What’s On in London: April 2026 | A Guide for International Students

It’s time for spring!

London is officially out of hibernation. Longer, brighter days bring big outdoor events like the London Marathon and the Oxbridge Boat Race, while the Easter bank holiday weekend is packed with picnics, parties, pub quizzes – and plenty of chocolate.

As the weather warms up and London’s winter grey begins to fade, keep an eye out for pastel pink cherry blossoms taking over the city’s parks, from nearby Greenwich Park to Kensington Gardens.

Here’s our pick of the best things to do in London this month 🌸

🚙 CULTURAL SPOTLIGHT: Car Boot Sales

Warmer weather brings a true British classic: the car boot sale. Think of it as a flea market – except a bit more chaotic and a lot more fun.

People drive to a field or car park, open their car boot, and sell everything they no longer want. It’s the perfect example of “one person’s trash is another’s treasure”.

Haggling is common (and encouraged), and items are often sold for as little as £1, since the goal is usually to leave with nothing left. You might find your dream jacket for a couple of pounds – or you might walk away with a teapot shaped like a duck. Either way, it’s all part of the fun.

Get Involved:

For a much more curated version, head to the Classic Car Boot Sale at Granary Square this month, where vintage clothes are sold from beautifully restored classic cars.

🏙️ APRIL HIGHLIGHTS

• London Marathon, April 26th – Join in or cheer on runners as they pass iconic landmarks, from the Tower of London to Buckingham Palace – all in support of charity. You might even end up on TV.
• Spring Fair at the Horniman Museum, April 11th – The Spring Fair brings music, food, and games to its lush gardens and Victorian glasshouse.
• London Games Festival, April 13th to 19th ­– London Games Festival is back with talks, workshops, and performances, culminating in the BAFTA Games Awards.
• Hampton Court Palace Tulip Festival, April 11th to 26th – Wander through thousands of multicoloured tulips before exploring Henry VIII’s majestic Great Hall.
• North London Book Festival at Alexandra Palace, April 23rd to 26th – With talks and readings from the likes of Natalie Haynes, Alan Hollinghurst, and Natasha Brown, this is sure to be a page-turner.
• The Boat Race, April 4th – Watch Oxford and Cambridge compete along the River Thames in one of London’s most iconic traditions.
• The Lost Estate Chat Noir, until June – Ever wanted to travel back in time to a 1890s Parisian nightclub? This is your chance.
• The Classic Car Boot Sale at Granary Square, April 18th to 19th – A retro twist on the classic British car boot sale, with vintage fashion sold from old restored cars.
• Vaisakhi on the Square 2026, April 18th – Celebrate the Sikh New Year with live performance and cultural activities – plus free veggie treats and chai.
• Workshops at Chelsea Physic Garden, April 7th – Get in the Spring spirit with gardening and craft workshops at one of London’s oldest botanical gardens.

🖼️ ART & CULTURE

• V&A East Opening, from April 18th – The V&A opens its sister museum with its first exhibition on the history and impact of Black British music.
• Cecily Brown: Picture Making at the Serpentine Galleries, until Sept 6th – See Cecily Brown’s vivid reimaginings of the landscapes of Kensington Gardens.
• David Bowie: You’re Not Alone at Lightroom, April 22nd to Oct 10th – David Bowie fans should check out this immersive exhibit of the legend, featuring rarely heard interviews and never-before-seen material.
• Billingsgate Roman House and Baths, from April – Tours reopen this month to a collection of secret Roman ruins hidden in the basement of a modern office building.

🎶 FESTIVALS & LIVE EVENTS

• Brick Lane Jazz Festival at the Truman Brewery, April 23rd to 26th – A vibrant lineup of jazz, hip-hop, and R&B artists from London’s underground music scene.
• The Audience VS at Plaisance London, April 28th – Compete against comedians in video games like Animal Crossing and Grand Theft Auto in this unique comedy special.
• Roundhouse 360 Festival, April 8th to 29th – Head to Camden’s coolest venue for a round of music, spoken word, literature, theatre, visual arts, podcasts, and club nights.

🎭 LONDON THEATRE

• Summerfolk at the National Theatre, March 6th to April 29th – The classic play of ambition and longing. Get tickets for £5 if you’re 25 or under.
• Inter Alia at Wyndham’s Theatre, March 19th to June 20th – From the director of the acclaimed Prima Facie, Rosamund Pike plays an optimistic Judge struggling to balance professional success with her personal life.
• One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at The Old Vic, April 1st to May 23rd – A powerful revival of the modern classic at one of London’s most innovative theatres.
• A Doll’s House at the Almeida Theatre, until May 23rd – Ibsen’s exploration of marriage, gender, and identity is brought to life in this intimate venue.
• My Neighbour Totoro at Gillian Lynne Theatre, until August – Studio Ghibli’s classic animation about a friendship with a strange forest creature is beautiful and eerie in equal measure.
• The Play That Goes Wrong at The Duchess Theatre, ongoing – The West End’s longest running comedy about... well, a play that keeps going wrong. Expect lots of laughs and a heavy dose of chaos.

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