The best events, food, music and things to do in London in February 2017.
This month the capital is turning gintastic, being illuminated, and we’re heading to new heights to perfect our downward facing dogs! Oh and there’s the small matter of Valentine’s Day. Well don’t worry if you haven’t got a partner, there are some great events for singletons too! Here are some of London’s top events this month… (and yes, we really do live in the most unique city in the world!)
Magical Lantern Festival
It was one of my highlights in January, but the Magical Lantern Festival runs for nearly all of February, so if you haven’t been yet, don’t worry! Chiswick House and Gardens are now decorated with hundreds of stunning lights and lanterns. From pandas and dragons, to exotic plants, you’re guaranteed to be impressed by the beautiful handmade lanterns dotted around the grounds. There’s even a giant luminous sculpture of the Houses of Parliament! Part of the Chinese New Year celebrations, the festival is themed around the Silk Road, borrowing ideas from the trade route from Europe to Ancient China. After checking out the lanterns, you can also enjoy the funfair, ice rink and plenty of food and drink!
When: 19th January – 26th February
Where: Chiswick House and Gardens
Yoga In The Walkways At Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is offering a unique way to wake up with an exclusive sunrise yoga classes in the high-level walkways above the River Thames. Taking place 42 metres up, you’ll have the chance to perfect your downward facing dog with stunning views of the city. If you’re feeling brave you can perform your poses on the glass floor with commuters busily crossing the bridge below.
When: 15th February (usually one or two classes month)
Where: Tower Bridge
Valentine’s Day In London
The capital will be getting mushy for its annual love fest. From romantic champagne flights on the London Eye and special menus at top restaurants, to A Night Of Marvin Gaye at the Jazz Café, and The Last Tuesday Society’s St Valentine’s Dandies And Daemons Party, it’s hard to avoid the red roses and loved up couples around the city. With the big day comes a string of anti-Valentines events including a ‘Romance is Dead’ event at the Tower of London, a singles ping pong party at Proud East and a singleton’s screening of Magic Mike at Boondocks. For inspiration, check out last year’s Top 10 Places To Spend Valentine’s Day In London.
When: 14th February
Where: Across London
After-school Club For Grown-ups At The Natural History Museum
The sell out After-School Club for Grown-ups at the Natural History Museum is back. Offering the chance to explore the museum at night and plenty of great activities including make your own grass head, a museum gallery hunt, face painting, an exploration of the inflatable planetarium and a silent disco!
When: 10th February
Where: Natural History Museum
Pancake Day
This year Shrove Tuesday falls at the end of February on 28th. If you don’t fancy cooking them yourself, there are plenty of spots across London to grab a great pancake. My Old Dutch specialises in pancakes and has branches in Holborn, Kensington and Chelsea. Meanwhile The Breakfast Club and The Blues Kitchen are known for their huge stacks of American pancakes. For a bit of a laugh, politicians, Lords and journalists will battle it out at the annual charity Parliamentary Pancake Race outside the Houses of Parliament. The MPs won last year, but can they retain their trophy?
When: 28th February
Where: Across London
London Fashion Week and London Fashion Week Festival
This month, the capital goes fashion mad as the style elite take over venues including Somerset House for catwalk shows, parties and more. More accessible is London Fashion Week Festival where you’ll be able to see catwalk shows, shop ‘til you drop with 150 brands on sale, enjoy some pampering and listen to talks from industry experts.
When: London Fashion Week run 17th – 21st February followed by London Fashion Weekend 23rd – 26th February
Where: Across London with London Fashion Week Festival at The Store Studios, Strand.
Gin Festival London
Back for its 3rd year, this boozy festival will feature 100 gins, new brands, tasty cocktails, masterclasses from industry experts, live music and entertainment. After collecting your Gin Festival Copa Balloon Glass grab your tokens and start your working through the gins. If you’re not a gin lover already, the experts will help you find your tipple.
When: 17th – 19th February
Where: Tobacco Dock
Orchid Festival
Back for its 22nd year, Kew’s Orchid Festival will be inspired by the vibrant colours, culture and plant life of India. The festival will feature huge floral displays created using exotic orchids, decorative rickshaws, Indian soundscapes, films and much more. Keep an eye out for beautiful peacocks created from exotic foliage!
When: 4th February 4 – 5th March
Where: Kew Gardens
Fare Healthy
If January’s good intentions didn’t quite pay off, kick start your healthy lifestyle in February at this festival of food, fitness and wellbeing. There will be lots of healthy foods on offer from Deliciously Ella and Skye Gyngell amongst others, plus talks, exercise sessions and demonstrations talking place.
When: 4th – 5th February
Where: Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane
Time Out’s Silent Disco at Cutty Sark
Time Out is famous for throwing epic parties in London (they hosted one at The Shard a while back!) but this time it’s all aboard the Cutty Sark in Greenwich! Once your headphones are on you’ll have three channels of tunes to choose from, plus there will be plenty of time explore the ship too.
When: 10th February
Where: Cutty Sark, Greenwich
For more great things to do in London this month, check out visitlondon.com and keep an eye on my Twitter and Instagram to see how many I tick off this month!
Enjoyed this post? Why not pin it…
I’ve left Valentine’s day booking really late this year! We did the London Eye a couple of years ago!
Ahhh I haven’t made any plans for Valentines yet but I’m going to be in Switzerland so hopefully that’ll be romantic anyway! What are you planning?