Colourful Holi celebrations, tasty pie-filled menus and landmark exhibitions take centre stage this weekend – each ensuring March begins in style. These are the best things to do in London this weekend (6 – 8 March 2026).
Dame Tracey Emin’s A Second Life exhibition is open in Westminster, Bollywood music fills the air in Hackney, and Ramadan celebrations continue throughout London. Soak it all up before making a beeline for one of London’s best restaurants – for afternoon tea, dinner, drinks, iftar, or simply for good food with good friends. Looking for something more relaxing? Start your weekend with morning stretching at sunrise yoga or sink into one of the city’s best hot chocolates. This is where to find it all.
1. Celebrate Holi in East London
Holi Hai! London gets into the holi swing this weekend, with celebrations taking place everywhere from Dagenham to Harrow, Feltham and Edgware. But one of our favourites takes place canalside, in a private garden at Hackney Bridge, where Bollywood DJs meet street-food snacks, a drinks bar, and live performances including dance and dhol. Vibrant skin-safe, organic colours will fill the air (and your clothes) as friends and other well-wishers throw color into the air (plus onto your face, arms, clothes and hair). Find out more about celebrating holi in India here.
Tickets begin at £10 for children and £14 for adults, and include two packets of colour (gulal) to get you started.
Saturday 7 March 2026, 11am-6pm
Address: Units 1–28, Echo Building, East Bay Lane, London, E15 2SJ
2. Discover Global Culture and Influences Right On Your Doorstep
Travel to Saudi, Syria, Iberia or India this weekend, all without leaving London. Women in Travel CIC’s intimate, female-led tours take you on a multicultural journey throughout our city, each through the eyes of women. Food is a big part of each tour, but so are personal insights into the traditions of each country, via history, art, architecture, literature, music and more. Brought to life by guides with real-life knowledge, understanding, ties and connections to each culture, these tours go beyond sightseeing and delve deep into the stories and fabric of each society, showcasing how they have influenced the UK capital. You might taste Syrian manoushe for breakfast, drink Saudi coffee for lunch, eat Indian sweets for dessert or drink Iberian wine by the Thames, all while tracing the global influences – trade, migration, design and cultural ties – that make London, well, London.
Saturday 7 March, times and prices vary
Find out more and book here
3. Celebrate British Pie Week
British Pie Week is coming to an end, and at some London restaurants, like Rosewood London’s Holborn Dining Room, that means it’s your last chance to enjoy a limited-edition pie-focussed menu. Head here before Sunday 8 March to taste collaborative dishes crafted using British produce by head chef Ilona Perczyk and pie maker Laszlo Kiss, including a scallop and lobster and a chicken and mushroom version. Or make a beeline to The Cadogan Arms in Chelsea for a fish pie made using a recipe said to have been a favourite of Winston Churchill (with 50 per cent of sale profits donated to RNLI). Over at Old Brewer’s Yard, Calum Franklin’s Braised beef with Guinness gravy pie is a year-round staple, and best enjoyed with a pint of ‘the black stuff’ too.
Varied locations across London
4. Visit Tracey Emin’s largest ever exhibition, A Second Life, at Tate Britain
Life, love, heartbreak, pain, suffering and hope – you’ll feel all of this and much more throughout Tracey Emin’s new (and largest ever) exhibition, open now at Tate Britain. Emin’s work has always been all encompassing of human nature, and in this landmark exhibition we’re invited – no drawn – further into her world, heart and feelings with such real and raw human emotion that it would be futile to try to escape its intensity. Through more than 100 of her mixed-media works – paintings, textiles, sculpture, video, and her globally recognised neon pieces – and spanning 40 years of her career, this is about as moving as an art exhibition can get. Emin is without a doubt one of the most significant artists of our generation, yet her work has come to define us all; the way we love and cry, work and grieve. The way we live. This is one of the must-see exhibitions of 2026.
Now until 31 August 2026
Address: Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
Book tickets here
5. See Central London’s Ramadan Lights
Central London’s Ramadan Lights are back for the fourth year, with the honours undertaken by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. In his address to those attending, Khan expressed his honour that “year after year, here in Central London, we celebrate all the great festivals from around the world,” before leading the countdown and hitting the switch. The lights span Coventry Street, connecting Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, and will be switched on every day throughout Ramadan from 5pm-5am, designed to reflect the timings of when fasts are broken (iftar) and begin (suhoor) in the UK. While here, head into the downstairs cafe at Zedwell Piccadilly Circus to see London’s first interfaith art exhibition. If you’re looking for iftar options, there are plenty nearby too. Find out more about the best iftars in London here.
Now until 24 March 2026. The greeting will switch from ‘Happy Ramadan’ to ‘Happy Eid’ from 18 March
6. Try a David Bowie-inspired afternoon tea
It’s been a decade since David Bowie died, so get ready to remember him in style with Café Royal’s dedicated afternoon tea which celebrates the Starman in all his glory. The connection goes deeper than cake; Bowie marked the end of his alter ego Ziggy Stardust with a legendary farewell party at the hotel, known as ‘The Last Supper’ attended by Mick Jagger and The Beatles among others. In the same opulent room (its gold-leaf walls and fresco ceiling make Buckingham Palace look tired), guests can now enjoy a Bowie-inspired menu of sandwiches, cakes and scones bearing the musician’s face. Try either his favourite green tea or his go-to cocktail (a gin martini with one olive), and sit back while a pianist plays Bowie tracks all afternoon. This is a very special afternoon for any Starman fan. Ella Alexander
Now until 29th MarchAddress: Café Royal Grill, 68 Regent Street, W1B 4DY
Book tickets here
7. Brush up on samurai history at the British Museum
Utagawa Kuniyoshi Night Attack ofChūshingura 1851–2. Japan © The Trustees of the British Museum
Revealing both the reality and myths of Japan’s warrior class, Samurai at The British Museum tells the true stories behind the legends so widely depicted in popular culture. “Much of what we think we know about samurai is invented tradition,” reads the museum’s website, but this exhibition delves into the real samurai culture – of both men and women. Battle gear is on display, but also pieces pertaining to how the samurai operated during times of peace, becoming poets and painters, for example. Discover the truth behind the tales via armour, but also paintings, photographs and textiles, and spend time exploring modern-but-not-always-accurate popular-culture depictions of the samurai too, examined here via video games like Assassin’s Creed and a Louis Vuitton outfit inspired by the 1,000-year-old culture.
Now until 4 May 2026
Adults from £23, Members and under-16s free.
Room 30, The Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery, The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG
Find out more and book tickets here
8. Go for hot chocolate with friends
We never need an excuse to pick up a sumptuous hot chocolate; some of our favourites include Knoops which is made from melted chocolate buttons in varying percentages (100 per cent extra dark chocolate, please); Chin Chin ice cream’s theatrically presented mugs with blow-torched marshmallows; and Badiani’s version, served in a tall glass mug topped with whipped cream and a wafer biscuit. But, London has loads of wonderful hot chocolates on offer throughout every borough; no matter where you find yourself this weekend, there’s a cup of the good stuff nearby. Find more inspiration here.
9. Pop into Claridge’s Bakery
Jammy Dodger’s just got chic. Yes, you read that right, and it’s all thanks to Claridge’s Bakery. This new opening is adjacent to London’s grande dame hotel, Claridge’s, and led by acclaimed chef and baker Richard Hart. Designed to celebrate British baking, stop by for a selection of nostalgic favourites: Scotch Eggs and Marmite Cheese Straws, for example, alongside sweet treats like Bakewell Tarts, Walnut Whips and the now not-so-humble Jammy Dodger.
Monday – Friday, 8am – 4pm; Saturday – Sunday: 9am – 4pm
Address: Brook’s Mews, London W1K 4HR
10. Eat a Georgian feast at this restaurant
There’s a very exciting new restaurant in London, and it’s on one of the capital’s best streets for foodies. Welcome to DakaDaka. Taking up no. 10 in a row of notable restaurants and calling established names like Heddon Street Kitchen, Piccolino, Ambassadors Clubhouse, Fonda and Sabor neighbours, this two-storey modern Georgian restaurant places emphasis on open-fire cooking with dishes spanning makhali (grill) – beef ribs, pork chops, John Dory – and other Georgian favourites like khachapuri (stuffed flatbread), shampuri (skewers) and khemsi (small plates). The wine list is curated to celebrate Georgia’s 8,000-year winemaking heritage.
Address: 10 Heddon St, London W1B 4BX
Open now. Book here
11. Try a Michelin-starred breakfast tasting menu
Move over Michelin-starred evening tasting menus, London’s first ever Michelin-starred breakfast tasting menu has launched. Pull up a chair at Pavyllon at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane to try it. Created by executive chef Benjamin Ferra y Castell, and under the guidance of chef Yannick Alléno, this five-course menu comprises dishes like tiramisu pancakes and French toast with freshly pressed juices (or amuse-juice as the restaurant has named them), pastries by chef Francesco Mannino and Eggs Royale – go all out with added caviar.
Available from 6.30am on Saturdays and 7am Sundays, until 10.30am
£70 per person with an optional drinks pairing for an additional £20pp
Book here
12. Flow Into The Weekend With Sunrise Yoga at art’otel Battersea
Start your weekend as you (perhaps) mean to go on at art’otel Battersea, where sunrise yoga kicks off at 7.30am sharp on Saturday 7 March. Taking place in Perola Bar on the hotel’s 14th floor, one-hour gentle flow yoga classes are led by @jinisyogi. Overlooking the Battersea Power Station chimneys and with breakfast included (coffee or juice and a pastry), this is one very good reason to get up and go this weekend.
Starts at 7.30am. Equipment provided.
Address: 1 Electric Boulevard, London SW11 8BJ
Find out more and book here
13. Dine At This Mayfair Hotspot
Brought to you by Serdar Demir, the man behind Turkish fine-dining restaurant The Mantl in Knightsbridge, and spread across three floors, Chargal uses oak-charcoal cooking to serve up delicious plates of mezze (kuru cacık, hummus, muhammara, manti and more) alongside main dishes like pistachio lamb cutlets, lamb fillet with smoked aubergine, and a fish platter comprising scallops, sea bass, octopus and carabinero prawn. Don’t miss the dark chocolate sorbet made with fennel pollen and olive oil for dessert.
Address:11 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 8DS
Book here
14. Enjoy The Traitors: Live Experience with friends
Were you hooked on the latest season of The Traitors? If you’re missing the twists and turns of the show and are convinced your tactics would leave you with the trophy then it’s time to find out if you’re right. Let out steam with family and friends at The Traitors: Live Experience in Covent Garden, where you become just like a contestant in the show. The experience lasts about two hours (longer if you fancy taking it to the bar) as you’ll be sent missions to win and conversations to start. Let the lies (or is it the truth?!) all come flowing out… Ella Mansell
Address: 60 Short’s Gardens, Covent Garden, WC2H 9AH
Tickets start from £29.50
Book tickets here
15. Drinks with the girls at Kitty Hawk
Address: 8 St. Martin’s Place, London, WC2N 4JH
16. Take a Day Trip
While not technically in London, all of these trips are very easy to reach from London – whether for the day or overnight. Top spots include Bath to warm up in the spa waters; Oxford to spot the university (and Harry Potter) landmarks; Canterbury to see the cathedral; Winchester to pick up a sale bargain on a historic high street; The Cotswolds for winter rambles; Margate to blow the cobwebs away on a beach walk; and Brighton to shop the pretty lanes (and Laines). All are less than two hours from London.
17. Step into the wonderful world of Wes Anderson at The Design Museum
Wes Anderson’s characteristic visual symmetry, funky colour schemes, tongue-in-cheek exaggeration, but often serious plot lines, are known to all – avid fans or not, his films are inescapable. This Design Museum exhibition is a behind-the-scenes snapshot into the incredible productions, as over 700 items from the archives are on display for the first time ever in the UK, marking the first ever retrospective of the filmmaker. The exhibition is arranged largely chronologically, sectioned out by film. In each, marvel over everything from the colourful costumes, clips from the movies, mini set replicas (the entire Darjeeling Express included), on-set BTS stills, soundtrack snippets, and all the props you could think of, from sketches, to books, to typewriters to perfume bottles, and even the iron tasseled keys from The Grand Budapest Hotel near a scaled model of the entire hotel. As co-curator and chief curatorial director of the Design Museum, Lucia Savi explains, Wes Anderson’s “extraordinary archive is testament to his unique cinematic approach,” and this exhibition is a wonderful prompt to revisit your favourites from his work. Ella Mansell
Wes Anderson: The Archives is open now until 26 July 2026 at the Design Museum.
Address: 224-238 Kensington High St, London W8 6AG, United Kingdom
Book tickets here
18. Hunker down in a Soho Listening Bar
Image Credit: Eleonora Boscarelli
Inspired by the Tokyo-style underground bars of the 1960s, listening bars have become all the rage across the world – including right here in London. One of the city’s newest is The Listening Room, which opened in October 2025, inside Wardour Street’s MOI restaurant, a Japanese-inspired grill and omakase bar. An intimate lounge-bar on the lower ground floor of the restaurant, this space serves small plates, sushi and low-intervention wine, sake and cocktails – and all with music at its centre. Live DJ nights at weekends are a mix of digital and vinyl sets, and the sound system is sharp – boosted by the expertise of London-founded audio specialist Friendly Pressure.
Address: The Listening Bar, MOI , 84 Wardour St, Soho, London, W1F 0TQ
Walk-ins welcome, or book a table here
We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.
Any Questions or Tips to add?