London events in February
Our guide to the best events, festivals, workshops, exhibitions and things to do throughout February 2020 in London
February 2020 in London is going to be great. We've said goodbye to January and now London is beginning to brighten up. Use the - slightly - longer days to enjoy the month's brilliant batch of events and celebrations. Get loved-up or celebrate being single on Valentine’s Day in London or join in the heaps of brilliant events, fun pop-ups and exciting new exhibitions happening. Here are our February 2020 highlights. February in London is also the month of Kew Garden's Orchid Festival, London Fashion Week Festival, the London Classic Car Show and Craft Beer Rising.
Hey, and while you’ve got your diary out, remember that it's never too early to start planning for March either.
RECOMMENDED: The definitive London events calendar.
Our February 2020 highlights
Orchids festival at Kew
Kew Gardens’ celebration of the orchid returns for its twenty-fifth year, this time with a focus on the plant life of Indonesia. Kew’s Orchids Festival will see the botanical gardens’ tropical greenhouse bursting with colourful species, and in 2020 they will reflect the country’s diverse landscape – from tropical rainforests to spectacular volcanos.
Valentine’s Day in London
Whether you’re blissfully in love or a superbly happy singleton, Valentine’s Day in London (Friday February 14 2020) has a lot to offer. Here’s your guide to the city’s most romantic restaurants, soppy spots, Valentine’s Day gift ideas, sexy hotels, best bars and dreamy events.
Bloomberg New Contemporaries 2019
The annual round-up of undiscovered art talent is back, so here are the ones that might just be the stars of the future.
Pretty Woman: The Musical
Every hit romcom is destined to become a musical, and while the whole it’s-about-a-prostitute-who-falls-for-her-client, er, thing possibly stopped 1990 enormo-smash ‘Pretty Woman’ being adapted earlier, the inevitable has now happened.
Nam June Paik: ‘The Future is Now’
Artist Nam June Paik has long been predicting how technology would soon be influencing our lives. This Tate show brings together works made across five-decades by the artist credited with inventing video art.
‘Young Bomberg and the Old Masters’
In this interesting-sounding free exhibition, the National Gallery shows the works of modernist painter David Bomberg alongside the Old Masters (Botticelli, Michelangelo and co.) that provided inspiration.
Pancake Day in London
Have your frying pans at the ready because Pancake Day is just around the corner. In 2020 Shrove Tuesday falls on Tuesday February 25 and London's best restaurants will be going flipping mad for it.
Bruce Conner: ‘Breakaway’
An artsy take on a pop video turned inside out. It’s like the best and worst night of your life simultaneously.
‘Eco-Visionaries’
A slightly different offering from the Royal Academy to normal, this thoroughly modern exhibition looks at artists and architects doing their bit in the fight against climate change and other assorted horrors facing the planet.
Cirque du Soleil: ‘Luzia’
Cirque du Soleil is back with a Mexican-themed extravaganza. It’s the most atmospheric Cirque show to hit London aeons.
Forgotten Masters: Indian Painting for the East India Company review
See stunning nineteenth-century paintings of the subcontinent. These names have been forgotten, but it’s time to start remembering now.
‘Les Misérables’
‘Les Mis’ is back after a light refurb. It’s the same madly OTT masterpiece.
William Blake: ‘The Artist’
Catch this major retrospective of Blake's idiosyncratic artworks. The man who wrote 'The Tyger' truly was one of a kind and his art is filled with beauty, mystery and fear.
‘Mary Poppins’
Brolly-clutching supernanny Mary Poppins is floating back into the West End. The refreshed cast is led by Zizi Strallen ('Strictly Ballroom') and Charlie Stemp ('Half a Sixpence').
‘The Four Ages of Woman’
Art by women about women. And so much more. It’s topical, political, emotional – and well worth the length of the train journey to get there.
‘Insiders/Outsiders Festival’
This year-long arts festival celebrates refugees from Nazi Europe and highlights their impact on British culture. Expect a vibrant and all-encompassing programme of exhibitions, performances and events across a variety of London venues.
Resolution 2020
Dense about contemporary dance? change that in 2020 with a visit to the UK’s biggest festival of choreography. See shows from emerging dance artists, or throw some shapes of your own at a workshop.
‘My Brilliant Friend’
An epic two-part stage adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels. Go see Catherine McCormack’s ferociously brilliant turn as Lisa.
‘Cars: Accelerating the Modern World’
A supercharged journey through the history (and future) of automobiles. Go see all types of special cars. From the Latino low-riders of LA to Hitler’s pet project, an olive VW Beetle. It’s going to be a great ride.
‘Young Bomberg and the Old Masters’
A small exhibition of big energy, big vision and big paintings. British artist David Bomberg deserves more love than he currently gets and this miniature exhibition makes a massive case for the importance of free access to great art.
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