Things To Do This Weekend In London: 22-23 February 2025

A heritage weekend, a film festival, and St Paul's Cathedral gets a glow up.

All weekend

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

SILK ROADS: Two exhibitions about the Silk Roads at two of London's biggest cultural institutions both close this weekend. The British Library's A Silk Road Oasis: Life in Ancient Dunhang is a chance to learn about Dunhuang, at the edge of the Gobi Desert, once a bustling town on the Silk Road connecting China and the Mediterranean. The British Museum has a separate exhibition about Silk Roads, highlighting the fact that there was more than one such route, joining places as far apart at Scandinavia, Madagascar, Britain and Japan. Both until 23 February

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BARBIE: We were huge fans of Barbie: The Exhibition at the Design Museum, which combines nostalgia with just the right amount of information about the history of the doll, in an altogether aesthetically-pleasing setting. Well worth a visit, even if you weren't a huge fan of Barbie growing up — but it'll be popular this final weekend, so book ahead. Until 23 February

BATTERSEA LIGHT FESTIVAL: The closure of all of these light festivals must mean the lighter nights are coming... right? That's the thought we're clinging to as we take a final look at the eight glowing installations which make up Battersea Power Station Light Festival 2025. FREE, until 23 February

CANARY WHARF ICE RINK: The last of London's seasonal ice rinks stays open until the end of this week, to make the most of the half term visitors. It's undercover, so great for rainy days. Until 23 February

GORGEOUS GEORGIANS: West London National Trust property Osterley Park & House has teamed up with Horrible Histories for a family-friendly trail focusing on the Georgians. Explore the house and grounds as you take part in 10 activities giving you an insight into Georgian life. 17 February-31 August

IMAGINE FESTIVAL: Southbank Centre's Imagine Festival is back for February half term, celebrating all facets of kids' literature, theatre, dance and music. The programme is packed, catering to all ages and budgets (plenty of events are FREE!), spanning performances and workshops. 18-23 February

DISNEY ON ICE: 100 Years Of Wonder is the theme of the Disney On Ice show coming to Wembley Arena, starring characters including Minnie, Mickey, Moana, Disney Princesses, the Toy Story gang, Anna, Elsa and Olaf from Frozen, and plenty more familiar faces. 20-23 February

BFI FUTURE FILM FESTIVAL: 54 short films are on the programme for the BFI Future Film Festival 2025, along with masterclasses, workshops, screenings and networking opportunities for 16-25 year old aspiring filmmakers. As well as showing at BFI Southbank, the films are available to watch online for free. Category themes this year include The City, Coming of Age, and Family. 20 February-6 March

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SIX NATIONS: After a break weekend, Six Nations rugby tournament is back, with three games taking place across Saturday and Sunday (including England vs Scotland on Saturday evening). Whoever you're supporting, find somewhere to watch with our guide to pubs, bars and other venues showing Six Nations in London.

HIGHGATE HERITAGE WEEKEND: Lauderdale House hosts the annual Highgate Heritage Weekend, celebrating the history of the local area through a selection of events including talks, a fair with local history societies represented, and a family fun day. FREE, 22-23 February

MUSLIM SHOPPING FESTIVAL: Ahead of London's Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr celebrations, the London Muslim Shopping Festival pitches up at Excel Centre, with over 200 exhibitors selling items from fashion to homeware to halal cuisine. It also incorporates the Halal Dining Show (with scran from the likes of Chicken Bandits, Gully and Komex Kitchen) and the Muslim Travel Show. 22-23 February

LUXMURALIS: Light show Luminous by Luxmuralis opens at St Paul's Cathedral on Saturday evening, transforming the interior of Christopher Wren's dome into an immersive sound and light display inspired by the building's history. 22-28 February

Saturday 22 February

BSL TOUR: British Sign Language (BSL) users are invited to the National Army Museum for a BSL tour of one of the galleries, focusing on how propaganda and recruiting has impacted the British Army over the centuries. Guide Edward Richards looks at different objects showing how recruitment has changed over time. 11am-12pm

FAMILY FUN DAY: Join the Royal Institution for a day of activities centred around food and science. Engage with volunteers, scientists and researchers, exploring topics such as the chemistry of cooking and the effects of food on the human body. Enjoy a variety of activities while also finding out how food impacts our lives and the world around us. Age 7-12. 11am-4pm

BIRDBOY: Head to the newly-opened Sadler's Wells East theatre for the final performances of Emma Martin / United FallBirdboy. Choreographer Martin's London debut is a solo performance described as "a tribute to all the weird kids left on the sidelines", performed by dancer Kévin Coquelard. 11.30am/6pm

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JAZZ BRUNCH: Once a month, Marylebone's 108 Brasserie holds a jazz brunch, with live music to enjoy while you have antipasti, salads, seafood and brunch dishes— followed by a trip to the Pie Room, where you can tuck into unlimited desserts. 12.30pm-4pm

BALLET SHOES: The first major stage adaptation of Noel Streatfeild's bestselling book Ballet Shoes is on at the National Theatre until Saturday. It's the story of three adopted sisters who fight to pursue their individual passions in a world which doesn't encourage ambitious women. Age 7+. 1.30pm/7pm

JACK AND EVE: Journalist Wendy Moore is at North Kensington Library to discuss her book Jack and Eve, about Vera 'Jack' Holme and Evelina Haverfield, suffragettes and life partners who carved radical new paths for women during the First World War. FREE, 2pm-3pm

HIEROGLYPHS: Egyptologist and author Hugo D. Cook leads a family-friendly workshop looking at how the hieroglyph code was cracked, allowing us to decipher texts from Ancient Egypt. Takes place at Leighton House in Kensington, aimed at ages five+. 2.30pm-4pm

SUPPER CLUB: Masterchef: The Professionals finalists Santosh Shah, Philli Armitage-Mattin, Bart Van der Lee and Alex Webb team up for a special supper club at Cinnamon Kitchen City, along with executive chef Vivek Singh. Take part in a blind tasting session and vote for your favourite dish to crown the winner. 6.30pm-10pm

ACTION MOVIE MARATHON: The legendary Prince Charles Cinema — whose future is currently uncertain — offers an action movie all-nighter marathon, running through the night for almost 10 hours. Watch Heat (1995), Point Break (1991), Predator (1987) and Aliens (1986) one after the other. Not into action films? A Lord of the Rings all-nighter runs tonight too. 11.30pm

Sunday 23 February

LONDON WINTER RUN: Up for a physical challenge? Sign up for the London Winter Run, and power through a 10K, traffic-free route around London, raising money for Cancer Research UK. Not much of a runner? Line the route and cheer the fundraisers on. Even if you're not involved, be aware of road closures along the route today. From 9.30am

FARMERS' MARKET: The monthly Wembley Park Farmers' Market has over 25 traders selling everything from farm-reared and organic produce to vegan treats, Mediterranean goods, home-grown plants, organic wines, Italian deli goods, homemade pies and more. 9am-3pm

LEGO DAY: Head to Artsdepot in North Finchley for The Brick People, a day of Lego-themed events and activities. Try a speed-build challenge, construct your own race track, create a brick mosaic and view Lego creations built by other people. Age 3-12. 10am-4pm

FLEA MARKET: We're promised unique vintage treasures and hip retro finds at the Go East Vintage Flea Market at Hackney Depot, where clothing, accessories, furniture, vinyl records, homeware and art are for sale. 10am-5pm

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VOTES FOR WOMEN: The Bow Street Police Museum and Herstorical Tours team up for a walking tour in the footsteps of the suffragettes in Covent Garden. Hear about vandalism in the National Gallery, a disabled, working-class suffragette of the East End, and an Indian princess who joined the suffragette cause. 10.30am-12.30pm

VINTAGE SALE: Update your wardrobe at the Mile End Vintage Kilo Sale, which comes to the Ecology Pavilion in Mile End Park. Up to nine tonnes of vintage clothing dating from the 1960s onwards is available to buy, sold by weight (£20 per kilo), though there's no minimum spend, so shop well and you could pick up a few items for under £20. 11am-4pm

SNOWDROP SUNDAY: Finsbury Park's Museum of Homelessness wants members of the public to help plant thousands of snowdrops in the museum garden. Gardening gloves, tools, and hot drinks are provided, and everyone's welcome. FREE, 1pm-4pm

SINGLE AND THRIVING: Nicola Sawson, author of new book Single: Living a Complete Life on Your Own Terms, is at Conway Hall to talk about being unpartnered in a world designed for couples, and celebrating the opportunities of being single.3pm-4.30pm

CRAFT AND CHILL: Colour expert and Londonist contributor Momtaz Begum-Hossain runs one of her regular crafting afternoons for adults at Well Bean Co Cafe in the Royal Docks. All art and crafts materials are provided, no artistic experience is necessary, and the session runs on a pay-what-you-can basis, with a different project each month — this time, make yourself a pampering gift. 4pm

HANDEL'S BIRTHDAY CONCERT: The Foundling Museum hosts soprano Hilary Cronin and soloists from period orchestra The English Concert for a celebration of the 340th birthday of composer George Frideric Handel. Listen to a programme of Handel's works in the museum's elegant surroundings. Why here? He was one of the original benefactors of the Foundling Hospital. 7pm

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