Guide to Easter weekend 2024 in London

Head to Trafalgar Square on Good Friday for a live retelling of the Easter story with a cast of 100 actors. This annual performance attracts crowds of thousands and is free to attend. It tells the story of the arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus, with screens around the square so you get a great view. Two performances take place on the day.

Go to St Paul's Cathedral to join an Easter church service in one of London's most iconic landmarks. A variety of services are taking place during Easter, which are free to attend. The cathedral is also open to visitors if you're not interested in worshipping but want to explore the building instead.

Fortnum & Mason is famous for food so you can expect lots of chocolatey treats in-store for Easter. You can shop here for luxury Easter eggs, seasonal hampers, and seasonal fresh food like hot cross buns, but events are on too. On 22nd March there's a cooking demo by chef and baker Cherie Denham, who'll be sharing some delicious Easter recipes and top tips.

On 30th March you can check out the Horniman Spring Fair at the Horniman Museum in South London. This popular museum has activities for every age group and there's lots going on at the fair. Make an Easter bonnet and join the bonnet parade, enjoy live music and performances, play games, and join various workshops and activities.

There's Easter fun at ZSL London Zoo this year. As well as meeting all of the zoo's animal residents, you can join a fun Easter egg trail for the whole family and participate in Easter-themed craft activities. Whilst you're here you can see creatures ranging from ferocious big cats to otters and penguins.

Brick Lane bar, café, and events space Café 1001 is a laid-back spot to relax with food and drinks by day and enjoy music into the night. For Easter it's hosting the Brick Lane Block Party, with music from Poly-Ritmo and Haseeb Iqbal, free pizza from Sleazy Pizza, and brews from Brick Lane Tap Room.

There are special Easter events at Kew Gardens, a popular botanical garden where you can escape from the urban jungle. Head to Kew to work up a sweat on 30th or 31st March - on the 30th there's a 10K run and a half-marathon the following day, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful surroundings whilst you get your steps in.

Join an Easter service at world-famous Westminster Abbey, the site of royal funerals, weddings, and coronations. Services are running throughout the weekend at this gothic church and everyone is welcome. Alternatively, on 22nd March you can join an Easter Concert for Holy Week, with The Choir of Westminster Abbey performing music by Bach.

If you need to burn off all that chocolate then head to Regent's Park. The park is home to the annual Easter 10k race, which also includes an adults' fun race and a race for the kids. You'll pass by some of the park's most famous sights, including London Zoo, and get Easter goodies and an Easter-themed medal at the end.

Located in the park, Battersea Park Children's Zoo lets you get up close with creatures from parrots to pigs to lemurs. It's particularly popular with little ones and is a fun family day out. Exciting things are happening here at Easter including face painting, Easter-themed crafts and games, and an Easter trail where you're rewarded with a prize.

Hampstead Heath is the site of a grand stately home, Kenwood House. Visitors are welcome to explore the building and grounds. Throughout Easter there's an adventure quest for families. Hunt for clues around the grounds to track down the Easter eggs. Complete the games to win a tasty treat. The quest is running throughout the school holidays.

West London's Biscuiteers sells iced biscuits in an array of original and Instagrammable designs. Shop here for themed Easter gifts or join an Easter icing class where you'll learn to perfectly ice biscuits yourself. It's not just fun for adults either – icing classes just for kids are also available here.

Electric Brixton is a popular spot for club nights and live music, with a diverse lineup of nights. We Party is on, bringing Londoners the biggest LGBTQ+ night in the city. You can expect top DJs, enthralling dancers, great music, and a riotous vibe. There will be huge special guest names and a party that lasts until 6am.

Upscale Japanese restaurant Aqua Kyoto has an ultra-modern style and feels luxurious. Bottomless brunch is a regular fixture here and it's on as usual over the Easter weekend. The drinks will be flowing freely as you enjoy a tempting menu of Japanese dishes like sushi, edamame, and sirloin grilled on the robata.

Cabaret bar and LGBTQIA+ venue Halfway to Heaven has been open for more than 30 years. This bustling spot lays on loads of entertainment including cabaret shows, live music, and drag performances. There's a packed programme of events over the Easter weekend with shows, music, and a full day of cabaret on Saturday.

Egg has long been a staple of London's nightlife. The venue encompasses multiple rooms set over three floors. The Bass Face Easter Friday party brings you major names in drum and bass, techno, house, and UK garage. The party runs all night until 6am so you can really see the weekend in with a bang.

Celebrate Easter with a refined afternoon tea at luxury hotel The Montague on the Gardens. Enjoy afternoon tea in the bar or overlooking the peaceful gardens. A special Easter tea is available with a variety of sweet and savoury treats and a themed cocktail. Bottomless afternoon tea and a menu for children are also available.

Theo Randall at the InterContinental does Italian fine dining prepared with top quality ingredients. The venue is refined and contemporary whilst the food is vibrant and elegant. Visit for an indulgent Easter brunch with a buffet of antipasti, seasonal mushroom risotto, and a choice of mains and desserts, plus unlimited cocktails.

Unique cocktail bar The Chocolate Cocktail Club focuses on distinctive chocolatey cocktails. As you'd expect, it's a great place for a drink at Easter. There's a special menu of Easter-themed cocktails to try, including cocktails served inside edible chocolate bunnies. Sweet and savoury snacks are also available at this quirky and comfy venue.

Classic brasserie Browns has a varied menu and a distinctive retro style. Celebrate Easter at one of the restaurants with special meals every day of the long weekend. On Good Friday and Saturday you can stop by for bottomless brunch or afternoon tea, whilst on Sunday and Monday there's an Easter roast of seasonal spring dishes.

Best-known as the home of Henry VIII, Hampton Court Palace is still owned by the monarchy and you're welcome to visit the building and grounds. For Easter weekend there's a Lindt gold bunny hunt where you'll uncover fascinating stories about the palace. Finish the trail and get a chocolatey reward at the end.

Head to Waterlow Park on Easter Sunday for family fun in North London. There will be a special Easter trail around the park with a treasure map and a number of clues and riddles. Collect your map from the lawn behind Lauderdale House and get hunting – the first 100 people to complete the trail will get a chocolate reward.

Peckham Levels is a bustling multi-purpose space that always has lots going on. Easter is no different; the Easter Eggstravaganza for kids aged up to 12 includes an Easter egg hunt, petting zoo, arts and crafts station, and music and entertainment. The event is run by The Hope-Gordon Foundation, a local charity that supports children in challenging circumstances.

Lively beer hall Big Penny Social has lots of events taking place over the Easter weekend. Visit on Good Friday for a free party with DJs, a barbecue, and games and entertainment. Then on Sunday there's an Easter Family Disco for all ages to enjoy. Monday concludes the weekend with a spring-themed classical music performance.

The Harwood Arms is the only Michelin-starred London pub, known for its relaxed atmosphere, cosy feel, and quality cooking. It's recognised for its Sunday roasts in particular, but for Easter weekend they'll be serving them up on Monday as well. If you fancy a celebratory Easter meal, this is an ideal destination.

Bounce is a modern, neon-lit bar where you can play games such as table tennis, shuffleboard, and wonderball as you drink and socialise. For Easter, they're throwing it back to the 1990s with a bottomless drag brunch on Saturday, complete with two hours of free-flowing bubbles, beer, and unlimited pizza. You'll also be able to win funky prizes, sing along to classic bangers, and more.

Greenwich Market is hosting an Easter egg hunt all weekend to raise funds for Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice. Enjoy all the great market stalls and shops whilst hunting for eggs, joining arts and crafts activities, and getting some delicious chocolate from the market traders too. It's a fun day out for the entire family.

Battersea's iconic brick landmark is hosting a bunch of different events starting on Easter weekend. These family-friendly activities include the launch of their free SmileyWorld art trail, giant Easter egg building and decorating workshops, toddler musical theatre, trampolines, face-painting, and more. Expect Battersea Power Station's many dining outlets to get on board with Easter offers, too.

If you're coming to London over Easter with children, consider staying at Sea Containers on the banks of the River Thames. Not just during Easter weekend, but for a whole month from 22 March to 21 April, children under 12 eat free at the hotel restaurant. In addition, families booked into the hotel during this time can embark on a special Easter Treasure Hunt, and kids also receive their very own Explorer's Passport for learning about the South Bank's landmarks.