Alex Sims

The Irish really know how to celebrate, so when it comes to St Patrick’s Day in London, the city’s Celtic community has no problem showing us how it’s done. With an estimated 170,000 expats from the Emerald Isle living in the city, and many more Londoners with Irish heritage, the celebration of Ireland’s patron saint is always one big welcoming bash, involving plenty of dancing, hearty traditional dishes, a huge parade and as many pints of Guinness and drams of whiskey as you can handle. The Mayor of London’s annual St Patrick’s Day Festival celebration will take place on Sunday, March 15 – two days before the official holiday – and, as usual, thousands of revellers are expected to watch the parade wend its way from Hyde Park Corner to Trafalgar Square for a giant free party with Irish music, food and performances from 12noon to 6pm. If you don’t fancy braving the crowds of central London for the main event in the capital, there are still plenty of St Patrick’s Day parties and events to check out. We’ll be rounding up the best of them below as they get announced, so you’ve got plenty of time to get planning for a very green week. RECOMMENDED🍻 The best Irish pubs and bars in London☘️ Our ultimate guide to the St Patrick’s Day parade and festival🌱 The best London events in March

Can you hear the clink of Guinness glasses and the thump of Bodhráns? Yes, the craic is about to descend on London. St Patrick’s Day might officially fall next week, but this weekend is full of ways to paint the town green. Hit up London’s huge parade that concludes in Trafalgar Square with singing and dancing, pay a visit to your favourite Irish pub to see it at its rowdiest, or look out for one of the smaller celebrations taking place across the city.  In search of other ways to make the most of March, and the fact that spring is starting to show? A new season also means renewed energy for London’s cultural scene with a whole slew of new exhibitions, restaurant and event openings. Immerse yourself in the huge sculptural works of artists Chiharu Shiota and Yin Xiuzhen at the Hayward Gallery, take a nighttime trip to Dana-Fiona Armour’s Serpentine Currents at Somerset House, or watch Michael Sheen in his first production at his new Welsh theatre. Get out there and get a good dose of Vitamin D that you’ve been starved of for so long.  Start planning: here’s our roundup of the best things to do in March.  In the loop: sign up to our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.

Can you hear the clink of Guinness glasses and the thump of Bodhráns? Yes, the craic is about to descend on London. St Patrick’s Day might officially fall next week, but this weekend is full of ways to paint the town green. Hit up London’s huge parade that concludes in Trafalgar Square with singing and dancing, pay a visit to your favourite Irish pub to see it at its rowdiest, or look out for one of the smaller celebrations taking place across the city.  In search of other ways to make the most of March, and the fact that spring is starting to show? A new season also means renewed energy for London’s cultural scene with a whole slew of new exhibitions, restaurant and event openings. Immerse yourself in the huge sculptural works of artists Chiharu Shiota and Yin Xiuzhen at the Hayward Gallery, take a nighttime trip to Dana-Fiona Armour’s Serpentine Currents at Somerset House, or watch Michael Sheen in his first production at his new Welsh theatre. Get out there and get a good dose of Vitamin D that you’ve been starved of for so long.  Start planning: here’s our roundup of the best things to do in March.  In the loop: sign up to our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.

June in London is pretty much as good as it gets. It's hot but not too hot. Festival season is in full swing. And there's the blissful anticipation of months more gorgeous weather ahead, perfect for picnicking, spilling out onto pavements outside pubs, exploring parks, or partying all day long.  There’s plenty of fun in store during the early days of summer, including the second edition of Lido festival (featuring CMAT and Maribou State), the return of SXSW London, and blockbuster exhibitions on Anish Kapoor and Frida Kahlo.  Plus, the capital truly comes into its own this month: beer gardens are at their prime, the city parks are at their prettiest, the open-air theatre season gets going and eating alfresco is on the cards at some of London’s best restaurants. Plus, expect to see long queues in south west London as tennis fans line up to bag a place at the epic Wimbledon championships.  RECOMMENDED: Plan a great summer with our guide to London’s best music fests Get ahead of the pack and start planning your perfect July in London. 

There’s something happening in Edinburgh’s port district. If Leith wasn’t already shorthand for a new generation of Scottish cool, it has recently cemented its place as the capital’s go-to neighbourhood for foodies. Buzzy new openings seem to come about every other month, with recent additions including Barry Fish, a swish seafood restaurant right on the shore; Brown’s of Leith, a former engineering works converted into an industrial-chic high market food hall housing three of the capital’s most exciting food concepts, and Dogstar, which we’ve admittedly not got around to trying out yet. They’re all following in the footsteps of the likes of Heron and The Little Chartroom, championing exciting cooking with an emphasis on quality produce. All of which is to say that for a proper taste of Edinburgh’s current food scene, you could do a lot worse than eating your way around Leith – though don’t forget about the wealth of culinary excellence elsewhere in the city. Everything from sandwich spots and classic curry houses to old-school favourites and low-key wine bars make up this absolute beast of a list. For our January 2026 update, we’ve added Pomelo, the teeny-tiny Marchmont café serving up mind-blowing hand-pulled noodles, which has earned a place in our top five after a glowing five-star review. The aforementioned Brown’s is another new addition, coming in in our top 10 (forgive us for cheating, it’s essentially three restaurants in one). Other new additions include Margot, a

No matter your age, New York is one magnetic city, and from the brilliant museums to kid-friendly Broadway shows, it’s primed for a family vacation—in fact, we’ve compiled a list of all the best things to do with kids in New York. As for where to stay, everything you need to know is right here: our revamped list of the Big Apple’s most family-friendly hotels includes everything from affordable Midtown stays to luxury resorts with tons of amenities. Scroll on to find your ideal hotel.  Which area is best to stay in New York? With the whole family in tow, opting to stay somewhere well-connected which is a step back from the busy NYC streets is a must—that’s why this list is peppered with stays in neighborhoods like Midtown West, Murray Hill, the Upper West Side and Hell’s Kitchen. Check out our guides to all NYC’s neighborhoods, to help you decide.  New York’s best family-friendly hotels, at a glance: 👙 Best pool: The Peninsula New York  👛 Best budget: TRYP by Wyndham New York Times Square 🤩 Most iconic: The Lucerne Hotel 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in New York City How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured below, but we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their ameniti

Easter is an underrated holiday. It doesn’t get anywhere near as much hype as Christmas, but is almost as good. Sure, you might not get sacks full of presents, but you still get an excuse to stuff your face with chocolate, tuck into a big roast dinner, and a whole four-day weekend to spend however you like. This year, this glorious double bank holiday lands between Good Friday on April 3 and Easter Monday on April 6. The only thing standing between you and a glorious four days of fun is figuring out how to fill all your extra time off. Don’t worry – as always, Time Out’s fun-loving editorial team have your back. There’s tons to do in the capital over Easter weekend, from checking out spring flowers and other kid-friendly activities to making the most of the spring sun (thankfully the weather isn’t lookimg too bad!) at one of London’s top rooftop bars and parks. You could also spend your time checking out a free art exhibition or, of course, treating yourself to a proper pub roast on Easter Sunday. The big weekend is still a way off, but rest assured we'll be keeping this page updated with all our top things to do in London this Easter, as they're announced. RECOMMENDED: Check out our eggcellent guide to Easter in London.

Given its dreaming-spires background, you’d be forgiven for associating the Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race with more hoity-toity events in the sporting world. But unlike the polo and the horse racing anyone can rock up for free along the four-and-a-quarter mile race route from Putney to Mortlake. In fact, more than 300,000 spectators are expected to cram on to the banks of the Thames in west London on Saturday April 4 to get a load of the action. The women's race kicks off at the pleasingly precise time of 2.21pm, followed by the men’s race at 3.21pm, but the riverside will be bursting with activity from around noon, with fan zones and pubs along the course putting on a whole host of food, drink and entertainment in anticipation.  So, where will you be? We’ve put together a list of prime locations along the route, in Putney, Fulham, Hammersmith, Barnes and Chiswick, all perfect for spectating. RECOMMENDED: Everything you need to know about the Boat Race

Giddy up, horoscope fans! In 2026, we're cantering right into the Year of Horse. Like a cobra shedding it’s skin, we are slivering away from 2025’s Year of the Snake and into a brand new era. The Year of the Horse symbolises victorious success and good fortune, which is something we all need a bit of right now. And if you're born in the Year of the Horse then you'll really come into your own, as it’s a lucky year for this hardworking, warm-hearted and independent herd. Of course, the new year isn't just celebrated in Chinese culture. Also known as the Lunar New Year, the Spring Festival, Tet and Seollal, it’s celebrated across many more countries in South Asia including Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia and the Philippines, as well as in many diaspora communities around the globe.  Traditionally a time for feasting, ritual and partying observed all over the globe, London will be heralding in the festivities in a mega way. In the capital, Chinatown hosts the biggest Lunar New Year celebration outside of Asia, while countless London attractions, cultural hubs, restaurants and other business will host their own bashes to bring in the Year of the Horse.  So saddle up, here’s everything you need to know about London’s Lunar New Year festivities 2026.  When is Chinese New Year celebrated in London in 2026? In 2026, Chinese New Year landed on Tuesday February 17, ushering in the Year of the Horse. But the best of the festivities are saved for the weeke

Have you noticed that everyone seems to be doing Pilates right now? Well, there’s good reason. Developed by German trainer Joseph Pilates in the 1920s, the exercise regime is low-impact but does absolute wonders for your muscles (including your core) – and it’ll sort out a load of other issues form bad posture to balance, too. Celebs, dancers and elite athletes swear by it and now all sorts of new studios are popping up over the city. If you wanna get a bit more bendy, toned and powerful, look no further than one of these expert pilates classes. What’s more, it doesn’t matter whether they’re mat-based, inspired by ballet or take place on a reformer machine (they’re not as scary as they look, we promise), these fun and fancy studios won’t leave you bent out of shape. Here are the best pilates classes in London. Fancy testing that new-found flexibility? Try one of these yoga classes in London next.  London’s best pilates classes at a glance Best for barre: Paola’s Body Barre Best for beginners: Frame Best for traditionalists: Kinetic Pilates Best for a budget: The Refinery RECOMMENDED: The best sport and fitness in London

Whether you’re a pure cynic, or have been well and truly coupled-up for yonks, Valentine’s Day in London should give you enough inspiration to inject some warm fuzziness into your heart this February 14 – whether you’re celebrating with a boo, best bud or doing Galentine’s this year.    You’ve got loads of options in the city: go down the tried-and-trusted route and plan a romantic dinner or hotel stay for a belated celebration. Or opt for something a little unorthodox and alternative.  Prefer to hunker down in the dark of the cinema and immerse yourself in a good film? Pop-up cinemas and special Valentine’s screenings rule London’s film scene this February. Whatever kind of Valentine’s date night you’re after, you should find the perfect match in our roundup of 45 great things to do on the big day. And be sure to check out our comprehensive guide to Valentine’s Day in London for advice on everything from romantic wine bars to fancy spa trips to where to pick up flowers and chocolates. It’s got something to tickle everyone’s fancy.

April is an underrated month if you ask us. Winter is finally over and everyone starts to emerge from hibernation, ready to properly commit to socialising again. The sun has put in a few appearances, London’s parks and gardens are in full bloom and the city feels alive with all the possibilities of summer, but without all the sunburn and sweltering, sleepless nights.  Easter weekend is on the horizon, meaning a double bank holiday jam-packed with fun, from family-friendly days out to club nights galore.  There’s also a handful of spring music festivals, some cracking art exhibitions and theatre (including the first open-air shows of the year) and plenty more amazing things going on around the city, including the London Marathon and the Boat Race.  Check out our roundup of the best stuff happening throughout the month, and start planning an amazing spring now. RECOMMENDED: Find more inspiration with our roundup of the best things to do this week

What is it?  Founded in 1759, when the British Museum first opened its doors it was the first national museum in the world to allow the public in for free. The museum still doesn’t cost a penny to enter (only the special exhibitions require a paid ticket), and it’s stuck to its promise of allowing any ‘studious and curious persons’ in to look at its collection of strange objects collected from all over the globe. When it first came on the scene, centuries before television (and TikTok), the museum offerend a chance for anyone to stand in front of specimens and antiquities and connect with other cultures, ancient and contemporary. The first exhibits consisted of the collection of physician and naturalist Sir Hans Sloane – ancient coins and medals, books and natural remains – and through the centuries since, it has become home to the most significant finds made by British explorers at home and abroad.  In recent years there have been campaigns by other nations who want some of their historic treasures returned. However, the British Museum remains one of the world’s most popular attractions, with six million visitors a year. And although many of its priceless artefacts are protected by glass cases, the museum is anything but a hushed old resting place. Nowadays, you enter the landmark through the magnificent glass-roofed Great Court full of the buzz of students, tourists and Londoners. The British Museum is a working organisation carrying out research and conservation and that’s

What is it?  Massive jewels, life-sized animal sculptures and grisly torture devices. The Tower of London really does have something for everyone, no matter how sadistic your interests are. Because despite the exhausting crowds and long climbs up stairways, the Tower remains one of Britain's finest historical attractions. After all, who wouldn’t want a close-up with the crown of Queen Victoria or the prodigious codpiece of King Henry VIII? This eleventh-century fortress boasts an impressive 900 years of history. Within its walls and beyond the empty moats are interactive displays revealing the extravagant and at times controversial lifestyles of the British monarchs, as well as the torturous deaths of traitors. Glimpse those Crown Jewels (but expect queues of ginormous proportions), or if jewellery’s not your bag, head on over to the White Tower where you’ll find a collection of shiny torture tools. Known as the Royal Armouries, this ancient Norman keep contains swords, suits of armour for both humans and horses, poleaxes, halberds, morning stars (spiky maces) and other means for separating limbs from torsos. There's also a redisplay of the Line of Kings – an original exhibition dating back to the 1680s – which includes wooden horses carved by the prolific sculptor Grinling Gibbons, Henry VIII's armour and a scale model of tilting knights. For the little ones, there are swordsmanship games, coin-minting activities and even a child-sized longbow. Why go?  Get up close to 900 y

What is it? The curly-wurly red scaffolding tower lords it over the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from its position right alongside the Olympic Stadium. Designed by the artist Anish Kapoor and structural engineer Cecil Balmond, it stands 114.5m (376ft) tall – with lifts (and a 455-step staircase) up to two platforms from which look out on  The Shard, St Paul’s and the Wembley arches. There are also two of Kapoor's entertaining distorting mirrors inside and some newly installed digital telescopes so that you can get closer to the views. Since 2017 it’s also been home to the world’s longest tunnel slide. Welsh adventure brand Zip World recently took over operations of the site, investing £2.6 million in the tower and working with local planning authorities to open a ‘first-of-its-kind adventure’.  Why go? Built to mark the London 2012 Olympics, the Orbit is the UK’s largest public sculpture. It was projected to see around 350,000 visitors per year but since opening has only had 1.2 million.  Discover our guide to the very best things to do in London.

Brilliant news for bookworms: Fleet Street’s literature festival is returning for 2026. The Fleet Street Quarter Festival of Words will be exploring how words shape our world all while celebrating its heritage as the home of London’s printing press. The first line from Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities is serving as the opening gambit for this year’s festival: ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.’ The full line-up of speakers for 2026 is yet to be revealed, but the programme will span 30 events which explore the age of ‘wisdom and foolishness’.   Full line-up and ticket information to be announced in March

Back for its sixteenth edition, the Cinema Made In Italy festival will be celebrating the best new Italian cinema and filmmakers at BFI Southbank. Over five days, it’ll host screenings 10 of the best contemporary Italian films, including biopics, period drama, historical epics, noir thrillers and documentaries. Much of the programme will be receiving its first screening in the UK and some screenings will feature talks from the directors and cast members. This year look out for renowned opera director Damiano Michieletto’s Primavera, which is based on the life of Italian composer Vivaldi; Ludovica Rampoldi’s A Brief Affair, a dark and twisted romance; Alessio Rigo de Righi and Matteo Zoppis’ new Euro-western Heads or Tails and Francesco Sossai’s The Last One for the Road, an endearing dramady that follows a pair of drunkyards trying to relive their glory days. 

Walking into Pomelo feels like stumbling on a local secret. The tiny Asian-fusion spot has been the talk of Edinburgh since it first opened in 2021 – largely thanks to its hand-ripped noodle bowls, which attract snaking queues at lunchtimes. But, tucked away in the quiet backstreets behind the Meadows, it feels like we’ve happened on a real under-the-radar gem as we sit down to dinner on a drizzly Edinburgh evening. The snug dining room is packed with mismatched tables and chairs, and the chintzy crockery and blackboard menu all give an atmosphere somewhere between your Nan’s living room and a student potluck. The plates served up by the kitchen, however, are anything but twee.  Here, head chef and owner Jun Au cooks up ever-changing seasonal menus of creative Asian-inspired dishes packed full of flavour and with eccentric European twists. We opt for a chef’s selection of the menu, which lets us share more dishes in slightly smaller portions. Quickly, a collection of plates holding jewel-bright vegetables, fragrant curries and gleaming sauces covers our table, all sprinkled with delicate herbs, flowers and scatterings of seeds.  A watermelon salad zings across the tongue, covered with fish sauce and generous chunks of chilli. The Asian-Italian fusion ethos really comes to life in the Yuxiang Caponata, a rich, warmly spiced stew which we lap up with pleasingly squidy slices of scallion-flavoured focaccia. The maitake mushrooms come in a wonderfully untidy tangle on top of a gl

Every plate of food that lands on our table at Moss is a work of art. It feels almost savage to ruin the beauty of a sculptural waffle served steaming hot on a craggy stone with your knife and fork, or smudge the carefully placed dollops of white carrot puree placed around handsome slices of venison like a pointillist portrait. Even the ‘local leaves’ side salad arrives as an artfully strewn tapestry of green that wouldn’t look out of place at Frieze. Usually, dishes topped with edible flowers and extravagant drizzles of jus equate to style over substance, but here, every precisely sprinkled garnish and blob of sauce only adds to the ethos of Moss, which solely uses Scottish produce, much of which is sourced from the restaurant’s own organic farm in Angus (a handy tracing paper overlay on the menu explains where each ingredient has come from). Even the drinks list is exclusively British. As the dishes arrive from head chef Henry Dobson’s kitchen, you realise each one is a brilliant exercise in Scottish patriotism, and his team of gregarious staff expertly explain the origins and spirit of each plate, which all reflect the beauty of the Scottish countryside and its folklore through intriguing touches like Douglas fir-flavourings and mousse laced with Scottish blue cheese. We’re treated to a fascinating discussion about Scottish-grown sea algae as the cured halibut with blue spirulina is placed in front of us. The beetroot panacotta, meanwhile, is a glorious cacophony of earthy

Europe’s largest celebration of Indian film arrives in London for its 16th edition this year. It’s a chance to see UK premieres, anticipated restorations and discover new emerging talent. This year, watch the high-action gangster film Little Jaffna directed by Lawrence Valin, following a rookie cop who goes undercover to infiltrate Tamil gangs in Paris; see a filmic restoration os one of legendary British theatre impresario Peter Brooks’ most famed works, The Mahabharata, which will be attended by some of the original cast; see new work from director Rima Das, who returns with the smoulderingly powerful Village Rockstars 2, about the many challenges facing young people in rural India today; watch Boong, a film telling the story of a disobedient schoolboy’s ambition to mend his broken family in Manipur; and don’t miss Pyre, a Himalyas-set and sumptuously photographed story about an elderly couple struggling to survive in a changing mountain society. Plus, look out for industry events encouraging more British South Asian talent into the industry and the festival’s popular programme of Brit-Asian shorts. See the full programme here:  Wed July 16, 6:10pm, BFI Southbank: Little Jaffna Fri July 18, 8:15pm, BFI Southbank: Village Rockstar 2 Sat July 19, 5:45pm, BFI Southbank: Brit-Asian Shorts Sun July 20, 11am, BFI IMAX: The Mahabharata Tue July 22, 6pm, BFI Southbank: Pyre Wed July 23, 6.10pm, BFI Southbank: Boong

‘A problem shared is a problem halved’ isn’t just a saying, it’s a fact. So, to mark Mental Health Awareness Week (May 12-18), London Designer Outlet is opening a pop-up barbershop offering Londoners valuable emotional check-ins along with a free trim. The shop is a collaboration with Talk Club, the UK’s leading male mental health charity, known for asking ‘How are you? Out of 10?’ in their regular talking groups. There’ll be some talented coiffeurs on hand, with A Star (Ahmed), best known for shaping Jack Grealish and Jude Bellingham’s locks, leading the team of professional barbers who’ve all been trained in Talk Club’s ‘Captain’ programme, and will be giving out free trims and lending an ear for the event. Simply walk in for a trim and a chat on a first-come, first-served basis. There’s also the option to make a donation to support Talk Club. 

What is it?  It’s something when a museum can lay claim to having been opened as Queen Victoria’s last public engagement. In 1899, the current premises of the V&A enjoyed that privilege. It has gone on to become one of the world’s – let alone London’s – most magnificent museums. It is a superb showcase for applied arts from around the globe, appreciably calmer than its tearaway cousins the Science Museum and Natural History Museum on the other side of Exhibition Road. All three museums would be must-visits in another city, but it is the sheer beauty of the V&A that keeps it closest to our hearts. The details? There are some 150 grand galleries over seven floors. They contain countless pieces of furniture, ceramics, sculpture, paintings, posters, jewellery, metalwork, glass, textiles and dress, spanning several centuries. You could run through the highlights for the rest of this guide, but key artefacts include the seven Raphael Cartoons, painted in 1515 as tapestry designs for the Sistine Chapel; the finest collection of Italian Renaissance sculpture outside Italy; the Ardabil carpet, the world’s oldest and arguably most splendid floor covering, in the Jameel Gallery of Islamic Art; and the Luck of Edenhall, a 13th-century glass beaker from Syria. Over more than a decade, the V&A’s ongoing FuturePlan transformation has been a revelation – more than 85 percent of its public spaces have been restored and redesigned. The completely refurbished Medieval & Renaissance Galleries a

Bootylicious – one of London’s longest-running club nights for queer and trans people of colour – was one of the earliest clubs in the capital to strive for diversity on the DJ lineup and the dance floor when it began back in 2001. It’ll be taking over the entire three floors at Scala in King’s Cross for a one-off Easter special. Expect a line-up of hot selectors including the scene’s fast-rising DJs, artists, performers and hosts. Head to the top floor for UK funky house, GQOM, Afro electronic and House with DJs NG and Kyma, the main floor for to hear Bootylicious resident DJs Kartel Brown (promoter of Vogue Rites) ,Biggy C (daddy of Dancehall), Randall Watson and DJ Tyom keep. Or keep it old-school in the Glassbar with a set from Jeffrey Hinton and guests. Starting at 11am and ending at 6am, it’s going to be one big bank holiday blowout.   

What is it? The Science Museum features four floors of educational and entertaining exhibits, including the Soyuz capsule, which brought Tim Peake back from theInternational Space Station Apollo 10 command module and a gamingexperience. The West Hall showcases developments in contemporary science, medicine and technology. Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries contains a substantial collection of medical history treasures. The Pattern Pod is a multi-sensory area for under-eights, Wonderlab holds demonstrations and explainers for bigger kids and Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery lets teenagers discover more about STEM careers. Or, explore the creative work of engineers which change our everyday lives in the Engineers gallery. Exhibits in the Exploring Space gallery include a piece of the Moon and real space rockets suspended from the ceiling and Making the Modern World holds items like the Apollo 10command module. The Clockmakers' Museum, previously held at the Guildhall, is the oldest display of clocks and watches in the world, with most of the 1250 exhibits dating from between 1600 and 1850. The shop is also worth checking out for its wacky toys.  Why go? To see a fascinating showcase of human ingenuity, and get involved with a wealth of enthralling interactive exhibits.  Don’t miss: The museum has its own in-house IMAX: The Ronson Theatre cinema which shows scientific films in 3D, allowing visitors to be surrounded by space or submerged in the depths of the ocean. Ticke

Harry Styles has had one held in his honour. So have Dev Patel, Paul Mescal and Timothee Chalamet. Now it’s time for the Star Man to get a slice of the döppleganger action. A David Bowie lookalike contest is being held in central London this weekend with a judging panel full of Bowie’s original collaborators. It’s all part of Ziggyfest, a celebration of the late, great David Bowie at Mayfair’s Ziggy Green, a Bowie-themed cafe from Aussie cafe collective Daisy Green. The place is usually filled with Bowie-based art and serves Bowie-inspired cocktails, like the Major Tom and Milk and Red Peppers, as well as gourmet Shepherd’s pie, which was supposedly the musician’s favourite dish. But, from 12 noon to 1am on Saturday September 6, it’s planning a full day of celebrations in memory of the Thin White Duke. And its roping in some very special guests for the occasion.  The festivities will begin with a champagne brunch hosted by Spiders From Mars drummer Woody Woodmansey and Bowie’s hairstylist Suzi Ronson. The rest of the day will include a Bowie tour of Soho by Geoff Marsh (the curator of the V&A’s David Bowie Is) and a conversation with one of his photographers, Chris Duffy. In the evening, there’ll be DJ sets and live music from musicians who played with Bowie at Live Aid. And, you’d better get your best flamboyantly androdrynous outfit nailed down now, because the winner of the Bowie lookalike competition will take home a £500 cash prize, a Daisy Green black card and a self-

Each year, Time Out surveys thousands of people around the world to generate our annual ranking of the world’s greatest cities. For the first time this year, we set out to discover which locations were best rated by Gen Z by asking people under 30 what they thought about their city’s nightlife, food, culture, access to green spaces, and walkability. The result? Edinburgh was declared the UK’s best city for Gen Z, with London coming in at a not-too-shabby second place.  To mark London’s silver-medal placement, we asked Rory Marshall, a comedian who regularly performs in London (and has just finished his sold-out character comedy show Pathetic Little Characters at the Edinburgh Fringe,) to recommend his top four comedy nights in the city where you can chortle the night away for £15 and under. Life in London is spenny enough for the city’s twenty somethings. Here’s how to laugh for less. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Knock2Bag (@knock2bag) 1. Knock2Bag at Moth Club, Hackney  What is it? A live comedy night at the golden-hued Hackney Central trade hall, Moth Club, that plays host to packed line-ups full of big names and hot new acts.  Why Rory loves it? It’s the best comedy night in London. You might end up paying a little more for a ticket, but the standard and variety you get means it’s extremely good value. The night verges towards the ‘alternative’ side of comedy, but there’s always something for everyone, and you get to watch come

If you ask us, supporting the Lionesses should come with some sort of medical warning. Our hearts our still racing after Tuesday night’s agonising semi-final against Italy, when teenage sensation Michelle Agyemang once again rescued England from the jaws of defeat with an equaliser six minutes into stoppage time, before Chloe Kelly smashed home the rebound of her saved penalty late in extra time to take Sarina Wiegman’s comeback queens to another European final.  When is the England vs Spain Euro 2025 final? The reigning champions will get a chance to retain the historic title they clinched at Wembley three summers ago this Sunday July 27 at 5pm (BST), as they face Spain in the final in Basel in a repeat of the 2023 Women’s World Cup Final and a mirror of last summer’s Men’s Euros Final. England have faced Spain three times in the Women’s Euros, with those games coming in the three most recent tournaments. Spain won 3-2 in a group stage meeting in 2013, while the Lionesses won 2-0 in the 2017 group stages and came from behind in the quarter finals in 2022 to win 2-1 in extra time. Who is the favourite to win the Women’s Euros? The bookies have given Spain marginally better odds than England, but in reality the match-up looks too close to call. Spain were the clear favourite heading in the Euros, put in some thoroughly dominant displays during the group stage of the tournament, and count current Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí and two-time winner Alèxia Putellas in their s

Spring has officially sprung this week, but for many Londoners the first weekend of a brighter, warmer new season comes just before pay day. Counting down the days your bank balance is no longer in the red?  Resigned to a weekend spent indoors, eating leftovers with the heating off? Never fear!  There’s loads of great fun to be had around the city this weekend, if you know where to look. From free club nights to late openings, an arty market and a last-chance exhibition, here are five fabulous free events happening in London over the next few days. Science Gallery Spring Equinox Late The Science Gallery celebrates the arrival of brighter, warmer days with a Friday night late themed around the ‘Pulse of the Planet’. Visitors can check out DJ sets curated by Club Sol, take part in creative writing workshops and reflection sessions, and watch a screening of emerging artist Julianknxx’s film Black Corporeal (Breathing by Numbers) exploring the start realities of environmental poverty. Tickets are free, but be sure to book in advance.  Science Gallery. Fri Mar 21. Free. BFI Flare DJ Nights The UK’s largest queer film event is back this week, with over 130 films plus a whole bunch of talks, panels, creative workshops and after-hours events to check out over the next eight days. The BFI’s Southbank headquarters are a vibey place to hang out during the festival, regardless of whether you’ve nabbed tickets to some screenings. And this is particularly true on weekend evenings, when a h

The weekend sun seems to have given London a shake up, as though it has injected colour back into the city. Blossom is growing on trees, flowers are shooting up from grass, and the city’s museums and galleries are also gearing up for a new lease of life, with all sorts of exciting exhibition openings in the calendar for this month.  From striking Munch portraits at the National Portrait Gallery to evocative photography documenting everyday life in northern Britain, these are the best new exhibitions arriving in the capital as spring starts to show.  Six London art exhibitions to see in March 2025  Photograph: Seated Model on the Couch, Birgit Prestøe, Edvard Munch, 1924 © Munchmuseet. Photo: Munchmuseet / Sidsel de Jong. Edvard Munch Portraits at the National Portrait Gallery We all know Edvard Munch’s masterpiece ‘The Scream’, but there was a lot more to him: this show at the National Portrait Gallery catalogues the great Norwegian expressionist through his portraits of family, friends, fellow artists, writers, art collectors and others in his lifetime. Intimate, energetic and deeply human, this exhibit is set to remind us why Munch had such influence in his sphere and far beyond.   Edvard Munch Portraits at the National Portrait Gallery, March 13-June 15 2025. More details here. Textiles: The Art of Mankind From the clothes we wear to the furniture in our homes, textiles are functional, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be art at the same time. Since ancient times humans

When it comes to American sports, it doesn’t get any bigger than the Super Bowl. The NFL’s most prestigious competition is arguably the most important annual fixture in the country’s sporting calendar, with millions of Americans getting together at screening parties to watch the action on TV. But with over 200,000 Americans living in London, and the sport steadily growing in popularity among Brits, it’s also a reasonably big deal here too. Thousands of Londoners will be staying up til the early hours this Sunday to watch all the action from the New Orleans Superdome, where the game kicks off at 11.30pm UK time. Super Bowl LIX sees the Kansas City Chiefs attempt a three-peat against the Philadelphia Eagles, in a replay of 2022’s event, the first of the Chiefs’ back-to-back titles. As well as all the cheerleading, interceptions, touchdowns and numerous cutaways to Taylor Swift cheering on boyfriend Travis Kelce from the stands, there’s also the epic half-time show from Kendrick Lamar, who arrives in New Orleans fresh from picking up five awards at the Grammys last weekend. Of course, you could catch all the action on your TV at home. But for a raucous atmosphere, freshly-poured pints, themed snacks and all manner of live entertainment, head to one of these Super Bowl screening parties around the city.  The best places to watch Super Bowl LIX in London Bad Sports: Super Bowl LIX Remember Hackney’s Bad Sports Bar? The now-closed (but never forgotten) US-style bar that served slam

Fancy yourself a bit of an oenophile? Then you’ll probably already know that this coming Thursday is a pretty big day in the wine world. That’s because the third Thursday of November is Beaujolais Nouveau Day, i.e. the first day on which this year’s bottles of the good stuff are allowed to be sold. A gamay grape wine from the Beaujolais district of Burgundy, Beaujolais Nouveau is one of the few varieties of plonk that’s sold during the same year in which it’s produced. The juicy red has gained a bit of a following in London in recent years, with many of the capital’s favourite wine bars throwing special events to celebrate the cult cuvée. Here are some we especially like the look of.  Gordon’s Beaujolais Breakfast If Beaujolais Nouveau Day is the equivalent of Christmas in your world, then Gordon’s should be the first place you head to on the Big Day. London’s oldest wine bar is playing every oenophile’s St Nick, letting you sip on glasses of the good stuff bright and early from 8am on, so you can sample this year’s crop before everyone else. They’ll be serving up Full English brekkies to soak up all the booze, and nice strong coffees for anyone needing to sober up quickly. All the same, we’d probably still advise going into the office on this particular Thursday. Gordon’s Wine Bar. Thu Nov 16. Free entry. Top Cuvée Beaujolais Nouveau Masterclass If there’s a burgeoning trend on the British wine scene, you can bet that London’s most ‘banter’ wine merchants will be heavily i

Like NFTs and Orlando Bloom, sherry has long been tipped by those in the know to be due its big moment of glory, but somehow the giddy heights of ultimate popularity never came. No matter how successfully the fortified wine has shaken off its reputation as the sickly sweet drink your Gran would drag out every Christmas, unlike port or tequila, sherry has never fully experienced its moment in the sun. But, passing over the Spanish delicacy is a big fat miss on the part of any discerning oenophile. ‘Sherry is actually the driest wine in the world because of the way it's made,’ says Sandra, bar manager at Spanish importer and restaurant group Brindisa. ‘There are lots of completely different styles that are dry, fresh, salty and refreshing.’ The Jerez-made wine also has a far more storied heritage than you might think. ‘Sherry is a super classic ingredient in traditional mixology,’ says Sandra. ‘If you go to that golden era of mixology in the 18th and early 19th centuries you get a lot of sherry and old recipe books feature a lot of it too.’ A drink called the ‘Sherry Cobbler’ became hugely popular in the 1840s coinciding with the invention of the drinking straw, while another sherry cocktail, the ‘Artist’s Special’, was invented in Paris in the 1930s, becoming a favourite with Picasso and other artists living in the city at the time.  This week – November 6 to 12 – marks National Sherry Week and in celebration of its glitzy history we’ve rounded up the very best sherry cocktail

London is pretty stressful, right? In fact, complaining about stress – that annoying neighbour playing hardcore techno right under your bedroom ceiling every night or the mindfuck of trying to exit any Central line platform at Oxford Circus – is a time-honoured London pastime. But if you were forced to relax and then timed on how long it takes you to reach a calm level of zen? Well, that might well sound like the most disquieting experience of them all. However, in the name of peace and tranquillity, that’s exactly what’s coming to London this month.  The Extreme Relaxing UK Championships will be landing in the Kia Oval, a venue usually known for anxiety-inducing cricket matches. It’s Europe’s first-ever competitive event dedicated to relaxing and involves 30 frazzled people going head-to-head to see who can achieve a relaxed state against the clock in the face of stressful ‘obstacles’.  Each contestant will have their resting heart rate taken before competing in three heats. They’ll be tested, scientifically, for their speed at relaxing and their ability to recover from stressful surprises like car alarms and jarring TV clips, presumably playing scenes like accidentally cc’ing the wrong person into a *sensitive* email chain or being made to re-watch the Lionesses’ penalty shootout against Nigeria in the Fifa World Cup this week. The winner will be able to take these fraught experiences in their stride and reach a state of calm in the fastest time possible.  It may all sound

London is already doing its bit to reassess the patriarchy. The city is home to The Women’s Library at the London School of Economics and The Feminist Library in Peckham, and now a new glass-ceiling mashing institution is about to join the feminist fold.  Barking and Dagenham Council has announced plans to open a Women’s Museum later this year. If you live around Barking Wharf Square you may have already spotted the future site which is covered with a mural designed by artist Clare Mason displaying a timeline of local women’s history stretching from 600AD to the present day and featuring female trailblazers such as Mary Wollstonecraft, Muriel Lester and Doris Lester, Sandie Shaw and Zara McFarlane.  Psst! There’s no better day than #InternationalWomensDay to share a little SNEAK PEAK of what we're working on to celebrate the amazing women from our borough. Keep your eyes peeled 👀 for more info coming soon. #WomensMuseum pic.twitter.com/V70MgpdjsU — Barking and Dagenham (@lbbdcouncil) March 8, 2023 The space, which is linked to the local history service at timber-beamed Tudor manor Valence House Museum and Archives, aims to ‘showcase the history, heritage, stories and role of women from the local area and beyond.’ Due to open in late 2023, the programming will kick off with an exhibition by curator and artist Nephertiti Oboshie Schandorf on the Abbesses of Barking Abbey, exploring how the former Royal Monastery was home to radical and highly-educated women

London has one of the best public transport systems in the world. But anyone who’s spent a hot, sticky journey on the coach to Luton Airport or faced a long meandering trundle down the Piccadilly Line stressing about making a flight at Heathrow knows that travelling to the capital’s airports can be a trying experience.  That’s where the Heathrow Express comes in: the Uber executive of train journeys, the snazzy express service whisks passengers from Paddington Station to Heathrow Airport in just 15 minutes, making it the fastest direct rail route between central London and the UK’s biggest airport. But there’s a hefty price to pay for the speedy journey. The Heathrow Express is the second most expensive rail journey in Britain, costing £25, or £1.50 per mile for the 16.5-mile trip. This didn’t stop the Heathrow Express from generating a whopping £31 million in revenue in the first quarter of 2019, with people opting to pay a premium for stress-free travel. But things might be about to change for the high-speed service.  According to reports seen by The Times, the opening of the Elizabeth Line appears to have made a dent in the Express’s revenues. Heathrow Express’s passenger numbers apparently haven’t returned to pre-pandemic levels despite flights at the airport being pretty much back to normal. Heathrow said revenues from Heathrow Express in the first three months of 2023 were at £22 million – a third less than during the first quarter of 2019. The new Lizzy Line gets you t

It’s that time of year again when the Michelin Guide bestows its shiny stars on the great and the good of the British and Irish restaurant scene. Yep, it’s Michelin awards ceremony day when chefs across the two nations wait in anticipation to see who has received new stars (and retained them) for 2023.   Whether or not you think that the awards are too highbrow, too European or too dwindling in relevancy, there’s no denying the clout that the big fat white man mascot still holds. Plus, those little stars can have a huge impact on a restaurant’s footfall, which is especially important right now after years of turbulence thanks to the pandemic, not to mention inflation, and rising food and energy costs.   As any proud London foodie knows, the capital is home to a wealth of brilliant restaurants. So it’s no surprise that London’s dining rooms usually occupy a good chunk of Michelin’s list. This year, there are four new one-star restaurants in the capital and two new two-stars. No new three stars were awarded in London this year. Only one restaurant has been given the proverbial chop and lost a star: Seven Park Place in Mayfair. Sadly one of the restaurants that held a Michelin star in 2022 has permanently closed: The Glasshouse in Kew.  Here’s the full list of new Michelin stars for London restaurants, and who’s in, and who’s out.  Which London restaurants have won a 2023 Michelin star? NEW ONE-STARS Cycene, Shoreditch – Theo Clench Luca, Clerkenwell – Robert Chambers St Ba