Events in London in April 2026: Festivals, Exhibitions + Things to Do

April 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most event-packed months London has seen in years. Beyond the city’s usual spring charm (longer days, cherry blossom in the parks, café tables spilling onto pavements) visitors in April 2026 get something extra: a landmark 150th anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall, the largest-ever exhibition of Queen Elizabeth II’s wardrobe opening at Buckingham Palace, and a London Marathon that will draw over 56,000 runners through the capital’s most iconic streets.

This guide covers the best events in London in April 2026 with everything you need to plan your visit: exact dates, times, how to get there, and honest insider advice from people who’ve watched these events for years. Most are free. None require a car. All are genuinely worth your time.

Planning around the weather? Read our full guide to visiting London in April including what to pack and what to expect.

Things to do in London in April 2026

Key events in London in April 2026

April visitors can experience some of London’s most iconic annual events – and the good news is that many are completely free with no advance booking required. Here’s what’s on, in chronological order.

The Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race

The 2026 Boat Race takes place on Saturday 4th April – and it’s a milestone year. The women’s race celebrates its 80th anniversary while the men’s race marks its 171st.

If you haven’t seen this event before, it’s more fun than it sounds: 200,000 Londoners and visitors line the banks of the Thames, the atmosphere in the nearby pubs is electric, and the racing itself is genuinely gripping.

The 7km (4.25 mile) course runs from Putney Bridge to Chiswick Bridge. Viewing is entirely free along the whole route. For the best atmosphere, position yourself near the finish line. You can also watch from above on Barnes Bridge and Hammersmith Bridge for a different perspective.

The women’s race starts at 2.20pm with the men’s race an hour later at 3.20pm.

🏆 Insider tip: Arrive at least 45 minutes before the women’s race if you want a riverside spot near the finish. Local pubs fill up extremely quickly – this is as much a social event as a sporting one for Londoners. The Dukes Head in Putney and the Blue Anchor in Hammersmith are both close to the route.

• When: Saturday 4th April. The women’s race at 2.20pm and the men’s race at 3.20pm
• Where: River Thames, Putney Bridge to Chiswick Bridge
• Cost: Free
• Getting there: Putney Bridge tube (District line) or Barnes/Chiswick overland stations
• Note: Local transport will be very busy. Allow extra travel time.

Easter events in London 2026

Easter Sunday falls on 5th April 2026 with bank holidays on Good Friday (3rd April) and Easter Monday (6th April).

These four days are some of the busiest in London’s calendar – popular attractions and the Underground will be much busier than usual, and some smaller museums may operate reduced hours. Book any ticketed events well in advance.

Good Friday: The Passion of Jesus, Trafalgar Square

One of London’s most unusual and moving free events: over 100 actors (plus a number of animals) perform two 90 minute outdoor plays telling the Easter story in Trafalgar Square.

Thousands of silent spectators gather around the famous fountains to watch. Even visitors who don’t celebrate Easter often find it a surprisingly powerful experience.

There are two performances on Good Friday 3rd April, at 12pm and 3.15pm. No ticket is required.

• When: Friday 3rd April at 12pm and 3.15pm
• Where: Trafalgar Square
• Cost: Free
• Getting there: Charing Cross tube station

Easter services at London’s great churches

If you celebrate Easter, attending a Good Friday or Easter Sunday service inside one of London’s landmark buildings is an extraordinary experience.

Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Cathedral and the Brompton Oratory all hold services open to visitors. Services are typically free to attend. Check each venue’s website for times as these can vary year to year.

Good Friday concert: Handel’s Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall

If you only book one ticketed event during your April visit, make it this one. The Royal Choral Society and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra have performed Handel’s Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall every Easter since 1876. In 2026, that makes it the 150th consecutive year and the Society has promised it will be something special.

The performance takes place on Good Friday 3rd April at 2.30pm. Tickets start from £24 and are available on the Royal Albert Hall website. Book early as this will sell out.

🎵 Why this is worth it in 2026 specifically: The 150th anniversary is not a marketing gimmick. The Royal Choral Society is one of Britain’s oldest and most prestigious choirs. A milestone performance in one of the world’s great concert halls is genuinely rare. And honestly the building alone is worth the ticket price.

• When: Friday 3rd April at 2.30pm
• Where: The Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7
• Cost: From £24 — book here
• Getting there: South Kensington or Gloucester Road tube stations (both around a 10 min walk)

Spring blooms at Kew Gardens and the royal parks

April is arguably the best month to visit London’s green spaces. The royal parks particularly Kensington Gardens, Greenwich Park and St James’s Park put on extraordinary floral displays as spring arrives properly after winter.

For the most spectacular spring display in London, head to Kew Gardens. In early April 2026, the gardens are running their Sounds of Blossom experience. Cherry blossom and magnolia displays enhanced by specially commissioned musical compositions played at key spots around the gardens. It’s a genuinely innovative way to experience one of nature’s great seasonal displays.

Sounds of Blossom runs until 6th April from 11am to 6pm. Pre-booking is recommended as it gets busy during the Easter weekend.

🌸 After 6th April: Even once Sounds of Blossom ends, Kew Gardens continues to be spectacular throughout April with tulips, wisteria and bluebells following the cherry blossom. If you’re visiting mid to late April, a standard Kew Gardens visit is still very much worthwhile.

• When: Sounds of Blossom until 6th April, 11am–6pm. Kew Gardens open year-round.
• Where: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, TW9 3AE
• Getting there: Kew Gardens tube station (District line) or Kew Bridge overland station
• Tip: Pre-book online to avoid queues during Easter weekend

Exhibition: Queen Elizabeth – Her Life in Style

Opening on 10th April 2026, this exhibition at the King’s Gallery inside Buckingham Palace will be the largest collection of Queen Elizabeth II’s clothing ever displayed publicly. It covers all ten decades of her life, from her christening gown through to her later years, including her wedding dress and coronation dress, along with jewellery and accessories.

This will be exceptional for Royal Family fans, fashion enthusiasts, and anyone with an interest in twentieth-century British history. The exhibition runs until 18th October 2026, but it is expected to be extremely popular and sell out on peak days. Book your tickets in advance.

• When: 10th April – 18th October 2026
• Where: The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, SW1A 1AA
• Getting there: St James’s Park or Green Park tube stations
• Tickets: Book in advance via the Royal Collection Trust

St George’s Day Celebration 2026

St George’s Day falls on 23rd April every year. This is England’s national day but is not a bank holiday so everything stays open as normal! In 2026, London marks it with a free open-air celebration in Trafalgar Square on Sunday 19th April, hosted by the Lord Mayor of London.

Expect live music, dance performances, workshops and street food from 12pm to 6pm. It’s one of the better events for visitors who want an authentic, contemporary snapshot of English culture and the diversity of modern London.

• When: Sunday 19th April, 12pm – 6pm
• Where: Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN
• Cost: Free
• Getting there: Charing Cross tube station

North London Book Festival 2026

Running from 23rd to 26th April at Alexandra Palace, the North London Book Festival brings together authors, readers and publishers for four days of readings, Q&As, workshops and book signings. This year’s lineup includes the much-loved children’s author Michael Rosen alongside a strong programme of contemporary British writers.

It’s a good option if you’re visiting with older children or teenagers, or if you want to experience something genuinely local rather than tourist-focused.

• When: 23rd – 26th April 2026
• Where: Alexandra Palace, N22 7AY
• Getting there: Wood Green tube station or Alexandra Palace overland station

London Marathon 2026: the complete spectator guide

The 2026 London Marathon takes place on Sunday 26th April. With over 56,000 runners including elite athletes, amateur runners, and charity participants it’s one of the largest and most entertaining spectator events in the world. And it’s completely free to watch.

The route

The 42km (26.2 mile) course starts in Blackheath, south of the River Thames. Runners pass iconic London landmarks including the Cutty Sark at mile 6, then cross Tower Bridge at around mile 12 before heading west along the Embankment.

The final mile runs along Birdcage Walk with the finish line on The Mall, in front of Buckingham Palace.

Best spectator spots on the Marathon route

We’ve watched the Marathon from various points on the route over the years and these are the three spots we’d recommend to visitors:

• Tower Bridge (mile 12 / 22): The most photographed section of the course. The bridge appears twice in the route, once heading east and once heading back west, so you get two chances to cheer. The scenery is unbeatable. Get there by 8am to secure a spot on the bridge itself.
• Opposite the Houses of Parliament (around mile 23): Good atmosphere with a famous backdrop. Less crowded than Tower Bridge.
• The Mall near Buckingham Palace (mile 26): The emotion at the finish line is extraordinary. Elite runners finish around 10.30–11am; most runners arrive from 1pm onwards. This is where the fancy-dress runners and emotional finishes happen.

Marathon day timings

The race starts at approximately 8.30am. Elite wheelchair racers and elite women set off first, elite men and the mass start follow shortly after.

The first elite runners cross the finish line around 2 hours later, expect the first finisher around 10.30am. The majority of runners complete the course over the following 4–5 hours, with the course typically closing around 5pm.

🚇 Transport warning: Marathon Sunday is one of the busiest days of the year on the London Underground. Several roads will be closed across South and Central London. Allow significantly more travel time than usual, particularly if crossing the river. The Elizabeth line and Overground tend to be less affected than the Underground. If you can, stay somewhere within walking distance of your chosen viewing spot.

👟 Practical tips: Wear comfortable shoes – you’ll be standing for a long time. Bring layers as the April weather can be unpredictable. The charity runners in elaborate costumes (fridges, washing machines, cartoon characters) appear throughout the pack and are well worth waiting for. Don’t forget to cheer – the runners genuinely appreciate the noise.

• When: Sunday 26th April 2026, from 8.30am
• Where: Blackheath (start) to The Mall, SW1 (finish)
• Cost: Free to spectate
• Getting there (Tower Bridge): Tower Hill tube station (Circle/District line)
• Getting there (The Mall): St James’s Park or Green Park tube stations
• Getting there (Houses of Parliament): Westminster tube station (though this area may have road closures — confirm nearer the time)

April 2026 exhibitions at London’s major museums

Most of London’s major museums and galleries are free to enter. Temporary and special exhibitions within them typically charge an admission fee.

Here’s what’s notable in April 2026:

• The British Museum has a strong programme in April, including exhibitions on Samurai culture and Sufi life and art – both worth a look for visitors with an interest in history beyond the European canon.

• Tate Modern hosts its acclaimed ‘Constable & Turner: Rivals and Originals’ exhibition until 12th April. If you can get there in the first two weeks of April, don’t miss it. The Tate is also running an exhibition about Tracey Emin, one of Britain’s most provocative contemporary artists.

• And my personal favourite the V&A South Kensington hosts a UK exhibition on the work of fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli – relevant if you’re also visiting the Queen Elizabeth fashion exhibition at Buckingham Palace, as the contrast between the two is fascinating. For a different V&A experience, the David Bowie collection at V&A East Storehouse in Hackney Wick is well worth the trip east.

• Shakespeare’s Globe on the South Bank opens its outdoor theatre season in April, and catching a performance in the open-air yard is one of London’s most distinctive cultural experiences. Standing tickets (known as ‘groundling’ tickets) start from just £5, making it one of the best value evenings in the city.Check the Globe’s website for what’s on during your visit. The April programme typically includes at least one Shakespeare play and often a contemporary production alongside it.

🎧 Planning your spring trip? Our podcast episode Visiting the UK in Spring covers the best places to visit in March, April and May – including what to expect in London, with tips on the Boat Race, the Marathon and seasonal highlights.

Planning your April 2026 visit: what you need to know

Bank holidays and busy periods

April 2026 has two bank holidays: Good Friday (3rd April) and Easter Monday (6th April).

On these dates, most major attractions remain open but may have adjusted hours. Smaller museums, independent shops and some restaurants may close. Public transport runs on a reduced (Sunday) timetable on bank holidays so expect journey times to be longer than usual.

The London Marathon on 26th April is the other major disruption to plan around. Significant road closures affect south and central London from early morning. If you’re not specifically there to watch the Marathon, it’s worth building extra time into any travel plans for that Sunday.

What to book in advance

Most events in this guide are free and require no booking. The following do need advance tickets, and we’d strongly recommend booking as early as possible:

• Handel’s Messiah, Royal Albert Hall (3rd April) – this will sell out. Book now.
• Queen Elizabeth: Her Life in Style (from 10th April) – expected to be very popular on weekends. Book in advance.
• Sounds of Blossom at Kew Gardens (until 6th April) – recommend pre-booking for Easter weekend. Book here.

Frequently asked questions: London events in April 2026

We update this guide each year as new events are confirmed. If you spot anything that needs updating, get in touch via our contact page. And if you found this useful, sharing it helps us keep the site running – thank you!