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07.01.2025 – 29.04.2025

Guildhall Library celebrates 600th anniversary

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Describing itself as ‘The Library of London History’ and owing a debt of gratitude to City philanthropist and four-term Lord Mayor, Richard Whittington, Guildhall Library is holding a series of talks, walks, and literary viewings throughout 2025 to celebrate 600 years since it was founded.

Guildhall Library focuses on London history and houses the largest collection devoted to a single city in the world, as well as collections on early printed books, English law, Parliamentary records, clocks and clockmakers, business history, and maritime records.

Guildhall Library also has the unique distinction of holding the largest collection of food and wine books of any public reference library in the UK; a collection of sensational 19th century cheap fiction, known as ‘bloods’ and ‘penny dreadfuls’, and one of the world’s finest copies of Shakespeare’s First Folio.

The events programme includes talks on the City and Magna Carta; the Square Mile’s hidden and unusually named alleyways; the life and work of celebrated artist, David Hockney; and London historian, John Stow, whose ‘Survey of the City’ was published in 1598 and chronicles the founding of the original library.

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Exhibition: Desks, Drudgery and the Dictionary
After a 250-year absence, the ‘Dictionary Desk’ of celebrated 18th century writer Samuel Johnson makes a historic return to his former abode, Dr Johnson’s House in the City of London.
Heritage Gallery Exhibition: City of London, a city of science
A new display that celebrates the City’s rich history of scientific innovation and invention.
New Italian restaurant – now open!
Discover Penny Squares, East London's newest Italian gem! Think handcrafted pizzas, fresh pasta, and authentic Italian flavours in a cosy, welcoming setting. Buon Appetito!
Swing Out & Shimmy Dance Classes
Learn how to Swing, Jive, strolls, Rock 'N' Roll and more! Looking to learn solo dancing or wanting to keep fit with uplifting toe tapping music this Dance class is for you.
Spring Recital Series
21.01.2025 01.04.2025

Spring Recital Series

St Lawrence Jewry
Join one of St Lawrence Jewry's lunchtime concerts, part of their Spring Recital Series, every Tuesday at 1pm.
0.1% by Jonathan Baldock
Myths, gods and hidden histories. Discover Jonathan Baldock’s 0.1%, a new immersive installation at London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE.
Citra Sasmita: Into Eternal Land
The Indonesian artist transforms The Curve in her first solo UK exhibition. Via painting, installation, embroidery and scent, take a sensory journey exploring ancestral memory, ritual and migration. 
Magic at the Temple
Magic. Deception. Secrets. Who holds the keys to the inner knowledge, and what must we do to attain them? An immersive new show combining magic and masonry comes to Andaz Liverpool Street from Sept 2024.
Masterpieces of the Iranian New Wave
Explore a showcase of ground-breaking films from 1962 to 1977, when a surge of creativity laid the foundation for Iranian arthouse cinema.
Lunchtime Talks at The London Centre
Join a free lunchtime talk every Friday at The London Centre to learn about London’s historical and physical development.
Home: Figure and Portrait Drawing Workshops
Express yourself freely and creatively at this figure and portrait drawing course that will encourage you to reflect on the themes of family and the home.
February Half Term at the Tower
This February Half Term, join the hunt for Colonel Blood and his gang as they stir up trouble at the Tower of London in an exciting, family-friendly performance.
‘Luminous’ by Luxmuralis
Prepare to see St Paul’s in a whole new light. Transforming the interior of this iconic London landmark, 'Luminous' offers a breathtaking fusion of art, sound, and architecture.
Rooftop Yoga and Brunch at The Skyline London
Experience the ultimate rejuvenation with Rooftop Yoga and Brunch, guided by London's best yoga instructors, in the breathtaking setting of The Skyline London rooftop terrace.
Mansfield Park by Jonathan Dove
Immerse yourself in the charm and wit of Mansfield Park, Jonathan Dove's enchanting opera based on Jane Austen’s beloved novel, performed at Guildhall School of Music & Drama in the author's 250th anniversary year.
Spring Recital Series with The Geneva High School Choir
Lunchtime concert by The Geneva High School Choir from Chicago USA.
Leisure in Roman London Tour
Discover two of the best-preserved Roman sites in London with archaeologist Dr Andrew Lane; the Roman Amphitheatre & Billingsgate Bath House
Leadenhall Market Pancake Day Race
The coveted Golden frying pan is up for grabs as the legendary Leadenhall Market pancake race returns to The City of London for its 16th year.
Inter-Livery Pancake Day Race
Watch and cheer on members from City Livery companies, many in fancy dress, as they race around Guildhall Yard for this thrilling annual event.
Bluestockings: The First Women’s Movement
Susannah Gibson will explore how Thrale and the other Bluestockings overcame great difficulties to pursue fulfilling careers, and lay the foundations for modern feminism.
Sculpture in the City’s Sculpting Perspectives: Mind The Gap
Sculpture in the City’s latest event will be a long table discussion to explore how we tackle sexism, misogyny and the gender pay gap within the creative and corporate industries.
Model Talk: London through a Sikh lens – BSL interpreted
Join NLA for an interactive model talk exploring Sikh and Anglo-Sikh History through the streets of London.
Music in Offices Presents ‘City of Women’
Join and sing with Music in Offices on 6 March as they walk and perform through the streets of the City of London to celebrate women in the City who make things happen.
Second Saturday – Family activities at Guildhall Art Gallery
A revolving programme of family activities may have you heading into the Roman Amphitheatre and hearing tales of Roman conquests, or creating crafts from the Victorian paintings surrounding you.
An Exclusive Wine Dinner at Fazenda with Viña Leyda
This March Fazenda is hosting an extraordinary five-course wine dinner in partnership with Viña Leyda Coastal Vineyards.
Britten and Haydn ‘London’ Symphony
Journey through vivid musical landscapes with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican. Featuring conductor and soprano Barbara Hannigan and baritone Stéphane Degout, this captivating programme features works by Roussel, Ravel, Britten, and Haydn.
Vivier, Haydn and Bartók
Experience a night of mystery and wonder as Barbara Hannigan conducts and sings with the London Symphony Orchestra. Featuring works by Claude Debussy, Jean Sibelius, Claude Vivier, Golfam Khayam, Joseph Haydn, and Béla Bartók.
Museum Late at Dr Johnson’s House
Enjoy an evening in Dr Samuel Johnson's atmospheric 17th-century house and explore his wonderful world of words with a glass of bubbly.
A Season to Sing – London launch concert
A Season to Sing is a choral re-imagining by British composer Joanna Forbes L’Estrange of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, to mark its 300th anniversary in 2025.
Evelyn De Morgan: The Modern Painter in Victorian London
One of the most remarkable artists of her generation, Evelyn De Morgan, returns to Guildhall Art Gallery this year in a major exhibition that premieres two newly restored artworks.
London’s Roman Amphitheatre Tour: discovery, function and form
Join archaeologist Dr Andrew Lane for an extended tour of one of the most important buildings in Roman London.
Liminal Chords: A Dreamscape in Verse and Sound
Poet and sound artist MA.MOYO (Belinda Zhawi) and friends, Roxanne Tataei & Marysia Osu, respond to the radical work of artist Noah Davis through poetry, vocal textures, and music.
When the Cloud Catches Colours
Thought-provoking theatre exploring the experience of two queer Singaporeans as they grow older. Based on true accounts, the show delves into relationships, family, insecurity, kindness and safety.
Hamlet: Teatro La Plaza
24.04.2025 27.04.2025

Hamlet: Teatro La Plaza

Barbican Theatre
A joyful and enigmatic reinvention of Shakespeare's tragedy that explores what it's like to 'be' in a world that often excludes you, performed by a powerful cast of actors with Down's Syndrome.
Krapp’s Last Tape
30.04.2025 03.05.2025

Krapp’s Last Tape

Barbican Theatre
Stephen Rea gives a 'hauntingly good' (Guardian) performance in this triumphant production of Samuel Beckett's solo masterpiece about memory, loneliness and lost love.
Passion Fruit
30.04.2025 03.05.2025

Passion Fruit

Barbican Centre
Brimming with joyful movement, brutal honesty and tender insight, this coming-of-age comedy-drama follows the life of Romeo, a Black, Gay, British-Jamaican boy growing up in North London.
Jason Moran
Join acclaimed pianist Jason Moran for a special one-off concert inspired by Noah Davis's paintings.
A Night With Boy Blue
10.05.2025 11.05.2025

A Night With Boy Blue

Barbican Centre
Mixing exuberant hip hop dance displays, a joyful sense of community and the heart-thumping rhythms of an eclectic score, Boy Blue’s company showcase always culminates in uproarious applause.
Feel the Sound
22.05.2025 31.08.2025

Feel the Sound

Barbican Centre
Feel the Sound with the Barbican's bold new multi-sensory exhibition experience that explores our relationship to sound and embraces a world of listening.
City Beerfest
City Beerfest is back! Delicious beers, mouth-watering street food and live music at historic Guildhall Yard.
Sheep Drive and Livery Fair
A long-established charity event, celebrating a Freeman’s ancient “right” to bring sheep to market over the Thames, toll free; all in aid of raising funds for The Woolmen Charity and The Lord Mayor’s Appeal.
Lord Mayor’s Show
Visit the City for the Lord Mayor’s Show - a three mile long outdoor procession with colourful floats, music and fun.