What’s on in London this February - Feb 2025

With temperatures often freezing and skies often grey, there’s no doubt that the default option for February in the British capital is to stay home, with hot drinks and Netflix. But although spring is some way off, the days are getting longer (slowly!) and London is full of things to keep both the locals and visitors entertained.

Whether you’re looking for a spot for an afternoon walk, a museum to wander, a restaurant to enjoy or a half-term activity that the kids will love, we promise that London won’t let you down.  Here are  some of our recommendations to enjoy yourself this February and feel glad that you ventured outside…

The Battersea Lights Festival is back and chances are it’s going to be as good (if not better than ever) if the previews are anything to go by.

Outside the iconic Battersea Power Station (revived from dilapidation and now one of the capital’s most interesting new attractions), outside - overlooking the banks of the Thames - there’s an incredible interactive art trail, featuring eight wonderful light installations.

Brought to south London by both British and international artists, this amazing interactive art trail features eight must-see light installations by British and international artists, all of them making their professional debut.  Best of all, it’s free (which makes it a great family-friendly activity).  

This year’s festival also includes workshops, live performances and (including stilt walkers and drummers!) and pop-up food huts where you can beat the winter chill with mulled wine and hot toddies!  

Battersea Lights Festival, Battersea Power Station, Circus Road West, Nine Elms, SW11  (Queenstown Road/Battersea or Vauxhall tubes) 

This Mozart masterpiece - a classic tale of betrothal and betrayal and arguably one of the Maestro’s best operas - is playing at London’s Coliseum, the home of the English National Opera this month and it promises to be a fun night out.  

When the cheating Count Almaviva makes advances towards his servant Suzanna, his servant Figaro’s soon to be wife, it seems as if Figaro’s marriage is doomed before it’s even taken place!  Inevitably, everyone in the household takes a side - which means there’s plenty of intrigue, along with the fabulous score.  

The ENO’s home, the London Coliseum, is a particularly beautiful building, which will make a night out to the Marriage of Figaro even more memorable.  Pick up tickets before they sell out!

ENO, London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, WC2 (Leicester Square/Covent Garden tubes)

Now in its 23rd year, the ‘Imagine’ Children’s Festival is back this half-term, offering families the very best in music, literature, theatre and hands-on activities.

There are so many things to check out, and at least half of them are free to enter…from ‘The Colour of Dinosaurs’ (where science and music come together, for a roarsome event) and ‘the Meditation Station’ (a chance to calm down and empty your mind) to ‘Rollercoaster (perfect for those who love juggling) to the stage adaption of “There’s a Bear on my Chair’, there’s something for every age at this venue.

This is a perfect half-term activity, and because the South Bank is in the heart of London, you can take a walk along the Thames afterwards, walk over Waterloo Bridge for a stroll around Covent Garden or head east to the Tate Modern, further along the river.  

Imagine, South Bank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 (Waterloo tube)

Lauderdale House, in north London’s Highgate, is a beautiful building, steeped in history, and no better opportunity to find out about it than at their Heritage weekend this February.

This two-day event kicks off with a ‘Heritage Fair’ (celebrating the amazing history of Highgate, Waterlow Park and the house itself) with talks looking at the area’s past and the present-day communities.

The following day, adults and children are invited to explore the house and find out more about its past and hidden secrets.  

On this special weekend, you can pop in and meet people who work at local museums, history societies and historic houses in the area.  There’s a great cafe in the building (coffee, pastries, cakes and light lunches) and the park itself is gorgeous to walk in.  For those interested, Highgate Cemetery is three minute’s walk away which is a real journey into the past 

Lauderdale House, Highgate Hill, NW3 (tubes: Archway/Highgate or buses 143, 263, 210 and 310)

Every February, we feel compelled to mention this astonishing exotic flower display that’s held at the world's largest botanical gardens - Kew - in west London, and with good reason.

It’s the most astonishing experience to visit here and - take it from the writer of this blog - it’s hard not to visit and be bowled over.  Every year the Orchid Festival seems to be more elaborate and infinitely more colourful and this year the country they’re highlighting is  Peru.

This South American country boasts mountains, deserts, beaches and rainforests and is home, apparently to over 3,000 species of orchids.  Hosted, as usual, at the Prince of Wales Conservatory, it’s a feast for the eyes and because entry includes access to the entire Kew Gardens Space, you can easily spend the day there, wandering the grounds, exploring the Pagoda, Bamboo House, Queen Charlotte’s Cottage and Orangery to name but a few spots.

Kew Botanical Gardens, Kew, Richmond, TW9 (tube: Kew)

If you're coming to London and looking for a lovely place to stay, why not consider staying at La Gaffe Hotel Hampstead? Located in leafy Hampstead, our comfortable, family-run and family-owned guest accommodation. is just three minutes walk from the tube, a quick stroll both to the lush, green Heath and charming Hampstead Village. 

Our rates include a continental breakfast and our (famous) cappuccino and because we’re only three minutes walk from the Hampstead tube, you can be in the centre of the city in just 15 minutes, courtesy of London Underground.

For more information about our rooms and to make a reservation directly with us, contact us by phone or email - we’re looking forward to seeing you!