Things to do
ST JAMES'S PARK: Learn something new about St James's Park and the surrounding area on this walking tour led by a Royal Parks expert guide. Find out how the park helped a King court a mistress, and watch the daily pelican feed. St James’s Park, £10, book ahead, 1.15pm-2.45pm
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
NIGHT ON THE TILES: Party in London's past at London Transport Museum's Late, which celebrates the capital's nightlife through the years, from Victorian music halls to modern nightclubs. Hear talks, and take part in themed activities, or simply browse the displays and current Hidden London exhibition. London Transport Museum (Covent Garden), £15/£12, book ahead, 6.45pm-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
SCIENCE OF THRILL: Thrill engineer Professor Brendan Walker gives a talk about the science behind creating thrills in our lives. Find out why the world's earliest loop-the-loop coasters had to have nurses on permanent standby, and what elements are needed to create thrilling experiences. The Royal Institution (Mayfair), £20/£15, book ahead, 7.20pm-8.45pm
LADIES OF LAUGHTER: Noreen Khan of the BBC Asian Network hosts a night of comedy with some top female acts, including: Shazia Mirza, Sukh Ojla, and Glenda Jaxson. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £15, book ahead, 7.30pm
DOWNTON ABBEY: The Dowager Countess requires your presence for a screening of the Downton Abbey film. Catch up on last year's royal-themed blockbuster, starring Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville. Short film Fingers Crossed is shown as a warm-up to the main event. Harris Academy South Norwood, £9/£7/£5, book ahead, 7.45pm-10pm
PHANTASMAGORIA CABARET: Enjoy an evening of gender-bending cabaret, in the form of Ms. Paolini’s Phantasmagoria Cabaret. It's presented by performance artist, theatre maker and comedian Patrizia Paolini, with special guests including Rose Biggin and Julian Fox. Hoxton Hall, £13.50, book ahead, 8pm
SINQUEERLY, ME: Hear real-life queer stories told my real-life queer performers at musical theatre night Sinqueerly, Me. Two hosts choose six songs through which their own life story as an LGBTQ+ woman or non-binary person can be told. The Other Palace (Victoria), £12, book ahead, 8pm
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
London weather with Inclement Attlee
Our idiosyncratic weather forecaster returns, keeping you up to date on London's skies.
Collectors of rain and connoisseurs of precipitation are in for a simply wonderful time, with at least three days of downpour. Watch out for a rare, furry kind of rain, which will fall on Hendon between the hours of 11am and 4pm today, with a short break for lunch. In summary: not very summery.
Mr Attlee can be reached by emailing [email protected]; lord knows why you'd want to.
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Friday puzzle. Only one of the 270 underground stations contains the common abbreviation for Friday — 'Fri'. Which one? Answers to Barry on Twitter, via @HeckTube. The first person to get it right wins absolutely nothing.
Good cause of the day
Book ahead to take part in the Big London Night Walk in aid of The Big Issue Foundation on Friday 6 March. Walk 15 miles through London at night, raising sponsorship money in aid of the charity. Find out more and sign up.
What we're reading
- Mayor defends controversial travel perk for family of TfL staff.
- George Clinton to play last ever London show on UK farewell tour.
- Win a ride in an Intercity 125 driver's cab.
- Parisian pâtissier Phillipe Conticini is opening a massive new shop in Camden Market.
