The best things to do this weekend in London

Bône in Shoreditch embraces simple elegance, offering an intimate 20-seat dining experience centred around a thoughtfully curated three-course set menu, including unlimited chips. Open exclusively for weekend evenings, this snug restaurant has garnered significant buzz on London's dining scene from one launch dinner alone.

London's leading model railway show returns to Alexandra Palace this weekend, showcasing over 35 intricate layouts from the UK, Europe, and the US. With 70+ retailers and manufacturers, visitors can browse model railway essentials while enjoying live demonstrations and expert insights. Spanning two grand halls, this event caters to railway enthusiasts and families alike.

Though St Patrick's Day is on Monday, most of the fun stuff is taking place this weekend, with parties and special offers to be enjoyed all across town. The annual St Patrick's Day Festival is on Sunday, featuring a parade, family-friendly activities, and more throughout the day. Check out our guide to the best St Paddy's Day events for the low-down on one of the most fun holidays of the year.

Union Social at The Gantry is giving away 50 free espresso martinis this Saturday to celebrate Espresso Martini Day. To claim one, visitors must ask the baristas at Hermanos on the ground floor to "make my coffee shaken, not brewed" and exchange their token at Union Social upstairs. The giveaway starts at noon, with drinks available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Magic of India's Colour Dance Party returns on Sunday to celebrate Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colours, Love, and Spring. Held at Waterlow Park's Rose Garden, the family-friendly event features traditional drummers, dancers, a live band, a DJ, and delicious Indian food stalls. The highlight is the vibrant colour-throwing, where attendees unleash packets of skin-safe powder for a joyful, high-energy celebration.

C2C: Country to Country, the UK's biggest country music festival, returns to The O2 this weekend. This year's line-up features major stars like Lainey Wilson, Dierks Bentley, and Cody Johnson, as well as rising talents and local artists performing across multiple stages. With live music, artist signings, market stalls, and country-themed experiences, it's a must-visit event for fans of this rapidly growing genre.

The Good Fit event at Battersea Power Station is a month-long celebration of fitness and wellness, featuring unique workouts, expert talks, and self-care experiences. Highlights include HIIT classes on the River Thames, spin sessions in the historic turbine halls, special events by Adidas and Rocket Padel, and more. Families can join in with Peppa Pig-themed activities, while wellness brands like Kiehl's and Aesop offer skincare masterclasses tailored to active lifestyles.

East London will come alive with a stellar lineup of Women's History Month events in March. Organised by Alternative Arts in partnership with Tower Hamlets Council and local venues, this annual festival honours the achievements of contemporary women artists, activists, writers, and performers while also shedding light on the often-overlooked stories of remarkable women from East London's history.

The 23rd edition of the Kinoteka Polish Film Festival is an annual event spotlighting all things Polish cinema. Expect a combination of contemporary and classic Polish cinema across London from 6 March to 25 April 2025. The festival opens with 'Under the Volcano' at BFI Southbank and a Wojciech Has retrospective, including 'The Hourglass Sanatorium', with a closing gala at the ICA. It features new Polish cinema, documentaries like 'Silent Trees' and 'Wanda Rutkiewicz: The Last Expedition', plus a Quay Brothers' adaptation, a Polish film poster exhibition, a Komeda jazz tribute, and a fashion documentary on Jerzy Antkowiak.

The Young V&A's “Making Egypt” exhibition delves into the creative legacy of Ancient Egypt and its lasting influence on modern culture. It features over 200 items from the V&A archives, including many that have never been displayed before, spanning 5,500 years of history. Highlights include the painted inner sarcophagus of Princess Sopdet-em-haawt and an exploration of Egyptian design's impact on media like “Minecraft” and “Moon Knight”. 

Winter Sculpture Park 2025 takes over the disused land of the former Thamesmead Golf Course, showcasing works by over 30 artists. After a hiatus last year, the event is presenting 40 striking pieces across nearly seven acres of grassland. The exhibition launches this Saturday with a day-long opening party featuring DJ sets, DIY workshops, and pop-up performances, and runs on weekends until 26 April.

Kanpai is the UK's first sake brewery, blending modern British sake with traditional Japanese techniques using only rice, water, yeast, and koi. Founded in 2016, they refined their craft through extensive experimentation and training. Today, the London Bridge taproom and kitchen serves sake from ten taps alongside Japanese cocktails, craft beers, and snacks. On Saturdays, visitors can join a brewery tours for an in-depth look at low-intervention sake brewing.

The ArcelorMittal Orbit, East London's striking red sculpture designed by Anish Kapoor, is back after a brief closure for maintenance and management changes. Part public art and part thrill ride, it remains the UK's largest public artwork and the world's longest tunnel slide, now rebranded as the Helix. Visitors can either experience the 178-metre twisting descent or simply enjoy panoramic views from the top before heading back down on foot.

The Hayward Gallery is presenting the first London retrospective of Linder, showcasing her 50-year career through pioneering photomontages, unseen works, and new commissions. Rising to prominence in the late 1970s punk and post-punk scenes, the artist is known for her provocative feminist art that challenges gender norms and societal expectations. “Linder: Danger Came Smiling” offers visitors a chance to explore her experimental and thought-provoking work.

This spring, Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell star in a new West End production of “Much Ado About Nothing”, directed by Jamie Lloyd. The production at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane brings Shakespeare's witty comedy to life with a talented supporting cast. Audiences can also enjoy a themed afternoon tea at the theatre throughout the show's run.

"Soil: The World at Our Feet" at Somerset House is a ground-breaking exhibition that uncovers the crucial role soil plays in sustaining life on Earth. Divided into three sections, it presents artistic, scientific, and immersive works that explore soil's connection to climate change, human health, and regenerative farming. Highlights include Wim van Egmond's micro-photography, Michael Prime's microbial sound recordings, and interactive installations like the Soil Kitchen, inviting visitors to engage with soil in new and unexpected ways.

Rembrandt van Wine offers a glow-in-the-dark sip-and-paint experience where guests can create neon artworks under black lights while enjoying singalong music. Held every Friday and Saturday, the two-hour sessions include all art supplies, drinks, and guidance from an instructor, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced painters. With a cosy, social atmosphere, it's a great way to meet new people, whether attending solo or in a group.

The Six Nations rugby tournament is in full swing, with England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, and Italy battling it out until 15 March. No matter who you're supporting, there are plenty of places to watch the Six Nations in London. Our guide lists the best places to watch rugby in London.

Chelsea Physic Garden reopened after its winter break with a series of spring-themed events, starting with a hands-on kokedama moss ball workshop featuring seasonal snowdrops. Events will continue through March, including a seasonal plant sale and volunteer-led tours.

Lightroom's immersive exhibition “Vogue: Inventing the Runway” offers a front-row seat to the evolution of fashion runway shows using cutting-edge projection technology and archival footage. Narrated by Cate Blanchett, the show explores the journey from early 1900s couture salons to today's grand fashion spectacles, featuring iconic designers like Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, and Christian Dior.

The “AdWomen” exhibition at the Museum of Brands, in collaboration with the History of Advertising Trust, explores a century of women's roles in advertising. Drawing from the Robert Opie collection and brand archives, it highlights how ads have influenced and mirrored societal shifts. It's inspired by Channel 4's “Mad Women” and features iconic ads from the 1920s to today, celebrating pioneering women in the industry.

“The World of Tim Burton” offers fans of director Tim Burton a chance to explore his unique gothic fantasy worlds through items from his personal archives, including sketchbooks, storyboards, photography, and paintings. Showcasing both iconic works and lesser-known projects, the exhibit celebrates the distinctive style that made Burton a beloved filmmaker worldwide.

Step into the future of wildlife at the Natural History Museum's new mixed-reality exhibition, "Visions of Nature". They use cutting-edge tech to take visitors to explore eight ecosystems and discover how animals and habitats might evolve over the next century, showing the impact of human intervention and scientific innovation.

An immersive exhibition dedicated to the beloved US sitcom "Friends" came to London in August as part of the new Immerse LDN entertainment district. Fans can explore recreated sets, including the iconic Central Perk couch and Joey and Chandler's foosball table, reliving memorable moments from the show. Photo opportunities abound throughout.

“NAOMI: In Fashion” explores the career of Naomi Campbell, showcasing items from her wardrobe alongside designer archives and V&A exhibits. The exhibition, produced in collaboration with Campbell, covers her journey from being scouted as a teenager to her supermodel years, relationships with designers, global fame, and impact on fashion.

Open on Sundays only, the Crystal Palace Museum explores the history of the architectural masterpiece that gave its name to the entire area. Three times the size of St Paul's Cathedral, the Crystal Palace was originally built to house the Great Exhibition, later relocated, and finally destroyed in a fire in 1936. You can see original bits and pieces at the museum, as well as photographs, scaled models, and other exhibits exploring the building's fascinating past.

“Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” a prequel to the popular Netflix series, is making waves in London's West End as a major theatrical hit. The play, unfolding the backstory of the series' villain Henry Creel, is co-directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin, and has been praised for capturing the essence of “Stranger Things” as well as putting on an astounding visual feast.

Head on a Greek journey to the island of Skopelos for an unforgettable evening of dining and dancing at this Mamma Mia-inspired event. As the sun sets, discover yourself at Nikos' family-run taverna, feasting on a tasty four-course Greek meal, including dishes like Greek mezze, salad, confit lamb shoulder, and slow-cooked beef with garlic-roasted potatoes. A live band will play iconic ABBA tracks throughout the night, ensuring the dance floor stays lively with their best hits. 

Our event calendar highlights the top things to do in London.