March marks International Women's Day on the 8th, with International Women's Week spanning from 2 - 10 March. The theme for this year, #InspireInclusion, highlights the importance of actively including women to foster a more equal world. Discover some of the activities you can participate in this International Women's Day, ranging from art exhibitions to supper clubs and fitness and defence classes.

International Women's Day with Firebird & Friends

#FLODown: Firebird, a female-owned open-fire restaurant and natural wine bar in Soho, will celebrate International Women's Day on 8 March with the inaugural Firebird & Friends event. Co-founders Madina Kazhimova and Anna Dolgushina have organised a special dinner featuring a prominent lineup of women from the hospitality industry. Head Chef Jessica Donovan from Caia, Founder Patricia Trijbits from Where The Pancakes Are, Sommelier Ruth Leigh from Updown Farmhouse, and Chef Pippa MacDonald, formerly of Angela Harnett's Marchants Tavern, will join Madina and Anna for an intimate evening of small plates paired with natural wines.

Date: 8, 20, 25 March 2024. Location: Firebird Restaurant & Wine Bar, 29 Poland St, London W1F 8QR. Price: from £65. Book now.

Female-led art exhibitions

#FLODown: Celebrate female artists this International Women's Day by visiting exhibitions showcasing their work, from renowned artists like Angelica Kauffman at the Royal Academy of Arts, Yoko Ono at Tate Modern to emerging talents such as Cristina de Miguel at Almine Rech and Maja Djordjevic at Carl Kostyál Gallery. Check out our guide to the best female-led art exhibitions to see in London right now.

Spring Supper Club at Alba Caffe

#FLODown: Join Alba this March for the launch of Chef Jess Young’s Seasonal Supper Clubs. Guests will gather for an intimate three-course candlelit banquet at long tables. The evening kicks off with a welcome cocktail and snacks, followed by sharing-style dishes such as mussels and wild garlic, slow-roasted spring lamb with agretti, and an Italian twist on ‘rhubarb and custard.’ Inspired by relaxed dinner gatherings in Italy, it’s a chance to meet new people and enjoy delicious food in a cosy courtyard café just off Commercial Street in Spitalfields. Italian and natural wines will be available for purchase by the glass or bottle.

Date: 8 March 2024. Location: 28 Commercial Street, E1 6AB. Price: £55, including a welcome cocktail, snacks, three courses and service charge. Book now. Instagram:  @albacaffelondon.

East London Strippers Collective at The Other Art Fair

#FLODown: The East London Strippers Collective is making their art fair debut at The Other Art Fair London for International Women’s Day 2024. From 7-10 March, at The Truman Brewery on Brick Lane, visitors can engage in a unique life drawing workshop featuring aerial poses and pole tricks. The collective aims to challenge the stigma around sex work and promote self-organisation among performers. Alongside the workshops, their curated hang showcases works by collective members responding to themes of sex work, subverting the idea of the muse and highlighting camaraderie within the community. This debut aligns with the fair's commitment to gender equality, boasting a 69% female-identifying artist lineup.

Date: 7 - 10 March 2024. Location: The Truman Brewery, 85 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QR. Price: from £10.50. Book now.

Inspirational Women in the West End

#FLODown: Art of London and TV presenter Kate Bryan have teamed up to offer an exclusive International Women's Day itinerary celebrating women's impact in West End art and culture. Curated by Bryan, the itinerary showcases the remarkable contributions of women at esteemed institutions such as the Royal Academy of Arts, National Portrait Gallery, and The National Gallery. Explore exhibitions featuring renowned artists like Lubaina Himid and Angelica Kauffman, theatrical performances by leading ladies Sheridan Smith and Sarah Snook, and delve into the rich legacy of women in the arts. Additionally, the itinerary includes female-run boutiques at Burlington Arcade, where luxury designers Anya Hindmarch and Lalage Beaumont are based, and dining experiences at female-led hotspots like Larry's and Muriel's Kitchen. Notable events not to miss include a lunchtime lecture by author Susannah Gibson at the National Portrait Gallery, where she will discuss her new book 'The Bluestockings: The First Women's Movement'.

Click here to join Art of London in honouring the brilliance of female talent in the heart of the West End.

Women’s Day Auction

#FLODown: Art On a Postcard's fifth International Women’s Day Auction commemorates ten years of impactful small art. Eight female curators unveil mini auctions featuring postcard-sized artworks from emerging and established artists. The auction spans two weeks and marks AOAP's decade-long commitment to charitable causes. Proceeds from the auction will support The Hepatitis C Trust's initiatives specifically supporting the work they do with women affected by the criminal justice system, both in prison and local communities. Bidding will start at £50 online.

Auction: 27 February – 12 March 2024 ⁠via The Auction Collective. Location: Bomb Factory Long Acre Covent Garden, London WC2.

Fitness and defence classes

#FLODown: During International Women’s Week from 4-10 March 2024, Tower Hamlets offers fitness and defence classes for women and girls at 14 venues. These activities aim to promote physical activity, friendship, and fun, welcoming participants of all ages and abilities. Whether booking in advance or simply turning up, women and girls are encouraged to join in the celebration of International Women’s Week through sports and physical activities across the borough. Click here for details of the sessions.

Oedipus Electronica

#FLODown: Timed perfectly for International Women’s Day,  ”Oedipus Electronica" reimagines the classic myth by centering on Jocasta's perspective, addressing the need for more female-driven narratives. Mella Faye's production offers a raw and honest portrayal of a woman navigating challenging circumstances. By drawing inspiration from the Greek myth, Faye creates a piece that speaks to contemporary themes, making it relevant and thought-provoking for audiences today.

Date: 6 - 9 March 2024. Time: 7.30pm. Location: Brixton House, 385 Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8GL. Price: from £22. Book now.

Women’s History Month 2024

#FLODown: Alternative Arts presents Women’s History Month 2024 in East London from 1-31 March 2024, with International Women's Week from 2-10 March and International Women's Day on 8 March. The programme includes exhibitions such as Dreams Have No Titles by Zineb Sedira at Whitechapel Gallery, Digital Clouds Don't Carry Rain by Mónica Alcázar-Duarte and Unravel: The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art at the Barbican, along with conversations featuring artist Bobby Baker and historian Dr. Jill Liddington. Workshops, studio visits, and storytelling sessions are also available, including the Arab Women Artists Now festival and events at the Women's Library at LSE and the Queen’s House. Click here to download the full programme.

Date: 1- 31 March 2024.