Spring forward: What to do in London in March 2025
The first month of spring is closely associated with International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day, but London has much more to offer. Pancake Day promises a feast, St Patrick’s Day will bring a sea of green celebrations, and the city’s cultural scene is brimming with exhibitions, tours, and theatre performances. As always, Afisha.London magazine has gathered the most exciting events of the month into one guide. Time to embrace the spring spirit!
Festivals and shows
Start the season with a literary journey: from 1–9 March, Kings Place hosts the 74th Jewish Book Week, bringing together over 150 speakers across 90 events, both in-person and online. Expect appearances from Nicholas Hytner, Emma Barnett, Jonathan Freedland, Susan Neiman, and more.
For those passionate about sustainability, London Repair Week (3–9 March) is here to help you save money and the planet. Free workshops across the city will teach you how to repair and upcycle your belongings. More info
After some productive self-improvement, indulge at the Cognac Show (7–8 March), where top producers from France’s Charente region will showcase hundreds of cognacs, alongside masterclasses and a pop-up cocktail bar. Book tickets
Photo: © The Whisky Exchange
The Baby Show Excel London (7–9 March), the UK’s largest and most beloved event for pregnancy, babies, and parenting since 2002! Bringing together top experts, leading brands, and parents, this event is the ultimate destination for everything you need as you start or grow your family. Tickets and details
Art lovers will be spoilt for choice at the Affordable Art Fair (12–16 March, Battersea Park), where over 1,000 contemporary works will be on sale, starting from just £100. More info
Did you know London is one of the world’s top soundtrack hubs? The London Soundtrack Festival (19–26 March) brings together film, TV, and gaming composers, alongside orchestras performing iconic scores. Discover the programme
Craft enthusiasts should mark The Stitch Festival (20–23 March) in their calendars. Expect indie brands, small businesses, catwalk shows, and workshops led by top designers. Find out more
Perhaps the cutest event of the month, the London Cat Extravaganza (21–22 March) will see pedigree and rescue cats compete across multiple categories, with plenty of shopping opportunities for feline fans. More details
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- Photo: @lovingcatsworldwide
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- Photo: @lovingcatsworldwide
Theatre, film, tours, and concerts
On 7 March, Verka Serduchka, the iconic performer from Ukraine, will bring her signature humour and infectious energy to Indigo at The O2. Expect a night of satirical songs and pure fun. Get tickets
For an unconventional way to celebrate International Women’s Day, join the ART Breakfast (8 March), a nostalgic journey through Soviet-era perfumes (1925–1985) with an expert perfumer. Think Krasnaya Moskva and Silver Lily-of-the-Valley perfumes Book here
Cinephiles, take note: a Andrey Zvyagintsev retrospective will showcase Leviathan, Loveless, and Elena, with the director himself hosting a Q&A on 26 March. More info
On 13 March, writer Oleg Radzinsky and journalist Arkady Ostrovsky will present Days of Atonement, a family saga set against the backdrop of war in Ukraine. Tickets here
On the set of the film “Elena”. Photo: Vladimir Mishukov / az-film.com
For a family-friendly day out, take a Russian-language tour of the UK Parliament (22 March). Walk through the halls of power and learn about the workings of democracy. Book now
London’s theatre scene has something special to offer as well: on 27 March, the play Nadezhdiny, starring Masha Mashkova, arrives in the city. This is a love story set against the backdrop of a revolution, based on real events from Mashkova’s great-grandmother’s life. The performance will be in Russian. Get your tickets here.
Must-See theatre productions in London this spring
If you love theatre, London’s stages are packed with unmissable productions this season, featuring an impressive lineup of A-list stars and acclaimed performers. From Hollywood icons to award-winning stage actors, these productions bring together some of the biggest names in the industry. Here are some of the most anticipated shows:
“The Seagull” with Cate Blanchett — Thomas Ostermeier brings a fresh vision to Chekhov’s timeless classic. This production explores the themes of love, art, and ambition with a new intensity, led by Blanchett’s powerful performance. Expect a modern yet deeply emotional interpretation of this Russian masterpiece. Tickets
Photo: Richard Lakos
“Oedipus” starring Rami Malek — Ella Hickson’s daring reimagining of Sophocles’ legendary tragedy, co-directed by Matthew Warchus and Hofesh Shechter. Malek, in his highly anticipated UK stage debut, promises an unforgettable performance. Tickets
“The Years” — A bold and critically acclaimed adaptation of Annie Ernaux’s Nobel Prize-winning novel. This production captures Ernaux’s fearless and deeply personal storytelling, tracing the evolution of a woman’s life through decades of political and social change. It’s an immersive, poetic journey through memory and history. Tickets
“Second Best” starring Asa Butterfield (Netflix’s Sex Education) — A playful yet deeply moving story about fate, missed opportunities, and the winding paths life takes us on. This thought-provoking production balances sharp humour with heartfelt emotion, offering a captivating exploration of second chances. More details here.
“Richard” II starring Jonathan Bailey — Nicholas Hytner directs a thrilling new take on Shakespeare’s powerful history play. Bailey, fresh from his acclaimed performances in Bridgerton and Fellow Travelers, takes on the role of the doomed king, promising a portrayal filled with both fragility and arrogance. Expect a contemporary and visually striking production that redefines this classic. Tickets
“Much Ado About Nothing” with Tom Hiddleston & Hayley Atwell — One of Shakespeare’s most beloved romantic comedies gets a star-studded revival. Hiddleston and Atwell bring electric chemistry to the roles of Benedick and Beatrice, the famously witty and reluctant lovers. With a vibrant, modern setting and sharp comedic timing, this is a Much Ado you won’t want to miss. Tickets
“Titanic” — The iconic love story is retold in a spectacular stage production. Featuring a soaring, emotional score and breathtaking visuals, this musical adaptation brings the human stories behind the disaster to life, celebrating love, hope, and courage against the backdrop of history’s most famous ship. Tickets
“Mrs. President” — A gripping one-act play that takes audiences behind the scenes of history, revealing the triumphs and tragedies of a woman ahead of her time. A compelling and intimate portrayal of power, ambition, and sacrifice, this production brings a forgotten story to light in a strikingly relevant way. Tickets
Exhibitions
The Science Museum presents Versailles: Science and Splendour, an exhibition exploring how science shaped the grandeur of Versailles. Read our review
The Courtauld Gallery hosts a collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces from Oscar Reinhart’s Am Römerholz, featuring Goya, Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso, and Cézanne. Details
Over at Tate Modern, a provocative new exhibition explores the fearless career of Leigh Bowery, merging fashion, art, and performance. Read our feature
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- Leigh Bowery! exhibition at Tate Modern. Photo: Afisha.London
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- Leigh Bowery! exhibition at Tate Modern. Photo: Afisha.London
March also brings The World of Tim Burton, an immersive dive into the filmmaker’s fantastical universe. Tickets
For fashion lovers, Vogue: Inventing the Runway at Lightroom unpacks the evolution of catwalk shows. More info
From 8 March, the National Gallery presents Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300–1350, exploring a golden era of Italian art. Visit here
Major Events of the Month
March is Women’s History Month, and London will host numerous events to celebrate. From 3 to 8 March, Bethnal Green Mama Shelter will offer workshops where you can even try yourself as a life model. More details here
On Granary Square in King’s Cross, don’t miss the free exhibition HighlightHer, running from 4 to 30 March. Experience the world of “extraordinary ordinary” women through the eyes of illustrator Hannah Benihoud.
On 8 March, the controversial Vagina Museum will host an International Women’s Market, offering a variety of feminist-themed goods. Get your tickets here
From 19 to 30 March, Hampton Court Palace will allow visitors to explore the palace after dark, guided by an immersive audio tour that tells the stories of the women who lived and worked there. Suffragettes, royal mistresses, queens, and servants — all brought to life by actors including Kathryn Hunter and Miranda Richardson. More info here
International Women’s Day is not about flowers and spring — it has a deeper historical meaning. It’s a day of solidarity in the fight for women’s rights and emancipation. The official theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is Accelerate Action to Drive Gender Equality. Read more here
Mothers deserve recognition all year round, but Mother’s Day on 30 March is a special occasion to show appreciation. Consider gifting something special — find ideas here
Big March Celebrations
One of March’s most exciting events is Pancake Day on 4 March. Londoners love this tradition, and several races will take place across the city. At Leadenhall Market, contestants will race along a 20-metre cobbled path while flipping pancakes. Hurry up if you want to participate — register here. Another lively pancake race will happen at Guildhall, where competitors don chef’s hats and run while flipping pancakes in their pans. Details here
Photo: Leadenhall Market
On 16 March, the Irish community (and let’s be honest, anyone who loves a good party) will celebrate St Patrick’s Day. Trafalgar Square will host a grand St Patrick’s Day Parade, alongside a festival featuring Irish food, music, and dance. Find out more
On 30 March, the UK will switch to Daylight Saving Time. While we lose an hour of sleep, the evenings will be brighter — something to look forward to.
Make the most of London’s springtime festivities with our event selection. And to stay updated, follow the Events section on our website and join our Telegram channel for the latest announcements and breaking news.
Cover photo: Jacob Hilton / Unsplash
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