London Newsletter - April 2026

April is here, and London is waking up from its winter hangover. There’s a bit more buzz in the air, longer evenings, and a packed calendar of things to do — from exhibitions and theatre to big city-wide events. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to get out and explore, this is it.

If art and history are your thing, it’s your last chance to catch Turner & Constable: Rivals and Originals at Tate Britain from April 1. A little later in the month, Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style opens on April 10, offering a look at how the late monarch’s image evolved over the decades. And from April 18, the new V&A East Museum launches The Music is Black: A British Story, an immersive exhibition exploring the impact of Black British music and culture.

The city also comes alive with some of its biggest shared moments. On April 4, crowds gather along the Thames for the Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race — a classic London tradition that’s free to watch (but, be warned, very popular!). Then on April 26, the London Marathon — the world's most popular running event — takes over the streets, with thousands of runners and even more spectators lining the route from Greenwich to The Mall.

Music-wise, there’s plenty going on too. The Roundhouse Three Sixty Festival kicks off on April 8 with a mix of performances across different art forms, while the Brick Lane Jazz Festival (April 23–26) brings a more intimate, late-night feel with a lineup of cutting-edge artists.

Theatre fans have a couple of great options this month. Please Please Me at the Kiln Theatre (from April 16) tells the story of Brian Epstein, the man behind The Beatles, while A Midsummer Night’s Dream returns to Shakespeare’s Globe from April 23 with a fresh take on the classic play.

And if gaming is more your scene, the London Games Festival is back with talks, showcases, and events across the city celebrating all things interactive.

And if you fancy exploring London beyond the big events, April is a great time to do it on foot. Our London at War Walking Tour is back for the season, taking you through Westminster and Whitehall to uncover the stories that shaped the city — from the Blitz to the Cold War.

Date	Event	Category
April 1-12	Turner & Constable: Rivals and Originals Explore the intertwined lives and legacies of Britain’s revered landscape artists JMW Turner and John Constable through their iconic works at Tate Britain. Catch this final chance before it closes.	🖼️ Exhibition	More details →
April 4	Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race Watch the historic annual rowing competition between Oxford and Cambridge universities on the River Thames. Line the riverbanks for free views of this quintessential London spring event, with the best viewing spots at Bishop's Park and Furnivall Gardens.	⚽ Sport	More details →
April 8-29	Roundhouse Three Sixty Festival Celebrate 20 years of the Camden venue with music, theatre, dance, spoken word, and visual arts at the Roundhouse. Enjoy standout performances from Kae Tempest, Imogen Heap, Amarae, Carl Craig & Octave One, Boy Blue, and Sheku Kanneh-Mason with the Philharmonia.	🎪 Festival	More details →
April 10 - June 14	Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style Exhibition Discover the remarkable style of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch through clothing worn in all ten decades of her life - from birth to adulthood, from princess to queen, and from off-duty style to dressing for the global stage for momentous occasions in Britain’s history.	🖼️ Exhibition	More details →
April 13-19	London Games Festival Explore video game exhibits, interactive demos, industry talks, and family-friendly shows at multiple central London venues. Engage with the latest in gaming across a full week of events.	🎪 Festival	More details →
April 16 - May 23	Please Please Me Relive the electrifying story of The Beatles’ meteoric rise and the hidden struggles of their manager Brian Epstein at the Kiln Theatre. Witness the unsung tales of the ‘Fifth Beatle’ on stage.	📅 Other	More details →
April 18	The Music is Black: A British Story Celebrate the influence of Black artistry on British music at the new V&A East Museum. Experience immersive exhibits highlighting cultural impacts, with weekday admission at £22.50 and weekend at £24.50 (concessions available).	🖼️ Exhibition	More details →
April 23 - August 29	A Midsummer Night’s Dream Enjoy an uplifting production of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy at Shakespeare’s Globe, directed by Emily Lim, promising a joyful vibe under the open sky.	📅 Other	More details →
April 24-26	Brick Lane Jazz Festival Experience intimate live jazz gigs blending hip-hop, neo-soul, and contemporary sounds in local Brick Lane venues. Soak up the vibrant street atmosphere with rising musicians.	🎪 Festival	More details →
April 26	The London Marathon Cheer on runners from Greenwich to The Mall in this World Marathon Major, feeling the electric atmosphere along the route. Join the crowds in packed pubs amid major road closures.	⚽ Sport	More details →