Easter in London seems to get bigger and better each year. From family-friendly gatherings to cooking masterclasses, and from cocktail specials to themed afternoon teas, Easter has never been more notable.
This year, the Passion of Jesus returns to Trafalgar Square on March 29, with a horse named George and a donkey named Chester making starring roles alongside Christ.
However, if overt religiosity isn’t your cup of blood, then detailed below is the ultimate guide to London’s finest Easter goings on this weekend.
Hijingo Bingo, Shoreditch
Hijingo Bingo
Points mean prizes at the big bad bank holiday weekender at Hijingo Bingo. A £1,000 cash prize of a holiday (no word yet as to whether that’s a week in Tuscany or a day trip to Bogner) are the headline grabbing rewards for championship bingo, but win or lose, this high-octane booze-fuelled night out is a great bet for getting the gang together. Six rounds of bingo, a big brunchy meal and bottomless drinks. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Househead LDN Presents The Long Good Friday, East London
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The Long Good Friday by Househead LDN promises to be exactly that: long. Starting at the BBE record store in London Fields at 2:00pm for “part 1” with music from Adam Khody, Brockney C, Carlene, Junior Christian, and plenty more continuing the night with “part 2” at Night Tales in Hackney from 10:30pm until 3:00am. DJs Luke Una, The Coughlan Brothers and Deli G stud the line up in the second phase of this big night out, with proceeds from sales of drinks (both parties are free-to-attend) ging to support youth homeless charity Depaul UK.
Pre-booking essential, Friday March 29, BBE Store 10 Helmsley Place, E8 3SB and Night Tales, 14 Bohemia Place, E8 1DU, ihouseu.com
Vinegar Yard’s Fifth Birthday Party, London Bridge
This long bank holiday weekend, Vinegar Yards is celebrating its fifth birthday in style. Forget party hats and yellow cake, think £5 drinks. Quite possibly the cheapest night out in Southeast London this long weekend, there will also be popular sandos from Japanese Chicken Shop, pizza from Bad Boy Pizza Society, and burgers from Nanny Bill’s.
The 411’s Easter Weekender, Islington
David Robson
You’ve heard of that bar where the cocktail prices rise and fall like the stock exchange? That’s here. This bank holiday weekend the 411 is laying on four special events but the most exciting of these looks to be the Easter Sunday “Wall Street” special, where the drinks menu will become a live stock market ticker tape: prices will rise and fall depending on demand. Something of a rarity in town: a “concept” bar that actually sounds quite good.
Family-friendly activities
Little Slice pizza class, Queens Park
Pizza Pilgrims
Pizza Pilgrims is hosting a pizza-making masterclass for the little ones on April 4. Budding chefs and pizza-lovers will have the chance to make their own pizza from scratch, cook and eat their own creations, as well as indulge in a little ice cream following the masterclass. Don the wee chefs hats, or possibly bunny ears, and enjoy.
Lush x Shrek Fairground, Soho
Shrek and Lush
Unlikely bedfellows Lush and Shrek are teaming up in Soho this weekend to offer a pop-up fairground for the little ones. “Hook a Donkey”, arts and crafts stations, HoopLa games with prizes to win and plenty of photo opportunities including fairground peep boards all stud this orge-iffic (sorry) day.
ArtPlay workshops, Old Spitalfields Market
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Old Spitalfields Market regularly runs a plethora of hands-on workshops and this Easter Weekend is no different. In fact, a bumper edition of the interactive ArtPlay sessions will ensure kids of all ages are well catered for throughout the long weekend. Collage, painting, candle-making, pottery and quite a lot more besides will be on offer, and with sessions starting from just £5 it’s a wallet-friendly way to while away a few hours.
Caroline Dowsett’s craft workshops, Covent Garden
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Artist and maker Caroline Dowsett will be brightening up Covent Garden this Easter weekend with what’s being described as an “immersive trail”. Importantly, Dowsett will offer visitors a range of free children’s crafting workshops within Seven Dials Market. This is taking place later, on April 7, whereas the painted piazza can be seen from this weekend onwards. Elsewhere, nearby St. John Bakery, Pierre Herme and Ladurée all have sweet Easter treats planned.
The OSO Arts Centre and Theatre in Barnes is once again set to be converted into an expansive art gallery space, showcasing the annual Easter exhibition with over 30 local, national and international artists featured. An ideal day out to get the young ones involved in the arts, and a lunch at the nearby Brown Dog (for a family-friendly pub) is just about the perfect Easter weekender.
March 28 until April 1, OSO Arts Centre, Barnes, SW13 0LF, osoarts.org.uk
Polka Theatre, Wimbledon
foster wilson
The Polka in Wimbledon is a lively little independent theatre designed to get children aged from three upwards involved and excited about the performing arts. This Easter weekend it’s set to showcase a puppeteering version of Three Billy Goats Gruff for younger ones. For ages nine and up, Romeo and Juliet gets a modern re-telling. Ideal for an affordable introduction to live theatre.
Restaurant and bar pop-ups:
Mad Hatters afternoon tea
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For two days this Easter weekend, the Sanderson is giving the Mad Hatters afternoon tea a performative shot in the arm with a series of live ballet performances. The themed performance, which will run daily at 1.15pm, 2.30pm, and 4pm, has been choreographed by Jenna Lee, creative director of JLee Productions, who is a former English National Ballet soloist. Following each of the performances, guests, particularly the children enjoying the tea, can take part in a meet and greet with the dancers.
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“Agnello di pasta di mandorla leccese” is a special little Easter treat found in the Apulia region of Italy (that’s the heel of the boot) and London’s latest Italian cafe, Capilungo, is serving an homage to this classic Easter special. Faldacchiera, pear jam and liquor syrup flavour this intense yet classic cake, all wrapped up in a springtime lamb treat. It’s cute, so do make sure the kids are looking the other way as you slice into it.
David Robson
A glistening lamb hot pot is quite a thing and the Easter special at Nessa looks not only deeply satisfying, but lovingly created. Tender hunks of HG Walter lamb sit in a rich stew, topped by crunchy potatoes and served alongside signature dishes including the cheese and onion croquettes and the famed black pudding brioche. To follow, Nessa has laid on a special carrot cake with caramelised pecans and cream cheese.
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Dalloway Terrace is a restaurant known for its stunning foliage: a feed-friendly hotspot for those who want a setting to match the food. This Easter the team has tapped up famed London florists Princess & Ko for its latest floral installation, a setting for a set of seasonal Easter specials. The star? Saltmarsh Cornish lamb that includes a six-bone rack and slow-cooked shoulder, served alongside smoked aubergine purée and salsa verde.
Bun House is one of Chinatown’s (relatively) newer bao-slingers and this Easter is serving up cuteness by the bucketload. Bunnies-meet-buns with a rich chocolatey filling and steamed to gorgeous fluffy joy, satisfying the sweet tooth of children of all ages.
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In what might be one of London’s worst names for a cocktail bar comes one of the most sweet-sounding drinks around. The Wacky Wombat, launched by lauded bartender Nico de Soto, is set to serve the sloth’s chocolate cocktail this Easter weekend. A richly indulgent thing, the drink is based around Nutella, egg, and chocolate milk stout, spiked with peanut butter plantation Barbados 5yo rum and topped with honey syrup. A sweet treat, exclusively for grown ups.