Mother's Day Events

From theatre, comedy, ballet to art, London is always bursting with events designed to suit all tastes and interests. This Mother's Day is no exception. Why not show your mum how much she's appreciated by taking her out and treating her to something she's really interested in?

International Garden Photographer of the Year

Kew Gardens (Royal Botanic Gardens), London, TW9 3AB
3rd March - 10th April 2012

Hosted at Kew Gardens, this exhibition gives visitors the chance to see the winning and finalist's images from the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition. Displaying the best garden, nature and outdoor photography from around the world, the images offer an insight into the world of plants, gardens, landscapes, nature and the photographer's perception of this beautiful world. The exhibition has four different categories: The Beauty of Plants, Wildlife Havens, Beautiful Gardens, Greening the City and Breathing Spaces. Taking place within the 19th century Nash Conservatory - a wonderfully appropriate setting for this rich display of nature - it's a perfect day out for green fingered mums who appreciate the art to be found within the garden.

More info: International Garden Photographer of the Year Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

David Hockney RA: A Bigger Picture

Royal Academy of Arts, W1J 0BD
21st January - 10th April 2012

Widely regarded as one of the must-see exhibitions of the year, mums will love looking at the colourful and inspiring landscapes on display at the Royal Academy's blockbuster David Hockney exhibition. David Hockney: A Bigger Picture spans a 50-year period to show the artist's long exploration and fascination with the depiction of landscape. The Royal Academy show of around 150 works includes paintings, drawings, sketchbooks, and drawings made on his iPad as well as a series of new films produced using 18 cameras which create large moving images across multiple screens. Make a night of it and combine a trip to the exhibition with dinner at the Royal Academy's restaurant (open 6.30pm to 10pm). Take advantage of the special Mother's Day dinner package and you'll enjoy a late night viewing the David Hockney exhibition (from 6.30pm to 9.30pm) with tickets to the exhibition included in the price of dinner (£49 per person for 2 courses, or £54 per person for 3 courses). For mums who have kids in tow on Mother's Day, there's a free family drop-in workshop from 11am to 1pm on Sunday 18th March 2012 at the Royal Academy's Learning Studio.

More info: David Hockney RA: A Bigger Picture Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Her Maj: 60 Years of Unofficial Portraits of the Queen

The Cartoon Museum, WC1A 2HH
1st February - 9th April 2012

Take your mum to see two very different shows portraying the Queen - a mother who has certainly earned her day off. Contrast Cecil Beaton's elegant and flattering snapshots at the V & A with Her Maj, a Cartoon Museum exhibition which gives an insight into the changing media attitudes towards the Queen since her coronation nearly sixty years ago. Prior to 1950 nobody would dare print a deprecating cartoon depiction of the monarch, but slowly it began to dawn on the media that there was some serious comedy gold lurking behind those grand Palace walls, and by the 60s the cloak of mystery had well and truly fallen and images of the Queen began popping up all over the place. With everything from 'Liz', the housewife in a headscarf, to fantasies about the royals knee-deep in corgis and the cringey comedy of Prince Philip's foot-in-mouth asides. But all joking aside, this collection is a real trip down memory lane and the cartoons capture momentous national events, state visits and historical British hardships, and it's all done with plenty of fondness and affection. The 80 pieces were created by more than 30 artists and will be on display at The Cartoon Museum until April 8th.

More info: Her Maj: 60 Years of Unofficial Portraits of the Queen Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Elvis Presley in Concert

The O2 Arena, London, SE10 0BB | Wembley Arena, London, HA9 0AA
Friday 16th March 2012, O2 Arena | Saturday 17th March 2012, Wembley Arena

For a whole generation of women, Elvis Presley was the Justin Bieber of the day; and for two nights this March the man who many mums dreamed of in their teenage years will be celebrated in two arena concerts in London. Elvis' former band mates take to the stage to showcase some of his greatest hits, bringing a piece of the musical sensation back to his fans in London and creating Elvis Presley in Concert. With a collection of Elvis' best concert moments edited together, the producers have removed all the sound except for the vocals enabling the band to play live to the singer's recordings. The footage of Elvis is displayed on state of the art screens to get as close to bringing Elvis back as possible; and with singers and a 16-piece orchestra synchronising their performances along to the vocals, there is a chance that it will actually feel as though the King of Rock and Roll has returned. There will be two performances on consecutive nights; the first being at London's O2 Arena and the second at Wembley Arena.

More info: Elvis Presley Live in Concert Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

She Stoops to Conquer

National Theatre: Olivier Theatre, London, SE1 8XZ
24th January - 22nd April 2012

Theatre's version of a rom com, She Stoops to Conquer is an 18th century comedy about mistaken identity, love and rebelling against class expectations. This light hearted play by Oliver Goldsmith, first staged in 1773, is a humorous insight into a dysfunctional family and shows how chaos can be caused by a slight rebellion and unexpected love. The National Theatre's excellent production ("a collective success" according to Michael Billinton writing in The Guardian) has a star cast which includes strong performances from Coronation Street actress Katherine Kelly who takes the lead role, her first since leaving the popular soap, alongside rising leading man Harry Haddon-Paton (who starred with Sienna Miller in Trevor Nunn's Flare Path this time last year) as her love interest, Marlow. There's a matinee performance on Mothering Sunday itself, at 2.30pm on 18th March.

More info: She Stoops to Conquer Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Stitch & Craft

Olympia, London, W14 8UX
15th - 18th March 2012

With the popularity of crafting on the rise, visitors to the Stitch & Craft exhibition at Olympia could well be on the rise, especially considering it neatly coincides Mother's Day this year and an outing here would make a great mother-daughter bonding day out. For newcomers to the show there's a wealth of useful resources as experts give advice and guidance about knitting, embroidery, cross stitch and papercraft, with trade stands selling specialist supplies, competitions and workshops. As well as three floors of stands there are stages dotted throughout the show hosted by magazines specialising in sewing and crafting, the timetable for each one varies but there are several drop-in sessions where you can learn everything from the basics of stitching onwards. There are rest stops where you can enjoy a cuppa in a vintage tearoom and workshops where you can get creative making paper flowers or greeting cards.

More info: Stitch & Craft Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Ideal Home Show

Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, SW5 9TA
16th March - 2nd April 2012

Providing inspiration for home improvements for over 100 years, the Ideal Home Show fills the Earl's Court Exhibition Centre with everything you need to feather your nest - and a whole lot more besides. Celebrating its 103rd year, the famous show is the world's largest event of its kind and never fails to surprise and inspire with home decorating ideas and the latest gadgets for the kitchen. There are eight themed sections: Ideal Home Improvements, Ideal Village, Ideal Food, Ideal Gardens, Ideal Shopping, Ideal Home Gadgets, Ideal Interiors and - most appropriately for Mother's Day - an Ideal Woman section where you can watch catwalk shows and get pampered at a beauty bar. There's even a Mum of the Year Competition which rewards the winner with free entry to the show on Wednesday 28th March for the grand prize presentation followed by a champagne reception with TV presenter Lorraine Kelly.

More info: Ideal Home Show Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Mother's Day Ruin!

The Forge Arts Venue, London, NW1 7NL
Sunday 18th March 2012

Though commonly referred to as Mother's Ruin, supplying mum with a mean gin and tonic is also a sure fire way of getting into her good books. Here to help is Ian Hart, co-founder of the Highgate-based Sacred Spirits Company, who presents an informative talk and session in blending your own gin at Camden's Forge arts venue. At Mother's Day Ruin! Hart will reveal the 12 different botanicals that go into his Sacred Gin - including Boswellia Sacra aka Hougary Frankincense from which the product name is derived. Once you've heard the science bit there'll be plenty of time to mix your own gin-based cocktail and sample the results. Happy Mother's Day!

More info: Mother's Day Ruin! Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Florimania at Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace, London, KT8 9AU
16th - 18th March 2012

The annual Florimania weekend is a Spring highlight at Hampton Court Palace, and this year the theme 'All the King's flowers' permeates through the palace and its floral decorations. Taking place on the Mother's Day weekend, Florimania is a lovely way to treat busy mums to some time off where they can enjoy stunning flower arrangements including a baroque-inspired display in William III's Apartments created by members of the National Association of Flower Arranging Societies. You can also see how it's done through flower arranging demonstrations at 11.30am, 12.30pm and 2pm on both days. Treat mum to a floral cupcake in the Tiltyard Cafe and she'll get a hot drink for free (just present the promotional leaflet available on their website). Entry to Florimania is included in your palace admission ticket, so you and mum can admire the historic palace and enjoy a leisurely stroll around the 60-acre stately gardens, just starting to bloom.

More info: Florimania at Hampton Court Palace Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Singin' In The Rain

Palace Theatre, W1A 4AF
4th February - 30th September 2012

Singin' in the Rain plays at London's Palace Theatre following a highly successful, sold-out run at Chichester Festival Theatre. A multi-talented cast sees Adam Cooper, Daniel Crossly and Scarlett Strallen star in the roles that were once made famous by the likes of Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds. Andrew Wright provides a stylish choreography that, allied with Simon Higlett's impeccable set design, makes Singin' in the Rain the ultimate feel-good show that, according to The Daily Telegraph, "genuinely makes you feel good about life." In the roaring 1920's, silent movie stars are the biggest names on the planet and Don Lockwood has it all: a string of successful films and a blossoming romance with the most beautiful actress in town. But with a new phenomenon on its way - the talking picture - Don meets a talented young chorus girl and Hollywood is about to change forever. Although there are no performances on Mothering Sunday itself, the feelgood factor of classic numbers like Good Morning, Make 'em Laugh, Moses Supposes and the legendary Singin' in the Rain make this musical a treat for any mum who gets that 'glorious feeling' from watching Gene Kelly dance.

More info: Singin' In The Rain Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Did you know??

- The spring celebrations of Ancient Greece in honour of Rhea, the Mother of the Gods are said to be the earliest examples of "Mother's Day" celebrations.

- Modern-day Mother's Day seems to have stemmed from the 1800s when Anna Jarvis, an Appalachian homemaker, tried to highlight poor health conditions in her community by organising an awareness day that she believed would be best advocated by mothers. She called it "Mother's Work Day".