Find out what events and exhibitions are on in London, including the Orchid Festival, Imagine Children’s Festival, and BFI Future Film Festival.

Winter is in full swing, but at least dry (and long) January is out of the way! London’s event schedule starts to rejuvenate this month, with film festivals, travel shows and more kicking off.

February sees the commercial love bomb that is Valentine’s Day. with plenty of activities around town for both singles and couples.

There’s also half-term holidays from school, so expect to see plenty of parents and carers seeking ways to entertain the kids, at events such as The Imagine Festival.

Here’s a guide to what’s on in London this February.

Look out for the 🐻 for family-friendly activities.

• 2 – 5 February 2023 : Destinations – The Holiday & Travel Show

Returning for its 28th year… over 600 of the leading and best independent travel brands. From 70+ global tourist boards and operators to hoteliers, airlines and travel photographers, acquire expertise, offers, discounts, and upgrades, daily cookery, talks, interviews and panel discussions, travel photography masterclass. Open Thu-Mon 10am – 5:30pm. Tickets: £11. Olympia Grand, Hammersmith Road, Kensington, W14 8UX. Nearest station: Kensington Olympia. For tickets, visit the Destinations Show website.

• 3 – 23 February 2023 : Piccadilly Piano Festival

A host of new and established musicians perform on the famous Fazioli Grand Piano in St James Piccadilly. Artists include  Jools Holland, John Grant, Nadine Benjamin, Tokio Myers, Derek Paravicini, Melvyn Tan and Victoria Canal. Times and ticket prices vary. St James’s Church Piccadilly, 197 Piccadilly, St James, W1J 9LL. Nearest station: Green Park or Piccadilly Circus. For more information, visit the St James’s Church Piccadilly website.

• 3 February – 8 May 2023 : Ukraine – Photographs from the Frontline

Harrowing exhibition of images taken by photojournalist Anastasia Taylor-Lind in Ukraine in the run up to and during the current conflict with Russia. Open daily 10am-6pm. Free entry. Imperial War Museum London, Lambeth Road, Lambeth, SE1 6HZ. Nearest station: Lambeth North. For more information, visit the IWM website.

• 4 February – 5 March 2023 : Orchid Festival @ Kew Gardens

An orchid display is coming to the Princess of Wales Conservatory for four weeks, with this year being inspired by Cameroon. General entrance tickets to Kew Gardens includes orchid exhibition: Adults £16.50, Children (4-15yr) £5.50. Kew Gardens, Brentford Gate, Kew, TW9 3AB. Nearest station: Kew Gardens. For more information, visit the Kew Gardens website. 🐻

• Now until 4 February 2023 : Space, The Universe and Everything

A stunning sound and light experience telling the story of human exploration transforms both the exterior and interior of St Martin-in-the-Fields church. 6pm-9.30pm (hour long experience). Tickets: £10, under 16yrs £5. St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, Westminster, WC2H 4JH. Nearest stations: Charing Cross or Embankment. For more information and booking, visit the St Martin-in-the-Fields website. 🐻

• Now until 5 February 2023 : The Museum of the Moon

British artist Luke Jerram is back at the Painted Hall following his popular ‘Gaia’ installation of the Earth with a to-scale installation of the Moon, internally lit. Late-night events are also taking place during the exhibition period. Tickets: Adults £12.50, Children 16yr and under free. Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, Greenwich, SE10 9NN. Nearest stations: Greenwich, Cutty Sark or Maze Hill. For more information, visit the ORNC website. 🐻

• Now until 5 February 2023 : London International Mime Festival

Festival at various events across London including performances of physical theatre, dance, circus, puppetry and live art. Workshops also available. Tickets range from £13.50-£45. Venues include the Barbican, Jacksons Lane, The Place, Shoreditch Town Hall, Peacock Theatre, and Little Angel Theatre. For more information, visit the Mime London website. 🐻

• 8 – 18 February 2023 : Imagine Children’s Festival

Two week children’s festival at the Southbank Centre, including art, theatre, books, music, performances and workshops. Including YolanDa, Stephen Mulhern, Cressida Cowell, Michael Rosen, Ashley and Jordan Banjo; and scientists Ben Garrod and Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock and more. 10.30am-4pm daily. Over half of the activities and events are free, but some go up to £20. Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, South Bank, SE1 8XX. Nearest station: Waterloo. For more information and booking visit the Southbank Centre website. Check out Metro Girl’s blog post on this year’s festival. 🐻

• 12 February 2023 : London Brick Festival

A festival of LEGO, featuring large-scale installations, speed building competitions, activities, LEGO traders, vintage and new sets, accessories and dedicated building area. Open 10am-5pm. Tickets: £7-£15, Children £5. Royal National Hotel, 38-51 Bedford Way, Holborn, WC1H 0DG. Nearest stations: Russell Square or Euston. For more information, visit the Brick Festival website. 🐻

• 14 February 2023 : Romance & Doughnuts – Valentine’s Day Candlelight Concert

Head to Wembley Park with your beloved for a free evening of musical entertainment. Musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will perform romantic classics in the new bandstand, the ‘Sound Shell’, while the audience can enjoy free hot chocolate and doughnuts from bakery Bread Ahead. 6.30pm-7.30pm. Free. Wembley Park, Wembley, HA9 0FD. Nearest stations: Wembley Park or Wembley Stadium. For more information, visit the Wembley Park website. 

• 16 – 19 February 2023 : BFI Future Film Festival

The UK’s largest film festival for young, emerging filmmakers, with screenings taking place both online and in-person. Ticket prices and times vary. BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, South Bank, SE1 8XT. Nearest stations: Waterloo, Waterloo East or Lambeth North. For more information and booking, visit the BFI website.

• 17 – 19 February 2023 : MCN London Motorcycle Show

Bike festival, featuring the latest bikes and launches, a Rossi tribute, bike kit deals, fire-ups and racing. Open Fri-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-5pm. Tickets: Adults £22, Children £2.50. ExCel London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, Docklands, E16 1XL. Nearest station: Prince Regent or Custom House (DLR). For more information and tickets, visit the MCN Motorcycle Show website. 🐻

• 17 – 21 February 2023 : London Fashion Week

This season’s LFW will showcasing both menswear and womenswear at both physical and digital catwalk shows. Most events are invitation only, while others are open to the public. For more information, visit the London Fashion Week website.

• 17 February – 9 May 2023 : Beyond the Streets London

New exhibition showcases graffiti and street art, curated by Roger Gastman and featuring over 100 artists. Open daily 10am-6pm. Tickets: Standard £25, 6-16 yrs £10. Saatchi Gallery, King’s Road, Chelsea, SW3 4RY. Nearest station: Sloane Square. For tickets, visit the Saatchi Gallery website. 🐻

Check out the Horror Show! at Somerset House

• Now until 19 February 2023 : The Horror Show!

New exhibition explores some of Britain’s most provocative artists from the past 50 years of creative rebellion, featuring 200 artworks and historical artefacts. Open Tues-Wed, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm, Thu-Fri 10am-9pm. Tickets: £16.50. Embankment Galleries (South Wing), Somerset House, The Strand, Aldwych, WC2R 1LA. Nearest station: Temple. For more information, visit the Somerset House website.

• 22 February 4 June 2023 : David Hockney – Bigger and Closer

Experience the world through Hockney’s eyes in an immersive, digital art exhibition. Open daily, hours vary. Tickets from £25. Lightroom, 12 Lewis Cubitt Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4DY. Nearest station: King’s Cross St Pancras. For more information, visit the Lightroom website.

• 23 February – 18 March 2023 : London Handel Festival 2023

Six weeks of concerts, talks and walks celebrating Fredrick Handel, with this year’s theme being “Forces of Nature”. Venues includes Handel’s parish church St Georges in Mayfair, as well as the Foundling Museum, Stone Nest, Village Underground, St Vedast, Fidelio Cafe, The Charterhouse, Shoreditch Treehouse, and St Lawrence Church Little Stanmore. Ticket prices range from £10 to £65 depending on event. For more information and booking, visit the London Handel Festival website.

• 24 February 2023 : Friday Late – Permission to Play @ London Transport Museum

Late night adults-only opening of the London Transport Museum, featuring transport bingo, have fun making and racing balloon powered buses, or race the clock on a museum-wide scavenger hunt. Catch one of our expert talks, creative activities. Over 18s only. 6.45pm-10pm. Tickets: £15. London Transport Museum, Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 7BB. Nearest stations: Covent Garden, Temple, Embankment or Leicester Square. For more information, visit the LTM website.

• 24 – 26 February 2023: London Classic Car Show

Returning for the ninth year is a classic car show for buyers, collectors and enthusiasts. Tickets: Adults £25, Children £20. Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, Kensington, W14 8UX. Nearest station: Kensington Olympia. For more information, visit the London Classic Car Show website. 🐻

• 24 February – 26 March 2023 : Crystal Palace International Film Festival

The CPIFF returns, featuring shorts and feature-length screenings, animation night, premieres, horror/sci-fi night, and documentary night. Ticket prices vary. Venues TBC. Nearest stations: Crystal Palace and West Norwood. For more information, visit the CPIFF website.

• Now until 25 February 2023 : Dalí Cybernetics – The Immersive Experience

Salvador Dalí’s weird and wonderful artworks are brought to life in an immersive exhibition. Open: Mon, Wed, Thu – 10am-7pm, Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 9am-7pm. Tickets: Adults £24.90, Children £15.90. The Boiler House. 152 Brick Lane, Spitalfields, E1 6RU. Nearest stations: Shoreditch High Street or Aldgate East. For tickets, visit the Immersive Dalí website. 🐻

• Now until 25 February 2023 : Canary Wharf Ice Rink

London’s longest outdoor rink is in the capital’s financial centre and comes with a roof so offers rain-proof fun! There’s also an off-piste bar serving food and drink. Open daily. Sessions last 50 minutes. Tickets only available online. Tickets: Adults and over 13yrs £19.95, Children 3-12 yrs £14.95. Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf, E14. Nearest station: Canary Wharf. For booking, visit the Ice Rink Canary Wharf website. 🐻

Check out the flying DeLorean at the Back in Time exhibition

• Now until 26 February 2023: Back in Time Exhibition

An exhibition dedicated to the classic trilogy Back to the Future, featuring the DeLorean Time Machine, original memorabilia from the films, behind-the-scenes secrets, and a chance to play the arcade game that Marty used to play in a 7-Eleven. Open Mon-Fri 10an-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am-7pm. Tickets: Adults £20, Children £16. Hawley Wharf, 1 Dockray Place, Camden, NW1 8QH. Nearest stations: Chalk Farm or Camden Town. For tickets, visit the Back in Time website. 🐻

• Now until 26 February 2023 : Club Curling

Try your hand at curling as the winter sports pops up at King’s Cross for the festive season. Visitors can enjoy a 45-minute curling slot on one of the six synthetic ice rinks, before enjoying a cocktail at the bar. Open daily 11am-9pm. Tickets: Adults £7, Children under 12 free. Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, N1C 4DQ. Nearest station: King’s Cross St Pancras. For more information and booking, visit the King’s Cross website. 🐻

• Now until 27 February 2023 : Van Gogh – The Immersive Experience

Step into the world of the artistic legend Vincent Van Gogh in an immersive exhibition. Open Mon, Wed-Thu 10am-8pm, Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 9am-7pm. Tickets: Adults £22.90, Children £13.90. Commercial 106, 106 Commercial Street, Spitalfields, E1 6LZ. Nearest station: Shoreditch High Street or Liverpool Street. For tickets, visit the Van Gogh Experience website. 🐻

• Now until 5 March 2023 : Battersea Power Station Light Festival

A series of light installations bring colour and neon to the newly reopened complex. Open 8am-11pm (best viewed after dark). Free entry. Battersea Power Station, Circus Road West, Battersea, SW8 5BN. Nearest stations: Battersea Power Station, Battersea Park or Queenstown Road Battersea. For more information, visit the Battersea Power Station website. 🐻

• Now until 5 March 2023 : When Flowers Dream

An exhibition from artist Tanya Schultz (Pip & Pop) featuring installations made from sugar, candy and assorted craft materials. Opening times vary depending on season. Tickets included with gardens entrance. Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art, Kew Gardens, Brentford Gate, Kew, TW9 3AB. Nearest station: Kew Gardens. For more information, visit the Kew Gardens website. 🐻

• Now until 5 March 2023 : Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities by Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil bring their show Kurios to London. The show tells the story of an ambitious inventor. Times vary. Tickets start from £51. Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP. Nearest stations: South Kensington, Knightsbridge or High Street Kensington. For more information and booking, visit the Cirque Du Soleil website. 🐻

• Now until 19 March 2023 : Vault Festival

Eight week fringe arts festival returns to Waterloo for the 11th year. Head to the tunnels beneath Waterloo. Entertainment includes live music, theatre, film, dance, comedy, immersive experiences and late-night parties. Ticket prices vary. The Vaults, 10 Leake Street, Waterloo, SE1 7NN. Nearest station: Waterloo and Lambeth North. For booking, visit the Vault Festival website.

• Now until 23 March 2023 : Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds – The Immersive Experience

An immersive experience inspired by the classic story. Travel back in time to Victorian London and the Martian invasion of 1898. Experience immersive theatre, virtual reality, augmented reality, holograms and other cutting-edge technology. Overs 12 only. Times vary. Tickets: £40-£130. The Old Metal Exchange, 56 Leadenhall Street, City of London, EC3A 2BJ. Nearest station: Aldgate or Fenchurch Street. For booking, visit the War of the World’s website. Check out Metro Girl’s review of the show. 

Sculpture in the City

• Now until Spring 2023 : Sculpture in the City 2022/2023

Free public art exhibition, bringing 19 contemporary pieces to the streets and spaces of the City of London. Free. At various sites around the Square Mile. Nearest stations: Fenchurch Street, Monument or Liverpool Street. For more information and a map of the artworks, visit the Sculpture in the City website. Check out Metro Girl’s blog post on the exhibition. 🐻

• Now until July 2023 : Scenes in the Square

Check out bronze sculptures of iconic film characters around Leicester Square. Eight interactive characters, such as Laurel & Hardy to Wonder Woman will be placed in the square for four months. Free. Leicester Square, Westminster, WC2H 7DE. Nearest stations: Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus. For more information, visit the Leicester Square website. Check out Metro Girl’s gallery of the exhibition. 🐻

Find out what else is on in London

Imagine Festival 2023 | What to expect as the family arts fest returns to the Southbank Centre

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Scenes in the Square: Meet icons of cinema on Leicester Square’s art trail

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Guide to what’s on in London in March 2023

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