All weekend

CHINESE/LUNAR NEW YEAR: 2 February is Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year, with lashings of events going on around London throughout this week to welcome in the Year of the Snake, including supper clubs, workshops and free festivals. We've picked out a few highlights below.
KEW ORCHIDS FESTIVAL 2025: You know spring is on its way when the Orchids festival returns to Kew Gardens, which it does on Saturday. 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
SIX NATIONS 2025: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy go head-to-head in the Six Nations rugby tournament, which begins on Friday with France Vs Wales. Then it's Scotland Vs Italy and Ireland Vs England on Saturday. Whoever you're cheering on, here's where you can watch Six Nations in London throughout the tournament. 31 January- 15 March
INDEPENDENT VENUE WEEK: Get to a gig or two at one of London's smaller venues, as part of Independent Venue Week. Participating places include Troxy in Limehouse, Strongroom Bar in Shoreditch, Ye Olde Rose & Crown in Walthamstow, AMP Studios on Old Kent Road and the Half Moon in Putney. Full schedule here, with highlights this weekend including YoLanda Brown performing the works of Bob Marley at Soul Mama in Stratford. 27 January-2 February
DESTINATIONS SHOW: In need of some holiday inspiration? 600 travel brands and 90 tourist boards come together at Olympic London for Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show. Hear from speakers including Bradt Guides founder Hilary Bradt, broadcaster Trevor McDonald and The Man in Seat 61 Mark Smith. 30 January-2 February

CITRA SASMITA: Indonesian artist Citra Sasmita holds her first UK solo show at the Curve at Barbican, using painting, installation, embroidery and scent to explore themes of ancestral memory, ritual and migration. FREE, 30 January-21 April
NINA SIMONE: Southbank Centre hosts a weekend-long Montreux Jazz Festival Residency celebrating the life and work of singer-songwriter Nina Simone. Events include a Simone-inspired version of Inua Ellams' Rhythm, Poetry & Prose Party, and author Yomi Sode discussing Simone's work and impact. 31 January-2 February
LOST IN LIGHT: 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, and this is its final weekend. Until 2 February
BRUNEL MUSEUM TOURS: As part of its 200th anniversary celebrations, the Brunel Museum in Rotherhithe offers guided tours on selected weekends throughout 2025. Get an in-depth tour of the Engine House exhibition and Grade II* listed underground Tunnel Shaft, in a tour lasting approximately 45 minutes. 1-2 February
LUNAR NEW YEAR: London Museum Docklands is one of the venues going big for Lunar New Year, with a family-friendly all-weekender. Activities include dragon dancing, Chinese folktales and crafting sessions — some events require advance booking. 1-2 February
PLAN YOUR FEBRUARY: With a new month getting started, have a read of our guide to things to do in London in February and get planning. There's a flower festival, a new theatre, the reopening of a London landmark, new exhibitions and theatre shows, half term ideas and lots more.
Saturday 1 February

LATINX LATITUDES: The National Maritime Museum opens its collections to showcase a selection of items which tell the history and culture of Latin America through maritime histories. The collection spans five centuries and includes colourful sea charts made by Jesuits and pirates, and watercolours painted onboard HMS Beagle during Darwin's famous voyage. FREE, 10.30am-1.30pm
SISTERS IN THE CITY: Join Footprints of London guide Jenny Mill for a walking tour through the City of London focusing on women who have made their mark on the area, dating from Boudica through to the Suffragettes, via writers, campaigners, nuns and a criminal. Begins at the Railway Tavern near Liverpool Street. 11am-12.30pm
WINTER WASSAIL: Head to Sutton Community Farm for a winter wassail, where you can sing to the apple trees in the hope of a bountiful harvest. Other family-friendly activities include a chance to make your own foliage crown, games, live music and a compost disco. 11am-3pm
LUNAR NEW YEAR: Greenwich Peninsula gets in on the Lunar New Year action with an afternoon of events including dragon and lion dancing, a pan-Asian food and crafts market, bamboo weaving and Chinese knot-making workshops (booking required) and a chance to learn how to play the tile game mahjong. 12pm-4pm

COWBOY BRUNCH: Saddle up for The Fable's Ride A Cowboy brunch, where hats are a must. Expect an afternoon of country outfits, live music, DJs, line dancing, and country pop tunes. Choose between drinks tickets or brunch tickets — the latter includes a cocktail and a brunch dish. 12pm-5pm
WEREWOLVES OF LONDON: Today's first show at the new Rosebuds Comedy Festival is Big Zeus Energy: Werewolves of London, a narrative sketch show with plenty of audience interaction. Browse the programme to see what else is on today and tomorrow, the final two days of the festival at Bread & Roses in Clapham. 1pm
WINTER LIGHTS: Tonight's the final night of free light festival Canary Wharf Winter Lights, with 11 glowing artworks dotted around the east London area for the public to seek out. FREE, 5pm-10pm
ASTEROID DEFENCE: How can science save us from asteroids which have the potential to destroy entire cities? Volcanologist and science writer Robin George Andrews tells all about the international team of scientists and engineers working to protect Earth by literally rearranging the night sky. Takes place at the Royal Institution, with a livestream also available. 7pm-8.30pm
THE BIG SMOKE FAMILY: New Orleans funk band The Big Smoke Family hosts an album launch party at Jamboree in King's Cross. They perform tracks from the album, Empire, joined by special guests from the blues and brass band scene. Doors 8pm
INDIE NIGHT: Britpop, indie and rock'n'roll is the order of the night at The Penny Drop, a free-entry club night at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow — expect to hear the likes of the Rolling Stones, Fontaines DC, Blondie and Wet Leg. FREE ENTRY, 9pm-1am
Sunday 2 February

A DASH OF LAVENDER: Celebrate the diversity of people and plants this LBGTQ+ History Month at Chelsea Physic Garden. Through February, London's oldest botanic garden invites you to explore queer ecology in the form of a free nature trail and an exciting programme of special events, including workshops, live performance and a talk on queer history and folklore. 2-28 February (sponsor)
LAZY FLEA: New vintage flea market The Lazy Flea comes to west London for the first time, taking over Chiswick Town Hall with 20 traders selling vintage clothing, homewares and jewellery. 10am-4pm
CHINESE NEW YEAR: Today the Chinese New Year celebrations come to Duke of York Square in Chelsea, which is decorated with red lanterns for the occasion. Eat your way around a Chinese version of the weekly food market, with entertainment in the form of traditional dragon dancers and lion performances, and Chinese drummers. FREE, 10am-4pm
WOOLWICH WORKS TOUR: Take a free guided tour of Woolwich Works, a group of Grade II and II*-listed heritage buildings dating back over 300 years, formerly part of the Royal Arsenal Woolwich, and now a cultural centre. Hear stories about London's first fireworks displays, king and queens, and suffragette protests. FREE, 11am
FAMILY FOLK SHOW: Introduce younger members of the family to folk music at the Megson Family Folk Show at Artsdepot in Finchley. Award-winning folk duo Megson perform a concert specially for 0-8 year olds, featuring children's folk songs. 11am/2pm
CLAY TILE MAKING: Take the kids along to the Garden Museum for a winter clay tile making session. Use natural items found in the garden to colour your clay and create tiles, which you can collect at a later date after they've been fired. Suitable for ages 3-12. FREE, 11am-12.30pm

MAKER'S MARKET: Browse and buy products from small and local businesses and craftspeople at the Maker's Market at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow. Plants, jewellery, ceramics, candles and illustrations are among the products available. 11am-5pm
VINTAGE FAIR: Over 60 exhibitors gather at Chelsea Old Town Hall for the Frock Me! Vintage Fair. Shop for rare vintage and antique clothing, jewellery and textiles, with pieces spanning from the Victorian era to more recent pre-loved designer labels, such as Ossie Clark and BIBA. 11am-5.30pm
PALACE HISTORY TOUR: Join a guide for a tour around Fulham Palace focusing on the building's history. View a secret door, the Victorian chapel, Tudor great hall, Georgian dining rooms and the museum, where you can delve even further into the history. 12.30pm-1.45pm
PETER TATCHELL: Peter Tatchell gives a talk about his life and experiences in LGBTQ+ activism, including being arrested and detained at Bow Street Police Station, and his experiences in the adjoining Magistrates' Court. The talk takes place in the Magistrates' Ballroom of the NoMad Hotel, formerly Court No.1 at Bow Street Magistrates' Court. 6pm
JUSTIN MOORHOUSE: Comedian and radio DJ Justin Moorhouse brings his new touring show to Blackheath Halls. Hear the ups and downs of his life, to realising his mum is a northern version of Columbo. 8pm