling eco-conscious? Head to Earth Fest 2024 for all things sustainable. And let's not forget the celebrations at Eid in the Square and the vibrant vibes of the London Latin Music Festival. With so much happening, April in London is an adventure waiting to happen!
Somerset House: Now Play This
As part of the city-wide London Games Festival, this year’s Now Play This features games that ask players to think of the way they perceive the spaces around them, and about the way people relate to one another. Encouraging self-reflection, the interactive festival explores the transitory, borderless spaces between artist’s imaginations and audiences' inner worlds.
Alongside games, installations, activities and workshops, there will be an accompanying programme of live events.
Date: 6 - 14 Apr 2024
Location: New Wing, Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
Price: £9, £6.50 concession, times vary
Pokémon Center pop-up - ExCeL London centre
Pokémon Center is back in London for the 2024 Pokémon Europe International Championships! Discover products exclusive to International Championships, as well as select products from Pokémon Center’s online store in the UK. In the past it has featured activities, games, merchandise, and sometimes appearances by characters or voice actors. Pokémon social media accounts will be offering a sneak peek over the next few weeks!
Date: 4 - 7 April 2024
Location: ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL
Times & price: 4 - 6 April - 10:00–20:00, 7 April - 10:00–16:00, click here to book a time slot
London Marathon
The London Marathon first took place in 1981 and has become one of the most popular marathons in the world. The route takes in many of London's best landmarks including Buckingham Palace, The Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf. Additionally, it has become renowned for its charitable aspect, with participants raising millions of pounds each year for various charitable organisations and a platform for fundraising and raising awareness for a wide range of causes.
Date: Sunday, 21st April 2024
Location: Blackheath, starting point for 40,000 runner, where large screens will stream.
If you prefer to watch from home, you can tune in to BBC1 and BBC2, with coverage starting before the first race at 8:30 a.m. Click here for the route.
Entre: How to entre
In The Round Festival at the The Roundhouse
The seventh edition of In The Round Festival is back, featuring a diverse lineup of both emerging talents and established artists. Set against our distinctive circular stage, the festival promises intimate performances not to be missed. Experience captivating shows from artists such as Tirzah, Vashti Bunyan, and Lonnie Holley. Additionally, there will be a special tribute to Joni Mitchell on her 80th birthday, featuring Emeli Sandé, Sam Amidon, Kate Stables (This Is The Kit), and hosted by Cerys Matthews.
Date: 18 - 27 April
Location: Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Rd, London, NW1 8EH
Times & Price: prices and times vary
Hampton Court Palace Tulip Festival
Celebrate the start of spring and stroll through their 60 acres and witness the breathtaking spectacle as over 100,000 tulip bulbs burst into a vibrant array of colours, marking one of the UK's most spectacular displays of planted tulips on. Finish off your visit by treating yourself to a delicious hand-crafted coffee and indulgent cake from their café.
Tulip Festival map.
Features
Tulip Talk: Join their Palace Hosts in the Wine Cellar via Henry VIII’s Kitchens as they talk all things tulips. From the origins of tulips and their fashionable status to their links to William III and Mary II, Tulipmania, and more. The talks last approximately 15 minutes.
Tulip Embroidery classes: Friday 26 April: 10.00-16.30. Create your own stunning tulip embroidery with interesting surface stitching techniques.
Date: 8 - 29 April 2024
Location: Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU
Times & prices: 10:00am - 17:30pm, Access to Tulip Festival included in entry ticket : adult: £27,20, child & young person : £13,60, under age 4: free, senior, students & concessions : £21,80.
Delight Art Exhibition
Step into the captivating world of "Delight," an exciting media art exhibition that offers a fresh take on urban city life! With a blend of art, lighting, visuals, and sound, this innovative showcase, crafted by a diverse team of creators, promises to delight all your senses. Join for a fun-filled journey through Seoul's vibrant history, daily life, and unique identity, where the past meets the present and imagination knows no bounds. Get ready for an immersive experience that will leave you smiling from ear to ear! With its 12 captivating zone, each room showcases creations by Korean artist Gyoungtae incorporating, reality, sounds, lights and more.
Date: runs until 14 April 2024
Location: Borough Yards 219-221, Clink St, SE1 9AD
Times and price: 10am - 19pm adult : £17,80, child: £10,70, seniors and student : £14,25
The London Coffee Festival
The London Coffee Festival is an annual celebration of all things coffee related. Drawing coffee enthusiasts, professionals, and vendors worldwide. It's a bustling event filled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed beans, offering attendees the chance to taste a wide array of coffees, learn brewing techniques, attend workshops, and stay updated on the latest trends in the coffee scene.
Throughout the festival, visitors can explore various zones dedicated to different facets of coffee culture, from specialty coffee stalls to artisanal food vendors and interactive demos. Exciting activities like competitions, live music at the ‘Hyde Park Bar’, and art installations add to the festival's vibrant atmosphere.
Whether you're a seasoned barista or just love a good cup of joe, this festival promises an unforgettable time.
Date: 11 - 14 April 2024
Location: The Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London, E1 6QR
Times and price: 10am - 17pm, adult: £60, child: £15, ultimate weekend pass: £79
The Classic Car Boot Sale: Coal Drop Yards
Get ready for the ultimate vintage and preowned extravaganza as The Classic Car Boot Sale returns to King's Cross for its annual spring edition. With over 100 vintage fashion traders, rare classic cars, this year to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Ford Mustang, there will be a meticulous replica of a Mustang 390 GT, driven by Steve McQueen in the James Bond film, Bullitt. Celebrity cars on display will include a previously unseen replica of John Lennon’s Rolls Royce Phantom with the incredible psychedelic paint work. There will be the Charity Super.Mkt, free clothing repair workshops. Visitors will have a unique opportunity to become part of a youth culture archive at the Museum of Youth Culture’s pop-up studio. Plus mouthwatering street food, craft beer, cocktails, and live DJs all weekend long, it's a paradise for enthusiasts of all things retro and nostalgic. Don't miss out on this two-day festival packed with fun, fashion, and timeless treasures!
Date: 27 & 28 April
Location: Coal Drops Yard, Stable St, London N1C 4DQ
Times & price: tickets £7, children under 12 go free
EarthFest 2024 - Substainablity event
Earth Fest is a celebration of our planet and sustainability, bringing together communities to promote environmental awareness and action. Through a variety of activities such as eco-friendly workshops, green technology demonstrations, sustainable living exhibits, organic food markets, live music performances, and nature walks,
In addition to live podcasts and sustainable fashion brands showcasing their latest styles, Earth Fest also features a repair café where you can give some TLC to your cherished clothing pieces, as well as a swap shop where you can trade your garments with others. It's a fantastic opportunity to engage with sustainable fashion practices and breathe new life into your wardrobe in an eco-friendly way.
Earth Fest aims to inspire individuals to make positive changes for the planet.
Date: 20 & 21 April 2024
Location: Kings Cross NW1
Times & Price: 10am - 6pm, free - book a place here
Ceramic Art London
The April Ceramic Art Festival moves this year to Kensington Olympia - it displays 119 top ceramic artist, spanning from classic pottery to modern sculptures. Organised by the Craft Potters Association, with the final pieces curated by a panel of experts, Attendees can enjoy the exhibitions, engage in interactive workshops and talks. Pieces are available for purchase, from under £100 to over £10,000. The festival provides a networking opportunities for ceramic artists and enthusiasts alike.
Date: 19 - 21 April 2024
Location: Olympia West, 12 Blythe Rd, London, W14 8UX
Times & price: 10am - 6pm, general admission: £18.50, concessions from £14 and a 3 day ticket: £44.
Eid in the Square 2024
Returning for its 19th year, the Mayor of London's free, annual festival is set to take place in Trafalgar Square, marking the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.
In collaboration with the Eid Community Advisory Group and various Muslim organizations in London, this vibrant celebration aligns with the Mayor's #LondonForEveryone campaign, fostering unity among communities, friends, and families.
The Main Stage promises an exciting lineup of performances, alongside the return of the Inspiring Muslim Awards for the second year, honoring the unsung heroes nominated by the community.
Trafalgar Square will be transformed with tons of activities, market stalls, and a a fantastic selection of global cuisines, enticing visitors to immerse themselves in the festivities.
Date: 20 April 2024
Location: Trafalgar Square, Westminster, London, WC2N 5DN, GB
Times & price: 12:00pm to 6:00pm, free
The London Latin Music Festival
Como No has been at the forefront of promoting Latin American music in England since the 1980s. There are hundreds of shows across various venues, from pubs to prestigious locations like The Jazz Café and The Royal Albert Hall.
Their lineup of events features iconic artists such as Celia Cruz, Buena Vista Social Club, and Seu Jorge, alongside emerging talents like Natalia Lafourcade and Los Fabulosos Cadillacs.
Date: 12-22 April 2024
Location: various location all over London - see full programme
Times & prices: times and prices vary
