Easter is one of the best times of year to visit the capital and in 2026, London offers a packed programme of events and activities to match. The school Easter holidays typically run from Monday 30 March to Friday 10 April, with the long Easter weekend falling neatly in the middle (Good Friday on 3 April and Easter Monday on 6 April). For some, Easter in London is about chocolate egg hunts, hot cross buns and family days out and for others it’s enjoying a four-day bank holiday break, spring flowers in bloom or the city’s church services marking the Christian festival.
The date itself shifts each year, Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the full moon on or after the spring equinox, but its timing in early April 2026 places it at a point when longer days, lighter evenings and early spring planting begin to transform the streets. While London is busier during the Easter holidays and some shops and attractions close on Easter Sunday, the upside is a calendar filled with one-off events and experiences that make it one of the most rewarding times to explore what the city has to offer.
In this guide, we profile five of the best things to do over Easter weekend 2026.
Join the BucketRace Easter Scavenger Hunt
Date: 4 April 2026
The BucketRace Easter Scavenger Hunt offers a playful way to explore central London with a traditional city-wide scavenger hunt with a seasonal Easter twist. Teams move through a set route that takes in some of the capital’s most recognisable landmarks, completing location-based tasks and challenges as they go. Participants can opt for the classic central London game or lean fully into the Easter theme, with both routes supported by an additional set of seasonal challenges that can be tackled alongside the main hunt.
Challenges are submitted via smartphone, points are awarded according to difficulty and bonus points can be unlocked by completing sequences of tasks. Easter-specific activities sit alongside the core scavenger hunt, allowing teams to balance strategy with silliness, whether that means planning routes carefully or embracing fancy dress and spontaneous challenges.
Attend the Easter Day Worship at St Paul's Cathedral
Date: 5 April 2026
Easter Day at St Paul’s Cathedral is marked by a full programme of worship, led beneath the Dome and centred on the Cathedral’s choral tradition. Services across the day include the Dawn Eucharist, Holy Communion, Mattins, the principal Sung Eucharist, Festal Evensong and a concluding Eucharist in the early evening. Each service follows the liturgy of the Church of England and is free to attend, with no tickets required.
The principal Sung Eucharist forms the focal point of the day, which features choral music, congregational hymn singing and sermon. Other services offer quieter or more reflective alternatives, from early morning worship to Choral Evensong led by the Cathedral choir. Visitors are welcome to attend any part of the Easter Day programme as St Paul’s marks one of the most significant dates in the Christian calendar.
Watch The Passion of Jesus live in Trafalgar Square on Good Friday
Date: 3 April 2026
The annual live performance of The Passion of Jesus returns to Trafalgar Square on Good Friday and is staged by the Surrey-based theatre company Wintershall. The free and open-air production depicts the final days of Jesus’s life, from arrest and trial to crucifixion and resurrection. Performed by a cast of around 100 volunteers, the play has become a regular fixture of London’s Easter calendar since its first Trafalgar Square appearance in 2010.
The 90-minute production is performed twice on the day, accompanied by large screens and amplified sound so audiences can follow the action across the Square. British Sign Language interpretation is provided and the portrayal of the crucifixion is intentionally realistic and may not be suitable for younger children. Attendance is free, with visitors advised to arrive early due to large crowds, alongside online streaming for those unable to attend in person.
Run the London Easter 10K in Regent’s Park
Date: 6 April 2026
The London Easter 10K returns to Regent’s Park as part of the capital’s Easter weekend sporting calendar set entirely within one of London’s most famous parks. Organised by Nice Work, the event is based on the Broad Walk and follows a flat and tarmac route that loops past key park landmarks, including the boating lake and the perimeter of London Zoo.
Alongside the headline 10K, the programme also includes a two-mile fun run and a junior race. All entrants receive an Easter-themed medal, with free event photography and trophies awarded to leading finishers. Race headquarters and the start line are located on the Broad Walk, with access via nearby park entrances and Regent’s Park Underground station.
Join the Top Cuvée Easter Egg Hunt in Highbury
Date: 5 Apr 2026
The Easter egg hunt at Top Cuvée returns for 2026 as a one-day and adults-only event centred around the neighbourhood wine bar on Blackstock Road. Now in its sixth year, the hunt is open to participants who register in advance and begins from midday, with entrants following a trail that leads back to the venue. The event is free to take part in and has become a regular fixture of Easter Sunday in Highbury.
The hunt is run in partnership with Tony’s Chocolonely, with full-sized Easter eggs and Top Cuvée tote bags available to successful participants, alongside a larger prize for selected winners. Food and drink are served throughout the day, with sandwiches and wine available from the bar. The event is limited in capacity and operates on a first-come, first-served basis for those who complete the trail.
With the holidays approaching and as the city moves firmly into spring, Easter in the capital can be shaped around faith, family, food or simply time well spent away from routine. While the city is usually busier during the school break, the concentration of events across the long weekend makes it an exceptionally rewarding time to plan an Easter trip to London.
