All week
DIFFERENCE FESTIVAL: All this week, the University of Westminster hosts Difference Festival, a series of free events honouring the institution's roots, with a focus on 'truth' and what that means in the age of fake news. All events are free and range from the hunt for alien life to lie detectors to our addiction to cars. University of Westminster (Regent Street), free, book ahead, 24-28 February
MONOCHROMATIC MINDS: The work of self-taught disabled artists goes on display in new exhibition Monochromatic Minds, the largest ever show of its kind. 61 artists including Madge Gill and Donald Mitchell have contributed works to the exhibition, including drawings, ceramics and textiles. Candid Arts Centre (Islington), free, just turn up, 25 February-4 March
VINTAGE SALE: Beyond Retro's semi-regular Vintage Garage Sale returns, with thousands of items for sale every day, including belts, bags, trousers, shirts and dresses. It's free to browse, so no need to part with any cash unless you find something you love. Bussey Building (Peckham), free entry, just turn up, 26 February-1 March
DATA DATING: Last chance to see exhibition Data Dating, which takes a look at finding love in the internet age and how it's reshaping our relationships, through the work of several artists. Find out how our screens are affecting our sexual intimacy, and what romance could look like in the future. Watermans (Brentford), free, book ahead, 15 January-1 March
YOUNG REBELS: Also closing this week is Marvellous & Mysterious: Literature's Young Rebels, a family-friendly exhibition looking at some of the more rebellious characters from children's books. See how the likes of Pippi Longstocking break the rules, and see Roald Dahl’s handwritten drafts of Matilda alongside Quentin Blake’s illustrations. There's also a chance to dress up as your favourite characters. British Library, free, just turn up, until 1 March
RAINBOW EXHIBITION: Consider this your reminder that colourful exhibition Slices of Time by Emmanuelle Moureaux is still on, consisting of layers of dangling numbers, representing now, the past and the future. Visitors can wander round (and photograph) 100 different shades. NOW Gallery (Greenwich Peninsula), free entry, book ahead, until 19 April
Monday 24 February
MINI MARCHERS: Aimed at babies aged 6-24 months and their carers, Mini Marchers is a sensory fun session, a younger alternative for the museum's already successful Tiny Troopers classes. National Army Museum (Chelsea), £5, book ahead, 10am/11.20am
FRIDA FLOWERS: Celebrate all things Frida Kahlo at Drink, Shop & Do,which is running a Frida Kahlo flower pot workshop. Spend your Monday evening getting crafty over a drink or two, and making your own homage to the Mexican artist. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), £5, book ahead, from 6pm
SOFIE HAGEN: Danish comedian Sofie Hagen tries out new material for her latest show, Fat Jokes. Be among the first to hear her latest gags and stories as she refines her set. The Taprooms (Islington), £5, book ahead, 6.30pm
Tuesday 25 February
PANCAKE DAY: Flippin' heck, that crêped up on us. It's Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day, which you can still enjoy, even if you're on a budget. Peruse our guide to Pancake Day events to find a pancake race near you.
RAILWAY HISTORY: Ever heard of the Hertford Loop? Get yourself well acquainted with it at this free talk on Enfield's railway history by expert Dave Cockle. The Loop was the 1910 extension of the railway from Enfield and on to Hertford and Stevenage. Dugdale Centre (Enfield), free, book ahead, 1pm
DELIVERY ROOM: Phil Nichol, Russel Hicks and Sarah Callaghan host The Delivery Room, an evening of professional comedians doing their thing. Joe Sutherland, Rajiv Karia, David Mills and John Robertson are on the line-up this week. The Taprooms (Islington), £5, book ahead, 8pm-10.30pm
Wednesday 26 February
LIVE MUSIC: As lunch breaks go, this one's rather fancy. The stunning surrounds of Christ's Chapel hosts a musical performance by a group of musicians from a local school. Christ's Chapel (Dulwich Picture Gallery), free, just turn up, 1.30pm-2pm
TEA DANCE: Everyone's welcome at Southbank Centre's social tea dance, regardless of experience, or even if you have a partner. Just turn up and shimmy the afternoon away. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 1.30pm
SCIENCE MUSEUM LATE: It's adults only as Science Museum keeps its doors open late for an evening themed on Science City. The event celebrates the opening of Science City 1550-1800: The Linbury Gallery, and focuses very much on London, with talks about Sir Isaac Newton, a chance to experiment with a camera obscura, and the opportunity to visit a plague doctor. Age 18+. Science Museum (South Kensington), free, book ahead, 6.45pm-10pm
Thursday 27 February
MONARCHY AND THE MEDIA: Edward Owens discusses his new, and rather timely, study, The Family Firm: Monarchy, Mass Media and the British Public. He talks to historians Professor Jo Fox, Professor Heather Jones, and Professor Philip Williamson about changing images in the Royal Family, and the role of the media in restoring trust in the monarchy. Senate House (Russell Square), free, book ahead, 6pm-7.30pm
CATHEDRAL FOLK CLUB: Cunning Folk hosts an evening of folk music in the cafe at Southwark Cathedral. Stand up and perform, or just sit back and enjoy music by other people. A hat is passed around for donations, so take some cash along. Southwark Cathedral, free (donations welcome), just turn up, 7pm
COMEDY: Comedian Glenn Moore has appeared on Mock The Week, Stand Up Central, and The News Quiz. Tonight he's in Islington for a work in progress show, trying out new jokes and honing his latest material. Pleasance Theatre (Islington), £5, book ahead, 7.45pm
Friday 28 February
NHM LATE: It's the last Friday of the month, which means Natural History Museum stays open late for an evening of after-hours activities. This month's event celebrates women in science through storytelling, discussions and pop-up science stations, and you can also visit the museum's usual displays and exhibitions. Natural History Museum (South Kensington), free (charge for some exhibitions), just turn up, 6pm-10pm
WATCH, TALK, THINK: Watch Palme d'Or winning film, 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, a 2007 Romanian art film about two students trying to procure an illegal abortion. The screening is followed by a panel discussion, and is one in a series of events on the topic of pregnancy. Foundling Museum, £5/£3, book ahead, 7pm
ARETHA FRANKLIN: Pay your r-e-s-p-e-c-t to late soul singer Aretha Franklin. Blues Kitchen dedicates a night of tunes to Franklin, with a live band covering her best loved songs, and DJs keeping the tunes coming until the early hours. Blues Kitchen (Camden), £4.52, book ahead, 9pm
Saturday 29 February
EXTRA DAY: 29 February is a gift that only rolls around once every four years. Use it wisely, with our list of 29 things to do in London on 29 February, or perhaps just take the opportunity to do something most Londoners wouldn't normally do.
LONDON BOXING: Meet author Jeff Jones and hear him talk about his new book, East End Born and Bled. It tells the story of the birth of boxing in east London, an area which has produced many champions of the sport. Idea Store Whitechapel, free, book ahead, 2pm
PRETTY WOMAN: The underground cinema at House of Vans continues its rom-com season with a screening of 1990 classic, Pretty Woman. Watch Richard Gere and Julia Roberts cavorting about on screen without parting with a penny. House of Vans (Waterloo), free, just turn up, 3pm/5.30pm
Sunday 1 March
ST DAVID'S DAY: 1 March is St David's Day. Whether you're Welsh and living in London, or a Londoner wanting to get in on the celebrations, take a look at our guide to where to be Welsh in London, and find your own little slice of Cymru.
VINTAGE SALE: Give your wardrobe an update at the Camden Vintage Kilo Sale, where you pay for your newly-acquired retro garments by weight. Tread lightly if you're a bit skint, or go mad if you've got deep pockets. Jumpers, dresses, shirts, skirts, jeans and accessories are all for sale. Cecil Sharp House (Primrose Hill), £3/£1.50, just turn up, 10am-4pm
FIRST SUNDAYS: On the first Sunday of the month, National Archives holds a special opening of its current exhibition, With Love. Full details haven't yet been announced, but it's chance to view passionate and heartbreaking love letters spanning 500 years. National Archives (Kew), free, just turn up, 11am-4pm
