Plan an amazing April 2024 with our selection of the best events, exhibitions and things to do in London
April is an underrated month if you ask us. Winter is finally over and we’ve all started to emerge from hibernation, ready to properly commit to socialising again. The sun has put in a few appearances, London’s parks and gardens are in full bloom and the city feels alive with all the possibilities of summer, but without all the sunburn and sweltering, sleepless nights.
There’s also a handful of spring music festivals, some cracking art exhibitions and theatre (including the first open-air shows of the year) and plenty more amazing things going on around the city.
1. The London Marathon
Running a marathon is a truly gruelling feat requiring countless hours of training, so the 50,000 brave souls who are taking part London Marathon on Sunday April 21 2024 very much deserve our support. Check out our route guide to find the best spectating spots and track down nearby pubs and bars for when all that whooping and clapping leaves you feeling nearly as thirsty as the runners. Remember: your presence at this monumental sporting occasion makes it absolutely fine to drink lager or rosé in the street at 10am on a Sunday.
2. Now Play This
Step away from the mess of consoles in your bedroom and get immersed in the latest experimental games from across the world at Somerset House’s video-gaming extravaganza Now Play This. Into 8-bit 1-uping or cutting-edge new releases? The fest is all about interacting with thoughtful, inventive games that draw from the world we live in. It’s the 10th addition this year and, as ever, it will be showcasing games around a particular theme – this year: ‘Liminal: Playing Between Worlds’.
3. In the Round Festival at the Roundhouse
Originally built as a railway turntable back in the 19th century, it turns out the shape of The Roundhouse’s cylindrical brick building gives it pretty stunning acoustics. This ten-day fest uses its tubular shape to full effect, staging a unique line-up of bespoke shows, one-off collaborations and surprise gigs designed to immerse you in eclectic sounds and get you closer to your favourite artists. Artists on the programme include Tirzah, Lucy Rose, Samara Joy and The Songs of Joni Mitchell featuring Emeli Sandé, Eska, Kate Stables (This Is The Kit), Lail Arad, Sam Amidon, and Vashti Bunyan, hosted by Cerys Matthews.
4. Brick Lane Jazz Festival
We all know by now that London’s jazz scene is young, cool, underground and genre-blending. Taking place across ten venues including Rich Mix, Rough Trade East and the Village Underground, the Brick Lane Jazz Festival may be in its early iterations, but it sums up just how exciting our city’s musicians are. Better yet, the event is also teaming up with Tomorrow’s Warriors, the pioneering talent programme responsible for the success of the likes of Moses Boyd and Ezra Collective. This year’s line-up features Oscar Jermone, Ego Ella May, Tara Lily and Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange.
5. Easter in London
London has an amazing energy on bank holidays and Easter weekend is particularly blessed, because it’s a rare double bank holiday, meaning we get four whole days of work-free fun from Good Friday on April 7 to Easter Monday on April 10.
The capital has plenty to keep you occupied over your extra-long weekend. Check out our top picks for Easter weekend 2023 below.
6. Earthfest
Ahead of Earth Day, taking place on April 22, non-profit organisation Camden Clear Air Initiative have organised the first-ever Earthfest. The event, taking place over the preceding weekend consists of a programme of speakers, workshops and immersive exhibitions to discuss the pressing issue of the climate in a way that’s engaging and interactive. A fashion zone will feature sustainable brands and upcycled masterpieces, and there’ll be talks by experts at the Future of Greentech summit. April 18 is invite only, and April 19 is an industry day, but all events on 20 and 21 are free to the public!
7. The best places to see cherry blossom in London
The capital’s special colourful spectacle that signals warmer days are on the way is here. Cherry blossom season in Japan is a major event, with vistors from around the world flocking over to get a glimpse of the petals in full bloom. If you can’t make it over for this year’s sakura season London has plenty of bloomin’ marvellous places to see the flowers.
8. Eid in the Square 2024
This celebration of Eid-al-Fitr, which marks the end of fasting for Ramadan, will take over Trafalgar Square for a family-friendly day of activities and events. Live music and performances will fill the main stage and street food stalls will offer fayre from India, Venezuela, Somalia and more. You’ll also find stalls dedicated to face painting and Mehndi, plus a ‘Creative Art Zone’ with calligraphy, storytelling and drama workshops.