Ahoy there! This month finds the What's On blog positively full of the joys of spring, and if you too are in a playful mood then there are plenty of events in the coming weeks where you can make believe and act out to your heart's content. Ahead of the new film adaptation of The Great Gatsby (starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan as Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan), you can indulge your love of the Roaring Twenties by dressing up in period costume and heading to the Wilton's Music Hall speakeasy. The somewhat dilapidated music hall is staging an immersive production of F. Scott Fitzgerald's era-defining novel, its last major show before the …

Spring Exhibitions

Despite the proverbial promises of March winds and April showers, spring would seem to be creeping round the corner like a naughty child at the dinner party, forcing its way past its parents to the delight of the assembled crowd. So, yes ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to look at the forthcoming shows set to bring London out of the gloom of winter and into the bloom of spring.

With a vast selection of major artists, fashion icons and lifestyle shows up for grabs, there is sure to be nary a moment when a London who is serious about his or her cultural intake can rest easy on their laurels. Grab a pen and paper (or digital equivalent), listen up (or in fact, read on) and pay attention at the back (yadda yadda …

Stuck for inspiration, overwhelmed by apathy or simply lost and bewildered as Valentine's Day approaches? Well fret not, as this month the What's On blog takes you by the hand, leads you gently but firmly past the four foot teddy bears and other 'romantic' gumpf, and deposits you at some of the more unusual and interesting sounding events. We hope.

Perhaps it's a sad indicator of the health of our inner romantics here on the What's On desk, but some of the most exciting events for Valentine's Day involve watching the relationships of fictional characters unfold on the big screen. Because nothing says 'I love you' quite like sitting next to your other half …

For the start of 2012, the What's On Blog looks forward to a year of cultural events across the city. It's tempting to feel a little jaded when faced with all the hype and high expectations for the London Olympics (although possibly that's just us?), but away from the actual games themselves there's plenty to feel genuinely excited about. So ditch the idea of elbowing your way through the January sales, grab a pen, notepad and the last few remaining mince pies and start planning how you're going to spend the year ahead. Happy 2012!

After the New Year's Day parade and other events taking place on the 1st, January gets off to an …

Christmas! You've spent months turning your nose up at the racks of seasonal cards in the supermarket and hurling abuse at the telly for daring to screen half price mince pie ads in October and now lo and behold, December is almost upon us, the shops are rammed and you don't have a single solitary idea of what to get your nearest and dearest. As last minute Christmas shopping is best left to those with nerves (and elbows) of steel, here are a few tips on where to go to find out of the ordinary gifts in the run up to the big day. And while Christmas is the time of giving etc. etc., you might want to keep an eye out for ideas to add to your own wish list so you don't end up with five pairs of slippers. Again.

The …