DAFFODILS: March is peak daffodil season in London, the ubiquitous yellow trumpets — along with their pretty crocus brethren — one of the first signs that spring is finally en route. Daffodils can be seen on pretty much any patch of grass, but if you really want to see them at their finest, swing by one of these spots.
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: March is Women’s History Month, when the often-overlooked achievements of women, and particularly women who have fought for their right to be recognised, are celebrated. We’ve rounded up some exciting events here including shows, talks and tours. 1-31 March 2026
LITERARY FOOTPRINTS: The guides at Footprints of London have once again put together a series of guided walks themed around literature, creating the Literary Footprints festival. Throughout March, join walks (and some virtual tours) on writers including Oscar Wilde, Stella Gibbons, Shakespeare and many more. Throughout March 2026
JEWISH BOOK WEEK: Taking place at Kings Place in King’s Cross across nine days, Jewish Book Week claims to be London’s longest running literary festival, and hosts talks, film screenings and panel debates covering topics including autism, TV streaming channels, Alfred Hitchcock, and the Kinderstransport. This year’s a special one; it’s the event’s 75th anniversary. 28 February-8 March 2026
SEA WITCH: For one night only, the world premiere concert of Sea Witch comes to Theatre Royal Drury Lane. West End stars including Michelle Visage and Natalie Paris take on roles in the dark musical prequel to The Little Mermaid. 1 March 2026
ST DAVID’S DAY: Whether you’re a Welsh person in London, or just an avid fan of all things from England’s western neighbour, check out our guide to being Welsh in London, and find a little slice of Cymru just in time for St David’s Day. 1 March 2026
JOHNNY CASH MUSICAL: The Ballad of Johnny & June is a new musical telling the story of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, through the eyes of their son, John Carter Cash. Catch the UK premiere at Churchill Theatre Bromley. 2-7 March 2026
REPAIR WEEK: The annual London Repair Week aims to equip Londoners with the skills needed to repair old items, rather than throwing them away and replacing them with new ones. Keep an eye on the website for details of repair hubs and workshops, spanning everything from furniture and upholstery to electricals. 2-8 March 2026
ANCIENT GREASE: An unofficial parody of the musical Grease comes to The Vaults in Waterloo, setting the action in Ancient Greece rather than 1950s American. Ancient Grease (see what they did there?) takes place in Olympus Academy, where the Alphas and Omegas are the studs, and Zeus and Hera spend a fateful summer night together, which leaves Hera with a big decision to make. 4 March-31 May 2026
DRAMA OF ARCHITECTURE: 300 years after the death of respected architect Sir John Vanbrugh, Sir John Soane’s Museum (that is a lot of Sir Johns for one sentence) opens a new exhibition about him. Learn more about the man responsible for designing some of the UK’s most admired and loved country houses, including Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard, and see some of Vanbrugh’s drawings from both major and lesser-known projects. 4 March-28 June 2026
THE OTHER ART FAIR: The Other Art Fair takes over the Old Truman Brewery for four days of artwork that’s accessible to all. Affordable and original pieces are up for grabs, alongside immersive installations, live performances and a bar. 5-8 March 2026
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Three centuries apart. Two era-defying artists. One place to see them.
There are two fantastic reasons to visit the Royal Academy this month. Celebrating a rebel painter of the British art world. And the rediscovery of a 17th century trailblazer.
Spring exhibition Rose Wylie (open from 28 February) is the biggest show of the artist’s work to date, bringing together her most iconic artworks along with brand-new and previously-unseen paintings. Look out for references to cinema, celebrities, literature and ancient civilisations throughout her pieces, which primarily feature women (including Elizabeth I, Nicole Kidman, Marilyn Monroe, Serena Williams and Snow White). The cultural references are interspersed with Wylie’s own experiences, such as living through the Blitz as a young girl, through bold and striking art. It reminds the viewer that life is full of small, often funny, but no less touching moments.
Opening on 27 March, the RA’s Michaelina Wautier exhibition puts the 17th century painter back in her rightful place as one of Europe’s most important artists. Though successful in her own lifetime, Wautier’s breathtaking paintings, and her place in art history, were almost lost in the 18th century.
Friends of the RA get more of the picture. Join today to get unlimited free entry to Rose Wylie, Michaelina Wautier, and the RA’s other exhibitions throughout the year (and see them ahead of the crowds on Friends preview days!) for you and a guest. Special events, RA Shop discounts and exclusive access to new dining destination The Keeper’s House by José Pizarro are also included for Friends of the RA.
I’M EVERY WOMAN: Singer Alexandra Burke stars in I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical at Peacock Theatre. Watch the life and career of Khan — spanning 22 albums, 25 chart-topping hits and 70 million records sold — come to life on stage. From 5 March 2026
MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS: Scottish Ballet’s choreographer-in-residence Sophie Laplane brings her major new production, Mary, Queen of Scots, to Sadler’s Wells. The Scottish Ballet Orchestra provides the soundtrack to an iconic story, unconventionally told, as Elizabeth I is haunted by memories — real and imagined — of her cousin Mary. 5-8 March 2026
CATHERINE OPIE: Photographic portraits by the American artist Catherine Opie are on display at the National Portrait Gallery, the first major museum exhibition of her work in the UK. Works featured in the exhibition span her first big artwork, Being and Having (1991), her portraits of LGBTQ+ friends inspired by court painter Hans Holbein, and her Baroque-like portraits of artists. 5 March-31 May 2026
SUMMERFOLK: Maxim Gorky’s 1905 play Summerfolk gets a revival at the National Theatre, set in a hot, beautiful summer when Russia’s elite retreat to the countryside to swim, sip champagne and start affairs, while ignoring the storm on the horizon… 6 March-29 April 2026
PHOTOGRAPHY PRIZE: View works by the four shortlisted photographers of this year’s Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize. Photos by Jane Evelyn Atwood, Weronika Gęsicka, Amak Mahmoodian and Rene Matić are on show, spanning documentary, constructed images, self-portraiture, performance and family archives from around the world. The winner is announced on 14 May. 6 March-7 June 2026
CROYDON AIRPORT: “Whatever else it has done, Croydon Airport has certainly put Croydon on the map of Europe. Many foreigners instinctively think of Croydon when they hear the word England mentioned.” (Croydon Advertiser, 1938). Londonist Editor Will Noble is at the David Sweet Hall at ECURC, East Croydon, exploring the golden age of Croydon, when it was a crucible of aviation, global travel and adventure. Just show up; recommended on-the-door donation of £3 to CNHSS. 7 March 2026
BARNES MUSIC FESTIVAL: Pianists, saxophonists, organists, singers and a concert band are some of the performers lined up for this year’s Barnes Music Festival, which takes place at venues across the area. The Music in the Dark concert is a particularly popular aspect of the programme each year, so book ahead if it takes your fancy. Under-12s get free entry as part of the festival’s Youth Programme. 7-22 March 2026
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: 8 March is International Women’s Day — here’s our pick of events going on in London to mark the occasion. 8 March 2026
HOLI FESTIVALS: The Hindu festival of Holi takes place in early March 2026, with two huge events here in London. Head to Swiss Cottage for the Magic of India Holi Colour Dance Party with Indian food stalls, bhangra dance performances, live music, a T20 match screening — and perhaps the most famous part of Holi — colour powders for throwing. A similar event happens in Hounslow the following weekend. 8/16 March 2026
LONDONERS ON TRIAL: The London Archives opens new, free exhibition Londoners on Trial: Crime, Courts and the Public 1244-1924, which delves into the history of law and order in the capital. Learn about famous cases including Dick Turpin, Jack Sheppard, Oscar Wilde, and Sylvia Pankhurst, to see how the city was governed as it grew. FREE, 9 March 2026-February 2027
JOKES AND SPOKES: Comedians James Acaster, Janine Harouni, Catherine Bohart, Jack Barry and others take to the stage at Union Chapel for Jokes and Spokes. The Bike Project’s charity comedy night raises money in support of refugees. 10 March 2026
TELEPHONE BOX: The red phone box is an icon of London, and you can find out more about its inspiration, origins, design, designer and evolution in a free talk at Guildhall Library, by Lester Hillman, who has spent decades helping to cherish and celebrate the origin of the box. FREE, 10 March 2026
TRI DESIGN FESTIVAL: A new four-day design and culture festival, TRI Design takes place in showrooms, hotels and restaurants across Knightsbridge and Chelsea, spanning exhibitions, installations, talks and workshops. Full programme TBC at time of writing, but keep an eye on the website. 12-15 March 2026
STUBBS: The works of visionary British painter George Stubbs — best known for his portrait of racehorse Scrub — are collected together in a free display at the National Gallery. It shines a spotlight on the 18 months Stubbs spent studying and drawing the anatomy of horses in the 1750s. FREE, 12 March-31 May 2026
DAVID HOCKNEY: A free exhibition of David Hockney artworks opens at the Serpentine North Gallery in Hyde Park. It focuses on his most recent works, the majority of which are created on an iPad, and includes Moon Room, which reflects Hockney’s lifelong interest in the cycle of light and time passing; his Sunrise body of work; and A Year in Normandie, a 90-metre-long frieze, inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, showing the change of seasons at the artist’s former studio. FREE, 12 March-23 August 2026
COUNTRY TO COUNTRY: Three days of country music come to The O2 as Country To Country festival returns. Rising Nashville stars take to the stage(s) between sets from headline acts including Keith Urban, Zach Top and Brooks & Dunn. 13-15 March 2026
OFF MENU LIVE: Popular foodie podcast Off Menu brings a platter of live shows to the Royal Albert Hall. Ed Gamble and James Acaster host, with a different guest at each show being served a surprise set of dream dishes. 13-16 March 2026
SIX NATIONS: International rugby tournament the Six Nations continues into March — with the six final games taking place across 6, 7 and 14 March. Whether you’re supporting England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France or Italy, here’s our pick of places screening the Six Nations action. Until 14 March 2026
MODEL RAILWAY SHOW: Chug down to south London for the Beckenham and West Wickham Vintage Model Railway Show. Various layouts are on display, and specialist traders will be present, helping you plan your own layout at home. 14 March 2026
SOUNDS OF BLOSSOM: Kew Gardens goes all out for blossom season again, with a musical soundtrack playing in the gardens’ blossom hotspots. The new pieces of music were composed and recorded by students from the Royal College of Music, and are included in your entry ticket. 14 March-6 April 2026
A MIRRORED MONET: Inspired by letters and diaries from French painter Claude Monet and his peers, new theatre show A Mirrored Monet immerses audiences in the cafés, studios and salons of Belle Époque Paris, through music and projections. It tells the story of Monet’s struggle to finish his masterpiece, The Water Lillies. See it at Charing Cross Theatre. 14 March-9 May 2026
PALACE HALF: If ever a half marathon route was fit for a king/queen, it’s the Palace Half. Start your run at the gates of Hampton Court Palace and take in the local area — including crossing the Thames twice, before finishing in the palace gardens. Plenty of charities are still looking for runners to take part on their behalf at time of writing. 15 March 2026
ROMEO & JULIET: One of London’s most anticipated theatre shows of 2026 is Romeo & Juliet at the Harold Pinter Theatre, starring Sadie Sink (Stranger Things) and Noah Jupe (Hamnet) as the star cross’d lovers of Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy. 16 March-6 June 2026
ST PATRICK’S DAY 2026: Around the middle of March each year, many Londoners embrace their distant Irish heritage, by getting stuck into St Patrick’s Day celebrations. The main event is the St Patrick’s Day festival and parade (15 March 2026), but look out for plenty of other Irish-themed parties, supper clubs, menus, bar crawls and events. Maybe acquaint yourself with one of London’s best Irish pubs too. Around 17 March 2026
KINKY BOOTS: Strictly Come Dancing’s Johannes Radebe struts into the West End to star as Lola in Kinky Boots The Musical at the London Coliseum. For the uninitiated, it’s the story of the owner of a failing shoe factory and a drag queen working together to reboot the business. 17 March-11 July 2026
MUSEUM OF EDIBLE EARTH: Geophagy — the practice of eating earth for health, and customary, or culinary benefit — is the subject of exhibition The Museum of Edible Earth at Somerset House. The touring display brings together over 600 edible samples including clay, chalk, volcanic rock and limestone from over 44 countries, and includes a communal tasting table where guided tasting sessions will take place. 18 March-26 April 2026
THE STITCH FESTIVAL: Embroidery, batik, pattern design, punch needle, crochet and dressmaking are just some of the skills and hobbies encompassed in The Stitch Festival in Islington. Shows, talks and workshops are programmed throughout the weekend, with 150+ traders selling supplies and equipment. 19-22 March 2026
INTER ALIA: Transferring to the West End after a run at the National Theatre, Inter Alia opens at Wyndham’s Theatre, with Rosamund Pike returning as judge Jessica Parks, who is trying to balance her career with the demands of motherhood. 19 March-20 June 2026
AVENUE Q: Avenue Q is back on the block, returning to the West End after two decades. A cast of human and puppet characters sings and dances through the (rather naughty) tale of a fresh college graduate who finds himself living in a rundown New York apartment among some eclectic neighbours. From 20 March 2026
MOVE IT: Claiming to be the world’s biggest dance event, Move It comes to Excel Centre. Watch performances on three different stages, and take part in classes and workshops. There are also competitions, while companies including Disney and Royal Caribbean hold auditions for dancers to join their crews. 20-22 March 2026
WARTIME LONDON: View the effects of the Second World War in London through the works of artists who were active at the time. The Imperial War Museum’s free exhibition Beauty and Destruction: Wartime London in Art contains over 45 paintings and drawings alongside photographs, film, objects and oral histories, showcasing scenes from the Docklands to St Paul’s. FREE, 20 March-1 November 2026
RAILWAY MODELLING: Model railway enthusiasts from all over country gather at Alexandra Palace for the London Festival of Railway Modelling. 35+ exhibitors show off their layouts, and there’s a chance to pick up rarer scales and gauges. 21-22 March 2026
DEPTFORD LITERATURE FESTIVAL: Saturday 28 March is the main day of this year’s Deptford Literature Festival, with most events taking place at Deptford Lounge, including talks and workshops from writers across a range of genres. A few events happen throughout the week too — check the website for full details. 21-28 March 2026
GOLD BUNNY HUNT: The Easter bunny comes to south-west London early — well, several bunnies actually — as the Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt returns to the grounds of Hampton Court Palace. Seek out the statues (no, you can’t eat them) and look on their red ribbons for their names, then pick up a small chocolate treat. 21 March-12 April 2026
RETRO GAMES FAIR: Traders from all over the UK come together for the Retro Games Fair at the Royal National Hotel in Bloomsbury, where retro video games, board games and merchandise are available to buy. 22 March 2026
TEENAGE CANCER TRUST: Elbow, Garbage, the Manic Street Preachers and Wolf Alice are among the headliners at a series of gigs in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust, taking place at the Royal Albert Hall. 23-29 March 2026
TUNNELLING HISTORY: Dig into the history of tunnelling in London, from the Brunels’ Thames Tunnel, to the mega projects of recent years such as the Elizabeth line. Jonathan Baggs, a trustee of the Brunel Museum, gives the illustrated talk, showing how the Brunels’ work paved (or rather, bored) the way for the tunnels of today. 25 March 2026
LAST PRINCESSES OF PUNJAB: Punjabi princess and suffragette icon Sophia Duleep Singh, and five women who shaped her life, are in the spotlight in a new exhibition at Kensington Palace. Sophia and her sisters Catherine and Bamba, her mother Bamba Muller, grandmother Jind Kaur and godmother Queen Victoria each became powerful changemakers in their own right. 26 March-8 November 2026
COMING OF AGE: Experiences and perceptions of ageing, from adolescence to later life, are explored in The Coming of Age at the Wellcome Collection. Artworks and historical artefacts are among the objects on display, looking at why life expectancy is increasing in different areas around the world. FREE, 26 March-29 November 2026
FAIRY TALES: Interactive displays, theatrical design, costumes and activities feature in family-friendly exhibition Fairy Tales at the British Library. Familiar characters and magical creatures are brought to life as you learn how fairy tales have been transformed through time. You can step into a couple of tales too, by sitting at the Three Bears’ breakfast table, telling the Genie your wish and smelling the Wicked Witch’s potions. 27 March-23 August 2026
EARTH HOUR 2026: For one hour on a Saturday evening, London is switching the lights off for WWF’s Earth Hour, raising awareness of the effects of global warming. Individual businesses and households are encouraged to take part by turning off the lights, but several of the capital’s major landmarks will be plunged into darkness too. FREE, 28 March 2026
RIVER RACE: The Head of the River Race is rowed annually from Mortlake to Putney, with up to 400 crews of eights taking part. Get down to the river’s edge to watch the action. FREE to watch, 28 March 2026
KEW THE RUN: Another one for London’s athletic types, Kew the Run is a 10K or half marathon route finishing in Kew Gardens. The 10K course (Saturday) is entirely contained within the gardens, while the half marathon (Sunday) starts and ends in the gardens, meandering down to Ham House in Richmond and back. 28-29 March 2026
SCHIAPARELLI: The V&A South Kensington’s fashion exhibitions are always phenomenally successful, and they’ll be hoping for another hit with Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art. It tells the story of fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli, including the inspiration she took from the Surrealism movement, and the fashion house she established, which is still going strong today. From 28 March 2026
EASTER HOLIDAYS IN LONDON: The first two weeks of April are the Easter holidays for the majority of London schools. If you’ve got children or teenagers to entertain, keep an eye on our Easter holidays events guide — we’ll cover shows, exhibitions and one-off events, as well as some free things to do. 28 March-12 April 2026
London exhibitions and shows closing in March 2026
A few things are closing this month too. March 2026 is your last chance to see:
ORCHIDS: Swing by the Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew Gardens to see a dragon, monkeys and pandas fashioned from flowers. This year’s Orchids festival celebrates the flora and fauna of China, with traditional lanterns strung among the colourful flowers. Until 8 March 2026. While you’re there, visit the International Garden Photographer of the Year Exhibition, showcasing stunning shots of green spaces, flora, fauna and fungi. Until 9 March 2026
COSTUME COUTURE: Film and TV costume provider Cosprop is the subject of the Fashion & Textile Museum’s current exhibition, Costume Couture, which displays familiar costumes from Downton Abbey, Gentleman Jack, Peaky Blinders, Pride & Prejudice and Out Of Africa. Until 8 March 2026
ANNA ANCHER: Danish painter Anna Ancher gets her first ever UK exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery, showcasing her luminous paintings, bold use of colour, and ability to capture light like no other, across 40 pieces. Until 8 March 2-026
JANE AUSTEN: The British Library marked Jane Austen’s 250th birthday with a small, single-case display of unique manuscripts and rare editions, from her earliest writing to her final completed novel, Persuasion. See it until the middle of this month. FREE, until 15 March 2026
THE FUTURE WAS THEN: What did comic creators in the past think the future would look like? That’s the premise of The Future Was Then, the Cartoon Museum’s current exhibition, which delves into the space-age heroes of the mid-20th century, and asks how successfully they predicted the future. Until 21 March 2026
JANE AUSTEN FANS: Another treat for Jane Austen fans (pun intended). The Fan Museum presents Fans in the Age of Jane Austen, showcasing themes of 18th and 19th century society, which Austen herself would have been familiar with. FREE, until 21 March 2026
NORDIC NOIR: The macabre, melancholy and sometimes provocative themes of Nordic art are explored in the British Museum’s exhibition, Nordic noir: works on paper from Edvard Munch to Mamma Andersson. Two works by Munch take centre stage among over 150 works by 100 artists from the Nordic countries, spanning themes including Norse myth, struggles with mental health, political issues, the rights of the Indigenous Sámi people, and the fight to protect nature. FREE, until 22 March 2026
LONDON’S PARKS AND GARDENS: Melissa Scott-Miller: London Parks and Gardens at the Garden Museum showcases the artist’s magnificent paintings of green spaces around the capital. Both private gardens and well-known parks feature, including the Garden Museum’s own green spaces. Until 29 March 2026
KINOTEKA: Polish film festival Kinoteka runs throughout the month, screening contemporary and classic Polish films and documentaries at cinemas across London. Until 29 March 2026
BLITZ: The Blitz — the shortlived London club night which launched the careers of Spandau Ballet and Boy George — is the subject of a Design Museum exhibition, with over 250 items: clothing and accessories, design sketches, instruments, flyers, magazines, furniture, artworks, photography, vinyls and rare film footage. Until 29 March 2026
EMERGENCY EXITS: Head to the Imperial War Museum to view Emergency Exits, an exhibition exploring the wave of independence movements that followed the end of the Second World War, as many of Britain’s former imperial territories gained independence. Particular focus is on three significant conflicts, fought in Malaya (now Malaysia), Kenya and Cyprus. FREE, until 29 March 2026