Things To Do This Week In London: 27 January-2 February 2025

Lunar New Year, and a new comedy festival.

All week

PLAN YOUR FEBRUARY: With January finally coming to an end and February getting started this week, have a read of our guide to things to do in London in February and get planning. It includes a flower festival, a new theatre, the reopening of a London landmark, new exhibitions and theatre shows, half term ideas, and so much more.

CHINESE/LUNAR NEW YEAR: 2 February 2025 is Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year, with plenty of events going on around London throughout this week to welcome in the Year of the Snake, including supper clubs, workshops and free festivals. 2 February

HERALDING SPRING: London’s oldest botanic garden has just reopened, and it’s welcoming visitors back with a celebration of the year’s earliest blooms — including an incredible collection of snowdrops. Follow a free plant trail around Chelsea Physic Garden, warm up with a hot drink and pastry in the garden cafe, and pop into the shop for spring plants. How’s that for a winter blues-busting day out? (sponsor)

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. 27 January-2 February

DEMI ADEJUYIGBE: Writer, comedian and filmmaker Demi Adejuyigbe is at Soho Theatre for a comedy show with songs and a singular backflip (performed by an "aging, sedentary man") thrown in. 27 January-15 February

WINTER LIGHTS: Free light festival Canary Wharf Winter Lights is on every evening until Saturday, with 11 temporary glowing artworks dotted around the east London area for the public to seek out. FREE, until 1 February. Also ongoing are free events Battersea Power Station Light Festival and Here We Glow at Westfield London.

LOST IN LIGHT: Talking of light art, 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 week. Until 2 February

SNOWDROPS: This is the time of year when the snowdrops drop, so keep an eye out for delicate white floors of the flowers, as you wander around London. If you're really keen to get a peep, consult our guide to the best places to see snowdrops in the capital.

PLAY OF THE WEEK: Embrace this season of bleak and chilly evenings, by delving into Haunted Shadows, a one-woman show at the White Bear theatre in Kensington, which sees erstwhile local Edith Nesbitt revisit the darkness of her own past, spinning three of her Gothic tales while recalling childhood terrors. Once a Week Theatre awarded it ★★★★. 28 January-8 February

EAT OF THE WEEK:Don't Tell Dad is a brand new bakery-restaurant in Queen's Park, 'inspired by mischievous siblings who believed that a little trouble made everything taste better'. You be the judge of that, by digging into their pear & whiskey danishes, and bergamot & cardamom doughnuts.

Monday 27 January

ROMAN FORT: See the remains of Roman London in the City, on a guided walk led by London Museum Docklands. Tour the West Gate of the Roman Fort of Londiniun, and find out what it was originally used for and how it was rediscovered after the Second World War. 2pm-3pm

POLAR EXPLORATION: Author Anne Strathie is at the Royal Geographical Society to discuss her latest book, A History of Polar Exploration in 50 Objects, about significant artefacts which have shaped our understanding of polar regions. FREE, 2.30pm-3.45pm

DRY JANUARY MASTERCLASS: Take part in an alcohol-free spirit masterclass at The Distillery Bankside. An ambassador for non-alcoholic spirits brand Lyle's leads you through mixing two cocktails. Ticket also includes a welcome drink and four snacks to enjoy with your cocktails. 6.30pm-7.30pm

RELAXED MUSEUM EVENING: The British Museum holds one of its regular relaxed evening events, this time focusing on the soon-to-close Hew Locke: what have we here? exhibition. It's aimed at anyone with sensory needs who would benefit from viewing the display in a calmer environment, including people with disabilities and neurodivergent individuals. 6.30pm-8pm

DAVID PLEAT: Former Spurs manager David Pleat is at JW3 in Finchley to discuss his new memoir Just One More Goal with his north London rival, former Arsenal co-owner David Dein. Sports journalist Graham Miller interviews them both, followed by a book signing. 7pm

JAZZ IN THE ROUND: The monthly Jazz In The Round at the Cockpit Theatre showcases both new and established talent in a unique setting. Each session features three sets hosted by Jez Nelson and Chris Phillips — this time, catch performances by Empirical, Pedro Velasco and Emily Tran. 8pm

HAPPY MONDAYS COMEDY: Mark Thomas, Jo Romero, Ibs Sesay, Leslie Gold and Alex Oliver are all on the bill at this week's Happy Mondays Comedy at the Amersham Arms in New Cross, along with a special guest TBC. 8pm

Tuesday 28 January

ROSEBUDS COMEDY FESTIVAL: Defectors Comedy and the Bread & Roses Theatre in Clapham team up for the new Rosebuds Comedy Festival. Across six days watch 20 acts featuring up-and-coming alternative comedians, including Sophie Banister, Alison Zrada, Ben Whitehead and Mattia Sedda. 28 January-2 February

PLAY ON!: The Lyric Hammersmith debuts Play On!, a new musical based on Twelfth Night, and set in the New York 1940s jazz scene. It's the story of Vy, a talented songwriter determined to do whatever it takes to succeed in a male-dominated world. 28 January-22 February

LIVE LAUGHS: Head to The Conduit in Covent Garden for a night of laughter and good vibes with Leah Davis & Friends, featuring performances from rising stars in comedy including Sophie Garrad, as well as special guest Romesh Ranganathan. 6pm-11pm

ROBERT MACFARLANE: The Conversation series of events at St Martin-in-the-Fields continues with award-winning author Robert Macfarlane. The first part of the evening sees Macfarlane discuss topics including language and nature, walking, water and the power of protest and advocacy, chaired by Peter Florence, followed by a chance to discuss the topics around smaller tables. 6.30pm

SURVIVOR: To mark Holocaust Memorial Day. JW3 screens new animated film Survivor, about 12-year-old Ivor Perl from a small town in Hungary who travels to the gates of Auschwitz, Kaufering, Allach, and Dachau, witnessing the unspeakable horrors of the Holocaust. It's followed by a Q+A with director Zoom Rockman, and a live performance of music from the film. 7pm

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Wednesday 29 January

GREEN IMMUNITY: Today's Gresham College lecture by Professor Robin May discusses plant immunity and its complexities. Plants have unique immune responses that include the ability to inherit immunological memory and warn neighbouring plants of pathogen threats. FREE, 6pm

UNSUNG HEROES: A powerful night of music and poetry honouring artists who defy censorship and oppression is promised at the Jago in Dalston, with Unsung Heroes. Performers include Uyghur musicians Rahima Mahmut and Shohret Nur, Belarusian poet Hanna Komar, and award-winning percussionist Sola Akingbola and the Eegun Rhapsodies. 6pm-9pm

ALL THE RAGE: Author and psychoanalyst Josh Cohen is at Waterstones Hampstead to discuss his new book All The Rage, about why anger is all around us, how it affects us, and how it can turn violent. He uses patient case studies and recent political events to identify different types of anger and how we can put it to good use. 6.30pm

FLOATING DREAMS: The Frontline Club in Paddington screens Floating Dreams, a documentary set onboard a European rescue ship, looking at the fallout of the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean. Find out how new European policies hinder rescue operations and criminalise humanitarian efforts, followed by a Q&A with war correspondent Salam Hindawi, film director Ali Kishk, and Dr Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker, a lawyer specialising in human rights. 7pm-8.30pm

SOLO FRINGE SHOWS: Catch a double bill of award-winning/nominated solo fringe shows at The Cockpit. Just A Few Words is a darkly comic look into the mind of a person who stammers, while Piano Smashers is a play in which a mother bequeaths a precious piano to her children in her will, insisting they keep it. 7pm (repeated tomorrow)

TWO HOT ASIANS: Celebrate Lunar New Year with a supper club by Emily Yeoh of sauce brand Two Hot Asians. Head to Mama Shelter in Bethnal Green for sharing starters with dumplings, a Hainanese-style roast chicken, and desserts, all recipes from Yeoh's book. 7pm-9.30pm

THE BITTEN PEACH: Also celebrating the Year of the Snake today is Southbank Centre, which hosts queer pan-Asian cabaret company The Bitten Peach. Take part in an origami workshop with British-Japanese drag king Daddy Maki followed by a cabaret show starring masked extraterrestrial drag creature Bard the Beholder, actor and dancer Rakhee Sharma, and ShayShay, a non-binary Japanese-Irish-American playwright. FREE, 7.30pm

Thursday 30 January

DESTINATIONS SHOW: In need of some holiday inspiration? 600 travel brands and 90 tourist boards come together at Olympia 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

NAOMI CAMPBELL: The V&A offers a free lunchtime lecture by Sonnet Stanfill, Senior Curator of Fashion, about the current exhibition NAOMI: In Fashion. Find out about the exhibition's main themes and some of its star objects. It takes place in the museum's Lydia and Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre, a beautiful space worth visiting in its own right. FREE, 1pm-1.55pm

MAGIC & MARTINIS: Troy the Magician is at Sweeties at the Standard London, for an evening of Magic & Martinis. Watch a magic show while you enjoy two-for-one cocktails, followed by an evening of DJ sessions. 6pm-9pm

GINUARY: Reineta in Ealing tempts you towards the gin cabinet, with a Ginuary masterclass, in which you'll learn to make a Grapefruit Collins, Ealing Sour, Ealing Fizz and Golden Vesper. Better still, they're all made with locally-distilled Ealing Gin. 7pm

FRIENDSHIP SPEED DATING: Aimed at people in their twenties, book club It's Hardback Out Here hosts a friendship speed dating session at Brixton Brewery Tap Room. Take part in a series of quick-fire friendship dates, with conversation prompts provided to ensure things go smoothly. 7pm-9pm

CHUMP'S COMEDY: Phil Wang, Fatiha El-Ghorri, Michael Odewale and Lou Wall are on the bill at Chump's Comedy at Underbelly Boulevard Soho, hosted by Amy Annette. 9pm

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Friday 31 January

NINA SIMONE: Southbank Centre hosts a weekend Montreux Jazz Festival Residency celebrating the life and work of singer-songwriter Nina Simone. It begins tonight with Nu Civilisation Orchestra and special guests including Corinne Bailey Rae celebrating Simone’s protest song Mississippi Goddam about the murder of civil rights activist Medgar Evers. 31 January-2 February

SIX NATIONS 2025: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy go head-to-head once again in the Six Nations rugby tournament, which begins tonight with France taking on Wales. Whoever you're cheering on, here's where you can watch Six Nations in London throughout the tournament. 31 January- 15 March

SOANE LATE: The Sir John Soane's Museum stays open late for after-dark exploration. On-hand experts offer pop-up talks on their favourite artefacts, works of art, and stories from Soane’s life. Your ticket includes a glass of Prosecco or white wine in the Library Dining Room. 6pm-8pm

VEGAN SUPPER CLUB: Plant-based social enterprise Sisterwoman holds its quarterly supper club at the South London Gallery. Tuck into a four-course seasonal menu, served family-style and inspired by traditional soul food. 7pm-11pm

BEER MAT FLIPPING: See comedians including Rosie Jones, Helen Bauer, Ed Gamble and Ruby Carr going head to head in a Beer Mat Flipping Championship at the Pleasance Theatre, hosted by Sikisa and Stuart Laws. Comedy meets sporting event, with trick shots, live betting odds and trash talk. 7.30pm

WATERLOO CEILIDH: Keep the Burns Night fun going with a ceilidh at St John's Waterloo. Live music comes courtesy of the Brown Boots Boogie Band with caller Erin Mansfield making sure everyone keeps up with the steps. It's open to dancers of all abilities, no experience required, and highland pipes ace Kathryn Johnstone performs during the interval. 7.30pm

EVENING OF BURLESQUE: Cabaret, comedy, music, circus and burlesque combine for variety show An Evening of Burlesque at Fairfield Halls in Croydon. Artistes, cabaret and circus stars, comedians and champagne showgirls all perform — expect plenty of glitz. 7.30pm

Saturday 1 February

KEW ORCHIDS FESTIVAL 2025: You know spring is on its way when the Orchids festival returns to Kew Gardens. 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 at Kew 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 the South American country. 1 February-2 March

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, from Boudicca 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 down to Sutton Community Farm for a winter wassail, where you can sing to the apple trees to hope for 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

COWBOY BRUNCH: Saddle up for The Fable's Ride A Cowboy brunch, where cowboy 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

GIN TOUR: Join actors, musicians and Dr Matthew Green on an immersive gin tour of London, exploring the meteoric rise of the juniper berry from Dutch decadence to agent of mass oblivion. You'll meet a cast of ruined characters straight out of Hogarth, visit a lowly Georgian gin shack and opulent Victorian gin palace, and even get to sample the drink. 2.30pm-4.30pm

HIGH REGARD: The Grace, round the corner from Highbury & Islington station, puts on power-pop group High Regard tonight. Support comes from Glass Heart and Gender Crisis. 7pm

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 who are 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

Sunday 2 February

CHINESE NEW YEAR PARADE: While there's loads going on for Lunar New Year this week (see top of the page), today is the Chinese New Year Parade in central London. It departs from the east side of Trafalgar Square at 10am, wending its way along Charing Cross Road and down Shaftesbury Avenue, before dispersing on Wardour Street and into Chinatown. Many other festivities go on till the evening. 10am-6pm

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, now a cultural centre. Hear stories on topics including 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 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 from the Victorian era to more recent pre-loved designer labels, such as Ossie Clark and BIBA. 11am-5.30pm

TOM LEHERER: Pin-sharp pianist/singer Tom Leherer returns, thanks to a show from Stefan Bednarczyk. The space race to mathematics, politics to pigeons, chemistry to Catholicism — all and more are covered in the brilliant, sometimes absurd, Leherer songbook. It's happening at the Tabard in Turnham Green. 3pm

SWANKY CINEMA: Treat yourself to a movie with a three-course meal or afternoon tea (plus champagne too if you're pushing the boat out) at Firmdale Film Club today. There's a choice of two movies to watch in style: We Live in Time, at Soho Hotel (3.30pm) or Queer at Charlotte Street Hotel (5pm). 3.30pm or 5pm

JUSTIN MOORHOUSE: Comedian and radio DJ Justin Moorhouse brings his new touring show to Blackheath Halls. Hear about the ups and downs of his life, from accidentally seeing his favourite band in the best venue in the world, to the greatest performance he’s ever seen which left him cold, intertwined with some personal moments. 8pm

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