10+ Things To Do In Central London To Celebrate Easter Weekend 2026

Easter weekend is a brilliant time to be in Central London. If you’re planning Easter 2026 in the capital, a little inspiration goes a long way. The four-day break is perfect for ticking off iconic sights, discovering seasonal activities, and spending quality time with friends, family or colleagues. It’s also one of the most popular weekends of the year in London, so knowing what’s on can help you make smarter plans.

In this guide, you’ll find the best things to do in Central London over Easter weekend 2026, along with practical tips to help you enjoy the celebrations without the stress.

When is Easter 2026?

Easter 2026 features a double bank holiday that encourages a four-day break from the standard working week. While the city remains energetic, it is helpful to understand the local holiday schedule to plan your visits effectively.

Identify the key dates:

• Good Friday: 3 April 2026.
• Easter Saturday: 4 April 2026.
• Easter Sunday: 5 April 2026.
• Easter Monday: 6 April 2026.

How can you plan around the holiday?

Planning a bank holiday weekend in Central London requires a bit of logistical foresight to avoid unexpected closures or travel delays.

• Check shop closures: By law, large shops over 280 square metres must close on Easter Sunday (5 April), though small shops often stay open.
• Prepare for mild weather: Expect typical spring temperatures between 9°C and 15°C, which is ideal for outdoor activities in Central London.
• Monitor transport services: Public transport usually runs on a reduced Sunday timetable over the bank holidays. You should check for any planned engineering works or transportation changes before you travel.

Where are the best places for Easter egg hunts and family fun?

Easter weekend is one of the most joyful times to explore Central London with children. Parks, museums and historic landmarks lean into the season with interactive trails and playful challenges that turn sightseeing into an adventure. With a little planning, you can turn the long weekend into a day filled with memorable family moments.

1. Hunting Easter Eggs for Kids at Merchant Square, Paddington

• Location: Merchant Square, Paddington, London, W2 1AS
• What to look for: A canal-side egg hunt involving hidden clues around the floating pocket park and water maze.
• Timing: Typically Good Friday and Easter Saturday.
• Cost: Often free or a small charity donation.

Set along the scenic canals of Paddington Basin, Merchant Square hosts a family-friendly Easter egg hunt that combines outdoor exploration with playful problem-solving. The event is designed for primary-school-aged children, though younger ones can easily join in with a little help from parents. The open layout makes it easy to supervise kids while they explore, and the waterside setting adds a sense of adventure without feeling overwhelming.

2. Join an Easter Workshop at The Cartoon Museum

• Location: 63 Wells St, Fitzrovia, W1A 3AE
• What to look for: Creative cartooning workshops themed around Easter characters and spring animals.
• Timing: Throughout Easter week.
• Cost: Ticketed (Approx. £10-£15).

Located just around the corner from Mortimer Street, this museum provides a quiet, creative sanctuary that lets imagination become reality. The workshops are excellent for those looking to build skills in a focused, indoor environment.

3. Discover the Zoonormous Egg Hunt at London Zoo

• Location: Outer Cir, London NW1 4RY
• What to look for: A large-scale trail identifying various eggs from the animal kingdom, from reptiles to birds.
• Timing: 28 March – 12 April.
• Cost: Included in standard zoo entry (Free entry for under-3-year-olds and 30% discount for children aged 3-15).

As part of the Zoo’s 200-year celebrations, the 2026 Easter trail features zoo-normous decorated eggs placed around the grounds. Each giant egg represents a different animal species cared for or protected by the Zoological Society of London. Not just that, children can decorate their own special ZSL200 bunny ears headband to take home.

4. Design your own Easter Egg by SoLo Craft Fair Hunt

• Location: St Martin-in-the-Fields Church – Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 4JJ
• What to look for: Craft tables inside the Lightwell Tunnel stocked with paints, decorative materials and example designs to inspire your own personalised Easter egg creation.
• Timing: 21 March 2026
• Cost: Free (Booking required for entry).

Celebrate the start of spring at this creative Easter workshop hosted by SoLo Craft Fair as part of the Affordable Workshops series. Suitable for ages 10+ (children aged 10–14 must be accompanied by an adult), the workshop invites the participants to design and decorate their own unique Easter egg ornament to take home. Spaces are free but must be booked in advance via Eventbrite or direct contact to guarantee entry, with limited drop-in availability on the day. Visitors can also explore the wider St Martin’s Spring Market, featuring over 80 independent traders, before or after their session.

5. Challenging BucketRace Easter Hunt at Golden Square 

• Location: Golden Square, Soho, W1F 9EL
• What to look for: A competitive, tech-led scavenger hunt across the West End starting from Golden Square.
• Timing: Easter Saturday, April 4th, 2026.
• Cost: Ticketed per team.

This event is perfect for teams looking for a high-energy, collaborative challenge. With three separate tasks, participants get chances to sightsee tourist attractions in London while completing the hunt. It feels more like a city-wide puzzle than a traditional hunt, taking you through the hidden alleys of Soho and Mayfair in a race against the clock.

6. Visit the Family Fun Fair at Hyde Park

• Location: Hyde Park (near Serpentine), W2 2UH
• What to look for: Traditional fairground rides, carousels, and seasonal food stalls.
• Timing: Throughout the four-day weekend.
• Cost: Free entry; pay-per-ride.

Hyde Park captures the classic bank holiday spirit perfectly. The scale of the park ensures that even with the funfair’s energy, you can find a quiet spot nearby for a restorative walk along the Serpentine.

How can you experience traditional religious and cultural events?

Beyond the chocolate, London hosts world-famous cultural and religious events that attract thousands of visitors each year. These traditions provide a sense of continuity and historical depth to the bank holiday celebrations.

7. Watch ‘The Passion of Jesus’ at Trafalgar Square

• Location: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DS
• What to experience: A powerful large-scale, open-air retelling of the Easter story performed by a 100-strong cast.
• Timing: Good Friday (3 April 2026), typically 12:00 PM and 3:15 PM.
• Cost: Free.

On Good Friday 2026, Trafalgar Square once again transforms into a vast open-air theatre as Wintershall presents its acclaimed production of The Passion of Jesus. Two 90-minute performances will be delivered by a cast of more than 100 actors and volunteers. (Please note: the realistic crucifixion scene may be too intense for younger children.) Arrive around 40 minutes early to secure a good viewing spot, or stream the performance live online if you prefer to watch from home.

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8.  Attend an Easter Mass at Westminster Cathedral

• Location: Victoria St, London SW1P 1LT
• What to experience: Choral Eucharist or Solemn Mass in one of London’s most stunning Byzantine-style buildings.
• Timing: Easter Sunday (5 April 2026), around 11:30 AM. 

*The hour may change depending on the church; please check westminstercathedral.org.uk for the latest schedule.

• Cost: Free.

The music here is world-class, with the choir’s voices filling the vast, dark-domed space. It is a sensory experience that feels detached from the modern city outside, offering a moment of genuine reflection before the Sunday celebrations begin.

9. See the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace

• Location: Buckingham Palace, SW1A 1AA
• What to experience: The traditional military ceremony with the guard band often playing seasonal tunes.
• Timing: Typically 11:00 am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (subject to change — always check the confirmed schedule.
• Cost: Free.

Few traditions capture London’s pageantry quite like the Changing of the Guard. Set against the grand façade of Buckingham Palace, this ceremonial handover sees the King’s Guard march in formation between Wellington Barracks, St James’s Palace and the Palace itself, accompanied by stirring military music. Although the ceremony officially begins at 11:00 am, arriving at least 30–45 minutes beforehand is recommended.

10. Listen to choral evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral

• Location: St. Paul’s Churchyard, EC4M 8AD
• What to experience: A traditional Anglican service of choral music and prayer in the iconic cathedral.
• Date & time: 5 April 2026, 3:00pm – 4:00pm.
• Cost: Free and unticketed.

Celebrate Easter Sunday 2026 with a joyful Festal Choral Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral. This special Easter Day service of sung Evening Prayer features hymns, a sermon and specially selected choral works performed by the Cathedral’s renowned girl and boy choristers. Held on the Cathedral Floor beneath Wren’s magnificent dome, the service offers visitors and worshippers alike the opportunity to experience the extraordinary acoustics and soaring harmonies that define worship at St Paul’s.

Which seasonal foods and Easter treats should you try?

Easter is a peak time for Sunday Roast culture, where families and colleagues gather to enjoy traditional spring lamb and artisan treats. Fitzrovia is particularly well-suited for this, offering high-quality pubs without the overwhelming tourist density of other districts.

11. Savour a traditional Sunday Roast at a Fitzrovia pub

There is nothing quite like a slow-cooked roast to mark the holiday. In our local area, three spots stand out for their consistency and professional yet welcoming service:

• Fitzroy Tavern: 16 Charlotte St., London W1T 2LY. A historic spot on Charlotte Street known for its literary past and historical witness of London. 
• Yorkshire Grey: Yorkshire Grey, 46 Langham St, London W1W 7AX. A reliable choice for those who appreciate a well-poured pint alongside a classic roast.
• The George: 55 Great Portland St, London W1W 7LQ. An elegant, restored pub that offers a more refined dining experience, perfect for a team gathering.

12. Indulge in luxury gifting at Fortnum & Mason

• Location: 181 Piccadilly, London W1A 1ER 
• What to look for: The elaborate window displays and the showstopper chocolate beehive sculptures.
• Timing: Throughout the Easter season (March and April 2026).
• Cost: Gifts range from £13.95 for small treats to over £250 for large-scale chocolate sculptures.

Stepping into Piccadilly’s most famous storefront feels like visiting a gallery of confectionery art. The Easter collection is defined by its craftsmanship, featuring hand-painted chocolate sculptures and their signature “Golden Praline Eggs”, actual hen’s eggshells hollowed out and painted gold to reveal a rich hazelnut filling. It is the destination for finding a gift that is carefully crafted for special occasions, from the iconic wicker hampers to the “Praline Scotch Egg” that looks remarkably like the savoury original.

13. Enjoy Bridgerton afternoon tea at The Lanesborough

• Location: Hyde Park Corner, London SW1X 7TA
• What to look for: The Official Bridgerton Themed Afternoon Tea featuring character-inspired pastries like ‘The Social Butterfly’ and ‘Lady Whistledown’.
• Timing: Daily throughout the Easter long weekend.
• Cost: Ticketed (Approx. £85+ per person). 

Walking into this dining room feels like stepping directly into a Regency-era ballroom. It is a polished way to spend an Easter afternoon, sampling character-inspired treats like ‘The Social Butterfly’ alongside classic scones. The grand setting offers a quintessential, relaxed British tradition, offering a fun way to enjoy Easter Holidays without attending overcrowded outdoor activities. 

14. Sample seasonal treats at Marylebone Farmers Market

• Location: St Vincent St, London W1U 4DF
• What to look for: Seasonal spring produce, artisanal “A Good Egg” stall, and freshly grilled gourmet sausages.
• Timing: Easter Sunday (5 April 2026), 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
• Cost: Free entry; products are high-end artisanal prices.

This market is a Sunday ritual for locals, offering a palpable neighbourhood charm that feels a world away from the busier shopping districts. You can expect to find the first of the season’s wild garlic and tender asparagus alongside artisanal treats like freshly baked hot cross buns and handmade macarons. The atmosphere is convivial, with the excitement of trying new ingredients for seasonal dishes, with vendors often offering samples of organic cheeses or fresh oysters to try as you browse the stalls.

15. Run the London Easter 10k in Regent’s Park (Easter Monday activity)

• Location: London NW1 4NR
• Timing: Easter Monday (6 April 2026), starting at 10:30 AM.
• Cost: Approx. £28.82 – £31 for the 10k; junior and fun runs from £7.68.

There is a unique festive energy to this race, where many participants take to the tarmac wearing bunny ears or seasonal costumes. The three-lap course is completely traffic-free, winding past the boating lake and giving runners a rare view of the animals at London Zoo as they pass by. Finishing the race is particularly rewarding, as every runner is traditionally greeted with a bespoke bunny-themed medal and an actual chocolate Easter egg to assist their recovery.

Host your private Easter gathering at Gilmoora House

While public celebrations are energetic, a private gathering at Gilmoora House offers an intimate way to host your team or clients away from the bank holiday crowds. Our workspace is located in the heart of London, allowing you to focus on your guests in the festive spirit.

Why choose Gilmoora House for your festive event:

• Utilise the Mortimer Room: We offer a premium, private space for your gatherings. This provides a professional sanctuary away from the crowded West End, allowing for meaningful connection and conversation.
• Order bespoke catering: We coordinate with high-quality partners to provide seasonal menus. This ensures your guests enjoy the best Easter flavours without the hassle of a busy restaurant, leaving you free to host.
• Benefit from a turnkey service: Our Service Team manages every logistical detail, from guest greeting to technical setup. This removes the administrative burden from your holiday planning, ensuring a flawless professional experience.
• Stay in a prime location: We are situated on Mortimer Street, just a short walk from Oxford Circus. This makes it easy for your guests to join you from any part of London, while keeping you close to the city’s best holiday displays.

Easter in London is a time of renewed energy. By balancing the city’s vibrant public events with a focused, private gathering, you can create a bank holiday experience that feels celebratory and professionally impactful.

Ready to grow your business in the heart of Central London? Contact our Service Team at enquiries@gilmoorahouse.com or call 020 3008 6650 to book a tour of our Mortimer Street workspace today.