Best things to do in London this weekend: 26-27 April 2025

Get the lowdown on the hottest exhibitions, restaurants and events to check out in London this weekend.
Hannah Cornish
Written by Hannah Cornish 24 April 2025
A man and a woman with mixed-reality headsets at the Visions of Nature, a mixed reality experience, in NHM's Darwin Centre 1.
Visions of Nature, a mixed reality experience, in NHM's Darwin Centre 1. Image courtesy of the Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London and SAOLA Studio

What to do this weekend in London (26-27 April 2025)

Check out our pick of the best things to do in London this weekend, from the ultimate guide to the London Marathon, Hampton Court Palace’s iconic Tulip Festival and London’s newest climate change exhibition to immersive open-world adventures and bestselling West End theatre shows.

Enjoy great savings this season and find more London tickets and offers.

See more than 100,000 tulips at the annual Hampton Court Palace Tulip Festival

Purple tulips in the sun, in front of the Great West facade of Hampton Court Palace.

Stroll through swathes of beautifully vibrant and captivating tulips on display at Hampton Court Palace this weekend. Explore the various stunning tulips spread throughout the grounds, including the palace courtyards and formal gardens.

Entry to Hampton Court Palace Tulip Festival is included with a standard Hampton Court Palace ticket.

Navigate the 2025 London Marathon like a pro

Watch thousands of runners take to the streets of London for the TCS London Marathon challenge on 27 April. The route passes some of London’s most famous attractions, including the historic Tower Bridge, the maritime wonder Cutty Sark and the iconic Buckingham Palace.

Find the best places to watch the London Marathon with our helpful guide to the 2025 London Marathon.

Immerse yourself in world-famous artworks at FRAMELESS

A man stands in front of an immersive artwork piece with a green garden and animals at frameless london.

See iconic world-renowned masterpieces from some of the world’s greatest painters at FRAMELESS. Explore art by Munch, Bosch, Dalí and Van Gogh, reimagined using cutting-edge technology and motion sensors and blending seamlessly from room to room.

Book tickets for FRAMELESS.

Uncover Soho’s hidden foodie gems

Experience Soho’s buzzing nightlife on the Twilight Soho Food Tour. Navigate the vibrant streets with your expert guide and discover a range of diverse tantalising treats from Spanish tapas to a traditional pie and pint. Find out the best-kept secrets in Soho and immerse yourself into the bustling atmosphere on this culinary adventure.

Find more London food tours.

Join the Big Egg Hunt through the city

Colourful decorated eggs in Covent Garden with person taking a selfie with them.

Spot beautifully decorated large-scale eggs scattered across London in The Big Egg Hunt, designed by the biggest names in art, design, interiors, food and retail.

Download the free app and eggs-plore the free-to-view trail across iconic locations and landmarks in London, including Canary Wharf, Covent Garden, Battersea Power Station and The Royal Albert Hall.

Be quick – The Big Egg Hunt ends 27 April.

Experience Havana's golden age at Paradise Under the Stars

close up photo of an exotic dancer wearing a glittering gold dress and a bejewelled tiara decorated with large feathers

Escape to 1950s Havana at Paradise Under the Stars. Enjoy electrifying live music, immersive cabaret and a three-course Cuban feast. With vibrant costumes and Afro-Cuban rhythms, it's a spectacular night of glamour and sensuality.

Book tickets for Paradise Under the Stars.

Discover what lies beneath the Thames at this fascinating exhibition

Uncover interesting objects and stories from London’s rich past in a new London Museum Docklands exhibition dedicated to mudlarking – the practice of searching the River Thames’ exposed riverbeds at low tide.

See more than 350 mudlarked objects on display for the first time, from intimate personal items to historical relics, treasures and other interesting objects.

Book tickets for Secrets of the Thames at London Museum Docklands.

Celebrate the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture 2025 in Wandsworth

A photo of a woman in a red dress smiling and waving towards the camera whilst she holds a mic in her hand

Celebrate the creativity of Wandsworth during The Mayor’s London Borough of Culture 2025 with exciting events and cultural activities.

Express yourself during Strictly Wandsworth (26 April), where you can get involved with interactive activities, workshops and a series of performances showcasing the power of movement on the mind, body and in fostering creativity.

Experience a festival of orchestral innovation at the Southbank Centre

Check out Multitudes, a new festival blending orchestral music with dance, visual arts, poetry and more. Experience unique performances by world-class artists and orchestras, reimagining classical music for all the senses.

Book tickets for Multitudes at the Southbank Centre.

Take part in London's ultimate Minecraft Adventure: Villager Rescue

Become a hero and save the village at Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue.

Rescue villagers, explore interactive biomes and collect resources while you explore seven Minecraft rooms and practice your skills. Battle iconic mobs and mine for gems to fight a number of villains like spiders, skeletons and creepers.

Expect hands-on activities and immersive gameplay – a must-visit for Minecraft fans.

Embark on thrilling adventures at this fully immersive open-world adventure

an actor wearing a long dark dark and black sunglasses, gesturing to two people smiling and taking notes

 

Immerse yourself in the unique world of Phantom Peak's latest season, JonaCon. Explore the unique open-world immersive town, meet quirky characters and take part in secret missions to uncover exciting stories. With interactive sets, live actors and seasonal treats, it’s the perfect way to escape reality.

Book tickets for Phantom Peak.

 

Discover the pulse of UK Jazz at Brick Lane Jazz Festival

Experience the vibrant sounds of London's jazz scene at the Brick Lane Jazz Festival from 25 to 27 April. Featuring top artists like Laraaji, Adi Oasis and Madison McFerrin, this festival promises an unforgettable musical journey in the heart of east London.

Book tickets for Brick Lane Jazz Festival.

Explore solutions to climate change at London's newest exhibition

A man and a woman with mixed-reality headsets at the Visions of Nature, a mixed reality experience, in NHM's Darwin Centre 1.

Visit the Natural History Museum's Fixing Our Broken Planet exhibition to explore innovative solutions to climate change. With more than 200 exhibits, interactive displays and expert insights, it's a thought-provoking and inspiring experience for all ages.

Sink your teeth into London’s newest food hall

Foodies rejoice! There’s a new food hall in town – and it goes by the name of Boxhill City.

The 17,000 square-foot venue just around the corner from Liverpool Street station is London’s newest Boxpark addition. It boasts 13 street food vendors including plant-based Mexican chain Club Mexicana, sushi and Asian fusion street food from Inamo Sukoshi, Japanese-Latin American fusion restaurant Nativo and dessert parlour Soft Serve Society.

There’s also a pop-up kitchen space for established and emerging chefs, two bars and a soon-to-be roof terrace.

 

Experience Edwardian Elegance at the King's Gallery

Two dresses in a glass cabinet in the centre of an exhibition room with portraits of royals surrounding.

Gain an insight into the opulence of the Edwardian era at the new Edwardian Elegance exhibition at the King’s Gallery.

Explore the glamour of the Edwardian age through the lives of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and King George V and Queen Mary. Marvel at more than 300 items on display, including Queen Alexandra’s notable coronation dress, on display for the first time in 30 years.

Entry to The Edwardians: Age of Elegance is included in the cost of a standard ticket to the King’s Gallery.

Join an egg-citing dinosaur egg hunt at King’s Cross

See King’s Cross transformed into a prehistoric playground and embark on an exciting family adventure to find the hidden dinosaur egg displays.

The free King’s Cross Dinosaur Egg Hunt trail starts and ends at Lightroom. Pick up a map to embark on the adventure to find 12 hidden dinosaur eggs on display, then exchange the completed map for a surprise sweet treat.

Enjoy an evening of 1920s glitz and glamour

A number of couples dance in unison during a performance on a lit stage.

See F Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel come to life with dazzling jazz and pop hits in The Great Gatsby Musical. Experience the opulence and drama of Jay Gatsby’s world, vibrantly illustrated on stage with stunning choreography, jazz and the bright lights of the roaring 20s.

Book tickets for The Great Gatsby Musical.

Discover fascinating stories and see iconic sights at London’s famous castle

A man and a woman are walking past the White Tower, the building at the centre of the Tower of London.

Step back in time and explore the iconic Tower of London. Learn of its 1,000 year history as a mighty fortress, royal palace and infamous prison, now home to the Crown Jewels and legendary Beefeaters. Delve into the history of the landmark, discovering tales of kings, queens and treason within its ancient walls.

Book tickets for the Tower of London.

Plan ahead: The Tower of London poppies return in May to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day from 6 May to 11 November 2025.

Escape the hustle and bustle this weekend on a day trip from London

Looking for a little peace and quiet? Take a day trip from London to some of the UK’s most historic destinations. Discover the magnificent regal Windsor and explore Windsor Castle, experience Bath’s rich Roman heritage or head to the seaside town of Brighton.

Explore more day tours from London.

Journey through art and technology at the Tate Modern’s latest exhibition 

Take a trip to Tate Modern, the iconic power station turned art gallery, which houses modern and contemporary art from round the world. See the latest installation in the massive Turbine Hall and admire works by Picasso, Bourgeois, Warhol, Rothko and more.

The latest exhibition, Electric Dreams, features a dreamscape of machines, movement and captivating installations that play with your perception.

What's trending in London this weekend?

  • Enjoy the sunnier weather on a Thames with City Cruises – why not enjoy the good weather accompanied by some great food on a lunch cruise or afternoon tea cruise?
  • Experience history on the HMS Belfast (just a short walk from London Bridge station) and discover what life was like on board during war times.
  • Explore the leading museum for design, from architecture to fashion and product design, at the Design Museum London and explore fascinating exhibitions like The World of Tim Burton (charges apply).
  • Experience the newly opened Tom Brown Returns to The Capital. Enjoy a modern seafood taster menu that combines a modern and clean style with creativity while showcasing exceptional finesse and quality seafood dishes. Located in The Capital Hotel at 22-24 Basil Street, Knightsbridge.

For more ideas on the best things to do in London in April, and don't forget to check out what’s on in London, including things to do each month and key events. Make sure to download the Visit London app to find more ideas on the go.