Easter Events and Activities in London 2026

London doesn’t just wake up for Easter-it throws a party. By late March or early April, the city transforms into a colorful, egg-strewn wonderland with events that feel like a cross between a fairy tale and a community festival. Whether you’re visiting with kids, bringing grandparents, or just craving a little springtime magic, London’s Easter lineup has something real, not just themed. No cardboard bunnies here-this is the real deal: live performances, hidden egg trails, artisan markets, and historic gardens bursting with color.

Easter Egg Hunts That Actually Feel Like a Treasure Hunt

Forget supermarket plastic eggs. London’s best egg hunts are set in places where the ground itself tells a story. At Hampton Court Palace, families follow clues through 60 acres of Tudor gardens, finding hand-painted eggs tucked under hedges and behind fountains. The hunt is designed for different age groups, so a five-year-old and a ten-year-old won’t get bored waiting for each other. Tickets sell out fast-book at least six weeks ahead.

For something wilder, head to Richmond Park. It’s free, it’s huge, and the Easter Egg Trail here is run by the Royal Parks charity. You’ll spot eggs hidden near ancient oaks and deer herds, with a map printed on recycled paper and a small chocolate reward at the end. Last year, over 12,000 people showed up. Come early, wear boots, and bring a picnic.

And if you want an egg hunt with a twist, try the London Zoo version. Kids follow animal-themed clues-"Find the egg where the penguins waddle"-and get a free animal sticker with every egg found. It’s not just fun; it’s education disguised as play.

Church Services and Carols That Feel Like Home

London’s churches don’t just open their doors for Easter-they open their hearts. At Westminster Abbey, the Easter Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. draws locals and tourists alike. The choir sings Handel’s "Hallelujah" with voices that echo through 900 years of stone. You don’t need to be religious to feel it. The silence between notes, the way the light hits the stained glass-it’s the closest thing London has to a spiritual reset.

For something quieter, try St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square. Their Easter Morning Concert at 9 a.m. is free, no ticket needed. The music is classical, the crowd is calm, and afterward, you can grab a coffee in the courtyard while watching pigeons chase each other around the statue of Churchill.

Family-Friendly Theatre and Live Shows

London’s theatre scene doesn’t take a break for Easter-it leans into it. The Shakespeare’s Globe runs a special family-friendly version of "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" every Easter weekend. Kids sit on the ground with the crowd, and actors toss real flowers into the audience. The show starts at 2 p.m., and they hand out free paper crowns to the first 100 kids. It’s not fancy, but it’s unforgettable.

At the London Palladium, the annual "Easter Bunny Live" show brings a 7-foot-tall, talking bunny on stage with dancers, pyrotechnics, and a sing-along version of "Here Comes the Sun." It’s cheesy, loud, and exactly what a 6-year-old dreams about. Tickets start at £18 and include a free chocolate bunny at the exit.

Artisan Markets and Local Crafts

On Easter Saturday and Sunday, the streets of Borough Market and Camden Lock turn into handmade Easter hubs. Vendors sell ceramic eggs painted by local artists, beeswax candles shaped like bunnies, and organic chocolate made in East London with single-origin cocoa. You won’t find mass-produced stuff here-just people who spend months preparing for this one weekend.

At Spitalfields Market, there’s a "Make Your Own Egg" station where kids decorate real chicken eggs with natural dyes made from beetroot, turmeric, and red cabbage. It’s messy, it’s messy, and it’s the kind of thing you’ll still talk about in five years.

Spring Gardens and Outdoor Spaces

London’s parks don’t just bloom-they explode. At Kew Gardens, the Easter Flower Festival turns the Palm House into a jungle of orchids and tulips. There’s a giant egg mosaic made from 12,000 real petals, and guided walks that explain how plants survive winter. Entry is £19.50, but kids under 17 get in free.

For a quieter escape, head to Hyde Park’s Serpentine Gallery. They host a "Nature & Art" trail where kids collect stamps at six stations, each tied to a different sculpture made from recycled materials. Finish the trail and get a seed packet to plant at home. It’s small, but it sticks with you.

What to Pack and How to Avoid the Crowds

London weather in April? Be ready for everything. Pack a light raincoat, sturdy shoes (muddy paths are common), and a reusable water bottle. Most events are cashless now, so make sure your card works abroad.

Want to dodge the rush? Go early. Most egg hunts start at 10 a.m., but the best spots are gone by 9:30. If you’re doing multiple events, plan them across different zones-Kew in the morning, Borough Market in the afternoon, then a quiet church service in the evening.

And here’s a secret: the busiest days are Saturday and Sunday. If you can go on Friday or Monday, you’ll get the same magic with half the people. Many museums and gardens offer discounted tickets on weekdays during Easter week.

Where to Eat Without the Lines

Easter Sunday lunch? Skip the tourist traps. Instead, book a table at The Ivy Market Grill in Covent Garden. Their Easter menu includes roast lamb with rosemary jus, honey-glazed carrots, and a chocolate egg dessert that’s more art than cake. Reservations open 30 days in advance-set a reminder.

For something cheaper and just as good, try Brindisa in Borough Market. Their Spanish-style Easter meal-garlic shrimp, tortilla, and orange cake-costs under £20 per person. No reservations needed. Just show up at 1 p.m. and grab a seat at the counter.

What’s New in 2026

This year, the Victoria and Albert Museum is launching its first-ever "Easter in Art" trail. Kids get a free activity booklet that leads them through 10 Renaissance paintings featuring rabbits, eggs, and spring scenes. Each stop has a QR code that plays a 30-second audio story told by a museum curator. It’s quiet, smart, and designed for kids who don’t like shouting.

Also new: the London Eye is offering a "Sunrise Easter Flight" at 6 a.m. on Easter Sunday. For £35, you get a hot chocolate, a chocolate egg, and a 20-minute ride above the city as the sun rises over the Thames. It’s the most peaceful way to start the day.

And if you’re staying late, check out the Southbank Centre’s "Easter Night Lights"-a projection show on the Royal Festival Hall walls that turns the building into a giant animated Easter egg. It runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. every night of the weekend. Free to watch.

Final Tip: Make It Your Own

Easter in London isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about finding your own moment-whether that’s sitting under a tree with a chocolate egg, listening to a choir echo through stone, or watching your kid’s face light up when they find their 12th egg. The city gives you the stage. You bring the meaning.