Choose from food, football and flowers.
The sun has returned to London. As flowers bloom and temperatures rise, it's the ideal time to get back into the city and explore all it has to offer. Enjoy a range of activities including blockbuster art exhibitions, mega music festivals and world-class sporting events. Here are the best things to do in London in the spring.
David Hockney: A Year in Normandie and Some Other Thoughts About Painting
British artist David Hockney will be bringing an exhibition to Serpentine North in Hyde Park, London. Running from 12 March to 23 August, this marks his first exhibition at the gallery, and it will showcase works that will be seen in the United Kingdom for the first time. Highlights include A Year in Normandy, a 90-metre-long frieze inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, which was created at Hockney’s studio in Normandy. The exhibition will also include the immersive Moon Room, a meditation on light and time. Plus, there will be pieces from the Sunrise series, which showcase his fascination with the passage of time.
GO: Visit www.serpentinegalleries.org for more information.
Eid in London
Celebrating Eid in London means choosing from an overwhelmingly large variety of options. Stay at luxury hotels or dine at restaurants serving halal food or special Eid menus. For a greater sense of community and relaxed family fun, join in on the festivities at events such as The Mayor of London's Eid in the Square festival in Trafalgar Square.
GO: Visit www.visitlondon.com for more information.
Grand National
The Grand National horse race is back from 9 to 11 April at Aintree Racecourse in Merseyside. Tickets vary in price, depending on which day you attend, but a few dates have already sold out, so be sure to snap yours up soon. If you'd rather watch the races from the comfort of your own home, it will be broadcast live in full by the BBC and Talksport.
GO: Visit www.grandnational.org.uk for more information.
London Marathon
The London Marathon will take place on 26 April and has become an annual and inspiring sport event in London's calendar since the first one in 1981. The 26.2-mile course will start from Blackheath and end in Westminster, and will start at 9.30am. If you want to watch the marathon, it will be broadcast live on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, or head into the city to watch it in person and cheer on the runners.
GO: Visit www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk for more information
London Soundtrack Festival
Do you know your John Williams from your Hans Zimmer soundtracks? The second London Soundtrack Festival runs from 9 to 11 April 2026, and takes place across London. The event celebrates music from film, television and games. Join talks by David Arnold, a celebration of John Williams, and guest appearances.
GO: Visit https://londonsoundtrackfestival.com for more information.
London Zoo Lates
Every Friday from 5 June to 24 July, from 6pm to 10pm, London Zoo is hosting adults-only evenings for a more peaceful visit to see the animals. Explore the wildlife, attend talks and grab a bite at the Wild Bites street food market surrounded by relaxing music and exciting animals. Tickets are available now.
GO: Visit www.londonzoo.org for more information.
Premier League
The Premier League is currently running with the final taking place on Sunday, 24 May 2026. London has a great lineup of lively bars and pubs to watch the games in this year, from The Tokenhouse in The City to The Alexandra in Clapham. Head over to your local watering hole to join UK football fans for some (not-so) friendly competition, grab a drink and start yelling at the TV with your friends. Alternatively, if you'd rather watch the games at home, Sky Sports and TNT Sports will broadcast them all season.
GO: Visit www.premierleague.com for more information.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Running from 19 to 23 May 2026, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show will showcase intricate floral designs and state-of-the-art horticulture. The best designers will display their gardening take on cityscapes while acknowledging themes of environmentalism and sustainability. Tickets usually sell out quickly, so early booking is advised.
GO: Visit www.rhs.org.uk for more information.
Roundhouse Three Sixty
Last year, the Roundhouse launched the festival, Roundhouse Three Sixty. This year, it will run from 8 to 29 April 2026 and take place at the cool Camden venue. The event brings together club nights, live music, spoken word and podcasts, and tickets are available now.
GO: Visit www.roundhouse.org.uk for more information.
Six Nations
The Six Nations rugby tournament is back again this year, and as usual, it promises to be a roaringly fun time. The games will be on most weekends until 14 March, so if you want to watch them in person, be sure to snag tickets to those held in Twickenham Stadium in London. Alternatively, head to one of your local sports pubs with some friends, grab a pint and get cheering for your team.
Go: Visit www.six-nations-guide.co.uk for more information.
Six Senses London
Six Senses London will make its highly anticipated entry into the United Kingdom by transforming the department store Whiteleys into its new home. The hotel maintains Whiteleys' Art Deco character, paying homage to the building's history while infusing it with contemporary style. This luxurious space will include a wellness club, and a spa will offer 109 guest rooms and suites. The space will include a fitness area, a 65-foot indoor pool, and a relaxation room for you to indulge in. Plus, there will be an Alchemy Bar, a longevity medical clinic, and it will be the first hotel in London to have magnesium in the pool.
GO: Visit www.sixsenses.com for more information.
St Patrick's Day
St Patrick's Day is always a fun day out, and you don't have to be in Ireland to partake in the festivities. The Mayor of London's annual St Patrick's Day Festival will take place on Sunday 15 March, with the annual parade marching from Hyde Park Corner to Whitehall. The celebrations will include Irish food, dancing and music, and as the parade ends in Trafalgar Square, you can then watch the programme of acts on the main stage, organised by the London Irish Centre.
GO: Visit www.london.gov.uk for more information.
Ramses and the Pharaohs' Gold: The Exhibition
Catch Ramses and the Pharaohs' Gold: The Exhibition at NEON in Battersea Power Station, which runs to 31 May. This experience brings together 180 treasures that are more than 3,000 years old. The displays combine historical artefacts with a state-of-the-art virtual reality experience. It’s a rare opportunity to see objects that have never left Egypt and are coming to the UK for the first time.
GO: Visit http://ramsestheexhibition.co.uk for more information.
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League (UCL) is currently running, with the final scheduled for 30 May 2026 It is one of the most prestigious football tournaments in the world, and the most prestigious club competition in all of European football. If you'd like to watch the Champions League live, look no further than Sports Bar and Grill in Farringdon or Canary Wharf for ultimate HD screening or Vine in Kentish Town for some good food alongside the games. If you'd rather watch the games at home, TNT Sports will be broadcasting the games all season.
GO: Visit www.uefa.com for more information.
Zayn Malik at The O2
Catch the singing star, Zayn Malik, at The O2. His tour kicks off on 12 May at Manchester’s AO Arena, setting the tone for what’s being billed as his biggest solo venture yet. From there, the tour will move through the UK with a show at The O2 in London scheduled for 23 May, before shifting to Mexico in June, then landing stateside for a summer of arena dates across July and August.
GO: Visit www.theo2.co.uk for more information.
