Looking for things to do in London in April? You’re in plenty of time to book tickets to the best events in London, from theatre shows to art exhibitions, and there are always pop-ups opening across the city, but our handy guide features the best of what’s on in London in April so you won’t miss a thing. Chocoholics rejoice because April is your month – yes it’s Easter so that means chocolate for breakfast, lunch and dinner, more Mini Egg themed items than you can shake a stick at, and the return of the infamous Top Cuvée Easter egg hunt. It’s also Eid al-Fitr in April, so there’s a lot to celebrate if you’re observing Ramadan. And talking of food, there’s Stop Food Waste Day this month, so there’s even more reason to visit some of the city’s most sustainable restaurants and supper clubs. Lots of big exhibitions will be opening, including Ai Weiwei at the Design Museum, the Titanosaur at the Natural History Museum and the 50th anniversary of Aladdin Sane at the Southbank Centre, so prepare for an arty April.
1. Head to This Female-Led Fest
Diversity at festivals becomes a talking point every season when line-ups get announced and they’re stacked with straight male artists. After a successful inaugural edition last year, Risen, the fest focused on inclusivity and centred around ‘the divine feminine’, is back fighting to change things with a bill that celebrates female, trans and non-binary artists. Taking over a whole host of venues in Hackney Wick, including Colour Factory, Crate, The Yard and All My Friends, the one-dayer will cover the spectrum of electronic music with the likes of Emerald, Heléna Star, Paramida, Lakuti, Michelle Manetti, RAW SILK, Tama Sumo, Tailor Jae, Team Woibey, Aletha, A.G, Guilia Tess, Jaye Ward and more all doing their thang.
Sat 1st April 2023
Various Hackney Wick venues
@divine.risen
2. See the Biggest Creature to Ever Walk the Earth
The Natural History Museum is no stranger to hosting some very, very large residents, like Hope the blue whale and Dippy the diplodocus, but its next visitor is taking things to a whole new level. A patagotitan mayorum skeleton, a member of the titanosaur family and one of the largest creatures to ever walk the Earth, is going on display in the museum’s Waterhouse Gallery in spring as part of the Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur exhibition.
Sat 1st – Sun 30th April 2023
Cromwell Rd, London SW7 5BD
nhm.ac.uk
3. Party at the More Joy Disco
We may have said goodbye to legendary LGBTQ+ collective and club night Sink The Pink at their Farewell Ball back in April, but they’re not gone for good. A year after their departure, this coming April, they’ll be making their return with a whole new party in collaboration with designer Christopher Kane, the More Joy Disco. Set to go down at KOKO in Camden (which reopened in the spring after an impressive revamp), the disco will be a celebration of diversity and inclusion, bringing together party starters from the city’s underground scene and the world of fashion. So far, the lineup will feature pioneering DJs (including Joshua James, CC:DISCO! and Kiddy Smile), with more to be announced soon. Tickets are on sale now – get booking.
Thurs 6th April 2023, from 10pm
KOKO, 1A Camden High St, London NW1 7JE
@morejoydisco
4. Have a One-Off Feast at Bar Crispin
John Javier from The Tent (at the end of the universe) is bringing his Chinese concept Master (which he ran back in Sydney) to London for one night only. Javier will be collaborating with Bar Crispin head chef Fabien Spagnolo on the menu, which includes scallop silks with XO sauce; mala beef tendons with kohlrabi and herb salad; crab with durian, cheddar and rice; Peking-style pork jowl with pancakes and condiments; and frozen yoghurt with red bean paste and black sesame creme diplomat. Alex Price will be curating the wine pairing for the night as well as pouring from a by-the-glass list. It’s one not to miss.
Thurs 6th April 2023
19 Kingly Street, London W1B 5PY
@johnjavier
5. Go On a Wine-Themed Easter Egg Hunt
After another hoppin’ great success last year, Top Cuvée is getting on the Easter action once again by hosting another egg hunt (wine-themed of course) in Clissold Park on Easter Sunday with a whole load of goodies up for grabs. And this year’s hunt is going to bigger and better than ever because Top Cuvée is recruiting its North London neighbours to get involved in the goodie bags.
Sun 9th April 2023, from 12pm
189 Blackstock Road, London, N5 2LL
shopcuvee.com
6. Celebrate the Anniversary of This Iconic Album
The Southbank Centre will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of David Bowie’s landmark album Aladdin Sane. As well as launching a two-month-long exhibition that will look into the creation of the album’s distinctive artwork, the Centre will host a line-up of live music and talks inspired by Bowie.
Thurs 6th April – Sun 30th April 2023
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
southbankcentre.co.uk
7. Listen To Your Fave Movie Soundtracks Live
If In celebration of Warner Bros.’ 100th anniversary, Candlelight Concerts are putting on a special edition of their atmospheric live show in which a string quartet will perform music from some of the entertainment company’s best-loved movies and TV shows.
Sat 15th April 2023
Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge, London SE1 9DA
candlelightexperience.com
8. Start Summer Early at Roof East
Fancy playing a round of crazy golf, catching a movie, hitting some bullseyes or shaking it out with a dance class? Well you can do it all at Roof East. Yes the Stratford rooftop is jam-packed with activities, including Rooftop Film Club Sluggers batting cages, Birdies crazy golf, Arrows archery, Glitter Bowls lawn games, giant jenga, cornhole and table tennis. You can stay well fed and watered with the roof’s five bars and street food from the likes of Papi Chulo, Piddaji and Cheeky Burger, and of course, you’ve got those mega views over the Stratford to enjoy.
Sat 20th – Sun 30th April 2023
7 & 8 Stratford Multi Storey Car Park, Great Eastern Rd, London E15 1XE
roofeast.com
9. See This Landmark Exhibition From Ai Wei Wei
Ai Weiwei, a hugely prominent Chinese artist and activist, will open his largest UK show in eight years this April at the Design Museum. Ai Weiwei: Making Sense will feature a range of works that have never been seen before in the UK alongside some major new pieces that are to be displayed for the first time. This also marks the first exhibition of Weiwei’s to focus on design and architecture.
Fri 7th – Sun 30th April 2023
224-238 Kensington High St, London W8 6AG
designmuseum.org
10. Eat at the New Midland Grand Dining Room
Marcus Wareing and The Gilbert Scott are checking out of the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel in King’s Cross and Patrick Powell is checking in, to open the Midland Grand Dining Room in the same space. The space will consist of a restaurant, a standalone Gothic Bar, a private dining area, a chef’s table experience and an outdoor terrace. In terms of the food, there’ll be a French accent to the menu, nodding to the area’s position as a gateway to Paris and the wine list will be largely old world.
Sat 1st & Sun 30th April 2023
St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Rd, London NW1 2AR
@midlandgrand
