Things to do in London in March 2024

March in London signals the arrival of spring and a host of engaging events. From the lively celebrations of St. Patrick's Day to the meaningful observations of International Women's Day and Mother's Day. Notable highlights include the return of the Collect Art Fair, the intriguing Grand Expedition, and the premiere of Ballet National de Marseille's Roommates. Explore our selection of March events below.

Ballet national de Marseille: Roommates

Grime Ballet ©Thierry Hauswald.

#FLODown: In March, Ballet National de Marseille and (LA)HORDE will premiere Roommates at Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall. Led by (LA)HORDE since 2019, this collaboration merges choreography with pop culture. Dancers will showcase six diverse pieces curated by (LA)HORDE, blending electronic music, dancehall, and Japanese folklore to reflect contemporary society's nuances. Under (LA)HORDE's guidance, Ballet National de Marseille bridges hyper-realism with minimalism, connecting choreography with modern culture.

Date: 1 –⁠ 3 March 2024. Location: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX. Price: £20 ⁠–⁠ £45. Book now.

 The Grand Expedition

The Grand Expedition: The Incredible Edible Journey returns to London after four years.

#FLODown: The Grand Expedition: The Incredible Edible Journey returns to London after four years, promising a 100-minute dining extravaganza at Dalston's Film Shed from 6 March 2024. Gingerline presents a global culinary adventure with tasty dishes, acrobatic acts, and exquisite choreography served by dancers. Executive Chef Jenny McNeill curates a menu representing each destination's culture, complemented by immersive animations and illustrations.

Date: from 6 March 2024. Location: Film Shed, 28 Millers Avenue, Dalston, E8 2DS. Price: Standard tickets from £99 (including entry, over four courses and full show experience).VIP tickets from £145 (including entry, over four courses, full show experience, luxury welcome cocktail and special keepsakes). Book now. 

Don’t Make Tea

Birds of Paradise - Don’t.Make.Tea. October 2022 - Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh. © Andy Catlin.

#FLODown: Birds of Paradise Theatre Company, Scotland’s leading disability-led theatre group, celebrates its 30th anniversary with a UK tour of Don’t Make Tea, a dark comedy thriller. Set in 2030, the play satirises the welfare system through Chris's journey to claim benefits. With biting dialogue and innovative staging, it sheds light on the struggles of disabled individuals in an unjust system. Writer Rob Drummond highlights the play's relevance in questioning political issues, while Artistic Director Robert Softley Gale emphasises its dynamic approach to accessibility.

Date: 26 March – 6 April 2024. Location: Soho Theatre, 21 Dean St, London W1D 3NE. Price: from £12. Book now.

Collect 2024

Collect Art Fair returns to Somerset House in March. Group (L-R 155A Gallery, Ruup & Form, Craft Scotland).

#FLODown: Returning to Somerset House for its 20th edition, Collect 2024, presented by Crafts Council, remains the premier international fair for contemporary craft and design. From 29 February - 3 March, visitors can explore and purchase museum-quality handcrafted artworks priced between £500 and £50,000. With over 400 artists represented by specialist galleries, dealers, and collectives worldwide, the fair showcases a range of creations crafted from traditional and non-traditional materials. Whether you're a seasoned collector or new to the scene, it's a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the best of contemporary craftsmanship and creativity.

Date: 29 February - 3 March 2024. Location: Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA. Price: from £27. Book now.

Spring Supper Club at Alba Caffe

Seasonal Supper Clubs at Alba Caffe kick off this March.

#FLODown: Join Alba this March for the launch of Chef Jess Young’s Seasonal Supper Clubs. Guests will gather for an intimate three-course candlelit banquet at long tables. The evening kicks off with a welcome cocktail and snacks, followed by sharing-style dishes such as mussels and wild garlic, slow-roasted spring lamb with agretti, and an Italian twist on ‘rhubarb and custard.’ Inspired by relaxed dinner gatherings in Italy, it’s a chance to meet new people and enjoy delicious food in a cosy courtyard café just off Commercial Street in Spitalfields. Italian and natural wines will be available for purchase by the glass or bottle.

Date: 8 March 2024. Location: 28 Commercial Street, E1 6AB. Price: £55, including a welcome cocktail, snacks, three courses and service charge. Book now. Instagram:  @albacaffelondon.

 Drumsheds London

DRUMSHEDS SS24 kicks off in February 2024. Photo by Jake Davis.

#FLODown: Drumsheds presents an epic lineup of music for March. The Hydra kicks off with Bonobo presenting his OUTLIER party on Easter Sunday. Recess brings a unique blend of dancehall, UK hip hop, amapiano, and afrobeats to Drumsheds. Drumcode Records takes over with Adam Beyer, Kölsch, Stephan Bodzin [live], Layla Benitez, and a room curated by Junction 2 festival. Craig David's TS5 party brand adds soulful vocals to the mix. Explore their full March lineup for more!

Location: Drumsheds, 6 Glover Dr, London N18 3HF. Price: from £29.50 + BF.

Soufiane Ababri

Soufiane Ababri © Noel Quintela.

#FLODown: Moroccan-born artist Soufiane Ababri is making his UK institutional solo debut by transforming the Barbican Curve with an exhibition that draws from his personal experiences and a variety of influences, including film, music, and history. Through his artwork, Ababri explores themes of identity and minority perspectives, particularly focusing on his experiences as a gay Arab man. Using drawings and performances, he navigates the intersections of Western and non-Western cultures, shedding light on marginalised narratives and challenging historical imbalances.

Click here for more art exhibitions to see in London in March 2024.

Date: 13 March —30 June 2024. Location: The Curve, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: Free. Website: barbican.org.uk.

Women’s History Month 2024

Louise Bourgeois with her sculpture, THREE HORIZONTALS, in her home on 20th Street in NYC in 1999, Courtesy The Easton Foundation. Photo by Elfie Semotan and courtesy the Barbican Centre.

#FLODown: Alternative Arts presents Women’s History Month 2024 in East London from 1-31 March 2024, with International Women's Week from 2-10 March and International Women's Day on 8 March.The programme includes exhibitions such as Dreams Have No Titles by Zineb Sedira at Whitechapel Gallery and Unravel: The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art at the Barbican, along with conversations featuring artist Bobby Baker and historian Dr. Jill Liddington. Workshops, studio visits, and storytelling sessions are also available, including the Arab Women Artists Now festival and events at the Women's Library at LSE and the Queen’s House.

Date: 1- 31 March 2024. Click here to download the full programme.

AVA London 2024

AVA Conference. Printworks. Photo by Jake Davis.

#FLODown: AVA London 2024 is a multi-day event in the city, featuring industry leaders and music acts at venues such as KOKO, HERE at Outernet, The Standard, and The British Library. The event includes keynote speeches, DJ sets, and workshops covering themes like the future of the music industry, community engagement, and career pathways. AVA London aims to foster collaboration and innovation within the music scene.

Date: 29 February - 2 March 2024. Location: The Standard, The British Library, The Cross, KOKO and HERE at Outernet. Price: Day + Night Delegate Pass, Access Everything from £166. Conference tickets from £59.59. Night Time event tickets from £28.50.Book now.

Brixton Chamber Orchestra at  Brixton Performs Festival

The Brixton Chamber Orchestra to preform a free concert as part of the Brixton Performs Festival. Photo by Jane Lam.

#FLODown: The Brixton Chamber Orchestra to preform a day of  free musical experiences at Brixton Recreation Centre’s 3G Football Pitch on 16 March, as part of the Brixton Performs Festival organised by Brixton Bid. The day begins at 1pm with "Discover the Orchestra!", a workshop tailored for curious young minds aged 8-12, offering an interactive introduction to orchestral music. From 3pm to 6pm, an open rehearsal provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the orchestra's preparation for the evening concert. The day culminates with a  concert starting at 7.30pm led by renowned fiddle player Dermot Crehan and conductor Matthew O’Keeffe, featuring a programme ranging from Gioachino Rossini's La Cenerentola Overture to spirited Irish melodies in celebration of the St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

Date: 16 March 2024. Location: Brixton Recreation Centre, 3G Football Pitch. Website: brixchamber.com.  

Sky High Reading Nook

Sky High Nook has been launched at Battersea Power Station’s Lift 109 to celebrate World Book Day takes place on 7 March 2024. Photo by Joshua Atkins.

#FLODown: To commemorate World Book Day on 7 March 2024, Battersea Power Station's Lift 109 will transform into a snug corner for a unique sky-high reading experience. This special event offers a curated book tasting session, allowing guests to immerse themselves in four different books chosen by the experts at Battersea Bookshop, for 10 minutes each over the span of 40 minutes. Afterwards, visitors can select their favourite title to take home.

The first event will take place on the 7 March (World Book Day) and due to popularity, they also added extra dates on the 14, 27 and 28 March. 

Dates: 7, 14, 27 and 28 March 2024. Time: 6.15pm-7.15pm & 7.15pm-8.15pm. Location: Lift 109, Battersea Power Station,Circus Rd W, Nine Elms, London SW11 8DD. Price: £45 (includes chosen novel and soft drink). Book now. Adults only, 18+.

St Patrick’s Day

St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place in Trafalgar Square on 17 March 2024.Photo by Cristiano Pinto.

#FLODown: London's St. Patrick's Day parade returns to Trafalgar Square on 17 March, showcasing Irish culture, music, and food, alongside a grand procession that kicks off at Hyde Park Corner. Expect Irish bands, dance troupes, and more along the route. The celebrations continue at Trafalgar Square with family concerts and community performances, all brought together in collaboration with the London Irish Centre.

Date: 17 March 2024. Time: Noon - 6pm. Location: Trafalgar Square, Westminster, London, WC2N 5DN. Price: Free.

Mother’s Day

Mother's Day falls on 10 March this year. From indulging in afternoon tea at the Painted Hall to exploring a variety of delightful activities together at Battersea Power Station, below are some of the wonderful ways to spend Mother's Day with your mum.

Afternoon tea at the Painted Hall

Mother's Day Afternoon Tea at the Painted Hall in the Old Royal Naval College.

#FLODown: Treat yourself and your mum to a lavish Mother's Day Afternoon Tea at the Painted Hall in the Old Royal Naval College on 10 March 2024. Experience the grandeur of this historic venue with exclusive access as you indulge in a selection of sandwiches, scones, pastries, and teacakes, perfectly complemented by a choice of Hope & Glory teas or optional prosecco/champagne. Relax to live harp music while celebrating motherhood.

Date: 10 March 2024. Time: 1pm & 3.30pm. Location: Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NN. Price: £65 (adult), £40 child (16 and under). Book now.

Mother’s Day at Battersea Power Station 

Battersea Power Station. Photo by Charlie Round Turner.

#FLODown: Battersea Power Station offers a variety of Mother's Day celebrations, from complimentary prosecco at Birdies Battersea to luxurious dining experiences at Fiume and Cinnamon Kitchen. Indulge in champagne and chocolate pairings with Searcys and Venchi or enjoy skyline views at JOIA. For something more unique, ascend one of the Power Station chimneys at Lift 109. Click here for the full list of Mother's Day offerings at Battersea Power Station.

International Women's Day 2024

International Women's Day 2024. Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere.

#FLODown: March marks International Women's Day on the 8th, with International Women's Week spanning from 2 - 10 March. The theme for this year, #InspireInclusion, highlights the importance of actively including women to foster a more equal world. Click here for our pick of things to do this this International Women's Day.

Final chance

Orchid Festival

Kew Garden Orchid Festival 2024

#FLODown: This month is your last chance to visit Kew Gardens' 2024 Orchid Festival. Now in its 28th year, the festival highlights Madagascar's biodiversity with beautiful floral displays at the Princess of Wales Conservatory.

Date: 3 February  – 3 March 2024. Location: Princess of Wales Conservatory, Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE. Price: Entry to Orchids is included when purchasing a ticket to Kew Gardens. From £22 /£5.50 adult/child. Concessions available. Book now.

Journey of the Mind

#FLODown: Don’t miss the final opportunity to experience Journey of the Mind, a touring exhibition by Without Shape Without Form (WSWF), at Cromwell Place in London until March 3, 2024. Explore Sikh wisdom through drawings and paintings by Kanwar Singh, as well as short films by Christian Wood. WSWF promotes multicultural exchange and mental health awareness.

Date: 21 February - 3 March 2024. Location: 4 Cromwell Place. London SW7 2JE. Price: Free. Website: withoutshapewithoutform.com.

The Conservatory x Ranjani Shettar. Barbican Centre. September 2023. © MTotoe.

The Conservatory x Ranjani Shettar 

Don't miss the last opportunity to view Cloud Songs on the Horizon by Indian sculptor Ranjani Shettar at the Barbican Conservatory. Shettar's debut European exhibition features five large-scale suspended sculptures inspired by nature, crafted using wood, stainless steel, muslin, lacquer, and traditional Indian craft techniques. Enjoy special late-night openings every Friday.

Date: until 24 March 2024. Location: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: Free, must be booked. Book now.