Get off your boat race
Splashing toffs dip their oars in: Oxford and Cambridge universities race it out on the Thames. Starting gun at 2pm in Putney, finishes in Mortlake. The best place to see it is at Hammersmith on the crucial Surrey bend, where many races have been won or lost. And you can watch the race here on a huge screen with the Oxbridge alumni. Hooray!
Frank Keating on the ritual of the Boat Race
Enjoy an animal attraction
Battersea Park plays host to a 100-year-old horsey tradition. The annual Harness Horse Parade shows off horsedrawn hansoms, from bread vans to butchers carts, milk floats to fire engines.
· Harness Horse Grand Parade between 1200 and 1300, Easter Monday, Battersea Park, nearest tube: Sloane Square.
Go medieval
Step back in time at the Museum of London: special activities for children include meeting a dashing knight, learning how to make chain mail, handling mystery medieval objects and making their own juggling balls.
· Museum of London, 150 London Wall, nearest tube: Barbican.
Do fairs
At Alexandra Park you get two for the price of one: an arts and crafts extravaganza plus a family funfair. Bring on the candy floss.
· Spring craft fair and family funfair at Alexandra Park, March 30 to April 1, nearest tube: Wood Green.
Throw a wobbly
Last time thousands congregated on the Millennium Bridge, things were swinging. Let's see if we can do it again. Trip over this "shaft of light" across the Thames, between Tate Modern and St. Paul's Cathedral.
Review: Millennium bridge gets it right, second time round
Feel the Passion
The English National Opera at the London Coliseum celebrates Easter with Bach's powerful piece, St John Passion, which tells the story of Christ's final days. The Royal Choral Society has performed Handel's Messiah on Good Friday in the Royal Albert Hall since 1878 - this year's performance continues the tradition.
· St John Passion, London Coliseum March 15 to March 30, nearest tube: Leicester Square.
· Handel's Messiah, Royal Albert Hall March 29, nearest tube South Kensington.
Cross town
Crucifixion on Victoria Street is a traditional yearly procession for Good Friday on the streets of London. It begins outside Westminster Cathedral at 11.45am, moving to Westminster Central Hall and back to the Abbey. There will be collections for charities working with homeless people and refugees.
· Crucifixion on Victoria Street at Central Hall Westminster, nearest tube: Westminster.
Do a nature thing
The National Gallery is focusing on the natural world over the holiday period. Sculptor Felicity Powell helps recreate blooms, creepy crawlies and other earthly delights.
· 'Big on Blooms, Mad about Bugs' at the National Gallery. For young people aged 12 to 15 years: Tuesday April 2. For families with children aged four to 11 years: Wednesday April 3 to Sunday April 7. Nearest tube: Leicester Square
Join the eggheads
"Have you ever noticed that when you spin a hard-boiled egg it mysteriously rises to spin on one end?" ask those crazy boffins at the Science Museum. Well, we haven't, but if you're the type who does, go unscramble this phenomenon at their Antenna gallery. You can also meet the scientists who have just cracked this egg mystery.
· Easter Events, Science Museum, nearest tube: South Kensington
Have an arty Easter
It's the last chance to see the acclaimed retrospectives on Paul Klee and Andy Warhol. 'Paul Klee: The Nature of Creation' at the Hayward gallery is showing nearly 100 of the modernist's drawings and paintings, while the Tate Modern has 240 pieces by Andy Warhol - soup guaranteed. Both are open over the whole weekend, with the Tate Modern opening late until 10pm on Easter Monday.
· Paul Klee: The Nature of Creation at the Hayward Gallery until April 1, nearest tube:Waterloo
· Andy Warhol at the Tate Modern until April 1, nearest tube: Southwark
Special report: Warhol at the Tate
Review: Paul Klee
Live in eggstacy
In the stately setting of Syon House - where Robert Altman's Gosford Park was filmed - food historian Peter Brears will be celebrating the versatility of the egg: demonstrating recipes spanning the centuries, from Easter cakes to soufflés and puddings. A show called Baroque 'n' Roll will also be unravelling the history of chocolate through music, dance and song. Audience participation is apparently welcomed.
· Easter 'n' Eggs at Syon House, Easter Sunday and Monday, 11am to 5pm. Nearest tube: Gunnersbury.
And finally... hunt an egg
Entertain the kids, burn off their excess energy - and then stuff them full of chocolate. Easter egg trails can be found at the following: The Bank of England Museum, Ham House, Horniman Museum and Gardens, the Imperial War Museum, Kenwood House, the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, Lauderdale House, Leeds Castle, Theatre Museum and WWT Wetland Centre.
For more information, see the London Tourist Board
