All week
BOB MARLEY: Saatchi Gallery has opened an exhibition about the life and work of Jamaican musician Bob Marley. Music, memorabilia, fan art and previously unseen photos feature, including some which highlight Marley's connections to London. It's only here for 10 weeks, so don't dawdle. Saatchi Gallery (Chelsea), from £19.80, book ahead, until 18 April
IMAGINE CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL: February half term begins on Saturday, which means Southbank Centre's Imagine Children's Festival is back, celebrating all facets of children's literature. The programme is packed, catering to all ages and budgets — our picks this week include an interactive family concert, and of course, Peppa Pig. Southbank Centre, various prices, some events require booking, 9-20 February
LAST CHANCE: It's the final week of Helen Levitt: In The Street, a retrospective exhibition spanning 50 years of work by American street photographer Helen Levitt. She predominantly worked in New York, capturing neighbourhoods of the city in black and white, and colour. The Photographer's Gallery, £5, book ahead, until 13 February
Imagine Children's Festival is backUNBUILT NORTHERN LINE: In a parallel universe, it's possible to catch the Northern line beyond Edgware. Not one, but three planned-but-unbuilt Northern line extensions are the subject of a new exhibition, which also has a model of one route and stations which would have been built for it. Elstree and Borehamwood Museum, free entry, just turn up, until 20 August
VALENTINE'S: It's not until next week, but London's Valentine's Day events start this week — and they're not just for couples. We've selected events including comedy and spoken word nights, film screenings and a dog walk which can be enjoyed with mates, with a date, or on your own.
LGBT+ HISTORY MONTH: February is LGBT+ History Month, with a wealth of events going on all over the country to mark the occasion. From theatre shows to tours, here's our pick of 11 things to do in LGBT+ History Month in London — this week's highlights include Disney dating, and a crafty nod to the famous AIDS Memorial Quilt.
Monday 7 February
GUN SALUTES:The anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne is marked with two different gun salutes. 41 rounds are usually fired in Green Park at noon, followed by a whopping 62 round salute at the Tower of London at 1pm. These things never happen on a Sunday, so although Accession Day is 6 February, this year's salute is today. Free, just turn up, Green Park 12pm/Tower of London 1pm
ARCHIVE ANIMALS: Social and cultural geographer Dr Catherine Oliver shares her research on animals in the Royal Geographical Society's archives, looking at how they have contributed to geography alongside humans. Examples include Trim, the cat belonging to Captain Matthew Flinders, who are depicted on a statue together in Euston. Online event, free, book ahead, 2.30pm-3.30pm
VEGETARIAN BUTCHER: It's something of an oxymoron, but the Vegetarian Butcher is a real company, and it's paired up with chef and grime artist, Big Zuu for the Cluckin’ Good Supper Club, a plant-based dining experience. Eat your way through a tasting menu while doing good — net proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Young Urban Art Foundation. Prince of Peckham, £10, book ahead, 6pm/8.30pm
GAME OF THRONES: A series of events looking at books which have been made into films continues with Game of Thrones. Publisher Katie Isbester and her film buff daughter Teddy discuss whether war can ever be justified, with special guest Denis MacShane, an MP who voted for the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and has regretted it since. Online event, free, book ahead, 6.30pm
LOVE CUTS: Poet, musician and comedian John Hegley is special guest at this Poet in the City event, which focuses on the pain caused by love. Love lyrics, poems, and drawings all feature. Wilton's Music Hall, £8-£17, book ahead, 7pm
Tuesday 8 February
MARYLEBONE VILLAGES: How well do you know Marylebone? Hear about London's first bus route, a resident crocodile, an underground river, a secret marriage and more in this free talk. Guildhall Library or online, free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
ANIMAL PERSONALITIES: ZSL (the charity behind London Zoo) hosts a panel of experts to discuss whether understanding animal personalities can help to improve conservation methods. They argue that individual animals have different personality traits in the same way that different humans do, which influence how they deal with changes in their environment. Online event, free, no booking required, 6pm-7.30pm
ALL ABOUT BUTTERFLIES: Royal Parks hosts an online talk by a butterfly expert, giving an insight into some of the winged creatures which can be found in London's green spaces. Learn about migration, mimicry, and how butterflies can taste with their feet. Online event, free, book ahead, 6.30pm-7.30pm
BOND STREET RIVALS: Tying in with its current Fabergé exhibition, the V&A offers an insight into the rival relationship between Fabergé and Cartier when both jewellers had shops on Bond Street in the early 20th century. Hear from curator Kieran McCarthy and author Francesca Cartier Brickell. Online event, £5, book ahead, 7pm-8pm
COCKNEY SING-A-LONG: Tom Carradine's back on the piano for one of his legendary Cockney sing-a-long nights. Join in with ditties from the Music Hall era, the first and second world wars, the West End stage and popular songs from across the decades. Wilton's Music Hall, £6-£18, book ahead, 7.30pm
Wednesday 9 February
LOUISE BOURGEOIS: One of our picks of exhibitions to look forward to in 2022, Hayward Gallery today opens a retrospective of Louise Bourgeois' work with fabric and textiles. Bourgeois used everyday domestic items like bed linen and napkins, to cover the themes of identity and sexuality, trauma and memory, guilt and reparation. Hayward Gallery, £15, book ahead, 9 February-15 May
SUSTAINABLE CITIES: Researcher Anna Hawkins gives a short talk about sustainable consumption in the construction industry, with particular focus on sustainable food systems and urban ecologies. There's a chance to ask questions after the talk. Online event, free, book ahead, 2pm
STYLE HISTORIES: London College of Fashion has launched a new series of public talks, Style Histories. Kicking it off, curator, fashion historian and broadcaster Amber Butchart explores the global nature of textiles and the relationships they create. Online event, free, book ahead, 2pm
OPEN WATER: Author Caleb Azumah Nelson, winner of the Costa First Novel Award 2021, discusses his debut novel Open Water, which is about the relationship between two young Black British artists. Waterstones Piccadilly, £8 (or £13 with book), book ahead, 6.30pm
ONE TRACK MINDS: Think Desert Island Discs meets The Moth Radio and TED talks for One Track Minds, an evening of storytelling and music. Tonight's guests include comedian Richard Vranch and author Kay Scorah, while tomorrow comedians Harry Hill and Jayde Adams are among the line-up. Wilton's Music Hall, £6-£15, book ahead, 7.30pm, 9-10 February
Thursday 10 February
STEPHEN HAWKING: After his death, Science Museum acquired some objects from the office of Professor Stephen Hawking, which go on display from today. Objects on show for the first time include a rare copy of Hawking’s PhD thesis, his wheelchair and his treasured blackboard filled with academic doodles and jokes. Science Museum, free, 10 February-12 June
LOCKDOWN SECRETS: If you're anything like us, you were glued to the Lockdown Secrets being revealed by Eleanor Tattersfield on Instagram during lockdown. Now the designer and shop owner has published a book of the postcards sent in anonymously by the public, and tonight she chats about the project and reads some of her favourite postcards. Waterstones Piccadilly, £8 (or £16 with book), book ahead, 6.30pm
OUTING THE PAST: National Maritime Museum hosts the national festival of OUTing the Past, dedicated to the celebration of queer history. Hear a series of online talks, covering topics including queer writers of colour celebrating their historic icons, and the place of queer historical fiction. Age 12+. Online event, free, book ahead, from 6.30pm
STRING QUARTET: The Chilingirian String Quartet performs a special 50th anniversary concert at Dulwich Picture Gallery. They perform Mozart’s Dissonance Quartet, Beethoven’s Quartetto Serioso and Ravel’s Quartet, to mark half a century since their first public concert at Selwyn College, Cambridge in February 1972. Dulwich Picture Gallery, £28-£50, book ahead, 7pm
HORSEY, BOSS: Get thee to Brixton for live music from Horsey, Boss — a south London band who know how to put on a show. Expect gold sequinned jackets and surreal, apocalyptic jazz. They are, we're informed, "intoxicatingly odd". Brixton Windmill, £8, book ahead, 7.30pm
Friday 11 February
CARIBBEAN LEGACIES: The 6,000-odd Caribbean people directly recruited by London Transport in the 1950s-70s are the subject of Legacies: London Transport’s Caribbean Workforce. Stories — both positive and negative — are told through first-hand accounts, as you're invited to explore the legacies that live on across London's transport network, the city and Britain as a whole. London Transport Museum (Covent Garden), included in admission, 11 February-summer 2024
STRICTLY COME DANCING: If you were glued to the latest series of Strictly when it was on TV, catch the live show at the Strictly Come Dancing tour. Past contestants including Sara Davies, Max George, Maisie Smith, Tilly Ramsay, Rhys Stephenson, John Whaite and 2021 winner Rose Ayling-Ellis are all taking part. The O2 Arena, from £35, book ahead, 11-13 February
MARYLEBONE TO MAYFAIR: Join guide Pete Smith for a walk from Marylebone to Mayfair. Along the way, pass the haunts of Sherlock Holmes and James Bond, wander through a former red light district, and find out how Marylebone got its name. Regent's Park Station, £11.37, book ahead, 11am-1pm
ORCHIDS AFTER HOURS: Visit Kew Gardens after the daytime visitors have gone home, for Orchids After Hours. See the current Orchids exhibition inside the Princess of Wales Conservatory after dark, with cocktails and street food available, and performances from Costa Rican artists. Kew Gardens, £18, book ahead, 6pm-10pm
JENNY ECLAIR: Comedian Jenny Eclair's latest show tackles the latest milestone in her life — turning 60 (she's actually 61 now, but Covid delayed her tour). Dubbing herself 'the face of Vagisan' she debates whether the big 6-0 is reason for celebration or despair as she takes to the stage. Southbank Centre, £22, book ahead, 7.30pm
Saturday 12 February
HALF TERM: Need ways to keep the kids entertained while school's out? How does ice skating, pretending to be a vet, learning about cats and dogs, viewing wildlife photos, or taking a trip to the real Hundred Acre Wood sound? We've covered all that and more in our guide to things to do in London in half term. 12-20 February
BEATRIX POTTER: The V&A is apparently home to the largest collection of Beatrix Potter's letters and photos anywhere in the world, so it's about time it housed an exhibition about the beloved author and illustrator. Find out how her work as a conservationist and scientist inspired the animal characters we know and love. (And get warmed up with a tour of the London locations linked to Beatrix Potter.) V&A (South Kensington), £14, book ahead, from 12 February
FREUD AND CHINA: Sigmund Freud loved to collect antiquities, and among them were a number of pieces from China. This exhibition, launching today, takes a closer look at some of these artefacts, and explores how China influenced Freud and vice versa. Freud Museum (Swiss Cottage), included in museum entry, from 12 February
ART AND CERAMICS MARKET: The DIY Art Market and Independent Ceramics Market team up for a joint event. Browse stalls by local, independent artists selling prints, ceramics, zines, sculptures, jewellery and more. Truman's Social Club (Walthamstow), £1 entry, just turn up, 11am-5.15pm
KURDISH MUSIC: Learn traditional Kurdish rhythm in an afternoon of music and dance workshops. Master the basics, then take part in an evening of social dancing to show off your new skills, accompanied by a live band. Poplar Union, fee/£5, book ahead, 2pm-11pm
Sunday 13 February
VALENTINE'S DOG WALK: They say dogs are mans' best friend, but why shouldn't they be our Valentine's dates too? Canine charity All Dogs Matter hosts a fundraising Valentine's dog walk on Hampstead Heath. Take your pooch along for the stroll, and to browse stalls at the Garden Gate pub afterwards. Oh, and there's a prize for the best-dressed dog, so get sewing. Hampstead Heath, £5 per adult, book ahead, 11am-2pm
VINTAGE CLOTHING AND RECORD FAIR: Another day of independent shopping in Walthamstow, as a vintage clothing fair and record fair combine. Focus in on sustainability over fast fashion, while the music side of things offers rare vinyl finds and new independent labels. Truman's Social Club (Walthamstow), £1 entry, just turn up, 11am-5pm
JAZZ AND ROAST: Nunhead community pub The Ivy House knows how to do Sunday afternoons right — they lay on a smashing roast, accompanied by live jazz to take you through to early evening. A million times better than staying in and watching Countryfile. The Ivy House (Nunhead), book ahead, jazz from 4pm-6pm
PALACE TOUR: Ever been to Fulham Palace? Get an introduction to the building on this guided history tour, and visit the Victorian chapel, Tudor great hall, Georgian dining rooms, and other parts of the building and grounds. Fulham Palace, £8/£6, book ahead, 2pm-3.15pm
DATING COMEDY: Rich Mix hosts a stand-up comedy show about the world of dating, online dating and the keys to a successful relationship, with a line-up of different comedians performing. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £20, book ahead, 7.15pm
SUPER BOWL: Tonight is Super Bowl Sunday, when two of America's best NFL teams face off against each other (with a bangin' line-up for the half-time show, we might add). Assuming you're not jetting off to California to watch it 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. Various locations and prices, from 8pm
Urban oddity of the week
If you're not taking part in the Valentine's dog walk (see Sunday) you might instead consider a doggie-themed tour of central London. The city is packed with cultural oddities of a canine persuasion. Our favourite is this oversized whippet just beneath Centre Point. The sculptural bench by Delve Architects is punningly entitled Whippet Good, and you're welcome to climb all over it — as our two little Londonists discovered.
Good cause of the week
London is home to many charity runs each year, but nothing quite like RNIB's Double Dash. It involves a 5 km jog around Regent's Park while tethered to a friend. In the words of the charity, "Grab a buddy, lace up your running shoes and run side by side for sight loss".
This year's event takes place on 7 May 2022, but you're encouraged to sign up now and get fundraising. If you can't make it to Regent's Park, you can take place anywhere via the Virtual Double Dash (they'll still send you a t-shirt and tether). Find out more here.
