All week
LAST CHANCE: This new 3D portrait of philosopher Jeremy Bentham was created using scans of his real head, and is designed so he seems to follow your movements around the room. For the full experience, make time to see the Jeremy Bentham auto-icon — on permanent display — while you're there. UCL, free, just turn up, until 11 February
WARHOL POLAROIDS: One of our top picks for February is this exhibition of polaroid photos taken by pop artist Andy Warhol. It's a mixture of self portraits and photos of Warhol's acquaintances, including famous actors and politicians. Bastian Gallery (Mayfair), free, just turn up, 2 February-13 April
DISTORTED PERSPECTIVE: Two floors of this Mayfair gallery are given over to the distorting work of artist Patrick Hughes. His cleverly constructed, three-dimensional paintings seem to sway and swivel as viewers move from side to side, bringing their subjects to life. Alon Zakaim Fine Art (Mayfair), free, just turn up, 4 February-29 March
TRACEY EMIN: Andy Warhol's not the only big-name artist getting airtime in London this week. Tracey Emin's new exhibition A Fortnight Of Tears includes sculpture, neon, painting, film, photography and drawing, all focusing on Emin’s own memories and emotions arising from loss, pathos, anger and love. White Cube (Bermondsey), free, just turn up, 6 February-7 April
Monday 4 February
LAST CHANCE: Today's the last day to see headlines about Donald Trump blown up two metres tall. Artist Aleksandra Mir gathered newspaper front pages reporting on Donald Trump's business, personal and political dealings from years before he ran for president, and put them on display larger-than-life for the world to see. Trump probably wouldn't want you to see this exhibition... whether that gives you more inclination to see it is up to you. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 11am-7pm
WORK SMARTER: Get some tips on boosting your professional output, so you work smarter, not harder, to achieve things at work. Saj Jetha, author of The Smarts: Big Little Hacks to Take You a Long Way at Work, offers jargon-free techniques and advice aimed at everyone from interns to CEOs. LSE (Holborn), free, just turn up, 6.30pm-8pm
FOLK MODERN: Five acoustic music acts from a range of genres take to the stage for an evening of free music. The performers are chosen and curated by the evening's compere Steve Folk — also a musician. Ritzy (Brixton), free, book ahead, 8pm-11pm
Tuesday 5 February
SHAKESPEARE'S PORTRAITS: How do we know what William Shakespeare really looked like? Chances are your impression of him is from one of two famous and widely-reproduced paintings — yet both are thought to have been painted after his death so may not be very accurate. Peter Ross, Principal Librarian at Guildhall Library, talks about the troubles in finding a true likeness of The Bard. Guildhall Library, free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
Wednesday 6 February
LIBRARY TOUR: Wellcome Collection's experts offer some insight into its library on this free, informal tour. Find out about some of the more surprising and unusual items on the library's shelves, and how it all works. Wellcome Collection (Euston), free, just turn up, 11.30am-12pm
GUN SALUTES: The anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne is marked with two gun salutes. 41 rounds are fired in Green Park at noon (a standard 21 round salute, plus an extra 20 rounds because of the Royal Park location), followed by a whopping 62 round salute at the Tower of London at 1pm (that's the standard 20 rounds, plus 21 because the Tower is a Royal Palace, plus 21 more because it's within the City of London). Free, just turn up, from noon
DR JOHNSON: This guided walk, organised by Dr Johnson's House, covers Samuel Johnson's work and life in the Fleet Street area, and visits parts of Fleet Valley, Ludgate Hill and St Paul's Cathedral which haven't changed much since Johnson was compiling his famous dictionary. Dr Johnson's House (Fleet Street), £5/£4, just turn up, 3pm
SHOPPING EVENING: Spend the evening browsing the shelves of the excellent London Review Bookshop at a late night shopping evening. Get a 10% discount on all books (the staff are always happy to offer recommendations) and enjoy a glass of wine while you browse. The cafe's also open late, should you be in need of a slice of cake and a cup of tea. London Review Bookshop (Bloomsbury), free, book ahead, 6pm-8pm
Thursday 7 February
ARCHIVE CONSERVATION: With archives and important public records dating back many centuries, special techniques have to be used for storage at the London Metropolitan Archives. Find out how records are preserved for future generations on this free, behind the scenes tour. London Metropolitan Archives (Holborn), free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
PALACE RESTORATION: Steve Bevan's got quite a task on his hands — he's in charge of the restoration of Fulham Palace. Today, meet him in the Tudor Courtyard to ask him questions about the restoration project and hear about what's been going on so far. Fulham Palace, free, just turn up, 3pm-4pm
BREXIT: Yep, the 'b' word is rearing its head at LSE tonight for a panel discussion about the implications Brexit has for other countries, particular for countries outside of the EU. Representatives from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Singapore all pitch in. LSE (Holborn), free, just turn up, 6.30pm-8pm
SUFFRAGE PHOTOS: If the name Christina Broom is familiar, it may be because the pioneering female press photographer was the subject of a Museum of London exhibition a couple of years ago. Now it's her photos documenting the suffrage movement that are in the spotlight as Beverley Cook, Curator of Social & Working History at the Museum of London, talks through some of the shots of women fighting bravely for the vote. Four Corners (Bethnal Green), free, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm
Friday 8 February
BOOKSHOP CRAWL: If you love books, you need to know about the London Bookshop Crawl, a long weekend of in-store events, activities and discounts designed to highlight London's fantastic book stores. Download your 'ID card' from the website to get in on all the fun, then plan your route with the help of this map of participating venues. If you can get round them all in a weekend, we salute you. Various locations, free (charge and booking required for some events), 8-10 February
WAR HORSES: The number of horses used by the military increased sevenfold during the first world war, to address shortcomings discovered during the Boer War. Dr Graham Winton discusses the challenges of supplying and caring for British Army horses at a time of unprecedented demand. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, book ahead, 11.30am
PRIDE AND MUSIC: This concert celebrates the artistic contributions that LGBT+ artists have made in the realms of music and beyond. Performers include the PRISM Youth Ensemble and the Ethel Smyth String quintet. St John's (Waterloo), £5, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
Saturday 9 February
URBAN SKETCHING: A new exhibition opens today, showcasing fantastically detailed ink drawings by Enfield based artist Nicky Yianni, including several renderings of Forty Hall from various angles. Forty Hall (Enfield), free, just turn up, until 31 March
THEATRE ARCHIVE: See inside the National Theatre's archives on a behind the scenes tour with the experts, and hear about some of the interesting items in the collection. The tour covers the main theatre building on South Bank, and the NT Archive located on The Cut in Waterloo. National Theatre, £3, book ahead, 11.30am
YOUTH OPEN MIC: Young people from the Brixton area are invited on stage to showcase their talents, including dancing, rapping, singing, acting and poetry. It's free to watch, so go along and give them some support. Ritzy (Brixton), free, book ahead, 1pm-3pm
BOOK SIGNING: Children's author Michelle Harrison signs copies of her new book, A Pinch Of Magic. It's about three sisters trapped by an ancient curse, and three magical objects which could change their fate. Waterstones (Finchley Road), free, just turn up, 2pm
CHANGING HIGH STREET: The way we shop has changed in the last 30 years, from local shops to high street chains to out of town retail parks to online shopping. Find out how these changes have contributed to gentrification at this Layers of London talk. London Metropolitan Archives (Clerkenwell), free, book ahead, 2pm-3.30pm
Sunday 10 February
CHINESE PARADE: There's one heck of a party in the West End today for Chinese New Year. The Chinese New Year Parade, takes place in Chinatown, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square, with lion and dragon dancing, craft stalls, parade floats, food and drink, martial arts demonstrations and more. It's free to watch and everyone's welcome. Chinatown, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, free, just turn up, from 10am
DOG WALK: Pooches, assemble! Canine charity All Dogs Matter holds a fundraising dog walk across Hampstead Heath, just in time for Valentine's Day. Start at the Garden Gate pub and the most loved-up human and hound win a prize. Hampstead Heath, £5, book ahead, 11am-12pm
VINTAGE FAIR: Browse through racks and rails of vintage clothing and accessories at the Frock Me! Vintage Fair. Stallholders are specially curated for their expertise in their wares. Once you've picked up a new outfit or two, pop upstairs to the jewellery fair to finish it off with accessories. Chelsea Old Town Hall, £4/£2, book ahead, 11am-5.30pm
