Giles Guide: March Magic in London 2025

As London shakes off its winter coat and bursts into bloom, March brings a kaleidoscope of colour and excitement to the capital! The city pulses with vibrant cultural celebrations, creative showcases, and the first whispers of spring. Whether you're seeking exciting festivals, artistic encounters, or the best dining spots for Iftar and Suhoor, there's something for everyone that will make your March stay at St Giles London Hotel truly unforgettable. Let's explore what's bringing London to life this month!

Colourful Celebrations 

Mother's Day Delights 

Looking for the perfect way to show inspirational Mother figure how much she means to you? Treat her to our exclusive Mother's Day Package at St Giles London Hotel! Enjoy a relaxing overnight stay with soothing Camomile tea and biscuits from social enterprises supporting local communities. Book now using code MOTHERSDAY to receive 25% off our Best Available Rate for stays between March 16th, 2025 to April 6th, 2025. It's the perfect way to make Mother's Day truly memorable! 

Thames Jazz Dinner Cruise 

Treat the inspirational woman in your life to a sophisticated three-course dinner while cruising down the Thames to the smooth sounds of live jazz aboard The Millennium Diamond. 
When: 30th March 2025 
Price: From £94 per adult 
Location: Westminster Pier, Victoria Embankment, SW1A 2JH 

Website: Click here for more details 

Euphoria Spa 

Pamper the special woman in your life with bespoke therapies designed for relaxation and rejuvenation at this luxury spa. 
Location: 36-38 Cornhill, EC3V 3NG 
Top Tip: Book their Mother's Day package which includes a glass of champagne and extended treatment time 

Website: Click here for more details 

Pottery Painting at Pottery Café 

Create lasting memories by designing unique pottery pieces together in this relaxed café 

Location: 735 Fulham Road, SW6 5UL or 153 Northcote Road, SW11 6QB 
Price: From £7.95 per person but varies depending on the item chosen to pain 

Website: Click here for more details 

St. Patrick's Day Festival 

Don your greenest attire and join the lively parade through central London! This spectacular celebration of Irish culture transforms Trafalgar Square into an emerald paradise filled with traditional music, energetic dance performances, and mouth-watering Irish cuisine. From toe-tapping folk bands to contemporary Irish acts, the festival offers a perfect taste of the Emerald Isle right in the heart of London. 

When: 16th March 2025 
Location: Trafalgar Square and surrounding areas 
Price: Free to attend 
Top Tip: Arrive early to secure a good viewing spot for the parade, which typically kicks off at midday from Piccadilly 

Holi Festival of Colours 

Experience the joyous spirit of Holi at Cinnamon Kitchen's ever-popular House of Holi! Step into their technicolour party pod in Devonshire Square for an exhilarating session of paint-pelting fun. This vibrant celebration of colour, love, and positivity is the perfect way to welcome spring in true Indian style. Don the protective white suits provided and prepare to be transformed into a walking rainbow! 

When: from 6th March 2025 
Location: Cinnamon Kitchen City, 9 Devonshire Square, EC2M 4YL 
Price: From £10 for entry, £50 for play session plus 3-course meal 

Website: Click here for more details 

Top Tip: Book the first session of the day for a less crowded experience, and don't forget to bring a change of clothes! 

International Women's Day Celebrations 

March brings a powerful array of events celebrating female empowerment and achievement across the city. This year's theme 'Accelerate Action' inspires a fantastic lineup of workshops, exhibitions, performances and discussions: 

Affordable Art Fair Spring Edition - Discover works from talented female artists across various media and price points. 
When: 12th-16th March 2025 
Location: Evolution London, Queenstown Road, Chelsea Bridge 
Price: General Admission £14.84 

Website: Click here for more details

AllBright Step Forward Summit - Join inspiring panels and networking sessions focused on female leadership and empowerment. 
When: 7th March 2025 
Location: The Brewery, 52 Chiswell Street, EC1Y 4SA 
Price: £180-£275 

Website: Click here for more details 

Firebird & Friends Dinner - Savour a special International Women's Day menu crafted by female Head Chef Savannah Hagendijk from Amsterdam's acclaimed Restaurant de Kas. 
When: 8th March 2025 
Location: Firebird, 29 Poland Street, W1F 8QR 

Price: £75 per person 

Website: Click here for more details 
Top Tip: Book well in advance as this special dinner typically sells out quickly!

 

Must-See Exhibitions 

The Windrush Front Room Exhibition 

Step into a beautifully recreated Caribbean living room and explore nostalgic ornaments, furniture, and memorabilia capturing the spirit of Windrush-era homes. This immersive exhibition offers fascinating insights into the cultural heritage and lived experiences of the Windrush generation in Britain. 

Dates: 4th-16th March 2025 
Location: The Fireworks Factory, 11 No 1 St, Royal Arsenal, SE18 6HD 
Price: Free entry 

Website: Click here for more details 
 

Shape Shift: Reflections on Art in Mental Health Settings 

Discover how creativity transforms healthcare environments in this thought-provoking exhibition showcasing works from Hospital Rooms' three-year project at Hellesdon Hospital. The display demonstrates how art brings colour, kindness, and dignity to mental health settings through collaborative installations. 

Dates: From 12th March 2025 
Location: The Fitzrovia Chapel, Fitzroy Place, 2 Pearson Square, W1T 3BF 
Price: Free entry 

Website: Click here for more details 
Top Tip: The chapel itself is an architectural gem, so allow extra time to appreciate its stunning mosaics and marble interior 

Art Space - London Art Fair 2025 

Immerse yourself in a world of creativity and inspiration at this exciting art fair hosted in the atmospheric Dockside Vaults. Showcasing works from established and emerging artists, this exhibition offers art enthusiasts a fantastic opportunity to discover new talents and trends in the contemporary art scene. 

Dates: 14th-25th March 2025 
Location: Ivory House, Dockside Vaults, E1W 1AT 
Price: Free entry 

Website: Click here for more details 
Top Tip: The industrial setting of the venue adds a unique ambiance to the displayed artworks 

Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition 

Journey back to ancient Egypt in this spectacular immersive experience that brings the boy king's tomb and treasures to life through cutting-edge technology. Spread across six galleries with 8-metre-tall projections, this exhibition offers a mesmerising blend of history and innovation. Explore the Valley of Kings through AR, witness the discovery of the tomb through immersive film, and even venture into the Egyptian afterlife via a stunning VR experience. 

Dates: 28th March-29th June 2025 
Location: ImmerseLDN at ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, E16 1XL 
Price: From £19.50 for adults, £12.50 for children 

Website: Click here for more details 

Festival Fun  

BFI Flare Film Festival 

The UK's largest LGBTQ+ film event returns to the BFI Southbank for its 39th edition. With an impressive lineup of shorts, documentaries, and feature films from across the globe, this celebration of queer cinema offers something for everyone. Beyond screenings, enjoy expanded-reality works, engaging panel discussions, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, and vibrant after-hours events. 

Dates: 19th-30th March 2025 
Location: BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XT 
Price: Various, with passes and multi-film ticket packages available 
Website: Click here for more details 

London Soundtrack Festival 

Experience the magic of film music at this exciting new festival celebrating the unsung heroes of cinema – composers and musicians who create unforgettable soundtracks. Highlights include Hildur Guðnadóttir introducing both Joker films and performing in concert, David Cronenberg and Howard Shore in conversation, and screenings with live scores. Dates: Throughout March 2025 
Location: Various venues across London 
Price: From £15 per event 
Website: Click here for more details  

Deptford Literature Festival 

Celebrate the diversity and creativity of southeast London with this vibrant four-day literary festival! With 48 separate events—45 of which are free to attend—the programme features acclaimed authors like Costa Book Award winner Caleb Azumah Nelson, music journalist Emma Warren, and screenwriter Nathan Bryon. Enjoy talks, readings, creative workshops, and insightful walking tours throughout Deptford. 

Dates: 27th-30th March 2025 
Location: Various venues across Deptford 
Price: Mostly free, with some ticketed events 
Website: Click here for more details 

Unique Experiences

BLOODsports Horror-Themed Watching Bar 

For thrill-seekers looking for something different, this new venue from the MEATliquor team offers a delightfully frightful twist on sports viewing! Enjoy karaoke, arcade games, a Psycho-inspired photo booth, and horror film screenings between sports matches. The perfectly balanced blend of scares and sports creates an atmosphere unlike anything else in London. 

When: Open daily from midday to 2am 
Location: 27-29 Endell Street, WC2H 9BA 
Website: Click here for more details 

Photography & Video Show 2025 

Perfect for photographers, videographers, and content creators, this comprehensive event offers over 500 live demos, talks, and photo walks. Get hands-on with the latest camera equipment from more than 250 brands, pick up professional tips from industry experts, and network with fellow enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, there's something to inspire everyone. 

Dates: 8th-11th March 2025 
Location: ExCeL London, One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, E16 1XL 
Website: Click here for more details  

Art After Dark 

Experience the West End transformed by a trail of illuminated art installations inspired by space exploration! Marvel at glowing moon rocks, listen to audio broadcasts from lunar missions, and even look to the stars through public telescopes set up for stargazing. This free outdoor exhibition creates a magical atmosphere as darkness falls. 

Dates: 6th-8th March 2025 
Location: Various locations throughout the West End 
Price: Free 

Website: Click here for more details 
Top Tip: The installations look particularly spectacular after 8pm when fully illuminated against the night sky 

Ramadan Dining Experiences 

For those commemorating Ramadan during their stay, London offers excellent options for Iftar and Suhoor: 

Ayam Zaman, Shepherd's Bush - Authentic Middle Eastern cuisine in a warm, welcoming setting with special Ramadan menus featuring traditional dishes. 

The Great Chase, Islington - Halal fine dining experience with gourmet British cuisine and elegant Iftar set menus. 

Berenjak (multiple locations) - Persian-inspired dishes perfect for sharing, with special Ramadan platters available. 

West End Wonders 

My Neighbour Totoro 

The magical stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli's beloved animated film returns to London with its stunning puppetry and emotional storytelling. This production brings the gentle forest spirits and the magnificent Totoro to life before your eyes. 

Opens: 8th March 2025 
Location: Gillian Lynne Theatre, 65 Drury Lane, WC2B 5SP 
Price: From £20 

Website: Click here for more details 

Farewell Mister Haffmann 

This gripping wartime drama explores resilience, survival, and moral dilemmas during the Nazi occupation of Paris. 

Dates: 5th March-12th April 2025 
Location: Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, N4 3JP 
Price: From £18.50 

Website: Click here for more details  

Retrograde 

Journey back to 1950s Hollywood as a young Sidney Poitier prepares to sign a career-defining contract. This thought-provoking play explores the personal and professional challenges faced by one of cinema's most groundbreaking stars during a pivotal moment in his remarkable career. 

Dates: 8th March-15th June 2025 
Location: Apollo Theatre, London 
Price: From £25 

Website: Click here for more details 

Punch 

Following success in Nottingham, James Graham's powerful true story of violence, forgiveness and redemption arrives at the Young Vic with its original cast including Julie Hesmondhalgh, Tony Hirst and David Shields. Based on the real-life case of Jacob Dunne, who unwittingly killed trainee paramedic James Hodgkinson with a single punch before being forgiven by the victim's parents, this moving production explores themes of redemption and restorative justice. 

Opens: March 2025 
Location: Young Vic, 66 The Cut, SE1 8LZ 
Price: From £15 

Website: Click here for more details  

Spring Blooms 

London's parks and gardens burst into glorious colour in March, offering perfect spots for peaceful strolls: 

Crocus Carpets (March-early April) 

Kew Gardens transforms with a stunning display of over 5 million spring bulbs, including magnificent crocus lawns. Other excellent spots include Cannizaro Park in Wimbledon and Battersea Park. 

Camellia Collections (February-April) 

Chiswick House hosts London's oldest camellia collection, with some plants dating back to 1828. The glass conservatory filled with these vibrant blooms is a photographer's dream. Kenwood Garden and Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park also boast impressive displays. 

Early Cherry Blossoms (late March) 

Catch the first hints of pink and white blossoms in Kensington Gardens, Greenwich Park, St Paul's Cathedral area, and the beautiful Kyoto Gardens in Holland Park. 

Woodland Bluebells (from late March)  

As the month ends, look for the first bluebells appearing in Highgate Wood, Oxleas Wood in Eltham, and Wanstead Park. 

Top Tips for Your March Visit

Pack layers! March weather can be unpredictable—spring sunshine can quickly give way to sudden showers 

Most outdoor events have covered areas in case of rain, but a small umbrella is always handy 

Book theatre tickets and special exhibitions in advance, especially for weekend dates 

Many museums and galleries offer late-night openings on specific days—perfect for making the most of your evenings 

Don't forget that Mother's Day is celebrated on the 30th March in the UK—restaurants book up quickly for this special occasion 

Take advantage of our central location—many of these spots are just a short walk or tube ride from St Giles London Hotel 

 

There you have it, adventurers! March in London offers a perfect blend of cultural celebrations, artistic encounters, and natural beauty as the city awakens from winter. From the vibrant colours of Holi to the dramatic storytelling of new theatrical productions, there's something magical waiting around every corner. Our friendly team at St Giles London Hotel is always happy to help you plan your perfect itinerary and make bookings for any of these fantastic events. Simply pop by the concierge desk, and we'll ensure you don't miss out on any of London's March magic!