Rhian Daly

We’ve reached that time of year when there are now less than 100 days until Christmas. It might not be time to start untangling your fairy lights or baking mince pies, but there’s no harm in giving a little thought to your festive social plans. As winter arrives, Christmassy pop-ups spring up in central London, with plenty of cosy atmosphere that makes them perfect for a festive little tete-a-tete. We’re talking riverside heated igloos, Alpine-themed lodges and kitschy nostalgia-themed bars that will keep you warm and, most importantly, full of food and festive drinks. Most spots aren’t yet confirmed for 2025, but keep an eye on this page for the best hideaways, markets and quirky festive experiences waiting to lure you in from the cheek-tingling cold. London's best winter pop-ups at a glance: 🎢 Best for coaster kids: Winter Funland, West Kensington🎅 Best for partying with Santa: Humbug, Waterloo🥌 Best for silly sports: Club Curling, various locations🐷 Best for old-school feasting: The Great Christmas Feast, West Kensington🥶 Best for daredevils: Up at the O2's snow globe climbs, Greenwich PeninsulaRECOMMENDED: Here are the best things do in London this Christmas

Boxing Day might not get all the glory of Christmas Day, but if you ask us, in many ways, it’s far superior. It has all the magic of the big day, but without the stress of cooking and the pressure of keeping the whole family happy. But one of the best bits? While everything shuts down on Christmas Day, things start to tentatively open up on Boxing Day, meaning you can get up from your Quality Street-induced stupour on the sofa and get out and about on December 26.  The day after Christmas, London is mostly free of its usual crowds (except for shopping districts like Oxford Street packed with bargain hunters). That means that, should you leave your house, large parts of the capital city are yours for the taking. There are the parks and riverside paths for frosty winter walks or the Christmas lights to admire while you brave the Boxing Day sales. The city’s pop-up ice skating rinks are normally open, pantomime season is still in full swing, and there are even a few parties lined up. Here are some great ideas for how to spend your day off. RECOMMENDED: Find more festive fun with our full guide to Christmas in London.

If you're not careful, Christmas shopping can feel like more tedious festive admin, like disentangling fairy lights or teasing out the clashes in your packed diary. But approach it right and it's genuinely fun: an excuse to potter through London's streets delighting in the elaborate window displays, sparkling lights and buzzing atmosphere. Add some new shops to your itinerary and your trip will turn into a treasure hunt, where gift-giving gold lurks in adventurous new locations. So resist the temptation to fill your online basket to the brim and carve a path across the city, supporting businesses big and small. London is teeming with perfect gifts, and its your duty to find them. Still, it can be hard to know where to start. For inspo, here's our list of brilliant Christmas shops where you can find gifts of all shapes, sizes and price tags. Ready, set, shop!  London’s best Christmas shops at a glance: 🎀 Best for sheer festive decadence: Liberty, Regent Street ⛵ Best for charming kids' toys: Benjamin Pollocks, Covent Garden 🪴 Best for green-fingered giving: Petersham Nurseries, Richmond 🪶 Best for whimsical treasures: Choosing Keeping, Covent Garden 🧀 Best for foodie delights: Fortnum & Mason, St James RECOMMENDED: Read our complete guide to Christmas in London.

Few areas of London are quite so steeped in history as Soho. There are cultural institutions on practically every corner of this bustling central London neighbourhood, from historic drinking dens frequented by famous artists and writers to iconic gay bars, hallowed music venues that have played host to countless jazz, blues and rock’n’roll icons to relics of the area’s seedy past as London’s primary red light district. These days, Soho is equal parts edgy and sexy, polished and chic; a glorious mélange of cheap and cheerful gay bars, sleek restaurants, swanky designer boutiques, legendary old cafés and delis, tourists stopping by on the way to a West End show, office escapees necking post-work pints and gleeful teens gliding by on rickshaws blasting the latest chart hits.  🏘️ Ultimate guide to where to stay in London Time Out’s offices are located just a short walk down the road in Covent Garden, which means our editors have spent many lunch hours browsing our way down Carnaby Street, and even more Thursday evenings stopping by the Coach & Horses for ‘a swift one’ before stumbling home via the Cambridge Circus McDonald’s after four pints and a packet of pickled onion Monster Munch. As such, we’re extremely qualified to tell you what is good in this colourful, hectic and quintessentially ‘London’ part of town. So here are 20 of our absolute favourite things to do in the area. We’ll catch you ‘Going For Dinner With Billie Piper’ soon (if you know, you know!) RECOMMENDED: The b

Thank god for Burns Night. As the long, bleak month of January rolls on, this kilt-raising, haggis-scoffing, whisky-fuelled celebration of Scotland’s national poet Rabbie Burns is a chance to banish the winter blues and have a rip-roaring time. The Bard turns 267 this year, but you don’t have to be in the big guy’s motherland to join in the festivities. An estimated 200,000 Scottish expats live in the capital, which technically makes it the third most populous Scottish city, so you can guarantee there’s plenty of feasting, boozing and partying to be done down here too.  When is Burns Night in London? Burns Night always falls on January 25, the day Robert Burns was born in South Ayrshire way back in 1759. This year’s celebration falls on a Sunday.  Whether you want to get sweaty at a ceilidh, pipe in a haggis, or have a classy time at a whisky tasting or indulgent Burns supper, this is how you can enjoy Burns Night 2026 in London.  RECOMMENDED: Here are London's best spots for a delicious Burns Night supper.

It’s hard not to fall in love with London all over again at Christmastime. In the run-up to December 25 each year, the city becomes a glittering wonderland of all things festive, from gorgeous light displays to quaint markets with warming mulled wine and pressie perfect trinkets, a packed calendar of Crimbo events to gleaming ice rinks. But all of that would feel like it was missing something if a whole host of eye-catching Christmas trees didn’t also accompany it. London’s festive firs (and quirky ‘trees’ made out of all manner of creative materials) are the jewels in the crown of its Yuletide makeover, and there are so many to go and marvel at. Trafalgar Square’s annual gift from Norway comes backed by heartwarming tradition and Covent Garden’s doesn’t hold back when it comes to a bit of sparkle. The city’s bougiest hotels, meanwhile, call on artists and fashion designers to give a modern twist on a festive staple. Most of London’s must-see Christmas tree displays haven't yet been announced for 2025, but we'll be adding them to this page as soon as they're unveiled. RECOMMENDED: Where to buy a Christmas tree in London. 

No matter how Scrooge-like you are, you can’t deny that London looks pretty magical once the Christmas lights have been turned on and tinsel-covered trees greet you at every turn. Luckily, the city is never in short supply of festive light displays, whether you’re looking for something classic – like Regent Street’s trumpet-playing angels, or a themed display, like those found on Carnaby Street. Each string beams bright enough to warm the coldest of hearts quicker than you can say ‘Bah, humbug’. Here are the best London illuminations to check out to get you in the Christmas spirit this year. RECOMMENDED: sign up to our excellent, free London newsletter. It's full of great suggestions.  What dates do the Christmas lights go on in London? London starts to fill up with Christmas light displays in early November each year, with Oxford Street's decorations leading the charge, followed by countless local displays across the city as December hits full swing. We’ll be updating our comprehensive list of switch-on dates as they’re announced here.  London’s best Christmas lights at a glance: ✨ Best for the biggest display in town: Oxford Street 🔔 Best for knockout festive extravagance: Covent Garden 🎄 Best for a Christmassy evening out: Kew Gardens Light Trail 🎅 Best for fun with the kids: Neverland at Kenwood 🍺 Best for a crafty pint afterwards: The Churchill Arms  Recommended: ❄️ Find out about the most Christmassy events in the city. 🎄 Check out London's very best Christmas ma

Whether you’re a regular in church or only step into one occasionally to admire the architecture, we can all agree that hearing ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ or ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ reverberating around the spires during Yuletide just hits different. Christmas isn’t Christmas without carol concerts. In between all the of the chaos and hubbub of the festive season, from gift shopping to light displays, festivals and big events, most of the carol services offer welcome moments of respite and reflection. London plays host to a huge variety of Christmas concerts (many of the free) in the run-up to the day. And there’s enough to suit all styles and moods, from the iconic splendour of St Paul’s annual concerts to glam charity bashes and events that highlight cultural traditions. Here’s the best of them.  RECOMMENDED: Our comprehensive guide to Christmas in London

Whether being voluntarily imprisoned in a small space is your idea of a laugh, or something you’re forced into by way of ‘team building’, there’s no doubt that an escape room is good for the mind. Because as you attempt to release yourself, you’ll sharpen your wits, test your agility, strengthen your friendships and have a whole lot of fun while you’re at it (unless you’re claustrophobic, in which case we suggest steering clear). London has many escape room experiences. These range from the traditional locked-room escape mission to a Sherlock-themed mystery and an all-out recreation of the ’90s TV show The Crystal Maze. Whichever you choose, your group will have to help each other to solve puzzles within a strict time limit. Gather your smartest, strongest mates and get riddling. Start the fans, please! The best escape rooms in London at a glance 🐥 Best for families: Enigma Quests 🧠 Best for brainiacs: Secret Studio  👻 Best for an adrenaline rush: AIM – Revolutionary Escape Rooms   🚩 Best for beginners: Escape Entertainment  RECOMMENDED:10 perfect places to play board games in London.101 things to do in London.  

As autumn nears, London's night sky comes alive, with colourful light trails, installations and Christmas decorations.  But for the city's Hindu and Sikh populations, the light fantastic reaches its peak long before December. Diwali, which symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, is a major celebration each October in London. There are events of every flavour to enjoy, with opportunities to dance, feast, and get together with family and friends. This year, Diwali takes place between Saturday October 18 and Wednesday October 22, but expect festivities to be popping off around the city in the weeks before and after too. The centrepiece of the celebration usually happens in Trafalgar Square – the largest Diwali party London has to offer – but smaller events will pop up across the city's cultural institutions, public spaces and restaurants. RECOMMENDED: London’s best Indian restaurants

  London might be known for its shiny department stores and swanky boutiques, but shopping in the city doesn’t have to leave you scared to look at your bank balance. While the biggest bargains in the capital will still be found at charity shops, swap shops and weekend car boots, its thrift and vintage stores still boast great value for money – especially if you stumble on something high-end at a cut price. Part of the thrill of exploring thrift shops’ racks is that element of surprise. You never know just what is waiting for you among the piles of clothes, shoes and accessories. What’s more, each store feels unique, highlighting the personal tastes and curation skills of their owners and staff – the perfect antidote to the often uniform feel of high street chains. The fact that it’s also an eco-friendly alternative to fast fashion is the icing on the cake. The Time Out team can spend hours digging through multicoloured rails, hunting down dream buys and pieces to give a fresh spin on the clothes already on our shelves at home. One of my favourite ways to spend a Sunday is trawling the shops around Brick Lane and pouncing on cool new items to update my wardrobe.  London’s best thrift shops at a glance: 🛍️ Best for a massive selection: Beyond Retro, Dalston 💎 Best for rare retro gems: House of Vintage, Shoreditch 👗 Best for special occasion gowns: Pennies Vintage, Islington 👙 Best for kitsch vintage finds: Retromania, Victoria 💃 Best for partying amongst the rails: Paper

The great thing about having kids at Christmas is that you can vicariously relive the joy that comes with believing in Santa Claus. You may be a boring grown-up now, but it’s just as magical to watch your own little ones’ eyes light up as they see big man IRL. From a traditional Victorian hut to a gingerbread-themed alcove and the city’s only immersive black Santa experience at Noir Kringle, London has an assortment of grottos suited to every family. With help from Santa’s elves, each leaves kids with a special gift and a photo with the main man. Many also boast bonus Christmas activities from crafts and wintry trails, to film screenings and story time sessions. Be organised, though. Santa is a popular guy and often there isn’t enough of him to go round aren’t enough to meet the demand, particularly at peak times on weekends. So you’ll need to act fast to secure your slot and avoid tears and tantrums. Here are some great grottos in London to try for a holly jolly good time this year.  RECOMMENDED: Find more festive fun with our guide to Christmas in London.

It’s been almost a decade since Red Bull Culture Clash last took place in London, but finally, it’s making its return in 2025, The epic music battle, inspired by Jamaican sound clash culture, will see four crews armed with their finest dubplates go head-to-head, delivering the best of the electronic, UK rap, Afro, and Caribbean music scenes. Only one can be crowned the winner, though, and take home the Red Bull Culture Clash trophy, with the victor. The likes of Boy Better Know, A$AP Mob and Rebel Sound have previously competed at the legendary competition, as well as special guests like J Hus, Stormzy, and Ice Kid, so crowds can expect some pretty special things from its return, which takes place at Drumsheds in March. 

You don’t need to be a local to take part in Urban Food Fest’s Christmas Market at Get Living’s East Village development. The event promises to be an evening filled with festive fun – with a twist. It will marry traditional fare with multicultural delights, whether that’s on the food front (with Greek, Caribbean and Turkish tastiness on offer) or in the entertainment, which will see a mariachi band performing. All the standard Christmas fare will also be part of the extravaganza, so you can tuck into a plate of mince pies while listening to the angelic sounds of carol singers still. Elsewhere, there’ll be LED stilt walkers and, of course, a market selling stocking stuffers, jewellery, kids crafts and much more, while the little ones will be kept busy with free face painting, balloon modelling, festive arts and crafts and a visit from Saint Nick himself.

This time, the event – which celebrates the best in South Asian music, film, art and more – will take over The Cause, bringing with it over 30 DJs and live acts set across six stages. There’ll also be terrace parties and installations of both the AV and art kind. The line up includes esteemed DJ and producer Mighty Zaf, and DJ and creator of South Asian creative collective The Beatriarchy Gracie T, plus many, many more. If previous years are anything to go by, Dialled In is a good time. 

This globetrotting queer party has popped up at some of the world’s most famous clubs since it first launched at the Ministry of Sound in 2018. It returns to Koko this Pride for a big post-parade party headlined by Hercules And Love Affair, and featuring some debut appearances from Kitten and Bestley. They’ll also be bringing over Tama Sumo & Lakuti, who’re residents at Berlin’s Panorama Bar.

Great news, football fans. The 2025 Carabao Cup, also known as the League Cup (or perhaps the Carling Cup if you’ve long since given up on remembering its current sponsor), wraps up this weekend when Liverpool and Newcastle United go head to head at Wembley. It’s a significant match for both teams, and not just because it’s a final. For the Reds’ new(ish) manager Arne Slot, it’s a chance to secure a first piece of silverware with the club, before more almost certainly follows in the Premier League barring some sort of catastrophic dip in form. Newcastle will do their best to delay Slot’s hunt for trophies on their campaign to secure their first major piece of silverware since 1969, just three years after the club’s takeover by new ownership. For the Magpies, it’s also a chance to make amends after losing to Manchester United in the final back in 2023. Who are the favourites to win the Carabao Cup 2025? The current holders of the title Liverpool and are firm favourites to take home the Carabao Cup again this year, with betting odds handing them an 80 percent chance of winning. However, the team will be smarting from being knocked out of the Champions League by PSG earlier this week, while potentially still recovering from a gruelling match that went to penalties and saw key player Trent Alexander-Arnold go off injured, so an underdog triumph is far from out of the picture. When is the Carabao Cup Final 2025 and what time is kick-off? The Carabao Cup Final takes place on Sund

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

It’s a solid fact that everyone has more fun after two tequilas; there’s a reason why there are so many songs written about the agave-based spirit. So, we bring you good news, because this Saturday, February 22 is National Margarita Day, making it the perfect excuse to get a bit merry on the sauce and have yourself a fiesta.  Even better news is that loads of London bars are going to be dishing out free margs to celebrate the big day, and there are enough venues in close vicinity of each other for you to orchestrate your very own margarita crawl, totally free of charge. We’ll drink to that. Want to know where to get free margaritas in London for National Margarita Day? Here’s our guide.  RECOMMENDED: 🍋‍🟩 The best mezcal bars in London Aries Cult streetwear label Aries might not immediately spring to mind when you think about delicious margs, but this Margarita Day, they’ll be serving up 500 of the tangy drinks – for nada. The giveaway comes courtesy of Casamigos – the tequila brand co-founded by George Clooney – who’ll be setting up a pop-up bar in the store. Entry and drinks are completely free. There’ll also be music with a DJ set from Rahel Stephanie to help transform the shop into a vibey party. How to claim Casamigos are giving away 500 free margaritas from 3-7pm. Guests can claim two free drinks each.  31 Great Pulteney St, W1F 9NN El Pastor El Pastor are well-known for their authentic Mexican menu, including their agave cocktails. The four London locations will each

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

Beaujolais Nouveau Day is one of the biggest days in a wine drinker’s calendar, but it’s also a great excuse for a party. This year, Bojo Novo Day takes place this Thursday November 21 – and, as always, London will be marking the occasion.  Now, a fair few of you may be thinking: what on Earth is ‘beaujolais nouveau’? And why does it have its own day? Beaujolais nouveau is a red wine produced in France’s Beaujolais region. It’s a vin de primeur, which means it’s a wine sold in the same year it’s harvested – and it’s famously released at 12.01am on the third Thursday of November. In France the day is famous for its festivals, celebrations and parties. But France doesn’t hog all the fun when it comes to Bojo Novo. The day is marked all around the world, including London. Whether you’re a Frenchie abroad or simply fancy a bit of wine-based fun, here are the best places to mark Beaujolais Nouveau Day 2024 in the capital.  Le Beaujolais  Where else? The clue’s in the name at Le Beaujolais, which currently sits at third in Time Out’s list of the best wine bars in London. On Thursday Bojo Novo Day will be marked by Le Beaujolais in a very classic, French sort of fashion – which is no less than we’d expect from a very classic, very French sort of place. 25 Litchfield St, WC2H 9NJ. Find out more. Marceline  Looking for a bit more than a few glasses of fresh gamay? Canary Wharf joint Marceline has both vino and a solid deal to celebrate Bojo Novo Day, offering a steak French dip sandw

If you’ve walked along the Grand Union Canal in recent weeks, you might have witnessed some worrying sights. A number of swans and other birds have been found dead in the waters, the London stretch of which runs through the north west of the capital, causing concern among environmentalists. Now, government specialists have confirmed the cause behind this spate of avian deaths, which have hit geese and other wild birds like ducks and coots, in addition to swans. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has investigated the wave, conducting post-mortems on dead birds pulled from the canal. The results showed that the birds were in good condition before they died – but had not eaten well in the lead-up to their deaths, suggesting they had suffered poisoning. The agency says botulism is to blame for the deaths, with specialist tests returning a positive result for it. Ingesting bacteria causes avian botulism and can paralyse birds’ wings, legs and muscles, leading them to drown or suffer respiratory failure. ‘The bacteria grow in environments without oxygen and thrive on the protein from putrefying plant and animal material, and is often found in urban lakes, canals, and reservoirs,’ APHA said in a statement to The Standard. Sadly, there could still be more deaths in London’s population of feathery friends to come. ‘Outbreaks of avian botulism usually involve waterbirds, can last several weeks, and can result in hundreds of deaths,’ APHA continued. ‘Outbreaks can recur as once i

The Euros and Wimbledon might have wrapped up for another year, but there’s still plenty of thrilling live sport to catch over the next couple of weeks, as the 2024 Olympics begin in Paris. On Friday July 26, the French capital will host what promises to be an epic opening ceremony along the Seine, before two weeks of world-class sporting competitions.  If you’ve failed to snag tickets, don’t worry – London is a dab hand at showing sporting antics on the big screen, and plenty of locations will be popping up across the city where you can (hopefully) bask in the sun and catch everything from diving to curling. Below are ten of our favourite screenings, most of which are free of charge. RecommendedParis 2024 Olympics: everything you need to know, from start date to ticketsParis 2024 Olympics opening ceremony: start time and everything you need to knowHow to watch the Paris 2024 Olympics in the UK for freeHow to watch the Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony in the UK Spots to watch the Olympics in London Photograph: Mayfair Olympic Screenings Grosvenor Square, Mayfair If you’re after a picturesque spot to watch the great sporting feast this summer, look no further than Grosvenor Square. The grassy Mayfair patch has been made an official Team GB Fanzone, so you can grab a deckchair and watch the world’s most talented athletes do their thing from the heart of this swanky neighbourhood. There’ll be food stalls and an al fresco bar on site, too.  Grosvenor Square, W1K 6AN. Free. 

This is it. After weeks of highs and lows, of last-minute goals and watching through our fingers, England are through to the final of Euro 2024. The game kicks off tonight (July 14), with Gareth’s boys heading to Berlin to battle it out against Spain and become the UEFA Euro 2024 winners (here’s how to watch the game at home). The Three Lions’ attempt to go one better than their last European Championship tournament got off to a solid – if slightly tepid – start, and they’ve since topped Group C, defeated Slovakia in a nail-biting 2-1 win, beaten Switzerland on penalties and now, after that awesome 90-minute goal by Ollie Watkins in their semi-final game against the Netherlands, have gone and made it to the final.  The boys will go up against Spain on Sunday July 14 at 8pm BST, in a bid to claim the Euros 2024 trophy – could it actually be coming home? Whether you’re a diehard footie fan or just along for the ride, you’re going to want to know all the best spots in London to catch the matches. From screenings to sports pubs, these are the best places to watch Euro 2024 final in London. RECOMMENDED:🎉 All the big screens in London for the Euros 2024 final that are still taking bookings.⚽️ The 11 best fan parks in England to watch the Euro 2024 final.📺 Euros 2024 final at The O2: how to get tickets to watch the final at London’s largest screening.☀️ Will there be a bank holiday if England win Euro 2024?🛒 All the UK stores changing their opening hours for the Euro 2024 final.

Next year, London will get a new monument dedicated to the Windrush Generation and the design for it has been unveiled.  Jamaican sculptor Basil Watson’s proposal has been selected from a shortlist of four potential sculptures by an independent Windrush commemoration committee chaired by Baroness Benjamin.  Londoners and visitors to the city will be able to see the 12ft high sculpture at Waterloo Station from June 22 2022 – aka Windrush Day. The tribute piece, which is being paid for with £1m of government funding, will show a man, woman and child dressed in their Sunday best, standing on a pile of suitcases.  While this will be Watson’s first piece of public artwork in the UK, he’s no stranger to creating celebrated monuments. He is the artist behind a sculpture of Usain Bolt, displayed in Jamaica, and Atlanta’s statue to Martin Luther King. In 2016, he was also awarded the Order Of Distinction (Commander Class) by the Jamaican government for his achievements in the art world. In a statement, Watson said that he is ‘truly honoured to be chosen’ and feels ‘privileged that I now have this opportunity to express the aspirations, vision and courage of my parents, who took the long sea voyage to England in 1952’.  ‘I look forward to bringing my design to life because I know how much this means to the Windrush community,’ he added.  Baroness Benjamin said of the sculpture: ‘This Windrush monument represents the past, present and future and I hope it will be the catalys

This Hackney one-day fest is spread across eight venues and has bags of underground bite. Let us solve those scheduling dilemmas for you by mapping out a top day – by the clock... NoonDog show! You came to see a dog show...!...as the great Peaches might have said. Not quite ready to throw yourself into live music after a big Friday night out? Visions’ very own dog show at St John at Hackney will soothe your head and soul with all manner of good boys and girls doing their best tail wags and showing off their most impressive tricks. Even better: there’s a prize for best ‘Twin Peaks’ costume, so you’ll get to see miniature canine versions of Agent Cooper et al. Photo: Rebecca Hughes 2pmDiscover one of the city’s best new bandsIt’s hard to pick just one white-hot and unmissable new London band playing Visions, but Goat Girl’s set at Mangle just edges it (catch Matt Maltese, Sorry, Puma Blue, Cosmo Pyke and Shame too, though, if you can). They’re sardonic and moody – singer/guitarist Lottie’s voice is rich and deadpan, while the grooves from bassist Naima are deep and catchy. Go for the loping, scornful ‘Scum’ and stay for their sinister power to ensnare any audience. 5pmGo get friendly with Frankie CosmosNew Yorker Frankie Cosmos is one of those prolific artists who always seems to be up to something. She might have only made two studio albums, but she’s got a whopping 16 other collections of songs on her Bandcamp, all full of intriguing, odd and unique gems. Live, she’s just as

London’s annual Citadel Festival has everything you need for a super summer Sunday. This ace one-day festival is way more than a regular music fest, and on top of having a sweet line-up including Tame Impala, The Horrors, Leon Bridges and more, there’s a big heap of other fun activities to get stuck into. Here’s our seven point plan to Sunday success... 1 Get topical at Sunday Papers LiveWe all like the idea of reading the broadsheets from cover to cover over breakfast – just like real adults. But when Sunday morning comes around, you’re hungover – again – and even the thought of scanning the Uber Eats menu is just too much. So let someone else do the hard work as writers, musicians, politicians and poets break down different sections of the Sunday papers so you don’t have to. 2 Have some quality (Fat White) Family timeYou remember south London’s scuzziest band – the squalid-looking crew responsible for such sweet little ditties as ‘Breaking into Aldi’ and ‘Who Shot Lee Oswald?’ Despite rumours they were done, Fat White Family have actually been working on a new album. They’re back at the live thing for Citadel, where they’ll play new songs and generally make you feel like you need to take a piping hot shower, ASAP. 3 Stretch and flex with mass yogaDoes your perfect Sunday involve more matsyasana than moshing? Get in position at the Spandex Stage, where you can attain enlightenment (or at least aim for it) before enjoying the rest of the festival. 4 Go to Sunday worship with

After months of training, on Sunday (April 21), 50,000 runners will descend on the streets of central London as they attempt to smash their PBs and make it to the end of the London Marathon. The 26.2-mile endurance test will break some; others will triumph. But all can reap the rewards of the free offers being doled out to those brave enough to even try.  There’s a whole heap of goodies to make the most of, from things to help with your recovery to food to refuel on after you’ve pounded your way along the route. There’s even stuff up for grabs for those heading down to cheer those doing the leg work on. Check out the full list below and read up on all things marathon in our handy guide. Deliveroo and Boots’ Marathon Roo-covery hub What you get: A code worth £10 for things from the Marathon Roo-covery hub, from bath salts to protein barsHow to claim: Enter the code ROOCOVERY10 on Deliveroo, but be quick - there are only 1,981 codes available Greene King pubs What you get: A free drink at one of 115 participating pubs. Choose from a pint of Guinness or Guinness 0.0, single G&T, or a glass of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, or Schweppes Lemonade.How to claim: show your medal, ID and proof of your results on the marathon website at one of the participating pubs (find those here) between April 21-23.  Brockwell Lido and Park Road Leisure What you get: Free swimming before and after the race.How to claim: Show your ballot entry at either pool until April 28. Brompton Bikes What yo