
LGBT+ HISTORY MONTH: February is LGBT+ History Month 2025, with a wealth of events going on all over the country to mark the occasion. Find out what's on in London, including exhibitions and tours.
SNOWDROPS: January and February are when the snowdrops drop, so keep an eye out for delicate white floors of the flowers as you wander around London. If you're really keen to get a peep, consult our guide to the best places to see snowdrops in the capital.
SLOMO SAUNA: Two wood-fired saunas, three cold plunge pools and an ice tank are in situ at King's Cross, as Slomo Sauna returns to London — offering hot yoga, leaf whisking, body scrubs, silent sauna sessions and men-only mental health gatherings. Until 2 March
SIX NATIONS 2025: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy go head-to-head once again in the Six Nations rugby tournament. Whoever you're cheering on, here's where you can watch Six Nations in London. 31 January- 15 March
KEW ORCHIDS FESTIVAL 2025: You know spring is on its way when the Orchids festival returns to Kew Gardens. This year is Peru's turn in the spotlight; the country is home to some of the world's rarest plant species so being able to see them in London is a real treat. They're accompanied by horticultural sculptures of Peruvian wildlife, and a chance to hear from Kew scientists about their research trips to South America. 1 February-2 March
CHINESE/LUNAR NEW YEAR: 2 February 2025 is Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year, with plenty of events going on around London to welcome in the Year of the Snake. 2 February
CLOWN CHURCH SERVICE: Forget clowns in a Mini — this is a chance to see how many of them you can pack into a church. The Annual Grimaldi Clown Service takes place at All Saints Church in Haggerston on the first Sunday in February. Some seats are available for the non-clowning public, but you'll need to reserve — they're going fast. FREE, 2 February

FIGARO: Set in mid-1800s Italy, Figaro: An Original Musical is the tale of Sienna, a young woman who feels imprisoned by life on her father's farm, and has a chance to escape and forge a life as a singer. See it at the London Palladium for two nights only. 3-4 February
KIDS' LIT FEST: Head to Herne Hill for a children's literature festival celebrating poetry, performance, writing and illustration. 'Reach for the stars' is this year's theme, with authors Joseph Coelho and Robin Stevens among those leading workshops and events for different ages. 4-9 February
IRANIAN FILMS: Masterpieces of the Iranian New Wave is a series of nine Iranian documentary and fiction films being screened at Barbican Cinema. The films were all created as part of the Cinema-ye Motafavet, or Iranian New Wave grassroots movement in the 1960s-70s, and include the tale of a Tehran cab driver's search for the mother of an abandoned baby, and the story of a mysterious stranger who arrives in a drifting boat at a coastal village. 4-25 February
HIDDEN LONDON: London Transport Museum’s got a particularly thrilling array of underground adventures for you this month! Walk along the disused tracks of Moorgate’s ‘catacomb’, explore the vast spaces of a former Tube station hidden within Green Park or descend into Clapham South’s secret wartime shelter — just some of the Hidden London tours available to book now. (sponsor)
SAILOR MOON: One of the most popular manga books of all time, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon has been transformed into a live show featuring music, choreography, and an all-female cast, and it gets its UK premiere this month, showing at both Here at Outernet, and KOKO in Camden. 4-26 February
SOLDIER MAGAZINE: The official magazine of the British Army, Soldier celebrates its 80th birthday this year, an anniversary being celebrated in a free display at Chelsea's National Army Museum. Learn about the publication's history, from being launched by Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery in 1945, to its journalists travelling all over the world today. FREE, 4 February-6 July

SOMAYA CRITCHLOW: London-based British artist Somaya Critchlow's debut show The Chamber opens at Dulwich Picture Gallery, offering a response to the gallery's own collection of historical paintings. View six newly commissioned works, including three large figurative paintings, as well as Critchlow's preliminary sketches. 4 February-20 July
DAVID TENNANT IN MACBETH: If you missed David Tennant and Cush Jumbo in Macbeth at the Donmar Warehouse last winter, there are two chances to see it on screen at Barbican Cinema this month. 5-18 February
MARRIAGE OF FIGARO: The English National Opera tackles Mozart's whirlwind comedy The Marriage of Figaro, considered to be one of the greatest operas ever written. Watch the madcap comic schemes and setbacks unfold at the London Coliseum. 5-22 February
DICKENS IN DOUGHTY STREET: One of our picks for things to look forward to in London this year was the centenary of Bloomsbury's Charles Dickens Museum, which is being marked by a special exhibition opening this month. See Dickens' original manuscripts, personal letters and rare first editions, including some of the first objects acquired by the museum when it opened a century ago. 5 February-29 June

SADLER'S WELLS EAST: Another cultural highlight of 2025 in London is the opening of new dance theatre Sadler's Wells East in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It opens its doors this month, kicking things off with Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu's Our Mighty Groove, starring young dancers from the local area. Check out the full upcoming programme at the new theatre, which has a 550-seat auditorium, dance studios, a public performance space for free performances, a restaurant and a bar. From 6 February
NOAH DAVIS: View an exhibition dedicated to the paintings of late artist Noah Davis, which capture both the everyday and historic milestones of the US from his viewpoint. It's on at Barbican Art Gallery, and our art critic chose it as one of his 2025 highlights. 6 February-11 May
STRICTLY LIVE TOUR: If you were glued to the latest series of Strictly when it was on TV, catch the live show as the Strictly Come Dancing tour comes to The O2. Past contestants Jamie Borthwick, Wynne Evans, JB Gill, Tasha Ghouri, Montell Douglas Sarah Hadland and Shayne Ward are strutting their stuff, watched by judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood. 7-9 February
WINTER WASSAIL: Get yourself over to Barnes to witness the Barnes Common Winter Wassail. Taking place at the Vine Road Recreation Ground, a Wassail Master oversees a session of storytelling, crafts and singing, in keeping with the traditional rural celebration to hope for an abundant crop in the coming year. 8 February
NETBALL NATIONS CUP: Stratford's Copper Box Arena hosts the second and final weekend of the Vitality Netball Nations Cup, with teams Vitality Roses, Ugandan She Cranes, Malawi Queens and South African SPAR Proteas going head-to-head in a bid to take the trophy. 8-9 February

LAVENDER, HYACINTH, VIOLET, YEW: See the world premiere of new theatre production Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew at Bush Theatre. It's the story of Pip, a young person trying to find themselves through gardening, who discovers an old diary, and with it, a family secret. 8 February-22 March
SUPER BOWL: 9 February is Super Bowl Sunday, when two of America's finest NFL teams face off against each other. Assuming you're not jetting off to New Orleans to watch in person, here's a guide to Super Bowl screenings and parties in London. It runs into the early hours, so consider booking Monday off work. 9 February
IF/THEN: West End performer Kerry Ellis stars in the UK premiere of If/Then, about a 38-year-old city planner returning to New York after more than a decade, following a recent divorce. See it at the Savoy Theatre. 10 February
SIMON AND GARFUNKEL: For one night only, 60 years of musical duo Simon & Garfunkel is celebrated at the London Palladium. A full live band and brass ensemble perform their hits including Mrs Robinson, Cecilia, Bridge Over Troubled Water and Homeward Bound — with photos and film footage projected onto a large screen. 10 February
WWF WINTER WANDER: Conservation charity the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is encouraging people to organise their own sponsored walk this month, to raise money for its work. To get involved in the Big Winter Wander, complete a 5k or 10k walk in your local area, either on your own or with family and friends. 10-23 February

LONDON'S TRAMWAYS: The posters shown on the event page for new display London's Tramways had the Londonist team swooning. Make your way to the London Archives to get an eyeful of some of the artwork used to promote London's tram network in the first half of the 20th century. 10 February-26 June
FLOWERS AT SAATCHI: Things get floral at Chelsea's Saatchi Gallery with Flowers - Flora in Contemporary Art & Culture. Art, photography, fashion, archival objects and graphic design all feature in this exhibition, as well as two large-scale installations by artist Rebecca Louise Law (whose work we've featured previously) consisting of over 100,000 dried flowers on trails of wire. Find out more in our art critic's preview. 12 February-5 May
SOANE AND MODERNISM: Find out why Sir John Soane has often been referred to as the "first modernist architect" in new exhibition Soane and Modernism: Make It New. Some drawings from his collection go on display for the first time ever, and there's also a look at other architects whose work has been likened to Soane's. 12 February-18 May
STALLED: The world premiere of Stalled, a new musical about mothers, daughters and moving on, comes to the King's Head Theatre in Islington, set in a bathroom and featuring a frazzled mother, a neurodivergent daughter, a young non-binary poet and a terrified queer computer scientist. 13 February-23 March
VALENTINE'S DAY: Looking for ways to woo your significant other this Valentine's Day? Try one of London's romantic days out, or visit one of these romantic restaurants. London's full of romance and love-themed events, but they're not just for couples — there's plenty to get up to on and around 14 February, whether you're with a date, mates or flying solo. 14 February

ARCELORMITTAL ORBIT: After a lengthy closure, the ArcelorMittal Orbit in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park reopens, with new operator Zipworld at the helm. The viewing gallery is back open to visitors, as is the world's biggest tunnel slide, now rebranded as 'Helix'. 14 February
LONDON BOOKSHOP CRAWL: London Bookshop Crawl encourages you to visit as many independent bookshops as possible over the course of one weekend — with events at various shops around the capital (as well as online) to foster a community of book lovers. The aim, of course, is to support London's independent bookshops, while treating yourself to a few new reads. 14-16 February
LONDON MOTORCYCLE SHOW: Start your engine for the London Motorcycle Show, wheeling into town for three days at Excel. See the latest bikes, kit and accessories, as well as a 'base camp' hosted by Charley Boorman. 14-16 February
LIGHT UP KINGSTON: A spectacular series of light installations comes to Kingston town centre this month. Explore enchanting soundscapes, get lost in the kaleidoscopic Heofen Light Maze, and collect stamps on your Light Up Kingston postcard as you go. Your completed postcard can get you exclusive discounts and offers – such as 25% off the total food bill and free kids' meals — at local businesses like Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Excellar and Cass Art. 4.30pm-9pm daily, 14-23 February (sponsor)
THE ROBOT ZOO: A robotic rhino, a squid with 18-foot tentacles and a huge housefly with a vacuum cleaner for a mouth are among the oversized, mechanical animals on display at Horniman Museum's Robot Zoo. The animals are made from familiar machine parts and gadgets, to show how animals are adapted to live their lives, such as how a chameleon changes colour, what makes grasshoppers leap so high and why a platypus looks so strange. 14 February-2 November
HALF TERM: With most schools closed for a week this month, take a look at our guide to February half term events in London, including family-friendly shows and exhibitions, one-off events and more. 15-23 February

MAKING EGYPT: The Young V&A's second major exhibition is Making Egypt, telling the story of the north African country from Ancient Egypt to modern day. Objects on display range from a 3,000-year-old wooden funerary boat to a Lego model of the Great Pyramids of Giza. Naturally given its location, it's child-friendly — and opens just in time for February half term. 15 February-2 November
GORGEOUS GEORGIANS: West London National Trust property Osterley Park & House has teamed up with Horrible Histories for a family-friendly trail focusing on the Georgians. Explore the house and grounds as you take part in 10 activities giving you an insight into Georgian life. 17 February-31 August
CHARITY COMEDY: Comedians Ria Lina, Iain Stirling, Hal Cruttenden, Glenn Moore, Esther Manito, Nick Helm and Rosie Jones are on the bill at Laugh Till It Hurts, a charity comedy show at the Comedy Store in Leicester Square, in aid of Cornwall Hospice Care. 18 February
IMAGINE FESTIVAL: Southbank Centre's Imagine Festival is back for February half term, celebrating all facets of kids' literature, theatre, dance, and music. The programme is packed, catering to all ages and budgets (plenty of events are FREE!), spanning performances and workshops. 18-23 February
DISNEY ON ICE: 100 Years Of Wonder is the theme of the Disney On Ice show coming to Wembley Arena, starring characters including Minnie, Mickey, Moana, Disney Princesses, the Toy Story gang, Anna, Elsa and Olaf from Frozen, and plenty more familiar faces. 20-23 February

BFI FUTURE FILM FESTIVAL: 54 short films are on the programme for the BFI Future Film Festival 2025, along with masterclasses, workshops, screenings, and networking opportunities for 16-25 year old aspiring film makers. As well as showing at BFI Southbank, the films are available to watch online for free. Category themes this year include The City, Coming of Age, and Family. 20 February-6 March
ALTERATIONS: Lyttelton Theatre at the National Theatre opens Alterations, a play about a tailor running a small business who works through the night to complete a large order, causing him to question what price he is willing to pay for success. 20 February-5 April
SALT COSMOLOGIES: New, free exhibition Salt Cosmologies opens in the courtyard at Somerset House, taking the form of an 80m-long fabric installation representing the Inland Customs Line, a 2,500 mile-long 'hedge' created by the British to enforce salt taxation during colonial rule in India. The exhibition continues inside the building, focusing on other aspects of Britain’s imperial salt monopoly in India. FREE, 20 February-27 April

A DAY OF CATS: Southwark Cathedral has an impressive programme of talks throughout this month, but we particularly like the sound of a day of talks about cats, with various speakers covering feline topics. 22 February
LUMINOUS BY LUXMURALIS: Fancy seeing St Paul’s Cathedral in a whole new light? Art, sound, and incredible architecture collide this month, with a stunning projection show transforming the interior of Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece. Luminous by Luxmuralis takes inspiration from the cathedral’s rich history, and is suitable for all ages. 22-28 February (sponsor)
LONDON WINTER RUN: Up for a physical challenge? Sign up for the London Winter Run, and power through a 10K, traffic-free route around London, raising money for Cancer Research UK. Not much of a runner? Line the route and cheer the fundraisers on. 23 February
THE LAST LAUGH: Fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe, comedy show The Last Laugh opens at Noël Coward Theatre, reimagining the lives of British comedy stars Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse. 25 February-22 March
SOHO CALLING: Music festival Soho Calling takes place across six venues (The Lower Third, The Forge, The Social, 100 Club, 21 Soho and Phoenix Arts Club), with 20+ performers from across the UK and Europe. Choose between an All Access wristband to hop between the venues, or tickets for one specific place. 26 February

AFTER DARK FESTIVAL: Fire displays and acrobatic performances are on offer at UEL's free After Dark Festival, taking place at the Docklands campus and open to everyone. Take part in an illuminated parade, or juggling workshops, and view glowing performances and installations. FREE, 5pm-8pm
BIRDSONG: Sebastian Faulks' wartime novel Birdsong comes to the stage at Alexandra Palace, starring EastEnders actor Max Bowden in the story of a woman trying to understand her grandfather's experiences of the First World War. 27 February-8 March
LEIGH BOWERY!: Artist Leigh Bowery is the subject of a retrospective at Tate Modern. Experience some of his 'Looks' alongside collaborations with artists including Michael Clark, Charles Atlas, Nick Knight, Nicola Rainbird, Mr Pearl, and Lucian Freud, offering an insight into the creative scenes in London, New York and beyond during Bowery's lifetime. 27 February-31 August
COLLECT 2025: Head to Somerset House for Collect 2025, an art fair specialising in contemporary craft and design. Over 400 artists are represented by 40 specialist galleries and dealers, with prices ranging from £500 to £50,000. You've got 50 grand kicking about, right? 28 February-2 March
MACBETH: Got a strong stomach? The Lyric Hammersmith hosts a particularly visceral production of Shakespeare's Macbeth, which brings into question why the cautionary tale still resonates so strongly with modern audiences. 28 February-29 March
LAST CHANCE TO SEE: A few things are closing this month too. It's your last chance to see:

WINTER LIGHTS: Catch the final evening of free light festival Canary Wharf Winter Lights, which sees 11 temporary glowing artworks dotted around the east London area for the public to seek out. FREE, until 1 February
LOST IN LIGHT: Talking of light art, Lost in Light is a three-storey takeover of a Shoreditch warehouse by artist collective Squidsoup, who specialise in curtains of light made from dangling strings. It's paired with a special soundtrack for an immersive experience. Until 2 February
HEW LOCKE: Artist Hew Locke has curated a selection of objects in the British Museum which are tied to Empire and Colonialism, and displayed them alongside his own new works in an exhibition which explores, questions and challenges narratives of British imperialism. Until 9 February
MICHELANGELO, LEONARDO, RAPHAEL: The names of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, yes, but also the Royal Academy's current exhibition about the period when the three superstars of the Italian Renaissance crossed paths in Florence. Until 16 February
BALLET SHOES: The first major stage adaptation of Noel Streatfeild's bestselling book Ballet Shoes is on at the National Theatre. It's the story of three adopted sisters who fight to pursue their individual passions in a world which doesn't encourage ambitious women. Age 7+. Until 22 February
LONELY LONDONERS: Sam Selvon's novel The Lonely Londoners is set in the 1950s, following the life of a man who's just arrived from Trinidad to start a new life here. It was adapted for the stage and had a successful run at Jermyn Street Theatre, and now it's back at the Kiln Theatre in Kilburn. Our reviewer gave it ★★★★★. Until 22 February

SILK ROADS: Two exhibitions about the Silk Roads at two of London's biggest cultural institutions opened simultaneously back in September, and they both close on the same day this month. The British Library's A Silk Road Oasis: Life in Ancient Dunhang is a chance to learn about Dunhuang, at the edge of the Gobi Desert, once a bustling town on the Silk Road connecting China and the Mediterranean. The British Museum has a separate exhibition about Silk Roads, highlighting the fact that there was more than one such route, joining places as far apart at Scandinavia, Madagascar, Britain and Japan. Both until 23 February
PHOTOGRAPHERS' GALLERY: As always, the Photographers' Gallery closes multiple current exhibitions in tandem, in order to prepare the space for the next installation. Letizia Battaglia: Life, Love and Death in Sicily showcases work by the trailblazing Italian photographer; Deborah Turbeville: Photocollage focuses on the American fashion photographer; Ten.8 in Focus: The legacy of Black Image and Body Politics is a special archive display celebrating the renowned photography journal Ten.8 and its wider influence. All until 23 February
BARBIE: We were huge fans of Barbie: The Exhibition at the Design Museum, which combines nostalgia with just the right amount of information about the history of the doll, in an altogether aesthetically-pleasing setting. Well worth a visit, even if you weren't a huge fan of Barbie growing up — but it'll be popular in its final few weeks, so book ahead. Until 23 February
BATTERSEA LIGHT FESTIVAL: The closure of all of these light festivals must mean the lighter nights are coming... right? That's the thought we're clinging onto as we take a final look at the eight glowing installations which make up Battersea Power Station Light Festival 2025. FREE, until 23 February
CANARY WHARF ICE RINK: The last of London's seasonal ice rinks stays open until the end of February, to make the most of the half term visitors. It's undercover, so great for rainy days. Until 23 February