Spring is coming, and London has countless events to help welcome the ever-so-slightly warmer weather. We picked out some of the best.
LONDON HANDEL FESTIVAL
Until 18th March
Already underway and running until 18 March, the London Handel Festival was founded in 1978 and honours the German-British composer George Frideric Handel. Through live and digital events and an expanding education programme, the LHF celebrates Handel and his life in 18th-century London.
EATALY WINE FESTIVAL
2nd – 4th March
Love Eataly, love Italian wine, love a festival? They all come together this weekend in London, just around the corner from Liverpool Street Station. As well as a wine-tasting session, several wine producers are coming over from Italy to talk guests through the wines and how they’re made.
BFI FLARE FILM FESTIVAL
15th – 26th March
The BFI’s Flare Film Festival is UK’s largest queer film festival, with a series of LGBTQ+ movies and events – including talks and DJ nights – on for 11 days in the middle of this month.
AFFORDABLE ART FAIR
9th – 12th March
In Battersea Park on the second weekend of this month, the Affordable Art Fair offers “1,000s of affordable artworks to suit every budget” where “you’re sure to find the perfect piece.” An exhibition will also be celebrating female artists to coincide with international women’s day.
THE OTHER ART FAIR
9th – 12th March
On the same weekend as the Affordable Art Fair, The Other Art Fair will take place at the Truman Brewery in Shoreditch.
The description on their website reads: “Here, art is for everyone. We’ve created something different, and we want you to experience it. We combine original yet affordable works from independent artists with immersive installations, performances, DJs – and a fully stocked bar.’
THE LONDON FESTIVAL OF RAILWAY MODELLING
18th & 19th March
One of the UK’s biggest and best model railway exhibitions, at The London Festival of Railway Modelling, is coming to Alexandra Palace. Visitors can expect over 35 of the country’s best model railways, each hand-picked by The Model Railway Club, with “layouts from the UK and beyond covering all of the major scales/gauges.”
THE BOAT RACE
26th March
Oxford University Boat Club celebrate after victory in The Boat Race on April 03, 2022, in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
Sixteen big old blokes, two little coxes, and thousands of people lining the banks of the Thames. Oxford vs Cambridge in the boat race is one of the oldest sporting rivalries in the UK, and it helps that it broadly marks the start of spring. You know the depths of winter are behind you when the boat race gun fires.
LONDON GAMES FESTIVAL
28th March to 9th April
At the end of the month, the London Games Festival returns to celebrate the art, culture and business of video games. Now in its seventh year, the London Games Festival takes place in person and online, with this edition’s theme being ‘Escaping the Metaverse’.