Things to do in London in April 2023

As the sun begins to shine brighter and the days grow longer, London is bursting with a plethora of exciting events to enjoy this April. From the lively Latin festival returning to the city to the soulful sounds of Jazz in Brick Lane, and the tantalising flavours of the Marylebone Food Festival, there is something to cater to all tastes. And for those with a passion for music and art, the Southbank Centre's epic celebration of the 50th anniversary of David Bowie's iconic album, Aladdin Sane, is an event not to be missed. With so many options to choose from, we've handpicked a selection of our favourite events of the month to make planning your itinerary a breeze. Don't let this vibrant and lively month pass you by!

London Latin Music Festival La Linea 

Image: Image: Mestizo Integrantes 2022 @joseluisosorios @pablomejiatrujillo

#FLODown: London Latin Music Festival La Linea is returning this April with a mix of international stars and emerging talent from across the diverse Latin music scene. This year's festival is celebrating the scene's tenacity and resilience with the emblem of a flowering cactus. The festival kicks off with a concert from Peruvian singer Susana Baca and includes performances from rising Brazilian rapper Emicida, Uruguayan singer Jorge Drexler, and British-Colombian ensemble Mestizo. Other highlights include shows from the New Regency Orchestra, Brazilian quintet Alvorada, and Mexican guitarist Morgan Szymanski. The festival also includes performances from LGBTQ+ rights activist Alex Etchart, Madrid's Chica Charcos, and Chilean group Grupo Luma, among others.

Click here for the festival line-up and to book your tickets now. Date: 21st April – 7th May 2023. Website: lalineafestival.com

 Alfies x BFI Ginger Rogers vintage film season

Image: Ginger Rogers. © BFI National Archive.

#FLODown: The British Film Institute (BFI) and Alfies Antique Market are collaborating to host a new season named All That Sass to celebrate the career of Ginger Rogers. The event will run from March 27 - April 30,2023, at the BFI and will showcase a variety of Rogers' roles, including comedic turns and dramatic roles. The program will feature screenings of classic musicals, such as The Barkleys of Broadway and Gold Diggers of 1933, along with the BFI re-release of Top Hat. In addition, there will be talks, introductions, and courses to explore Rogers' career and legacy, including a free Introduction to Ginger Rogers for members of the 25 & Under scheme on 12 April, and a four-week course, City Lit at the BFI: Ginger Rogers and All That Sass. A special screening of the BFI re-release of Top Hat will be held on 16 April  for Alfies Antique Market's Friends, Family, and Fans, as well as screenings at selected cinemas UK-wide. Fred & Ginger Day will be celebrated on 8 April with an illustrated talk and screenings of three films.

Date: 27 March - 30 April 2023. Location: BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, South Bank, London SE1 8XT. Click here for more and to book your tickets.

 

George Nolan & Calum Jackson at South London Louie

Image: courtesy George Nolan & Callum Jackson, South London Gallery

#FLOLondon: Two chefs from Tendril, a leading plant-based restaurant in Mayfair, London, are bringing their skills to South London Louie. Chefs George Nolan and Calum Jackson will be showcasing their expertise in "leaf to stem cooking," with a focus on the variety of mushrooms available in the UK. Their menu aims to demonstrate how to create flavourful and meaty dishes without the use of animal products, drawing influences from cuisines around the world, and promoting zero waste. The menu features dishes such as porcini mushroom paté, mushroom keema, and carrot ice cream. The chefs aim to showcase how zero waste can be achieved in cooking and how to use every part of the ingredient to reduce waste.

Date: Wednesday 12 April 2023. Time: 7-11pm. Location: South London Gallery, 67 Peckham Rd, London SE5 8UH. Book now.

Aladdin Sane: 50 Years

Image: Photo Duffy © Duffy Archive & The David Bowie ArchiveTM

#FLODown: The Southbank Centre in London will host a series of events and exhibitions to celebrate the 50th anniversary of David Bowie's iconic 1973 album, Aladdin Sane. The main exhibition, Aladdin Sane: 50 Years, curated by Chris Duffy, will be held in the Spirit Level at the Royal Festival Hall from 6 April - 28 May 2023, showcasing the journey of the Aladdin Sane portrait and exploring Bowie's influence on audiences' identities. The Southbank Centre Archive will also present a free display of never-before-seen archival material, including Bowie's history with the Centre and his enduring legacy. Live performances, talks, and poetry events will also take place alongside the exhibitions, including a weekend of live performances in tribute to Bowie's album, featuring Anna Calvi, Jake Shears, Roxanne Tataei, and Lynks. The events promise to be energetic and celebrate the spirit of Bowie's iconic persona and anarchist energy.

Date: 6 April – 28 May 2023. Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Click here for more on events and to book your ticket.

Brick Lane Jazz Festival

Image: Brick Lane Jazz Festival

#FLODown: Brick Lane Jazz Festival is an annual event that brings together London's jazz community for three days of music in Shoreditch. The festival showcases new and established jazz artists from London's vibrant music scene, promoting diversity and genre-defying sounds. With all festival venues within a minute's walk of each other, festival-goers can immerse themselves in the latest cultural sounds coming out of the capital. The festival features over 50 artists across seven music venues, including Village Underground for the first time in 2023.

Click here for the full line-up. Date: 14 – 16 April 2023 Location: Various around Brick Lane. Book now.

In the Round Festival

Image: In the Round Festival, Roundhouse

#FLODown: In the Round Festival is a unique gig experience that offers a special lineup of one-off gigs. The festival is now in its seventh year and features full seating set around a circular stage, providing the best seat in the house for all attendees. This year's festival boasts an eclectic mix of artists, treating fans to bespoke shows filled with collaborations and surprises, creating a truly unique and special experience. In addition to headline shows, In the Round Festival has evolved into a program of events taking place in the Studio Theatre, Hub, and Roundhouse Bar and Cafe.

Date: 14- 25 April 2023. Location: Chalk Farm Rd, Chalk Farm, London NW1 8EH. Click here for the line-up and tickets.

London Book Fair

Image: Tom Hermans

#FLODown: The London Book Fair will return to London from 18 - 20 April 2023 at Olympia London. The fair offers an array of exciting features, including Author HQ, where best-selling authors and industry experts will share insights on social media, copyright, and AI tools for writing and marketing books. Moreover, attendees can look forward to a captivating discussion between the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and Young Vic Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah. Their conversation will cover a variety of thought-provoking topics, such as London's role as a hub for the UK's creative economy, climate change, and the significance of cities in supporting a more sustainable future. 

Date: 18 – 20 Apirl 2023. Location: Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, London, W14 8UX. Click here for the full line-up.

Marylebone Food Festival

Image: Carlos Lindner

#FLODown: The Marylebone Food Festival is a collaborative event between The Portman Estate and The Howard de Walden Estate, supported by the area’s Business Improvement Districts, and will take place from 25 - 30 April 2023. The festival will feature in-restaurant events and festival menus, celebrating Marylebone’s diverse dining and drinking scene. From casual restaurants and family-run cafes to chic cocktail bars and culinary excellence, there is something for everyone in this gastronomic pocket of London.

Date: 25-30 April 2023. Location:Various locations throughout Marylebone London. Price: from £4.50 - £225. Book now.

Sugar Coat at Southwark Playhouse

Image: Sugar Coat, Southwark, © Ali Wright, Design Credit, Rebecca Pitt

#FLODown: Sugar Coat is a feminist pop-punk live music play that tells the story of a woman's coming-of-age journey over eight years, exploring themes of puberty, sex, feminism, and reclaiming one's body. The show features an all-female and non-binary band playing original music inspired by Riot Grrrl bands. It has won multiple awards and is an uplifting and liberating show that confronts sex and sexuality in a brutally honest and funny way. Written by Lilly Pollard and Joel Samuels, with direction by Celine Lowenthal and co-musical direction by Anya Pearson, Sugar Coat is a powerful gig theatre that contains graphic sexual content, loud music, and unapologetically bad-ass feminism.

Date: until 22 April 2023. Location: Southwark Playhouse, 77-85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD. Price: from £25. Concessions available. Book now.

Unseen Unheard: The untold breast cancer stories of Black women in the UK 

Image: Vonecia Carswell

#FLODown: Theatre Peckham will premiere a new play, Unseen Unheard: The untold breast cancer stories of Black Women in the UK, this April. The play, which is based on the lived experiences of six Black British women and their journeys with breast cancer, is commissioned and funded by Gilead Sciences Ltd and presented by Theatre Peckham in association with Black Women Rising. Written by Naomi Denny, the play aims to address the inequalities faced by Black women undergoing cancer treatment and to change habits that will lead to saving lives. Each performance will host a post-show panel discussion, and women with experiences of breast cancer attending will be invited to share their experiences. All tickets are free of charge, with a suggested donation of £7.50, which will be donated to Black Women Rising and Theatre Peckham.

Date: 27 – 29 April 2023. Time: 7.30pm Location: 221 Havil St, London SE5 7SB. Book now.

London Marathon

Image: Miguel A Amutio

#FLODown: The London Marathon is an eagerly anticipated annual event held in the heart of London. Spanning 26.2 miles around the city's diverse landscape, this renowned race was founded by athletes Chris Brasher and John Disley in 1981 and is traditionally held in April. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event has been rescheduled to October for the past two years. The course, which is mainly flat, commences in Blackheath and culminates at The Mall. Whether you are participating in the race or cheering from the sidelines, this is a quintessential London event that should not be missed! Date: Sunday 23 April 2023.