Things to do in London in April in 2025
As we approach summer, April in London brings a vibrant mix of fresh experiences and beloved traditions. Multitudes Festival, a brand-new event at the Southbank Centre, reimagines the concert hall experience with a unique fusion of orchestral music, dance, and visual arts. The Brick Lane Jazz Festival will celebrate jazz, hip-hop, and R&B with a stellar lineup of artists. The Hampton Court Palace Tulip Festival returns with an impressive display of tulips in bloom. For art lovers, there will be several exhibitions opening in London this month, including Ed Atkins’ retrospective at Tate Britain. Here’s our guide to the best things to do in London this April.
Multitudes Festival
LPO x Circa: Daphnis and Chloe. © Laura Manariti.
#FLODown: Multitudes, a bold new arts festival, will take place at the Southbank Centre from 23 April to 3 May 2025. The festival reimagines the concert hall experience, combining orchestral music with dance, theatre, spoken word, and visual arts, featuring performances from renowned orchestras like the London Philharmonic and Chineke! Orchestra, as well as groundbreaking collaborations, including Daphnis and Chloé with Circa’s circus choreography and Igor Levit’s 16-hour performance of Vexations.
Click here to discover more on what to expect at Multitudes.
Date: 23 April - 3 May 2025. Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
Ed Atkins at Tate Britain
Ed Atkins, the worm, 2021 © Ed Atkins. Courtesy of the Artist, Cabinet Gallery, London, dépendance, Brussels, Galerie Isabella Bortolozzi, Berlin, and Gladstone Gallery.
#FLODown: Tate Britain will open Ed Atkins’ largest UK survey on 2 April 2025. The exhibition will feature a variety of works, including paintings, drawings, embroideries, writings, and large-scale moving-image installations. Atkins explores the intersection of the digital world and human emotion, using his own body and personal experiences to critically engage with contemporary technologies of representation. The exhibition contrasts a digital, weightless existence with the physical world of craftsmanship and touch.
Date: 2 April - 25 August 2025. Location: Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1P 4RG. Price: £18. Concessions available. Book now.
Click here to discover more art exhibitions opening in London this April 2025.
Spring Plant Fair 2025
Artwork by Lauren Doughty, photos by Graham Lacdao.
#FLODown: The Spring Plant Fair 2025 at the Garden Museum, taking place on 13 April, brings together expert plant growers and specialist nurseries from across the UK, offering a selection of plants for gardens, balconies, and allotments. Visitors can browse stalls from nurseries like Great Dixter Nursery and Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens, while enjoying a series of engaging talks and workshops. Topics include youth-led nature recovery, sweet peas, urban fruit foraging, workers’ rights in land-related trades, and tips for setting up micro-nurseries. Curated by garden designer Susanna Grant, the Fair offers a unique opportunity to learn from experts and shop for rare plants.
Date: 13 April 2025. Time: 10am - 4pm. Location: Garden Museum, 5 Lambeth Palace Rd, London SE1 7LB. Price: from £5 Standard/ £4 Friends. Book now.
Hampton Court Palace Tulip Festival 2025
The Hampton Court Palace Tulip Festival returns with over 100,000 tulips on 11 April 2025.
#FLODown: The Hampton Court Palace Tulip Festival returns with over 100,000 tulips in bloom, creating one of the UK’s largest and most spectacular floral displays. Recognised as Britain’s Largest and Greatest Tulip Heritage Garden at the 2024 World Tulip Summit, this year’s festival offers a stunning showcase of rare and historic tulip varieties. Visitors can explore 60 acres of royal gardens, admire tulips cascading from Tudor wine fountains and vintage carts, and see floating tulip bowls in the Great Fountain. The festival provides a perfect springtime escape in the iconic grounds of Henry VIII’s palace.
Date: 11 April - 5 May 2025. Opening hours: 10am - 5.30pm. Location: Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU. Price: from £28/ £14 adult/ child. Book now.
Roof East
Roof East, East London’s iconic rooftop venue, is back on 17 April 2025.
#FLODown: Roof East, East London’s iconic rooftop venue, is back for summer 2025, opening on 17 April. Located in Stratford, it offers city views, signature games, outdoor cinema, street food, and a vibrant festival atmosphere. New for this year, Roof East will host bottomless brunches starting in May, followed by festival weekends in June, July, and August, featuring music, comedy, art, and markets. Guests can enjoy competitive games like crazy golf and archery, along with free activities like giant Jenga and ping pong. The outdoor cinema will showcase cult classics and blockbusters, and a range of street food vendors will serve up delicious offerings.
Location: Floor 8, Stratford Multi-Storey Car Park, Great Eastern Way, London E15 1XE. Tickets are now available at roofeast.com.
Teatro La Plaza’s Hamlet
Peruvian company Teatro La Plaza brings their innovative reinvention of Hamlet to London.
#FLODown: Following a sell-out run at the Edinburgh International Festival and a successful debut at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Peruvian company Teatro La Plaza brings their innovative reinvention of Hamlet to London. Directed by Chela De Ferrari, this production features eight actors with Down’s syndrome, who interweave their personal stories, desires, and frustrations with Shakespeare’s classic text. Through playfulness, humour, and powerful performances, the show explores how individuals with Down’s syndrome navigate a world that often excludes them. The production fuses Shakespeare’s words with protest songs, rap, video design, and dynamic choreography.
Date: 24 - 27 April 2025. Location: Barbican Theatre Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: from £16 plus booking fee, £5 Young Barbican tickets available. Book now.
Holly Blakey: A Wound with Teeth & Phantom
Holly Blakey: Phantom & A Wound With Teeth. Image credit Natasha Back.
#FLODown: Holly Blakey returns to the Southbank Centre with two UK premieres. A Wound with Teeth examines the impact of losing memory, drawing on Blakey’s own experience with forgetting. Her choreography highlights the strength of imagination and creativity when faced with memory loss. In Phantom, 10 dancers perform a meticulous ritual set to a rich soundscape of gauzy electronics and hypnotic beats composed by Gwilym Gold. This tender and honest piece delves into Blakey’s personal experience of miscarriage, created in collaboration with Chopova Lowena.
Date: 9 - 11 April 2025. Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes. Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX. Price: from £22 +BF. Book now.
Carmen at The Royal Opera House
Damiano Michieletto’s acclaimed production of Carmen returns to the Royal Opera House from 9 April 2025.
#FLODown: Damiano Michieletto’s acclaimed production of Carmen returns to the Royal Opera House’s Main Stage from 9 April 2025, marking the 150th anniversary of the opera’s debut. This thrilling adaptation follows the passionate and dangerous affair between the free-spirited Carmen and police officer Don José. Aigul Akhmetshina and Freddie De Tommaso lead the cast in this revival.
Date: 9 April — 3 July 2025. Location: Royal Ballet and Opera, Bow St, London WC2E 9DD. Price: £25 - £270. Book now.
London Marathon 2025
The London Marathon returns on 27 April 2025.
#FLODown: The London Marathon will take place on Sunday 27 April 2025, with around 40,000 runners tackling the 26.2-mile course. Since its debut in 1981, this iconic event has grown into a city-wide celebration, attracting participants of all abilities, from elite athletes to fun-run enthusiasts in fancy dress. The race passes through some of London’s most famous landmarks, including Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the London Eye. Whether you’re running or cheering from the sidelines, it’s a fantastic opportunity to support various charities and be part of this exciting day.
Date: 27 April 2025. londonmarathonevents.co.uk.
Brick Lane Jazz Festival 2025
The Brick Lane Jazz Festival returns for its fourth year on 25 April 2025.
#FLODown: The Brick Lane Jazz Festival returns for its fourth year in April. Spanning across twelve venues in Brick Lane and Shoreditch, the festival will spotlight local and emerging talent, featuring jazz, hip-hop, neo-soul, R&B, breakbeat, and electronic music. This three-day event will feature performances from headliners like Laraaji, Adi Oasis, and Ragz Originale, alongside rising stars and experimental outfits such as Ife Ogunjobi and Marysia Osu. With over 100 artists, the festival has become a prominent fixture in the UK music scene, offering a mix of ticketed and free-entry stages.
Date: 25 - 27 April 2025. Location: The festival will take place across various venues in East London, including the Truman Brewery on Brick Lane and locations in Shoreditch. Price: from just £29.95, and weekend passes from £89.95. Book now.
Architecture on Stage: New Architects
Wilton Square house, London by Studio KA. Image credit FH Photography.
#FLODown: In April, Architecture on Stage will feature a talk from some of the most exciting emerging architects working in Britain today, including EBBA, NVBL, OF Architecture, and Studio KA. During this special evening, each practice will present a single project, offering a unique insight into the concerns and perspectives of the new generation of British architects. It’s an opportunity to explore innovative designs and fresh approaches shaping the future of architecture.
Date: 22 April 2025. Time: 7pm. Location: Frobisher Auditorium 2, Level 4, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: £15+BF. Book now.
Vexations
Peter Rigaud (Igor Levit), Zala Opara (Marina Abramović).
#FLODown: Pianist Igor Levit will perform Erik Satie’s challenging Vexations, a 16-hour piece, in a unique event directed by conceptual artist Marina Abramović. The performance, part of the Multitudes series, is a test of endurance, with Levit repeating the one-page score 840 times, as instructed by Satie. Known for its simplicity and difficulty, Vexations has influenced numerous musicians, including John Cage.
Date: 24 - 25 April 2025. Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX. Price: £32. Book now.
Sultan Stevenson Presents El Roi
Image credit Dave Stapleton.
#FLODown: Rising jazz talent Sultan Stevenson launches his highly anticipated album El Roi with a live performance at the Purcell Room, Queen Elizabeth Hall. Joined by special guest Soweto Kinch, Stevenson—already internationally acclaimed at just 24—presents a night of jazz and creative collaboration. The event also features a conversation with Lottie Mac, the artist behind his debut album’s artwork, and the creative team who helped shape the album’s visual storytelling.
Date: 4 April 2025. Time: 7.30pm. Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX. Price: from £17 +BF. Book now.
The Big Egg Hunt
The Big Egg Hunt returns to London from 24 March.
#FLODown: The Big Egg Hunt, in partnership with Clarence Court and Elephant Family, returns to London from 24 March. This free-to-view trail features over 100 giant, artist-designed eggs scattered across iconic landmarks such as Covent Garden, Battersea Power Station, and The British Museum. Creatives including Anya Hindmarch, Rana Begum, LUAP, and Duncan Campbell & Charlotte Rey, will contribute unique designs. Participants can track and “collect” eggs via a dedicated app, unlocking prizes along the way. A silent auction will also be held, with proceeds supporting Elephant Family’s conservation efforts in South Asia.
Date: 24 March - 27 April 2025. elephant-family.org.
Pagrav Dance Company
ROOH: Within Her
© Pari Naderi.
#FLODown: ROOH: Within Her, a solo performance by Urja Desai Thakore, the Artistic Director of Pagrav Dance Company, will take place at Sadler’s Wells in April. In this moving and intricate piece, Urja will bring to life lesser-known heroines from history and legend, portraying women whose quiet acts of heroism have shaped their worlds. Through characters like a Tamil mother searching for her son’s body on the battlefield and Heerbai, a folk heroine who drives away a lion, Urja will explore how these stories, spanning two millennia, continue to influence and inspire us today.
Date: 23 – 25 April 2025. Location: Sadler's Wells Theatre, Rosebery Ave, London EC1R 4TN. Price: from £17 + £4 Maintenance fee. Book now.
Chiswick House and Garden Kitchen Garden
The Kitchen Garden at Chiswick House & Gardens. © MTotoe.
#FLODown: Chiswick House and Gardens’ Kitchen Garden reopens on 3 April, now free to enter. This 17th-century walled garden offers visitors the chance to explore over 120 fruit trees in bloom, a narcissus-lined avenue, and a newly created ‘maize maze.’ The garden also features sustainably grown flowers, including seasonal tulips, available for purchase. It’s a peaceful spot to spend a weekend.
Date: 3 April 2025. Location: Chiswick House and Gardens, Burlington Ln, Chiswick, London W4 2RP.
Horniman Spring Fair
© Horniman Museum and Gardens.
#FLODown: Celebrate the season at the Spring Fair this April at the Horniman, where live music, crafts, street food, and festive fun await in the blossom-filled gardens. Try your hand at circus skills with Project Hoop, get competitive with traditional fete games, and enjoy a lively springtime disco with DJ Danny Nutt. Take part in the Easter bonnet parade, marvel at a mesmerising bubble show, and create your own spring basket at the family craft station. With plenty of entertainment for all ages, this joyful event is the perfect way to welcome spring! Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead.
Date: 19 April 2025. Time: 11am – 4pm. Location: Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Road, London SE23 3PQ. Price: from £6. Book now.
Sounds of Blossom
Cherry Blossom 2019. © RBG Kew.
#FLODown: Last chance to celebrate the arrival of spring at Kew Gardens with Sounds of Blossom, a unique collaboration with the Royal College of Music that brings the beauty of the season to life through music. Specially commissioned compositions, inspired by spring’s splendour, will be performed in Kew’s blossom hotspots, creating a multi-sensory experience as you wander among the trees.
Date: 15 March - 6 April 2025. Location: Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE. Price: included in entry to the gardens, from £22. Book now.
Free screenings of Mr. Burton
On 31 March and 1 April 2025, Escapes will offer free preview screenings of biographical drama Mr. Burton.
#FLODown: On 31 March and 1 April 2025, Escapes will offer free preview screenings of the highly anticipated biographical drama Mr. Burton, ahead of its official release on 4 April. Starring Toby Jones, Harry Lawtey, and Lesley Manville, Mr. Burton tells the remarkable true story of Richard Burton’s rise from a poor Welsh miner to an iconic actor. This multi-day event marks Escapes’ first-ever special screening, continuing its mission to bring independent cinema to audiences across the UK for free.
Tickets for Mr Burton are FREE and available for sign up now via: escapes.cinematik.app.
Solas – A Feast of Community Films
William Blake and The River Tyburn. The Irish Cultural Centre (ICC) and The Portobello Film Festival have partnered to present Solas – A Feast of Community Films on 6 April 2025.
#FLODown: The Irish Cultural Centre (ICC) and The Portobello Film Festival have partnered to present Solas – A Feast of Community Films, a free screening event celebrating Irish culture and community stories. Highlights include the world premiere of William Blake and The River Tyburn, starring the late Niall McDevitt, and Rootical, a documentary about Caribbean photographer Charlie Phillips. Other films include Shelter Me, which explores Dublin’s homeless crisis, and Irish In Brent, focused on Irish immigration in the 80s. This special day of films honours McDevitt’s memory and celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Portobello Film Festival.
Date: 6 April 2025. Time: 12pm - 9pm. Location: Irish Cultural Centre, 5 Black's Road, London, Greater London, W6 9DT. Price: Free. irishculturalcentre.co.uk.
The Friends of Holland Park Annual Art Exhibition 2025
The Friends of Holland Park will host their annual art exhibition at The Orangery in Holland Park, Kensington, opening on 5 April 2025.
#FLODown: The Friends of Holland Park will host their annual art exhibition at The Orangery in Holland Park, Kensington, opening on 5 April 2025. This free exhibition will be open daily, showcasing a range of paintings, prints, drawings, ceramics, sculptures, and crafts by local artists. A key highlight will be a dedicated feature wall for artist Chris Hales, presenting his scenic landscapes and travel-inspired pieces. All works will be available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds supporting the charitable efforts of The Friends of Holland Park, who work to preserve and improve this beloved park.
Date: 5 – 13 April 2025. Time: open daily | 10.30am - 6pm. Location: The Orangery, Holland Park, Kensington, London W8 6LU. Price: Free.
