With Easter on the horizon, London is well and truly in bloom. Cherry blossoms are flourishing, glimmers of sun are beginning to brighten up our weekends, and London’s cultural calendar is busier than ever. From new exhibition openings to exclusive pop-ups, here is our guide on how to spend the final weekend in March.

Kickstart your weekend early at KOIBIRD

For The Handbook readers who secured exclusive tickets to KOIBIRD’s Lucky in Koi event in Marylebone, the weekend has come early. Tonight marks a celebration of the launch of the concept store’s SS26 collections.

Ticketholders can expect to indulge in an evening brimming with exclusive offers, prizes and games. What’s more, the winner of the £1000 prize draw will finally be announced.

For The Handbook readers who secured exclusive tickets to KOIBIRD’s Lucky in Koi event, the weekend has come early

Where: KOIBIRD, 62 Marylebone Lane, London W1U 2PB
Website: www.koibird.com

Find your next hidden gem

This Saturday, one of London’s most renowned vintage flea markets will be taking over Peckham. From 10am to 5pm The Big South London Flea will open its doors to those on the hunt for their next hidden treasure.

Visitors can expect to get lost in an eclectic trove of vintage furniture, quirky homeware pieces, and reclaimed soft furnishings. The event costs £2 to enter and is a stone’s throw away from an array of local eateries, cafes and bars, so you can make your trip a day-long affair.

Where: 133 Copeland Road, Copeland Park, Peckham, SE15 3SN
Website: www.hackneyfleamarket.com

Visit this beauty pop-up

SpaceNK is hosting the ultimate beauty popup this Saturday at Westfield’s London White City branch. It is celebrating the launch of the Laneige Juicepop Box Lip Tint by inviting beauty lovers to enjoy an immersive installation with free gifts up for grabs all day long.

SpaceNK is inviting beauty lovers to enjoy an immersive popup with free goodies up for grabs.

Customers who spend £40 in store at SpaceNK on the day will receive a mirror key chain, while those who spend £60 will be gifted an additional Bouncy and Firm Serum 15ml.

Check out this pop-up
concept store

Situated in the heart of Covent Garden, raye the store offers a space to discover an array of brands spanning food, drink, wellness and beauty.

Open until the 5th April, the curated store offers the ultimate pop-up experience for your weekend itinerary. Among the brands stocked are Menteath, Maze, Thrill Collagen+, Dr Will’s and 6Percent.

This weekend discover a curated shopping experience in the heart of London.

Where: 57-59 Monmouth St, London WC2H 9DG
Website: www.rayethestore.com

Book to see this play

Perhaps the West End’s hottest ticket this spring, Romeo and Juliet starring Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe has officially arrived at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Directed by Robert Icke, the play will see both actors make their West End debuts as they retell the Shakespeare classic.

Both leads are making their West End debuts starring in Shakespeare’s classic tragedy.

Where: Panton St, London SW1Y 4DN
Website: www.atgtickets.com

Celebrate Spring at Kew Gardens

Spring is in full bloom at Kew Gardens as it celebrates its third consecutive year of Sounds of Blossom. In collaboration with the Royal College of Music, London’s largest UNESCO World Heritage Site is inviting visitors to discover a multi-sensory experience.

Admire the beauty of the cherry blossoms and celebrate the new season to the rhythm of seven new compositions created by a selection of music students.

Where: Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE, UK
Website: www.kewgardens.com

Shop this brand’s annual archive sale

This weekend marks the perfect opportunity to shop a range of coveted Charlotte Simone pieces as it celebrates its annual archive sale. Worn by the likes of Dua Lipa and Gigi Hadid the brand is renowned for its lambswool trim jackets and one-of-a-kind statement pieces.

The sale offers a rare opportunity to shop over 180 pieces from Charlotte’s winter drop making now the perfect time to treat yourself to a new wardrobe staple. Sizes range from XS to XXL, while prices start from £50. Shoppers will need to move fast as the sale will come to an end on April 1.

Shop here

Catch the opening weekend of this landmark exhibition

This weekend marks the opening of one of the most highly anticipated exhibitions in London’s cultural calendar. Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art is officially arriving at the V&A museum this Saturday and is set to span over 100 years of the designer’s life and influence. It will trace the fashion house’s groundbreaking origins and evolution under its current creative director, Daniel Roseberry.

The impressive showcase features over 200 objects, combining high fashion with fine art, photography, and archival treasures. The exhibition will also showcase works from Elsa’s collaborators, Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, and Man Ray.

Where: Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL
Website: www.V&A.com

Explore this gallery

Another exhibition opening its doors to the public this weekend is Cecily Brown: Picture Making at The Serpentine South Gallery. While David Hockney’s latest installation is continuing its residency at the North Gallery, this collection of work will showcase both recent art and key paintings dating back to 2001 by Cecily Brown.

The new pieces draw upon The Serpentine’s unique location in the Kensington Gardens, a site of personal significance to the artist. A stroll around Hyde Park coupled with a visit to this new exhibition, and perhaps a trip over the road to the North Gallery, is a must-add to your weekend itinerary.

Where: London W2 3XA
Website: www.theserpentine.com

Try an avant-garde afternoon tea

As the V&A gears up to open its new exhibition, Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art, this weekend, The Kensington Hotel is marking the occasion with an exclusive new afternoon tea. Drawing on the installation’s bold visual language and display of haute couture pieces, the hotel will be offering sculptural pastries and unexpected flavour pairings with its reimagined afternoon tea experience.

Choose from caramel choux buns filled with apricot gel, cucumber, dill and cream cheese brioches, and, of course, The Kensington’s signature scones.

Where: 109-113 Queen’s Gate, South Kensington, London SW7 5LP
Website: www.thekensington.com

Explore an array of Indian flavours

This Sunday, India Club, a series exploring nostalgia and the fiery flavours of South Asian cuisine, will be returning to Gunpowder’s Soho and Tower Bridge restaurants. Taking place on the last Sunday of each month, Chef Patron Nirmal Save has created a sharing menu brimming with Persian and Mughal influences.

For £35 a head, guests can enjoy a rich seven-course menu to be enjoyed over lunch or dinner exclusively on this Sunday. Among the dishes on offer is the Majilisi Kumb Kebab and the Lamb qaliya qurma.

Where: 20 Greek St, London W1D 4DU / 4 Duchess Walk, London SE1 2SD
Website: www.gunpowderrestaurants.com

Enjoy a round of champagne cocktails

This weekend marks your last opportunity to book into the Brasserie of Light to enjoy its March partnership with Perrier Jouët Champagne and 111SKIN. The activation is inviting guests to sip on a collection of exclusive cocktails, including Midnight Blossom, Jardin Noir, and Diamond Epoque.
The drinks have also been paired with 111SKIN face masks to create the ultimate pamper experience. Alongside the cocktail range, Brasserie of Light is also serving up a fruity blackberry parfait paired with vanilla sponge and topped with a decadent Champagne jelly and elderflower cream. 

Where: 400 Oxford St, Duke St, London W1A 1AB
Website: www.brasserieoflight.com

Culture, Weekend Guide

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