Things To Do In London This Easter Weekend: 19-21 April 2014

Brunch at Climpson's Arch in Hackney, see details below.

All weekend

FIRST THINGS FIRST: We've done an Easter holiday round up of events in London. Yes we have. We're really great. And modest to boot. Here it is, covering events throughout the holidays as well as this weekend.

FASHION: Lovers of fashion could make the most of the long weekend by checking out either (or both) The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier at the Barbican, or The Glamour of Italian Fashion 1945-2014 at the V&A. The former is eclectic and bold, while the latter dwells on fashion as an art form and the development of fashion in a country famous for its style.

FAIRGROUND: The team behind Street Feast has launched this new cultural centre in Hackney, offering street food, live music and events. The exact programme is still under wraps but keep your eyes on the website for more details.

KEWONKA: Kew Gardens is a lovely place to spend a bright spring day and this weekend there's an extra incentive for kids as it's the final few days of Charlie’s Chocolate Adventure, a Roald Dahl-themed fortnight. Join in with the Whipple-scrumptious Plant Hunt, step on board the Great Glass Lift, or create your own chocolate bar. Activity prices vary, prebook online

BUNNY BOAT TRIPS: Hidden Depths Canal Cruises offer a special Easter-themed boat trip today, taking in Regent's Canal with onboard activities including Easter Egg decorating. £10/£8, prebook, departures on the hour from 11am

BBQ: Climpson's Arch in Hackney puts on an Easter Weekend BBQ for Easter, with daily live music, food and a special brunch on Monday too. Free to enter but food prices vary, just turn up

NOMURA FILM: A popular filmmaker in his home county of Japan, Yoshitaro Nomura has directed 89 films, the best examples of which (as chosen by Institute of Contemporary Arts) are being screened at the venue as part of a film season. £8-£10, prebook

MUSIC FESTIVAL: On Saturday and Sunday, Yard Life festival takes of Islington's Metal Works for two days of live music from new musicians, with all proceeds going Multiple Sclerosis Research. £20-£35, prebook

CIRCUS: Join The Moscow State Circus for their final weekend performing at Alexandra Palace. £10-£30, prebook

EASTER QUEST: Meet characters from the past at Down House, the home of Charles Darwin, and crack the clues to reap a chocolate reward. Free with entry to the house (£10.30/£6.20), just turn up, 10am-5pm daily

Saturday 19 April

UNDERGROUND ART: Today is the last day to view or purchase a limited edition, signed and numbered print from top international artists at Piccadilly Circus's pop-up Print Shop, as part of TfL's Art on the Underground mission.

SKETCHING: Waterway charity Thames21 hosts a day of sketching workshops on-board a narrow boat, in association with the National Maritime Museum. £10, prebook, sessions from 10am

OLYMPIC TOUR: Take a guided walk of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with a Blue Badge guide. The tour starts from Pudding Mill Lane DLR station (though note that this station is closed at the weekend). £10/£8/£5, prebook, 11am

MUSIC BADGES: Drop in to the Foundling Museum to make a Handel-inspired 3D badge. Free, just turn up, 10.30am and 2pm

PLANTING: To celebrate the end of National Gardening Week, St Saviour's Edible Garden in Brockley hosts a sunflower and salad planting event where green-fingered Londoners can get stuck in in advance of the summer harvesting. Free, just turn up, 10.30am-midday

RICHMOND HIGHLIGHTS: Meet at Richmond station for a guided tour of this lovely area, taking in the park, the river and views from the hill. £10/£5, just turn up, 10.30am

PHOTOWALK: Capture the South Bank on a PhotoWalk organised by Polypodphoto Courses and led by professional photographer Mike Sleigh. Starting point is Blackfriars and it's suitable for all types of camera and ability. £15, prebook, 11am-2pm

ARCHITECTURE: Join CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle for a Welfare and Architecture Walk — a guided, stigma-busting cultural walk around Southwark beginning at Maudsley Hospital. Free (donations welcome), just turn up, 11.45am

GIG: The independent record stores of Berwick Street, Soho come together to celebrate Record Store Day. The free outdoor gig sees seven artists perform on the Berwick Street main stage, with retailers hosting in-store activities throughout the day. Free, just turn up, midday-7pm

PUPPET SHAKES: Puppets from the V&A's collection are being brought out of storage for special 30 minute performances that combine the words and characters of Shakespeare into a modern day story. £5, prebook, midday and 2pm

CIDER: Earlier this year, CRATE Brewery in Hackney Wick and cider producers The Cider Box first joined forces and now they are back together to host Cider Fest. Held at the venue, attendees can choose from 15 ciders as well as some BBQ food and live music. Free, just turn up, 1pm-1am

COMEDY: In advance of SketchFest at the beginning of May, Boxpark have invited the comedians to their top deck in Shoreditch to give you a preview of shows for free. Free, just turn up, from 1pm

RECORD FAIR: Pick yourself up second hand records or DIY labels at Powerlunches Arts Cafe's second hand record fair. Free enry, just turn up, 2pm-5pm

SCAVENGER HUNT: Bunny Gone Bad is Thinking Bob's Easter street game, a scavenger hunt style scamper around the city and open to non-members if you sign up for free. Tickets £8 (or free for full members) 2-6pm

FAMILY WEEKEND: Sadlers Wells’ Family Weekend focuses on Rapunzel, with games and activities happening after the show. Various prices, prebook, 2.30pm

WEST END CINEMA: The West End has always been a prime location for cinemas. Join this Footprints of London guided walk to look at the capital's cinemas both past and present, and how the buildings have developed over time. £10/£7.50, prebook, 2.30pm-4pm

PARTY: Describing itself as a "tongue-in-cheek party [that] will be a celebration of iconic homos from the underground", Cliche at The Scala offers DJs, drag and a whole lot of glitter. £17.50, prebook, 10pm-4am

Sunday 20 April

KEW HUNT: On top of the Willy Wonka themed activities, Kew also hosts an Easter Egg hunt today where hunters can collect tokens from around the garden to swap them for eggs. Free with entry to gardens (£14.50 for adults, children free), prebook, 9.30am

HARD ROCK EASTER: Have breakfast with the Easter bunny at Hard Rock Cafe, and take part in Easter games, crafts, and the obligatory egg hunt. £11.95/£7.95, prebook, 10am

THRIFT: Head to The Round Chapel Auditorium and pay your pound to enter the vintage, retro, nostalgic world of Dusty Fingers Sunday Thrift market. £1, just turn up, 11am-3pm

WORLD CHANGES: Held at Conway Hall, Sunday Assembly today focuses on positivity as Mark Stevenson, author of the Optimist’s Guide to the Future, speaks about his glass-half-full vision of the world. Free, just turn up, 11am

DJEMBE DRUM: Join an introductory workshop at Rich Mix with musicians Nadia Al Faghih Hasan and Freddy Macha to learn the traditional rhythms of the djembe drum. All equipment provided. £10/£5, prebook, 11am

BUNNY RAVE: Ah, fluffy bunnies. Happy bunnies. Easter bunnies. Raving bunnies? For an Easter celebration with a difference, join The Book Club's Easter Bunny Rave where partygoers must don their bunny-suits and go at it like rabbits to bass, house, dub and reggae DJs. £11, prebook, 2pm-9pm

BUNNY HOP: Take part in some vintage dancing this Easter Sunday at Hula Boogie on Kennington Road. Jive, hula and bunny hop classes will be accompanied by dance music from the 1950s. £7 (or £6 if you're wearing bunny ears), just turn up, 7pm-midnight

PONGY DATE: Usually a pongy date isn't a good thing, but Doing Something are today attempting to break The Guinness World Record for the Biggest Ping-Pong Date at underground ping-pong social club, Bounce. There'll be tournaments, cocktails and beer pong-a-plenty. £12, prebook, 7.30pm-2am

Monday 21 April

STREETS OF SOHO: Try an all-day walk, taking in all of Soho's 119+ streets, mews, courts and other thoroughfares, led by City of Westminster Guide and all-round London obsessive Peter Berthoud. Discover hidden places, learn the history and meet the locals. £35, prebook, 10am-5.30pm

ST GEORGE: The Mayor of London’s Feast of St George takes place in Trafalgar Square, with a farmer’s market, food stalls, live music and children’s activities. Free, just turn up, midday-6pm

SHAKESPEARE: It's the 450th birthday of The Bard this week and to kick off celebrations, The Globe hosts a free Family Fun Day with activities and performances aplenty. Free, just turn up, midday-5pm


Have You Tried …

Wingit? If you want even more ideas on things to do in London then new app, Wingit, uses an algorithm to scan social networks and find great London events happening near you in real-time. From performances to pop-ups, screenings to street art, download the free app today to see what’s going on just round the corner.

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This week’s Things To Do In London This Weekend is sponsored by Wingit.


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