Things To Do This Weekend In London: 15-16 February 2025

A bookshop crawl, a farm late and a robot zoo.

Things to do this weekend is sponsored by Sofar Sounds.

All weekend

MICHELANGELO, LEONARDO, RAPHAEL: The names of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, yes, but also the Royal Academy's current exhibition about the period when the three superstars of the Italian Renaissance crossed paths in Florence. Learn about the rivalry between Michelangelo and Leonardo and the influence both had on the young Raphael, in an exhibition which closes this weekend. Until 16 February

BARBIE: Time's also running out to see the Design Museum's excellent Barbie exhibition, delving into 60 years of the zeitgiesty doll's history, featuring a rare first edition of the very first doll released by Mattel in 1959 — and a few more items which you may recognise from your own childhood. Until 23 February

ORCHIDS: Now's an excellent time to visit Kew Gardens, as the annual Orchids Festival is in full swing inside the toasty Princess of Wales Conservatory. Wander among colourful blooms from Peru, including sculptures of flamingos, bears and other wildlife — all formed from flowers. Until 2 March

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WWF WINTER WANDER: Conservation charity the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is encouraging people to organise their own sponsored walk this week, to raise money for its work. To get involved in the Big Winter Wander, complete a 5k or 10k walk in your local area, either on your own or with family and friends. 10-23 February

FLOWERS AT SAATCHI: Things get floral at Chelsea's Saatchi Gallery with Flowers - Flora in Contemporary Art & Culture. Art, photography, fashion, archival objects and graphic design all feature in this exhibition, as well as two large-scale installations by artist Rebecca Louise Law (whose work we've featured previously) consisting of over 100,000 dried flowers on trails of wire. Find out more in our art critic's preview. 12 February-5 May

SOANE AND MODERNISM: Find out why Sir John Soane has often been referred to as the "first modernist architect" in new exhibition Soane and Modernism: Make It New. Some drawings from his collection go on display for the first time ever, and there's also a look at other architects whose work has been likened to Soane's. 12 February-18 May

ARCELORMITTAL ORBIT: After a lengthy closure, the ArcelorMittal Orbit in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park reopens in time for the weekend, with new operator Zipworld at the helm. The viewing gallery is back open to visitors, as is the world's biggest tunnel slide, now rebranded as 'Helix'. From 14 February

LONDON BOOKSHOP CRAWL: London Bookshop Crawl encourages you to visit as many independent bookshops as possible over the course of one weekend — with events at various shops around the capital (as well as online) to foster a community of book lovers. The aim, of course, is to support London's independent bookshops, while treating yourself to a few new reads. 14-16 February

LONDON MOTORCYCLE SHOW: Start your engine for the London Motorcycle Show, wheeling into town for three days at Excel. See the latest bikes, kit and accessories, as well as a 'base camp' hosted by Charley Boorman. 14-16 February

THE ROBOT ZOO: A robotic rhino, a squid with 18-foot tentacles and a huge housefly with a vacuum cleaner for a mouth are among the oversized, mechanical animals on display at Horniman Museum's Robot Zoo, opening on Friday. The animals are made from familiar machine parts and gadgets, to show how animals are adapted to live their lives, such as how a chameleon changes colour, what makes grasshoppers leap so high and why a platypus looks so strange. 14 February-2 November

VINTAGE FAIR: Shop for mid-20th century furniture, homeware, lighting, 1960s and 70s posters and art, books, records, French brocante, vintage fashion and lots more at the So Last Century vintage and retro fair. Takes place at St Dunstan's College in Catford. 15-16 February

HALF TERM: Kids off school? Take a look at our guide to February half term events in London, including family-friendly shows and exhibitions, one-off events and more to keep everyone entertained. There's even a section on free things to do — ideal if you're on a budget. 15-23 February

MAKING EGYPT: The Young V&A's second major exhibition is Making Egypt, telling the story of the north African country from Ancient Egypt to modern day. Objects on display range from a 3,000-year-old wooden funerary boat to a Lego model of the Great Pyramids of Giza. Naturally given its location, it's child-friendly — and opens just in time for February half term. 15 February-2 November

Sponsor message

Take your date on a mystery night out this Valentine's Day

Under pressure to arrange a memorable Valentine's night but not sure where to start? Sofar Sounds offers a series of live music, dance and comedy shows in unexpected, intimate spaces across London this week — ideal for a date night to remember.

This Saturday, that translates into live music at locations in Covent Garden, Shoreditch or Piccadilly Circus. The exact venue isn't revealed till 36 hours before the event, but in the past Sofar Sounds has been in bookshops, cocktail bars — even on boats. You're guaranteed something special.

Wherever you end up, spend the evening listening to three deliciously divergent artists. Unattached? Everyone's welcome, whether you're on a date, with a group of friends or flying solo.

Sofar Sounds Valentine's Day events run 13-15 February. Book tickets here.

Saturday 15 February

UP: Beloved Pixar film Up is shown at today's Barbican Cinema Family Film Club. Though it has the most emotionally BRUTAL opening of any Pixar film, it fast becomes a charming, and visually stunning, story of love, friendship and adventure. 11am

DIY ART MARKET: More than 80 artists showcase and sell their work at the Valentine's edition of the DIY Art Market, at Copeland Park in Peckham. Shop for prints, ceramics, sculptures, jewellery, textile items and more — ideal if you're in need of a belated Valentine's gift. 11am-5pm

RALPH STEADMAN: INKLING: Pinner's Heath Robinson Museum hosts a launch event for its new exhibition, Ralph Steadman: INKling. Be one of the first to see the exhibition and view over 70 years of work by the illustrator, meet members of his team and hear insider stories — and take part in a doodling competition. 11.30am-4pm

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: The Clapham Garden hosts a High School Musical 2 daytime disco brunch. Watch the film on a big screen with an hour of bottomless booze, mass singalongs, prizes for the best costume, games and an afterparty. 11.30am-4.30pm

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TOM HIDDLESTON: There's a new adaptation of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, starring Tom Hiddleston as Benedick and Hayley Atwell as Beatrice. 2.30pm/7.30pm (until 5 April)

THE PASSENGER: West Brompton's Finborough Theatre hosts the world premiere run of a new adaptation of Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz's novel The Passenger. Set on Kristallnacht in 1938 in Berlin, it's the story of respected businessman Otto who flees his home and takes a train across Germany while trying to conceal his identity. 3pm/7.30pm (until 15 March)

FARM LATE: Vauxhall City Farm stays open late for a special Valentine's late, encompassing a VIP meet & greet experience with one of the animals (rabbit, chicken, guinea pig, goat, sheep or alpaca) followed by dinner and drinks in the farm bar. 6pm-10pm

CANDLELIGHT CLUB VALENTINE'S BALL: Legendary 1920s-themed speakeasy pop-up The Candlelight Club hosts a Valentine's Ball with live jazz, cabaret and cocktails in a secret candlelit location. Book yourself in for a three-course meal or just reserve a drinks table. 1920s attire is encouraged, with a sketch artist on hand to capture you and your friends/date in your finery. 7pm-1am

LONDON MOZART PLAYERS: Head to Fairfield Halls to hear Croydon's Resident Orchestra, the London Mozart Players performing Changing Seasons, a show which reflects on the climate emergency, inspired by Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Poetry, dancing and video projections are interspersed with the music. 7.30pm

TAYLOR SWIFT (STRINGS VERSION): Hear Taylor Swift's greatest songs performed by a live string quartet at Woolwich Works. Even better, it's an interactive show, where audience members vote to decide which of Swift's songs make it onto the setlist for the evening (and she has more than 250 to choose from...). 7.30pm

MARDY BUMS: Arctic Monkeys tribute act Mardy Bums (named after a song on the Sheffield band's debut album) are on stage at the Half Moon in Putney, performing Alex Turner and co's greatest hits. 8pm

ANTI-VALENTINE'S EMO NIGHT: Regular emo-pop-punk night We Are Still Young marks the season in its own way, with an anti-Valentine's party at Clapham Grand featuring tunes by bands including My Chemical Romance, Paramore, Blink 182, Fall Out Boy, Avril Lavigne, The All American Rejects and Sum 41. Don't know about you, but that's taken us right back... 10.30pm-3am

Sunday 16 February

CLASSICAL COFFEE MORNING: Tuck into coffee and pastries in the Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall, as the London-based Iridescence Ensemble perform a repertoire by Frank Bridge and Thomas Adès alongside a couple of contemporary pieces. 10am

ANTIQUES FAIR: The Adams Antiques Fair returns to the Royal Horticultural Halls in Westminster, with over 130 exhibitors selling antique jewellery, silver, decorative pieces and collectables. If you're keen to be first in, get there early as a queue usually forms before opening. 10am-4.30pm

ARSENAL V SPURS: Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a north London derby at Emirates Stadium, as Arsenal take on Spurs in the WSL. See world-famous players like Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Alessia Russo play in front of tens of thousands of cheering supporters. Tickets start at £8, and there's 15% off for groups of six or more using the code GROUP6 at checkout. KO 12.30pm (sponsor)

SUNDAY PAPERS LIVE: See the broadsheet newspapers brought to life at Sunday Papers Live, which takes over Park Village in Regent's Park for a day of talks and tours. Get cosy on sofas and beanbags to hear from writers, musicians, poets and comedians, and take part in art and craft activities and pub quizzes. You can also stretch your legs with guided walks through the surrounding area. 1pm-9pm

SUFFRAGETTE LINE: Join Footprints of London guide Sue McCarthy for a walk along part of the newly-renamed Suffragette line on the London Overground. Start on the edge of Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath and head towards Chalk Farm, hearing stories of runaway elephants and a crazy Victorian church as you go. 2pm-4pm

WILLIAM BOYD: Jermyn Street Theatre hosts an intimate evening with William Boyd, award-winning author, playwright and screenwriter. The event provides unique insights into the mind of this master storyteller. 7pm

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BREWERY COMEDY: Ian Smith, Sallyann Fellowes, Joe Haddad, Maclarry Claudia Trentino and a special guest all perform in a comedy night at Brockley Brewery. Collywobblers Comedy is hosted by MC Sion James, and offers a chance to make a donation to Lewisham Foodbank when you buy your ticket. 7pm-10pm

MIKEL IZAL: The Scala in King's Cross welcomes Spanish singer-songwriter Mikel Izal tonight; he'll be playing tracks from his 2023 album El miedo y el paraiso. 7pm-11pm

BERNARD KOPS: Celebrate the life and work of playwright Bernard Kops in a special event at JW3 Centre. Hear readings, excerpts from stage plays, clips and songs, featuring performers including Jacqui Dankworth, Thelma Ruby and Tracy-Ann Oberman. 7.30pm

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