If you’re in London, Brussels, or Vienna this March, you’ll find dozens of events marking International Women’s Day on March 8 and throughout the month. From grassroots marches calling for an end to gender-based violence to museum exhibitions exploring women’s contributions to art and society, the programming spans formats and audiences.
At Women Beyond Borders, our community connects women across borders and cities. We’ve gathered events happening in three of our hub cities where members live and work. This isn’t an exhaustive list – it’s a curated selection with complete details (dates, times, locations) for anyone based in or visiting these cities.
International Women’s Day may fall on a single date, but its impact extends throughout March. You’ll find panel discussions at universities, workshops at cultural centers, solidarity marches in public spaces, and institutional programming at museums and parliaments. Whether you’re drawn to activism, cultural programming, or professional development, there are multiple ways to engage.
What You Need to Know About International Women’s Day 2026
- London, Brussels, and Vienna host diverse International Women’s Day programming throughout March 2026, from grassroots marches and policy discussions to museum exhibitions and professional workshops across multiple weeks.
- London features the Million Women Rise march on March 7 addressing gender-based violence, plus lectures on historical female artists like Kauffman and Vigée Le Brun, and literary talks exploring the Brontë sisters’ contributions.
- Brussels offers extended programming from mid-February through late March, including panel discussions at the European Parliament on March 3 and city-wide Women Spring workshops celebrating creativity and collaboration.
- Vienna combines cultural and academic approaches with the Albertina Museum’s Women in Motion exhibition on March 8 and Webster Vienna’s panel discussion on March 4 bringing together speakers from academia and civil society.
London: Marches, Talks, and Creative Fundraising
London’s International Women’s Day programming spans grassroots activism, cultural institutions, and creative fundraising. From a march calling for an end to gender-based violence to talks exploring women’s contributions to art and literature, the city offers events for different interests and schedules.
Million Women Rise March
One of the UK’s most visible grassroots marches takes place on Saturday, March 7. Million Women Rise brings women together in central London to march in solidarity and demand an end to violence against women and girls.
The march focuses attention on gender-based violence and systemic inequalities that affect women’s safety. Each year, the event draws participants who want to make their voices heard on these issues.
When: Saturday, March 7, 2026 – Gather from noon, march begins at 1:00 PM
Where: Duke Street, off Oxford Street (next to Selfridges), London W1U
Source: Million Women Rise
The Women’s Club Event at London Intercultural Centre
On International Women’s Day itself, the London Intercultural Centre hosts a community-oriented gathering focused on women’s empowerment and cross-cultural dialogue.
The event brings together speakers and community members for discussions rather than formal presentations. You can expect a conversational format that encourages exchange between participants from different backgrounds.
When: Sunday, March 8, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Where: London Intercultural Centre, 167-169 Great Portland Street, Westminster, London W1W 5PF
Source: London Intercultural Centre
Women’s History Month Lecture: Old Masters
This lecture highlights two 18th-century female artists who shaped European art history: Angelica Kauffman and Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun.
Both women built successful careers during a period when female artists faced significant barriers to professional recognition. The talk explores their artistic influence, how they navigated the constraints of their era, and their lasting impact on art history.
If you’re interested in how women carved out space in male-dominated fields centuries ago, this lecture offers historical perspective worth considering.
When: Monday, March 2, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (doors open 12:30 PM)
Where: Pigott Theatre
Source: Ideal Insight
The Brontës in Bricks & Mortar
A literary-focused talk explores the lives and legacy of the Brontë sisters and their contributions to literature.
The Brontës created some of English literature’s most enduring works while living in relative isolation in Yorkshire. This talk examines their lasting influence on literature and culture.
When: Thursday, March 5, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Where: Ondaatje Wing Theatre
Source: Bradford Literature Festival
AOAP Projects Charity Auction
Throughout March, AOAP Projects runs an online art auction featuring contemporary artists. The fundraiser supports community and creative initiatives that align with the organization’s mission.
You can browse available works and place bids online. The auction format makes it accessible whether you’re in London or elsewhere.
When: March 2026 (online auction)
Where: Browse and bid online
Source: AOAP Projects
Brussels: City-Wide Workshops and Policy Discussions
Brussels brings a different energy to International Women’s Day programming. As both a cultural hub and the center of European policymaking, the city’s events reflect this dual identity. You’ll find grassroots workshops celebrating women’s creative skills alongside formal policy discussions hosted within EU institutions.
The programming spans nearly seven weeks, from mid-February through late March, with events distributed across neighborhoods and institutional venues.
Panel Discussions & Outdoor Exhibition at European Parliament
The first major event takes place on Tuesday, March 3 from 9 AM to 12 PM at the Zweig Visitor Centre inside the European Parliament. This morning session combines panel discussions with an outdoor exhibition highlighting women’s contributions to European society and public life.
The setting itself carries weight. Hosting these conversations within the EU’s legislative buildings signals the institutional focus on women’s roles in shaping policy and governance across member states. The combined format lets you engage with both structured discussions and visual storytelling through the exhibition.
Source: Assar Architects
International Women’s Day Talks at TownHall Europe
On Wednesday, March 4, TownHall Europe hosts a half-day event from 9 AM to 1:30 PM focused on women’s participation in leadership and policymaking. This session brings together speakers and professionals for discussions that bridge grassroots activism with policy implementation.
It’s designed for a professional audience looking to engage with how policy decisions affect women’s advancement in public and private sectors. The half-day format accommodates working schedules while providing substantive conversation time.
Women Spring Workshops
The longest-running programming extends from February 12 through March 28 across various locations throughout Brussels. This city-wide series celebrates women’s creativity, skills, and collaboration through workshops and community events.
Unlike single-day gatherings, this distributed format lets you participate across multiple weeks depending on your schedule and interests. The extended timeframe means you can drop into sessions that align with your availability rather than committing to a single date.
Full programme details: https://www.brussels.be/womens-spring-2026
Source: The Crafty Hen / Brussels City Programme
Vienna: Arts, Academia, and Professional Development
Vienna’s International Women’s Day programming reflects the city’s identity as both a cultural capital and an academic hub. The events here span museum exhibitions, university panel discussions, and professional development workshops – each bringing a different lens to conversations about women’s roles in society and leadership.
Women in Motion at Albertina Museum
The Albertina Museum hosts Women in Motion on Saturday, March 8, from 3:30 to 4:30 PM – timed for International Women’s Day itself. This cultural event explores representations of women in visual art and contemporary discussions around female expression. It’s a shorter, focused event that takes an artistic approach to the day’s themes. If you’re looking to mark March 8 through a cultural lens rather than an activist one, this fits the bill.
Source: Albertina Museum
International Women’s Day Panel Discussion at Webster Vienna
Webster Vienna Private University brings together speakers from academia and civil society for a panel discussion on Wednesday, March 4, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The focus is women’s roles in leadership and public life, drawing on both scholarly research and practical experience from the nonprofit sector. The evening timing accommodates working professionals, and the three-hour format suggests substantial content – likely including multiple speakers, Q&A sessions, and time for networking afterward.
Source: Webster Vienna Private University
International Women’s Day Workshop at WU Vienna
WU Vienna University of Economics and Business takes a more hands-on approach with a morning workshop on Tuesday, March 17, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM. Located in Conference Room 1 of the AD Building on Campus WU, the workshop focuses on dialogue and professional development around gender equality and leadership. The morning time slot and two-hour workshop format indicate an interactive session rather than a lecture series. This one’s designed for participants who want practical takeaways they can apply in their own careers and organizations.
Source: Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien
A Month of Connection and Conversation
International Women’s Day lands on March 8, but the conversations it sparks continue throughout the month. Across London, Brussels, and Vienna, women gather in marches, university lecture halls, museums, and institutional spaces to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and reflect on the work still needed to advance gender equality.
If you’re based in any of these cities, we’d encourage you to attend an event. There’s something powerful about in-person connection – the conversations that happen after a panel discussion, the solidarity felt during a march, the new perspectives gained from a museum exhibition.
And if your city is hosting International Women’s Day programming this March, we’d love to hear about it. Women Beyond Borders exists to connect women across countries and communities. Share events happening in your city with us, and we’ll help amplify them to our community.
These moments of collective action remind us why cross-border connection matters. The challenges women face don’t stop at national boundaries, and neither should the conversations about solving them.
FAQ
When is International Women’s Day 2026?
International Women’s Day falls on Saturday, March 8, 2026. However, programming and events extend throughout the entire month of March. Cities like London, Brussels, and Vienna host events from early March through late in the month, with some programming starting as early as mid-February. This extended celebration means you don’t need to be available on March 8 specifically to participate – you can attend workshops, exhibitions, marches, and discussions across multiple weeks depending on your schedule and interests.
Are these International Women’s Day events free to attend?
Most events listed appear to be free, though some may require advance registration. The Million Women Rise march, community gatherings at the London Intercultural Centre, and panel discussions at the European Parliament and Webster Vienna don’t mention admission fees. Museum events like Women in Motion at Albertina Museum may follow standard museum admission policies. The AOAP Projects charity auction is free to browse, but you’ll bid on artwork if you choose to purchase. Check the source links provided for each event to confirm registration requirements and any associated costs before attending.
Can men attend International Women’s Day events?
Inclusivity policies vary by event. The Million Women Rise march in London is specifically for women and girls only – it’s a women-only solidarity march focused on ending gender-based violence. Most other events, including panel discussions, workshops, museum exhibitions, and professional development sessions, typically welcome all genders who want to support women’s equality and empowerment. If you’re uncertain about a specific event’s attendance policy, contact the organizers directly through the source links provided or check their event pages for participation guidelines.
What is Women Beyond Borders?
Women Beyond Borders is a community organization that connects women across different cities and countries. The organization operates through local hubs in cities including London, Brussels, and Vienna, where members live and work. Their mission focuses on building cross-border connections among women and facilitating conversations about shared experiences and challenges. Women Beyond Borders also produces a podcast and curates resources like this event guide to help their community engage with programming relevant to women’s empowerment, professional development, and cultural participation in their local cities.
How can I find International Women’s Day events in other cities?
Start with your city’s municipal website – many local governments publish Women’s History Month or International Women’s Day event calendars. Check university event pages, particularly women’s resource centers and gender studies departments. Cultural institutions like museums, libraries, and community centers often host programming. Search for local women’s organizations, advocacy groups, and professional networks in your area, as they typically organize or promote relevant events. If you discover great programming in your city, consider sharing it with Women Beyond Borders to help other community members find events where they live.
WBB: Women Beyond Borders 
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