From St Patrick’s Day to Holi Festival: Five events in London this weekend

From St Patrick’s Day parties to a human rights film festival, LondonWorld has rounded up five events taking place in the capital this weekend, March 18 to 20, 2022.

With the Irish celebration of St Patrick’s Day this Thursday, and the Hindu spring festival of Holi taking place on Friday, this weekend is set to be full of fun, colour and excitement.

And whether it’s an art fair in Brick Lane, east London, or a black history river cruise, you can also enjoy our pick of cultural events in the capital, from this Friday to Sunday.

St Patrick’s Day at Boxpark Croydon/Wembley

Boxpark Croydon, George Street, Croydon, CR0 1LD or Box Park Wembley, Olympic Way, Wembley Park, Wembley, HA9 0JT Friday, March 18, 6pm - 10pm Tickets from free (not guaranteed) to £11.37 (for one person with a drink).

If you’re in the mood for a party, you can head to Boxpark Croydon or Wembley on Friday night for Irish shenanigans that won’t require a flight to the Emerald Isle.

With live Irish music and traditional songs alongside party tunes, there’s also street food, emerald face painting and dancing on offer.

The Shamrock Sessions night is also taking place at both venues on Thursday, March 17.

Those not too worse for wear can take part in the capital’s second annual St Paddy’s Day Run, from Wellington Arch, around Hyde Park and onto an Irish pub for the rugby match.

For more information, visit Boxpark’s website or the St Paddy’s Day Run Eventbrite page.

The Other Art Fair at the Truman Brewery

The Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, E1 6QR Friday, March 18 to Sunday, March 20, between 11am and 10pm. Tickets from free (for children) to £25 (for a private ticket).

Organisers of The Other Art Fair say “art isn’t confined to convention or rule, and how you enjoy it shouldn’t be either”.

The eclectic exhibition features affordable and original artworks, with 140 independent artists with immersive installations, performances, DJs – and a fully stocked bar.

For more information, visit The Other Art Fair’s website.

Colour Rush at The Exchange

The Exchange Ilford, High Road, Ilford, IG1 4FA Saturday, March 19, between 11am and 5pm. Tickets are free.

The Hindu Spring Festival of Holi is set to light up The Exchange, with the Colour Rush event at the Loft.

Kids and families can enjoy this free weekend event, inspired by famous scenes in India, where people fill the streets to dance and throw bright colours clouds of paint powder.

Music, paints and some protective clothing are supplied but be prepared to get very messy.

Register for the free event in advance, as sessions are limited to 20 people, aged six plus.

For more information, visit the Colour Rush Eventbrite page.

Human Rights Watch Film Festival at The Barbican

The Barbican Cinema One, Level 2 Barbican Centre, Silk St, EC2Y 8DS Thursday, March 17 to Friday, March 25. Tickets from £6 (individual digital screening) and £12 (individual cinema screening) to £50 (digital festival pass to all ten films).

The 26th London Human Rights Watch Film Festival highlights brave individuals and the power of solidarity to create change.

The film includes three in-person screenings with Q&A sessions at the Barbican cinema, alongside ten new films from around the world and discussions with filmmakers and activists.

Films include everything from Silence Heard Loud, about asylum seekers in the UK, to Bangla Surf Girls, about Bangladeshi teenagers becoming international female surfers, while Boycott, the festival’s centrepiece focuses on US anti-boycott laws, and the Myanmar Diaries reveal life inside the country also known as Burma following a military coup.

For more information, visit the Human Rights Watch Film Festival website.

Black History River Cruise at Temple Pier

Temple Pier, Victoria Embankment, WC2R 2NS Saturday, March 19, from 2pm to 5pm. Tickets are £36.

Enjoy a double-decker boat ride from the Temple Pier and a six-mile round trip via historical landmarks along the Thames riverbanks, organised by Black History Walks.

The tour covers everything from African Romans, black Spitfire pilots, sugar warehouses, the ivory and diamond trades, civil rights in the UK, West India Docks and Canary Wharf, black Shakespeare, Barbados and National Rail, the nursing colour bar and much more.

Characters from history, including Phyliss Wheatley, General Dumas, Queen-General Yaa Asantewa, Warrior Queen Amanirenas and Olaudah Equiano, will offer unique commentary, alongside inspiring true stories from legendary black resistance leaders.

Proceeds go to the Black History Walks fundraiser for plaques to black historical heroes.

For more information, visit the Black History River Cruise Eventbrite page.