Things to Do in London in March

There’s always loads to see and do in London, but as spring comes around and the days get longer, more and more events start to pop up all over the city. From World Book Day and an annual 185-year-old boat race to a head-bopping country music festival and more, here’s just a handful of the things you can get stuck into this March in London.

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(WA = Wheelchair Accessible)

This is an image of a drag queen dressed in a pink dress standing in between shiny tassel curtains.

Image Courtesy of The BFI Flare LGBTQIA+ Film Festival

The BFI Flare London LGBTQIA + Film Festival

First on our list of things to do in London in March is centred around cinema. In March this year, the BFI Flare London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival is showcasing the very best LGBTQI+ cinema from around the world over ten jam-packed days. Taking place at the BFI Southbank, the festival is a celebration of queer cinema, spotlighting some of the best LGBTQIA+ cinema in-person and online on the BFI Player. The films will cover a range of topics, from love, romance and friendship to stories of sex, identity and transformation, plus many more. Top tip: if you’re 25 or under, you can sign up for a free 25 and under account to enjoy £5 tickets for BFI Flare 2024.

The BFI Flare LGBTQIA+ Film Festival | Southbank | WA | 13th – 24th March

This is an image of a busy St Patrick's day gathering in London. There is a mass of people gathered together outside in front of a stage with a green banner.

Image Courtesy of UK Gov

Party for St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17th this year and is an annual event that started as a religious holiday but later became a celebration of Irish culture. You don’t need to make a trip to Ireland to enjoy the celebrations; there are plenty of places to party in London, including the St Patrick’s Day Parade that goes through the city centre, starting at Hyde Park Corner to Whitehall, going via St James’s Street, Pall Mall and Cockspur Street. If that’s a little too hectic for you, loads of Irish pubs will be perfect for sinking a pint or two of Guinness. We love the Auld Shillelagh on Stoke Newington’s Church Street, a kitsch pub that hosts frequent traditional Irish music nights. Rebel Tours is also hosting an Irish London tour to celebrate Ireland’s greatest contributions to the city. It’ll offer the chance to learn more about Irish history in the UK and the many famous figures who have contributed to the rich Irish heritage in London, from writers and artists to political leaders and figures. There’s even the option to sink a proper pint of Guinness at the end of the tour.

St Patrick’s Day | Multiple Locations | 17th March

This is an image of a boat race across the River Thames in London. The sky is blue, the water is calm, and there are two race boats packed with racers inside.

Image Courtesy of The Boat Race

Witness the traditional British Boat Race

The annual Boat Race is synonymous with British tradition and is one of the world’s oldest amateur sporting events. This year, The Boat Race is taking place right at the end of March and will see two of the UK’s most prestigious universities (Cambridge and Oxford) go head to head, fuelled by 185 years of rivalry There will be two races, one men’s race and one women’s, so there are two chances to watch each team give it their all. They’ll take place on the famous Championship Course, stretching over 4.25 miles of the Thames between Putney and Mortlake, the same route that’s been followed since the race started in 1845. As for where to base yourself, Putney Bridge will give you a good view of the start, or head to Chiswick Bridge to enjoy the lively atmosphere. The two fan zones are the Fulham Fan Park in Bishops Park and The Hammersmith Fan Park in Furnival Gardens, and each boasts a range of street food stalls, bars and big screens where you can get a good view of the race while soaking up the atmosphere.

The Boat Race | Putney | WA | 30th March

This is an image of Winston Churchill. He is dimly lit with a spotlight on his face. He is wearing a black suit and a bowtie and there is a map on the wall behind him.

Image Courtesy of The War Rooms

Learn about the Life of Winston Churchill

Next on our list of things to do in London in March taps into the fascinating history of World War II. This Churchill War Rooms tour provides a historical insight into the life of Winston Churchill throughout the war, offering an insight into how he lived throughout these tough times. Follow your knowledgeable guide beneath London’s streets, which served as Churchill’s wartime headquarters, and re-imagine the pivotal moments that shaped the course of the war. Above ground, you’ll wander around Mayfair with your guide, where you’ll swing by Churchill’s favourite haunts, providing a personal glimpse into the man who helped win the war.

Churchill War Rooms tour | Westminster | WA | Multiple Dates 2024

This is an image of a large room with high ceilings. Lots of people are looking at art on the white walls. There are many rows of white walls where artists work is hanging and there are big bubble sculptures hanging above.

Image Courtesy of The Other Art Fair

Embrace your creative side at The Other Art Fair

The Other Art Fair is a series of events that take place around the world, including in London’s bustling Brick Lane at the old Truman Brewery. It’s one of the best things to do in London in March and is the perfect opportunity for art lovers and artists worldwide to gather together to explore, sell and purchase art from some of the best-emerging artists in the game. Spend some time wandering around the different exhibitors and exploring art from the freshest contemporary artists. You’ll get to engage personally with the artists, gaining insight into the meaning behind their creations and forging lasting connections with like-minded people.

The Other Art Fair | Shoreditch | WA | 7th – 10th March

This i an image of a stage with dramatic spotlights shining on the stage. There is the lettering CC lit in various points on the stage and TV Screens either side of the stage.

Image Courtesy of Country 2 Country Music Festival

Don your Western gear for Country 2 Country Music Festival

The Country 2 Country Music Festival celebrates all things country music that draws fans from all over to experience the genre’s best performers in one epic space. It’s held across multiple days and showcases an impressive lineup of both established icons and rising stars in the country music scene. Beyond the music, you can enjoy delicious street food from multiple vendors and immerse yourself in the traditions of country music with other country music lovers.

Country 2 Country Music Festival | Greenwich | WA | 8th – 10th March

This is an image of three children reading books in front of the London Eye. They are wearing fancy dress costumes that reflect the books they are reading and look happy.

Image Courtesy of The London Eye

Visit a London bookshop for World Book Day

World Book Day, which falls on 7th March this year, is the annual celebration of authors, illustrators, books, and the joy of reading. London is chock full of excellent bookshops where you can commemorate the occasion, such as the renowned Daunt Books, one of the capital’s favourites with shelves stacked with various genres. There’s also Word on the Water, located on a Dutch barge that dates all the way back to 1920, anchored next to Granary Square. You can pick up a variety of publications or enjoy one of their live music events or poetry readings. One more must-visit is Gay’s the Word, the UK’s oldest LGBT+ bookshop where fiction is categorised by sexuality and gender. It’s more than just a bookshop; it is an essential space for the LGBTQ+ community.

World Book Day | Multiple Locations | WA | 7th March

Want London’s best local bookshops plotted on a handy digital map? Check out our Casual Tourist Guides, which help you to explore London like locals do.

See what’s included in our Casual Tourist Guides.

This is an image of four middle aged women sitting beside eachother and laughing. There are microphones in front of them and a muted purple background on the wall behind them.

Image Courtesy of Women of the World Festival

Celebrate International Women’s Day at Women of the World Festival 2024

Last on our list of things to do in London in March is all about International Women’s Day, taking place on March 8th this year, coinciding with the Women of the World event, the world’s biggest festival celebrating women, girls and non-binary people. The evening will feature the best writers, thinkers, performers and activists of our day, such as Annabelle Hirsch, Martha Wainwright, Salena Godden and other performers who will tell urgent stories from around the world.

Women of the World Festival | Shoreditch | WA | 8th March

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