9 Things To Do This Weekend, From Movie Premieres To Exhibitions
The weather may be a little shaky but it really is starting to feel a little like spring thanks to the arrival of endless events taking place across the city. If you’re wondering how to spend your weekend, we’ve put together a guide to the best things to do this weekend in London from movie premieres to exhibitions.
9 things to do this weekend in London
Head to a movie premiere
For those looking for the cultural event to book this month, get your fix at the BFI Flare Festival, London’s leading LGBTQIA+ film festival celebrating queer cinema.
Spread across 11 days, the festival is jam-packed with leading names and rising stars. The opening night gala kicked off with The Stroll, the Kristen Lovell and Zackary Drucker award-winning documentary telling the history of NYC’s Meatpacking District from the perspective of trans women of colour.
Other festival highlights include 1980s high-school dramedy Before I Change My Mind; the moving HIV narrative How To Tell A Secret; the intersex coming-of-age comedy XX+XY; and the black comedy horror Bodies, Bodies, Bodies.
New for 2023 will be a selection of immersive storytelling works, including the ‘We Are Here Because Of Those That Are Not’, an archive of Black trans existence that posts existential questions around collective memory and self-expression.
When: Until 26.03.2023
Where: BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XT
Website: www.bfi.org.uk
Celebrate St Patrick’s Day
St Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday this year, meaning even more excuse to embark on an Irish adventure celebrating the patron saint who rid Ireland of snakes.
From whiskey cocktails and free-flowing Guinness to traditional music playing into the night, we’ve put together a guide of the best events to book this St Patrick’s Day.
Catch Searcys at the Gherkin’s contemporary exhibition
It’s not every day you can experience art at the top of a skyscraper. Make the most of it this weekend as Searcys at the Gherkin welcomes award-winning contemporary artist Kristjana Williams’ latest collection.
Launching as part of Searcys’ Art of Finesse series, this exhibition showcases some of Williams’ trademark circular maps, inspired by life, mammals and landmarks across the globe. Her work is displayed across the restaurant and private dining rooms, each bursting with colour and even some 3D designs.
There’s even a limited-edition cocktail on offer, featuring a mix of apple and rhubarb-infused Ketel One vodka, elderflower syrup, lemon and topped with Searcys Champagne.
When: until the end of may 2023
Where: 30 St Mary Ace, EC3A 8BF
Website: www.searcysatthegherkin.co.uk
Pop to this charity screening event
Humanitarian organisation, Choose Love, will be celebrating the release of MATAR this weekend in a four-day pop-up. Created in collaboration with the WaterBear Network and Deadbeat Studios, MATAR is a docu-fiction film written and directed by Hassan Akkad (Swimmers) and looks at the struggles asylum seekers face in the UK, from navigating the broken system to discrimination.
Taking over a shop-front on Soho’s Berwick Street, the pop-up will be home to live performances, screenings of the film, live podcast recordings, a photography exhibition and Choose Love merch.
When: 17.03.2023 – 21.03.2023
Where: 98 Berwick Street, W1F 0QB
Website: www.chooselove.org
Experience art at the boundaries of light sound and space
Enter a whole new dimension at this new immersive art experience. Titled ‘Thin Air’, the experience, on display until May, takes a look at the ‘hidden complexities that shape the world we live in’.
Taking over the 55,000 square feet space, the exhibition brings together works from seven global contemporary artists and collectives, including 404.zero, James Clar, Robert Henke, Kimchi and Chips with Rosa Menkman, Matthew Schrieber, S E T U P and UCLA Arts Conditional Studio.
When: 17.03.2023 – 04.05.2023
Where: The Beams, Factory Road, E16 2HB
WebsitE: www.thebeamslondon.com
Be wowed at this new opening
Enjoy your dinner with a side of theatrics thanks to the Pacha Group’s new venue Lio London. Set to open on Friday 17th March, this one-of-a-kind dining experience will bring that Ibizan glamour to the West End.
Expect a fully immersive show complete with artists, acrobats, singers and dancers. With space to seat 200 for dinner, the restaurant is just as flamboyant as the show, bringing Pacha’s Mediterranean spirit to life through every dish.
Opening Date: 17.03.2023
Where: 3-4 Coventry Street, W1D 6BL
Website: www.liolondon.co.uk
Cheer on England in the Six Nations final
Whether you’re a hardcore rugby fan or you’re just tagging along for the thrill and buzz of it, this weekend sees the Six Nations come to a close in an epic final weekender. Here’s where to catch a screening of the final this weekend.
Travel the world through food
The UK’s best indoor food festival turns to the capital this weekend, celebrating modern cuisine and dishes from around the world.
Taking place at Olympia London until April 2nd, the festival will offer foodies the chance to get creative, learn new skills and discover the very best in food right now. Catch celebrity chefs as they cook up their favourite dishes or pick at the minds of industry experts in wine.
When: 17.03.2023 – 02.04.2023
Where: Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, W14 8UX
Website: www.eatanddrinklondon.com
Treat Mum to a special afternoon tea
If you needed a little reminder, this Sunday is Mother’s Day! If you’re scratching your head wondering how you can treat your Ma, how about treating her to a classic afternoon tea?
From classic teas with toppling scones to The Lanesborough’s floral-iteration, these are the very best to treat the leading lady of your life.
looking for more things to do this weekend in london? check out our what’s on section