Where to celebrate International Women's Day in London

Celebrate International Women's Day 2026 with Royal Albert Hall organist Anna Lapwood and a stellar all-female line-up performing beloved film scores alongside music by female composers. Guests including Jess Gillam, Rusanda Panfili, and Katie Melua – joined by the Pembroke College Girls' Choir – will create a rich programme blending organ works, songs, and new commissions.

EVE: Riot Grrrls of Wrestling challenges the notion that wrestling is a male-dominated industry, and this year, to commemorate IWD 2026, they're coming to Big Penny Social in Walthamstow for a night of high-energy, punk-rock women's wrestling, cabaret, and burlesque. Expect a night of empowerment, entertainment, and fun.

To mark International Women's Day, Vinjoyment is hosting a tasting at Funky Cellar in Spitalfields Market, celebrating pioneering women in sustainable winemaking by sharing stories of their craft and impact alongside the wines. The line-up is paired with cheeses, charcuterie, and vegetarian-friendly bites. Guests will also enjoy 10% off any wines and cheeses bought in-store on the day.

Feast on delicious traditional Thai cuisine at Nipa Thai, where they run an all-female, all-Thai kitchen led by Head Chef Sanguan Parr. The menu is chock full of dishes like coconut soup with mushrooms and stir-fried chicken or pork with chillies and basil leaves, as well as the head chef’s signature dish, a classic pad Thai. There’s a classy, luxurious feel about the place, with cosy carpeted floors and polished wooden furniture.

Tonight Josephine is more than just your average Insta-worthy cocktail bar; this snazzy neon-pink bar is an ode to Napoleon's rebellious wife, Josephine. Napoleon famously once (allegedly) ignored her advances by saying, 'Not tonight, Josephine,' but she brushed him off and continued to live a lavish and sassy lifestyle without him. Sip on zingy cocktails, like the London Lady and Razzle Dazzle, or book one of their themed bottomless brunches.

Stokey's Luminary Bakery is a social enterprise that works to empower and equip women. There's a big focus on supporting women with social and economic disadvantages, prepping them to gain the skills to have a successful and comfortable future. The menu here is jam-packed with baked goodies, like brownies and sweet treats, best paired with one of their hot drinks.

Bibliophiles and oenophiles, rejoice; BookBar has you covered. This female-owned bookshop and wine bar was opened in Islington in 2021 and has been making waves in London ever since, including expanding to Chelsea in 2025. It's been the setting for various events, such as talks by renowned authors like Caleb Azumah Nelson and Emily Ratajkowski. They also host supper clubs and book clubs.

Pole dancing is a great way to build strength and feel empowered within the fitness community. It’s run by Nigerian-born Londoner Kelechi Okafor, who opened the studio in Peckham in 2016 and offers a range of classes, from pole fitness and yoga to self-defence classes - another great way to feel empowered. Treat yourself to one of their classes to celebrate International Women’s Day this year.

Feel empowered by learning the seductive art of burlesque dancing at Soho School of Burlesque. This intimate boudoir-style studio offers drop-in classes, ongoing courses, and party classes that are great for birthdays and hen dos. Classes are taught by burlesque and cabaret professionals – try one out for a unique way to celebrate IWD.

St Martin-in-the-Fields sits in the heart of London and is known for its classical music programming as much as for being a place of worship. It's hosting a special concert to celebrate International Women's Day, comprising a 30-minute journey of words and music featuring beloved choral works in the stunning setting of St Martin-in-the-Fields.

Islington Museum in Clerkenwell is a free local museum dedicated to the history of Islington. Though they're closed on 8 March, they're hosting a free workshop exploring impactful poetry about women by women, including a free-write session inspired by the read poetry, one's experience of womanhood, and inspiring women. In addition, the museum is hosting a guided tour of Clerkenwell, telling the stories of extraordinary women associated with the area.

To celebrate International Women's Day, Humble Grape is hosting an exclusive tasting event on 10 March at their Fleet Street location, dedicated to honouring women transforming the wine industry. The event spotlights pioneering female winemakers, with Humble Grape sommeliers guiding a tasting of four wines by female winemakers, paired with cheese and charcuterie.

After its Roundhouse premiere, sold-out tours, and glowing reviews, “The Songs of Joni Mitchell” returns for a one-night-only International Women's Day performance at the Southbank Centre. Kate Stables, Jesca Hoop, and Lail Arad will offer stripped-back, personal renditions of Mitchell classics, joined by pianist Richard Sears and surprise guests, paying tribute to one of the most influential songwriters ever.

The Women of London history tour company offers female-focused tours throughout the year, a great way to commemorate IWD. These include a tour highlighting women in the British Museum and another exploring the stories of working women in the East End. Be sure to check the website for special events during Women's History Month and International Women's Day.

Throughout Women's History Month, the Royal Observatory is hosting a special tour highlighting the vital role women have played in astronomy over the past 350 years. Discover figures such as the first paid female astronomical worker, the 'Greenwich Time Lady', and solar photography trailblazer Annie Maunder. The tour explores how their achievements helped shape modern science and our understanding of time and space.

Ahead of International Women's Day, women-only early club night Disco Sisters returns to London on 7 March, pairing its signature glitter-fuelled dancefloor with a fundraising partnership for The Movement Charity. Proceeds from every ticket will support trauma-informed disco dance sessions in London safe houses, offering women a joyful, confidence-building space to reconnect with their bodies through movement.

On 8 March, Sager + Wilde will mark International Women's Day with a relaxed, walk-in wine takeover celebrating women across the wine and hospitality world. Curated by Margaux Aubry, Ana Candida Ferraz, and Laís Aoki, the day features rare cellar pours, a by-the-glass list of female-made wines, and food including jambon-beurre sandwiches and fresh oysters. Running from 2pm until late with no tickets required, it's an informal, drop-in toast to the women shaping the industry.

This March, Nipotina launches Roots & Regions, a new supper club series designed for unhurried evenings of seasonal Italian cooking, generous sharing plates, and thoughtful wine pairings. Each dinner features a multi-course menu by head chef Somaia Hammad, exploring a different region through peak produce. The series opens on 3 March with an International Women's Day collaboration with Cantina Vetrère, the all-women-run Salento winery, spotlighting early spring flavours and vibrant southern pours.