All weekend
HALF TERM: The week-long holiday begins today for most London schools. We've got plenty of ways to keep children busy, including theatre shows, festivals and exhibitions, on our guide to spending February half term in London.
CLASSIC CARS: All manner of classic cars and vintage vehicles are on display at the London Classic Car Show, with some of them getting time on the 'Grand Avenue' runway to really show off what they can do. This year also celebrates the 50th anniversary of The Italian Job, as well as the career of Jaguar's Director of Design, Ian Callum. ExCel, from £20, book ahead, 14-17 February
IMPROVATHON: A team of comedians and improvisers keep the entertainment coming for 50 hours straight at the 12th annual improvathon, which has a Wild West theme. Don't worry, you needn't watch the full thing — tickets are available for two-hour episodes. Wilton's Music Hall, £10/£7 per episode or £65 for a weekend pass, book ahead, 15-17 February
PRINCESS DIANA: This'll probably be one of the busiest exhibitions in London this weekend, as it's the final two days of Diana: Her Fashion Story. See dresses and outfits worn by Princess Di, including some which have never been on display before. Kensington Palace, included in admission, book ahead, until 17 February
SINGING MERMAID: Children’s book The Singing Mermaid is brought to life on stage using music, puppetry and performance. It’s the story of a singing mermaid who’s tempted away from her sea friends to join the circus. Southbank Centre, £16/£12, book ahead, 16-20 February
COLOUR OF COLOMBIA: Escape the cold in a tropical greenhouse — with the added bonus of more than 6,000 colourful flowers to admire. The Kew Orchid Festival has a Colombian theme this year — look out for jaguars, turtles and other wildlife created from fauna. Kew Gardens, included in admission, booking recommended, until 10 March
BRICK WONDERS: Half a million Lego bricks went into the 50 models that make up Brick Wonders, a new family-friendly exhibition in south London. The old London Bridge, Egyptian pyramids and the Great Barrier Reef are among the popular sights recreated in the colourful bricks. Horniman Museum (Forest Hill), £9/£5, book ahead, 16 February-27 October
Saturday 16 February
SHARD BREAKFAST: Start half term on a literal high with a family-friendly breakfast at The View From The Shard. Access the viewing platform from 8.30am and enjoy views across London as you tuck into a light breakfast. Free face painting, balloon modelling and children's activity sheets come included. The View From The Shard, from £16, book ahead, 8.30am-10am
KEATS IN THE CITY: Join staff from Keats House on a guided walk around the areas of the City of London that would have been familiar to the poet. See places where he lived and studied, interwoven with readings of his work. Moorgate station, £10, book ahead, 11am-1.30pm
DAYLIGHT MUSIC: Union Chapel hosts a relaxed afternoon of music, tea and cake, aimed at visitors of all ages. It's the mystery edition this week, so the acts won't be revealed in advance. We've been warned to expect the unexpected. Union Chapel (Islington), suggested donation £5, just turn up, 12pm
LOVE HOUNDS: Take your dog along to this pub get-together, raising money for canine rescue charities. Take part in games and a raffle, browse products by dog companies, and find out about some of the dogs currently looking for homes. The Blacksmith and the Toffeemaker (Farringdon), free entry, just turn up, 12pm-4pm
ROMAN GATE: You may have visited the Museum of London, but did you know about the Roman military fort remains, located beneath the streets next to it? Take a guided tour of the historic remains — where Roman sentries controlled who entered Londinium — with a museum expert. Museum of London, £5, book ahead, 2pm
BEAUTIFYING BERMONDSEY: Follow in the footsteps of Ada Salter, London’s first female mayor, who worked with her doctor and MP husband Alfred to improve the lives of Bermondsey residents, through health, housing and employment. Bermondsey station, £12/£9, book ahead, 2pm-4pm
SWISH AND STYLE: Refresh your wardrobe without an expensive shopping trip. Take some clothes you want to get rid of (in good condition) to the Swish & Style, and come home with new (to you) items. Gnome House (Waltham Forest), free, just turn up, 2pm-5pm
LOVE LETTERS: Comedy storyteller Jack Rooke's new show, Love Letters, is aimed at "those who’ve been ghosted, freaked out by one-night stands and deleted Tinder before re-installing it two weeks later". Most Londoners of a certain age, then. Roundhouse (Camden), from £10, book ahead, 3pm/8pm
FILM SCREENING: Book yourself in for a film screening that offers the perfect antidote to a slushy Valentine's Day. Sleeping With Other People is the story of a pair of sex addicts trying to keep the chemistry to a minimum in their friendship. Geffrye Museum (Hoxton), £10-£25, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
NAKED CLEANERS: Naked cleaners are a thing — we know, we've met them. In theatre show Coming Clean, Ethan lays bare his life as a naked house cleaner, and explores what we want and what stops us from asking for it. 212 Bermondsey Street, from £15, book ahead, 7.30pm-9.30pm
DAVE GORMAN: Comedian Dave Gorman performs at Southbank Centre — and he's bringing out the big guns, in the form of his laptop and a Powerpoint presentation, to aid him in analysing the parts of life you've never really thought about before. Probably the most fun you'll ever have with a projector screen. Southbank Centre, £35, book ahead, 8pm
MIDNIGHT EXCESS: New film event Midnight Excess wants to bring back the thrill of late night movies, starting with Joan Collins double bill The Stud and The Bitch. There's an intermission disco, prizes for the sleaziest looks, and a party bag to take home. Rio Cinema (Dalston), £12.50/£10.50, book ahead, 11.30pm
Sunday 17 February
ANTIQUES FAIR: Get your best haggling game on at this antiques and collectors' fair, with more than 300 antiques dealers selling all manner of items. A Pop Up Vintage Fairs event is incorporated, for anyone who's more into fashion than furniture. Alexandra Palace, £12/£6, just turn up (cash only), 8.30am (trade buyers)/9.30am (public buyers)
PUPS AND PROSECCO: If your pooch has slept off the hangover from yesterday's pub adventures, take him/her out for a day of culture. M1 Fine Art Gallery is welcoming dogs today. Browse the art, meet celebrities of the canine world, and take home a bag of dog treats for Fido or Rover. M1 Fine Art (Greenwich), free, book ahead, 10am-1pm
HOUSEMAID'S TOUR: Tour the Dickens Museum under the watchful eye of his housemaid. An actor assumes the role of the Dickens family's servant in 1839, to show you around their home while they're away. Dickens Museum (Bloomsbury), £15/£12/£8, book ahead, 10am/11am/11.45am
I'M NOT RUNNING: A recording of National Theatre play I'm Not Running is screened at the cinema today. It tells the story of a tempestuous couple who become political rivals — read our full review. Watermans (Brentford), £17/£14.50, book ahead, 2pm
LIVE JAZZ: Award-winning saxophonist Derek Nash — one of the Jools Holland Bands' featured saxophonists — brings his fluent modern jazz music to a north London pub. Just East Of Jazz (Edgware), £8/£5, book ahead, 7pm-9.15pm
MARVIN GAYE: Singer Nate Simpson entertains diners with a performance of Marvin Gaye's music, including classics such as Let's Get It On and Sexual Healing. Book yourself in for the evening set menu and a glass of champagne, and enjoy the show. Quaglino's (Mayfair), £48, book ahead, 9pm-10.30pm
