Rosie Hewitson

‘When a man (person) is tired of London,’ as Dr Samuel Johnson wrote in 1777, ‘he is (they are) tired of life.’ Well, it’s fair to say that Johnson wasn’t running for the tube before squeezing himself into a sweaty, crowded carriage and then spending the day being bombarded with short videos about apocalyptic geopolitics on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter? London is the greatest city in the world, but should you find yourself a little tired and in need of some R&R what better way to recover than booking yourself into one of London’s world-class spas? And, better still, getting a massage or, even, a facial with a bespoke sound journey while you’re at it? Spa culture - from high-end luxury to community spaces - is really starting to take off in London. On our list, you’ll find standout spas and treatments, five-star hotels and community spots all offering you the chance to unplug and unwind, regardless of whether you’re on a champagne or lemonade budget. Here - in no particular order - are our absolute favourite places to relax in the capital. Best spas in London at a glance Best for affordable pampering: Ironmonger Row Baths Best for a serious splurge: Ushvani Best for men’s grooming: Thai Square Spa Best for couples’ visits: Aire Ancient Baths Best pool: Surrenne at The Berkeley Best facial: Salon C Stellar RECOMMENDED:The best saunas in LondonThe best facials in LondonThe best hotels in London

The smog and stress of London can really take its toll on your skin. That’s why there’s nothing better than a regular facial (or a one-off treat) to give you that much-needed top-up, leaving you feeling glowing, fresh-faced and dewy.  Just thinking about what we put our skin through is enough to give you frown lines. That’s thanks to the combined efforts of pollution and air-conditioned offices, as well as the added bonuses of harsh weather, booze, sun exposure, dehydration and – our least favourite – the inevitable passing of time. Happily, there are loads of great spas, treatment rooms and estheticians in London who can give your face a break and a much-needed zhuzh. Whether you’re after a relaxing, soothing facial massage, some instant radiance, a total skincare overhaul or something a little more intense such as microneedling or laser treatment, read our pick of facials in London.  RECOMMENDED: The best spas in London. 

Giddy up, horoscope fans! In 2026, we're cantering right into the Year of Horse. Like a cobra shedding it’s skin, we are slivering away from 2025’s Year of the Snake and into a brand new era. The Year of the Horse symbolises victorious success and good fortune, which is something we all need a bit of right now. And if you're born in the Year of the Horse then you'll really come into your own, as it’s a lucky year for this hardworking, warm-hearted and independent herd. Of course, the new year isn't just celebrated in Chinese culture. Also known as the Lunar New Year, the Spring Festival, Tet and Seollal, it’s celebrated across many more countries in South Asia including Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia and the Philippines, as well as in many diaspora communities around the globe.  Traditionally a time for feasting, ritual and partying observed all over the globe, London will be heralding in the festivities in a mega way. In the capital, Chinatown hosts the biggest Lunar New Year celebration outside of Asia, while countless London attractions, cultural hubs, restaurants and other business will host their own bashes to bring in the Year of the Horse.  So saddle up, here’s everything you need to know about London’s Lunar New Year festivities 2026.  When is Chinese New Year celebrated in London in 2026? In 2026, Chinese New Year landed on Tuesday February 17, ushering in the Year of the Horse. But the best of the festivities are saved for the weeke

We’ve made it through the most depressing month of the year, the endless wait for that post-Christmas payday is finally over, and festival season 2026 is on our minds. By the time summer rolls around, Londoners will be absolutley spoilt for choice. With something taking place almost every weekend throughout the warmer months, you can forget trekking across the country to live in a field for five days; simply hop on the tube and before you know it you’re listening to your favourite artists, tinny to hand, knowing that there’s a hot shower and a cosy bed waiting for you once the day is over.  The future of events in Brockwell Park was thrown up in the air in 2025, but you’ll be glad to know that most of the south London park’s usual lineup of events will return in 2026, with Cross The Tracks, Field Day and Mighty Hoopla all in the diary for late May. And the line-up announcements for next year’s events are already coming in thick fast, with huge acts like Tyler, The Creator, Lewis Capaldi, Lorde, Lily Allen, Blood Orange and Deftones all set to take to London stages come the summer. Have a scroll through our comprehensive guide – which we keep meticulously updated with all the latest line-up announcements – and see what takes your fancy. RECOMMENDED: ⛺ The best UK music festivals🌍 The best festivals in Europe

It's probably not time to ditch that warm coat, but March is still the month where you can bid a tear-free goodbye to bleak winter and start getting excited about spring in London. That means golden carpets of daffodils brightening up the parks, tables tempting the first intrepid diners to eat al fresco, and the first of a summer-long flood of exciting events and festivals to look forward to. Things are finally hotting up, and that means it’s time to finally come out of winter hibernation and set about exploring the city’s fantastic parks and gardens, world-class museums and galleries, and unbeatable restaurant and bar offerings. From St Paddy’s to Mothering Sunday, Pancake Day to International Women’s Day, the third month of the year packs in a whole host of big celebrations. Find out about all of these, and much more, in our roundup of the best things to do in London over the month. London’s best things to do in March at a glance: 👠 Best for fashion fiends: Schiaparelli at the V&A  🎞️ Best for film buffs: BFI Flare  🤠 Best for country music fans: Country 2 Country 🎭 Best for thespians: John Proctor is the Villian  💥 Best for superhero geeks: ComicCon Spring 2026 Plan the rest of your year with our 2026 preview, and be sure to bookmark our regular weekend guide for even more things to do in the city.

Life in London can be pretty tense. Just think of all the time we spend each week contorting into gaps on the tube during our overcrowded commute or the hours a day hunched over laptops, sitting through stressful meetings or chained to our desks late into the evening before slumping over our phones at home to scroll through TikToks for several hours. Even if we find time in our days for an hour or two of proper fun, mindful quiet, or the endorphin hit of a sweaty exercise class, we still have tired feet, tight muscles, and shoulders that need soothing. Enter these amazing London spas and studios dedicated to massaging the city back to health. Permit yourself a break, put your slippered feet up and let these amazing treatments work their magic.   RECOMMENDED: Check out the best spas in London for more top treatments Want to save money on your massages? Loads of great deals at Time Out Offers

When it comes to art and exhibitions, London has it all. From the niche spaces, to the avant garde galleries, and the massive crowd-pleasing museums, our city is packed with shows that will perplex, challenge, inspire, educate and leave you feeling awestruck.  The problem is... there’s absolutely tons to see. Too much, you could say. Lucky for you, Time Out exists. For decades, our experts have been visiting and reviewing all the sculpture, painting, performance, photography, history, fashion and other types of exhibitions on offer. You name it, we’ve (probably, most likely) seen it. If you’re wondering what’s actually worth your time, start here. Check out the best museum exhibitions and art in London right now, and be sure to come back weekly for the latest picks. Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: Best photography exhibitions in LondonBest free exhibitions in London

Monday 16 February: We’re halfway through February already, and the half-term holidays are here (yes, again!) If you’re a parent of school-aged kids staring down the barrel at seven days of keeping your brood entertained, check out our guide to the best stuff on this half-term for some family (and wallet) friendly entertainment. This week also marks the arrival of the Year of the Horse. And as well as being a nice fresh start for anyone whose resolutions didn’t get off the ground back in January, there are Lunar New Year festivities around the city, culminating in Chinatown’s huge annual parade on Sunday. In this city, you’re never too far away from a picturesque park, a lovely pub or a cracking cinema, and on any given day, you’ve got a wealth of world-class art shows, blockbuster theatre and top museum exhibitions to choose from if you’re twiddling your thumbs. Use your spare time wisely with our roundup of the best things happening in London today, which gets updated every single day and includes a specially selected top pick from our Things to Do Editor seven days a week. Bookmark this page, and you’ll have absolutely no excuse to be bored in London ever again! Find even more inspiration with our curated round-ups of the best things to do in London this week and weekend

Giddy up, what’s that? We officially galloped into the Year of the Horse this week as Lunar New Year landed on Tuesday and according to astrology fans, the horse symbolises victorious success and good fortune – something we could all do with a bit of right now. You can still get a dose of all this success and prosperity right into the weekend by joining in the many feasts, rituals and parties that take place in celebration across London. Look out for Chinatown’s huge parade this weekend – the biggest Lunar New Year celebration outside of Asia.  What’s more, arguably, the best seasonal holiday of them all lands this week. Pancake Day is here, which means we can flip up a stack of battered treats and load them with toppings – what better way to spend a few hours? The crêpe fest will continue throughout to the weekend as London restaurants serve up stacks of syrup-loaded batter and flip-offs take place across town.  When you’ve had your fill of dumplings and crepês, get stuck into all the brilliant cultural offerings happening across the city, including a five-star production of Terence Rattigan’s Man and Boy, which includes one of the best stage performances of the year to date from Ben Daniels, according to our theatre critic. There’s also an intriguing immersive exhibition from Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota, new Polish cinema to discover, or find out what all the Wuthering Heights fuss is about by heading down to your local indie cinema. Start planning: here’s our roundup of

Are you ready to gallop into the Year of the Horse? Lunar New Year is here, and according to astrology fans, the horse symbolises victorious success and good fortune – something we could all do with a bit of right now. Get a dose of all this success and prosperity by joining in the many feasts, rituals and parties that take place in celebration across London. Look out for Chinatown’s huge parade this weekend – the biggest Lunar New Year celebration outside of Asia.  What’s more, arguably, the best seasonal holiday of them all lands this week. Pancake Day is here, which means we can flip up a stack of battered treats and load them with toppings – what better way to spend a few hours? The crêpe fest will continue throughout the week as London restaurants serve up stacks of syrup-loaded batter and flip-offs take place across town.  When you’ve had your fill of dumplings and crepês, get stuck into all the brilliant cultural offerings happening across the city, including a five-star production of Terence Rattigan’s Man and Boy, which includes one of the best stage performances of the year to date from Ben Daniels, according to our theatre critic. There’s also an intriguing immersive exhibition from Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota, new Polish cinema to discover, or find out what all the Wuthering Heights fuss is about by heading down to your local indie cinema. Start planning: here’s our roundup of the best things to do in February.  In the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Londo

Whether you’re a pure cynic, or have been well and truly coupled-up for yonks, Valentine’s Day in London should give you enough inspiration to inject some warm fuzziness into your heart this February 14 – whether you’re celebrating with a boo, best bud or doing Galentine’s this year.    You’ve got loads of options in the city: go down the tried-and-trusted route and plan a romantic dinner or hotel stay for a belated celebration. Or opt for something a little unorthodox and alternative.  Prefer to hunker down in the dark of the cinema and immerse yourself in a good film? Pop-up cinemas and special Valentine’s screenings rule London’s film scene this February. Whatever kind of Valentine’s date night you’re after, you should find the perfect match in our roundup of 45 great things to do on the big day. And be sure to check out our comprehensive guide to Valentine’s Day in London for advice on everything from romantic wine bars to fancy spa trips to where to pick up flowers and chocolates. It’s got something to tickle everyone’s fancy.

February 2026: As we start to slowly leave winter behind us, we've highlighted some of the more appropriate seasonal spots for brunch. Try Lolo in Bermondsey if you want a lively Spanish take on brunch; start your Saturday with some heat at Thai-inspired Chet's; and feast on prawn toast scotch eggs at Jikoni in Marylebone. We've also included a few places that prove brunch isn't just a weekend treat, with some recent openings that serve brunch every single day, such as Permit Room Portobello - Dishoom's all-day cafe in Notting Hill - and excellent Syrian cafe Aram, which you can find in the glamorous Somerset House.  The humble brunch is perhaps one of the greatest inventions of the modern age, especially if it incorporates pancakes, bacon and eggs. London is particularly well stocked with places to indulge in the famous breakfast/lunch hybrid. Let us guide you to the best restaurants for a fabulous brunch, from a traditional full English to innovative twists on the majestic meal, such as a bacon bao brunch or fried eggs on chilli-cheese crumpets. Booze optional.  Best brunches in London at a glance: 🍖 Best for Spanish-style brunch: Lolo, Bermondsey 🏰 Best for a spectacular setting: Aram, Somerset House 🌳 Best for an al fresco brunch: Pavilion Cafe, Victoria Park  🌮 Best for a Mexican feast: Corrochio’s, Stoke Newington  RECOMMENDED: Like unlimited fizz with your fry-up? Here are the best bottomless brunches in London.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink

Spending your Friday night sweating next to a bunch of investment bankers might well sound like some people’s idea of hell, but there’s no denying that Canary Wharf’s 5000 square metre ‘contrast therapy club’ is a seriously impressive venue. Opened in January 2025 to much fanfare, it features the largest sauna in the UK, a huge circular space with a capacity of 65 people. Alongside the mega sauna, ARC consists of a dimly-lit room filled with ice baths, and a sleek coliseum-shaped lounge decked out with a custom 300-watt sound system, where guests can take breaks between the intense sauna sessions while drinking loose-leaf tea. Visitors can book self-governed ‘free flow’ sessions lasting 50 or 70 minutes or a range of different classes incorporating breath and strength work, movement, meditation, myofascial release and lymphatic drainage techniques. The staff are upbeat and keen to help – I was coached through my somewhat daunting first cold plunge by an enthusiastic guide – and the atmosphere throughout the venue is relaxed and friendly.  On weekends there are also 120-minute Arc After Dark sessions, which promise to ‘push the boundaries of the conventional night out’ and feature aromatherapy and live DJs playing immersive soundscapes. As you might expect, sessions here are a little pricier than your usual community sauna, but still reasonably affordable; individual classes are £29, or you can purchase a block of 10 for £250, while memberships start at £125 for five sessions

  It starts with a sweet, floral smell. Before you know it, an extremely hospitable staff member with dayglo hair starts plying you with all kinds of magical balms, soaps and face scrubs, promising you they’re going to change your life. You know where we’re talking about. Cruelty-free cosmetics shop Lush has become a beloved fixture on UK high streets since it was first founded in the mid-nineties.  At its three-floor Oxford Street flagship, you’ll find the usual towers of delicious smelling, neon-coloured cosmetics, as well as the first-floor Poetry Pharmacy, a have of curated poetry and books on beauty and wellness where you can self-medicate with a cosy cuppa and some Emily Dickinson, andone of Lush’s seven in-store spas. Sure, Europe’s busiest boulevard hardly seems like the location for a day of relaxation; however, as soon as you step into the quaint, country kitchen-styled spa, where you can experience a mineral bath, a multi-sensory massage or a reflexology session all to a tailor-made soundtrack, the street’s shuffling tourists and tooting buses are forgotten. For the ultimate muscle untangler, we recommend stopping by for ‘The Good Hour’.

Step inside this white washed, uber Californian feeling spa on Newburgh Street in Soho for a real good skin cleaning, or laundering, as the name suggests. Designed to work from the inside out, Skin Laundry’s high-tech facials are designed to be repeated as part of a plan targetting long-term skin issues such as acne scarring, hyper-pigmentation and rosacea.  The signature laser facial only takes 15 minutes and literally zaps the bacteria out of your pores. After a skin consultation and cleansing, your specialist will treat your face with a laser pen. It feels quite hot and pricks a little, but isn't painful. During the treatment you’ll hear the bacteria in your face crackle, and you might even smell it being vaporised away. If you're squeamish this might sound off-putting, but it's satisfying as hell. If you’re brave enough, there’s also a fractional laser treatment, which uses a thermal decive to create  thousands of microscopic channel in the skin, stimulating new collagen formation.  This one is a little more intense – you’ll will get a cooling hyaluronic acid serum to take home and apply regularly in the aftermath of your treatment, and will need need to avoid sunlight for a week – but on our visit it really did work to minimise wrinkles and leave skin plumper and more youthful-looking.

Seasoned London festival-goers have been singing the praises of this 10,000-capacity Southwark Park festival since it debuted in 2023, thanks to its boutique size, community vibe and collaborative line-ups created with help from some of the city’s best culture venues. So we’re pleased to say that Rally is coming back for a fourth edition in 2026, with a very exciting line-up curated by Blood Orange. Dev Hynes – AKA the guy behind Blood Orange – will bring his signature blend of synth funk, experimental beats and emotional depth to Southwark Park. Hynes will headline and has hand-picked the rest of the line-up. Of course, we always knew we could trust his good taste. The rest of the fest’s programme includes Daniel Avery performing with a full band, ethereal electronic pop girlie james K and the legendary Glaswegian DJ duo Optimo (Espacio). Rally 2026 will see the first ever UK performance from Jump Source – the project of Montréal-based DJs and producers Priori and Patrick Holland – alongside sets from GENA, out-there DJ and producer Parris, a special live show from Roman Flügel, and Pitchfork-approved artists like Norwegian slinky poppers Smerz and US experimental rockers YHWH Nailgun.

With its 31st edition taking place this summer, the Southbank Centre’s Meltdown Festival has long since established itself as a key date in London’s cultural calendar. Each year, the Southbank invites one celebrated artist to curate the festival, with such luminaries as David Bowie, Yoko Ono, Grace Jones, David Byrne, Chaka Khan and Little Simz having previously taken on the exciting task. Taking place in the middle of the iconic London institution’s 75th birthday celebrations, we expect this summer’s edition of Meltdown to elicit one of the most exciteable reactions to date, seeing as it’s being masterminded by none other than former One Direction member, multiple BRIT and Grammy Award-winner and all-round pop superstar Harry Styles. The ‘Watermelon Sugar’ singer will be drawing on his eclectic musical influences to curate a line-up traversing pop, soul, rock and electronica, and featuring plenty of young British talent. And as is usually the case for curators of the festival, Styles will also be gracing one of the Southbank Centre’s stages himself for an intimate headline gig. No doubt competition for tickets will be fiercer than ever before, so stay tuned for more details, with further line-up announcements and on-sale dates due in the spring.

The UK’s largest queer film event returns to the BFI Southbank (and to the BFI Player online) for its 40th edition from March 18-29, with its usual jam-packed line-up of world premieres, feature films, documentaries and shorts programmes, plus all manner of talks, panels, workshops, free events and after-hours fun. The 2026 festival will open with the world premiere of American documentary maker Jennifer Kroot’s riotous new film Hunky Jesus, which follows social justice movement the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence as they prepare to host their legendary annual Easter Sunday drag contest in San Francisco.  The mid-festival Special Presentation will be Kiwi director Paloma Schneideman’s ‘tender, unflinching’ coming of age drama Big Girls Don’t Cry, following 14-year-old Sid over one transformative summer in the early 2000s. And the festival will close with Black Burns Fast, South African director’s debut feature, following nerdy student Luthando through her sexual awakening at a prestigious boarding school.  Other highlights to look out for include the world premiere of Madfabulous, Welsh director Celyn Jones’s quirky period drama based on the life of irreverent socialite Henry Cyril Paget, the fifth Marquess of Anglesey, starring It’s A Sin’s Callum Scott Howells, Stud Life director Campbell X’s long-awaited second feature Low Rider, and Barbara Forever, NYC documentary-maker Brydie O’Connor’s portrait of trailblazing photographer Barbara Hammer. Alongside the usual Hearts, B

Get cosy this Valentine’s Day at the Prince Charles and explore their rotating programme of cult, arthouse and classic films, alongside recent Hollywood blockbusters. Veering away from the typical romcoms, the Prince Charles Cinema is offering a line-up of more obscure Valentine’s friendly films, from Wong Kar Wai’s paean to the agony’n’ecstasy of buttoned-up emotions In the Mood for Love, romantic classics True Romance and Brief Encounter, Céline Sciamma’s glorious queer period romance Portrait of a Lady on Fire, a marathon of Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy and rom-com faves like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, When Harry Met Sally. 

If you’re of the opinion that they just don’t make love songs like they used to, then Walthamstow Trades Hall’s Valentine’s night party is the perfect place for you and your boo to celebrate. Local acts Simon Lawrence ands the Sunnymoon Jazz Band will be headlining the evening, covering Rat Pack classics like ‘Sway’, ‘Mack the Knife’ and ‘That’s Amore!’ with support from ‘lounge folk’ duo Weaver Line. And after the live acts have finished, resident DJ Lord Darkwave will be upping the tempo with a set of disco bangers that’ll keep you dancing til the early hours with E17’s older funsters, cheap pint in hand. 

The Southbank Centre is teaming up with Switzerland’s Montreux Jazz Festival for a second time to present a weekend of events celebrating the legacy of legendary Miles Davis. There'll be a mixture of free and ticketed events, workshops, panel discussions and jam sessions inspired by the trumpeter's work, in the centenary year of his birth.  Highlights include a gig from Theo Croker (Mar 13) where he'll present Miles Davis works in unexpected ways, with a line-up of special guests. The following day there'll be a link-up between Manchester groups Children of Zeus and Tomorrow’s Warriors, in an intergenerational pairing that'll play two headline events. On the final night, Mercury Music Prize-nominated corto.alto will play a set that takes in broken-beat bounce and bass-heavy dub, signposting jazz's future sounds.  Other events include soul artist Celeste in conversation (Mar 14), a free open jam from the Five Points Project (Mar 13), and a Women in Jazz showcase (Mar 13). 

A new Shoreditch cocktail bar from award-winning bartender and creative director Artem Skapenko.

Unlike your usual boot sale, there’s no tat being flogged out of the back of a Ford Fiesta at this oh-so-classy car boot. Instead, more than 75 rare classic vehicles will be parking up in Granary Square and Coal Drops Yard, out of which vendors will be selling vintage fashion, homewares and collectables. Mobile eateries will be dotted between the old-school cars and campervans, while an old Routemaster bus bar will be serving up craft bevvies, with DJs impressing purists and pop lovers with vintage vinyl. Stay tuned for more details in due course!

All Points East returns to Vicky Park for its eighth edition in 2026. Since debuting in 2018, the festival has garnered a reputation for building some of the most exciting line-ups in the UK. Its headliners are often indie or dance-focused big-hitters, while its undercards are packed with cult heroes and rising stars you can say you saw first. As well as the ticketed weekend events, look out for All Points East In the Neighbourhood, the festival’s free midweek programme of community activities including film screenings, live sports, theatre, family fun and more.  When is All Points East 2025? So far announced, APE will take place across Friday, August 28 and Saturday, August 29. The festival typically runs over multiple weekends, with more acts to be announced soon.  How much are tickets? Each show is priced differently, as are the different levels of access on offer. Ticket prices for all the 2026 shows are yet to be announced, but in 2025 general admission tickets ranged from £68.85 to £79.75, with VIP offerings available for between £112.65 and £154.75. If you want to beat the crowds to a prime spot, you can nab a primary entry ticket. There are also payment plans available if you’d prefer not to drop the full ticket price all at once. Really want to go but can’t afford to drop the full ticket price all at once? Payment plans are available. Every year APE also organises a free mid-week programme in collaborating with Tower Hamlets Council for locals called In The Neighbour

One of the longest-standing and largest queer film festivals, BFI Flare celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026. The springtime film bonanza at the BFI’s South Bank home is a major calendar fixture for London’s queer communities and cinephiles alike, and with exactly one month to go until the 2026 edition of the festival kicks off, the line-up has just been revealed. Film buffs attending this year’s edition of Flare will be able to catch 31 world premieres among the 65 feature films and 62 shorts on the programme, alongside a stellar curation of classic queer cinema, and the usual programme of talks, workshops, exhibitions and DJ nights that make the BFI Southbank such a buzzy place to be during the festival.  The BFI Flare 2026 Line-Up Opening Night Film  As previously announced, the 40th edition of Flare will open with the world premiere of American documentary maker Jennifer Kroot’s riotous new film Hunky Jesus, which follows social justice movement the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence as they prepare to host their legendary annual Easter Sunday drag contest in San Francisco. Alongside the premiere, long-serving member Sister Roma will be present for a talk exploring the ‘sistory’ and impact of the movement alongside UK chapter members. Image: Hunky Jesus Special Presentation Taking place halfway through the festival, the Special Presentation for Flare 2026 is Kiwi director Paloma Schneideman’s ‘tender, unflinching’ coming of age drama Big Girls Don’t Cry, following 14-ye

The Southbank Centre’s early summer festival Meltdown has long since established itself as a key date in London’s cultural calendar.  Each year, the arts centre invites one celebrated artist to curate the festival, getting them to hand-pick a roster of their favourite musical talents and nightlife promoters to star across a two-week programme of gigs, participatory events and after-hours parties at the prestigious venue. Such luminaries as David Bowie, Yoko Ono, David Byrne, Grace Jones, Nick Cave, and Little Simz have previously stepped into the role, with news of who will curate each year’s edition of the festival always hotly anticipated. Anticipation for this year’s event is surely set to reach fever pitch now that it’s been revealed that it’s being masterminded by none other than former One Direction member, multiple BRIT and Grammy Award-winner and all-round pop superstar Harry Styles. Cue the ear-splitting screams. Taking place from Thursday June 11 to Sunday June 21, during the iconic London venue’s 75th anniversary celebrations, the 31st edition of Meltdown will see the ‘Watermelon Sugar’ singer draw on his eclectic musical influences to curate a line-up traversing pop, soul, rock and electronica, and featuring plenty of young British talent.  ‘My goal as the curator is to share the music and art that I love, and to celebrate the rich history of the venue,’ Styles said of his part in the latest edition of the festival. ‘We both share a passionate belief that music is

A Valentine’s date doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. Sure, a fancy meal is nice and all, but St Valentine’s Day is really about giving quality time to your favourite people, whether that be a partner, pals or a situationship that you’re trying to turn into something a bit deeper.  This year V Day falls on a Saturday, which means there’s an awful lot of time to fill. But, like we said, that doesn’t have to involve big spending. There are all sorts of romantic experiences going on in London that won’t burn a gaping hole in your wallet and have you resenting your other half for the next six months.  For artsy couples, there are free events to get your creative juices flowing or for food-obsessed lovers, there are loads of affordable meals to bond over. However you want to impress your hot date, we’ve got you covered. Here are all of London’s best cheap and free things to do with your Valentine. RECOMMENDED: The best alternative things to do in London for Valentine’s Day. The best free things to do in London this weekend.The 10 cheapest Michelin-starred restaurants in London. The best free and cheap things to do for Valentines Day in London 2026 1. Celebrate love at a mid-week Museum of the Home Late A few days before the main event, the Museum of the Home is keeping its doors open after hours for a lovely wholesome night of music and making. A zine workshop with Tummy Ache Magazine will invite you to create a zine that pays homage to your personal love story, a pop-up ma

When it comes to blockbuster sporting events, few things come close to the Super Bowl. The NFL’s showpiece fixture is less a match and more a full-blown cultural phenomenon – and while the game takes place thousands of miles away, London will be very much awake for it.  In 2026 the Super Bowl heads to Santa Clara. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, around 45 miles southeast of San Francisco, the California city won a fiercely competitive bidding process to host the game (a privilege that reportedly costs close to $100m once security and production are factored in). It’s not Santa Clara’s first rodeo either, having previously hosted the Super Bowl 50 back in 2016. As ever, the action on the field will be joined by all the familiar Super Bowl trimmings: high-stakes drama and, most importantly, a globe-stopping half-time show. I mean, who could forget Beyoncé? And Rihanna? Prince? Pop-culture milestones one and all. So sure, you could watch it from your sofa with a multipack of crisps. But for anyone after a proper Super Bowl experience – big screens, booming sound systems, flowing pints and American food – London has plenty of late-night parties worth staying up for. These are the best places in the city to catch it. When is the Super Bowl?  Super Bowl LX takes place on Sunday February 8, kicking off at around 11.30pm GMT. Who is performing at the Super Bowl? Bad Bunny was announced as the headline performer for the Super Bowl Halftime Show back in September. Green Day are

Happy New Year, art lovers! January tends to be a pretty quiet month for London’s art scene – what with all the collectors and gallerists off sunning themselves – but it’s the perfect time to get organised for the year ahead. And what a year it’s gonna be for the city’s gallery-botherers, with blockbuster exhibition after blockbuster exhibition on the way over the next twelve months. There’s monumental sculpture, pointillist landscapes and flashy photography, massive names from Renoir to Hockney, and so many big shows by women that the Guerrilla Girls might have to get a new schtick. RECOMMENDED: The best photography exhibitions in London for 2026. Stay tuned for loads more details on this year’s exhibitions, as many of the smaller commercial galleries are yet to announce their schedules for the coming year. And in the meantime, get this lot in your diary. The 12 best art exhibitions coming to London in 2026 1. Frida: ‘The Making of An Icon’ at Tate Modern Featuring more than 130 artworks, including some of Frida Kahlo’s most iconic paintings, the Tate Modern’s mammoth summer exhibition will explore how the Mexican painter became the kind of cultural phenomenon whose monobrowed likeness adorns everything from novelty socks to limited-edition eye shadow pallets. The first major London exhibition on the feminist icon since the V&A’s one in 2018, it promises to be a fascinating exploration of the transformative role of women artists in the 20th century, as well as notions of fan

Dun, dun-dun-dun dun, dun-dun-dun dun! If there’s one thing that’s gotten us through the dark, cold nights of January 2026, it’s been tuning into BBC 1 three nights a week to hear that melodramatic theme music. With traitor-on-traitor violence, multiple secret relationships, some truly iconic knitwear and more gasp-worthy plot twists than Claudia Winkleman has had spray tans, this might just have been the best series of the camp-as-Christmas gameshow yet. Can Rachel and Stephen’s Celtic alliance take them all the way? Does Faraaz know more than he’s letting on? Will James finally vote out an actual traitor? We’ll get all the answers from 9pm tomorrow during the climactic finale. And if you fancy watching it somewhere with a wee bit more atmosphere than your living room, there are a bunch of live screening parties happening across London, many of which are free to attend. So don your cloak, grab yourself a chalice of wine and settle in to catch all the drama at one of these London venues screening the final episode. The best Traitors finale screening parties in London Oslo, Hackney Hackney Central bar and nightclub Oslo will be showing the finale on two huge screens, with tables of 4, 6 and 8 available and £5 pints until 10pm.  1A Amhurst Road, E8 1JB. From £11.33 for a table of 4. Picturehouse, Finsbury Park Witness all the drama unfold from the cabaret-style seats in this plush cinema’s event screening room. Tickets include bottomless popcorn and a free Traitor’s Tipple co

We might only be a couple of weeks into the new year, but 2026 is already looking like a stellar vintage for London’s arts and culture scene, with major new venues on the horizon – including the new London Museum, the opening of V&A East and a permanent home for the Museum of Youth Culture – and some fabulous art shows and museum exhibitions to look forward to.  And if you haven’t already filled up your diary for the next few months, we’ve got even more unmissable culture for you in the form of some eye-catching photography exhibitions. Make the most of ‘planuary’ by organising your upcoming excursions to these shows encompassing everything from snapshots of queer communities and American urban life to cutting-edge wildlife and fashion photography.  RECOMMENDED: The 26 best things to do in London in 2026. The 8 best photography exhibitions coming to London in 2026 1. ‘Light and Magic: The Birth of Art Photography’ at Tate Modern When the camera was first invented, it was a wonder of science, able to capture images with an accuracy that had never been seen before. But soon, instead of being seen as a rival to painters and sculptors, photographers began to join them as artists, interested in all the creative possibilities of this new method of image making. Tate Modern’s autumn opening explores how art photography emerged as a discipline between the 1880s and 1960s, taking an international approach that spans places from Shanghai to Sydney, New York to Cape Town, and Brazil t

Great news, culture vultures; it’s the start of a brand new year, and that means a host of new exhibitions to look forward to. January is pretty quiet for new openings – we’re all too busy watching The Traitors and trying not to spend any money – but there’s plenty of unmissable culture on the horizon in the capital, from flashy fashion and design retrospectives to deep-dives into ageing, fandom and the studio behind everyone’s favourite claymation canine and inventor duo. Joyless health kicks got you feeling glum? Stop meal prepping and start planning an enriching cultural diet instead, with our guide to the biggest and best museum openings coming up over the next year.  RECOMMENDED: 🎨 The 12 best art exhibitions coming to London in 2026.🏗️ Developments that will transform London in 2026. The 8 best museum exhibitions coming to London in 2026 1. The Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum Huge news for British history buffs; for the first time in 900 long years, the Bayeux Tapestry is going on display in Britain this autumn. The intricately embroidered 70-metre-long artwork depicts the 1066 Battle of Hastings, when William the Conquerer took the English throne. Although it’s believed to have been embroidered in Canterbury, the tapestry has resided in Bayeux, Normandy for the past nine centuries, so this is a super rare chance to see it on home soil. The British Museum. Sep 2026-Jun 2027. More details here.    Photograph: Shutterstock 2. Schiaparelli: ‘Fashion Becomes Art’

Black Friday has been and gone, London’s festive markets, Christmas shops and department stores are buzzing with activity, and the big day is less than three weeks away. So if you haven’t already made some serious headway on your gift shopping, you might be starting to feel a little panicked. But don’t worry about it! Time Out’s 2025 Christmas Gift Guide just landed, and it’s packed full of great pressie ideas, from nifty gadgets and stylish accessories to covetable homeware and fun stocking fillers. And we’ve also got some excellent ideas for what to get the small people in your life. Landed your primary school-aged cousin in the family Secret Santa, or got a boisterous little niece or nephew you usually get a little something for? Time Out’s Theatre Editor and resident kids’ expert Andrzej Lukowski has picked out the perfect thing; these cutesy little things from the venerable toymakers Ty (of Beanie Babies fame).  Setting you back less than the price of a central London pint, the Ty Beanie Bouncers have topped renowned toy shop Hamleys’ list of the most in-demand toys for Christmas 2025. If you’ve walked past the Regent Street shop in recent weeks, you might have noticed that its window display is dedicated to the colourful little spherical plushies.  Essentially a cross between a Beanie Baby and a bouncy ball, they come in a huge range of different designs, including the cheerful snowman pictured above, some adorable little animals, both real (we’d die for Banana the Monk

It’s been a busy couple of years for London’s iconic Victoria & Albert museum, with a whole bunch of major development projects on the go across the city. First, there was the £13 million revamp of the museum’s childhood-focused Bethnal Green outpost, which reopened as the Young V&A to  in June 2023 to critical acclaim, picking up the Art Fund Museum of the Year Award the following summer.  This spring then saw the opening of another very well-received project, the V&A East Storehouse, a ‘working museum’ purpose-built to house half a million objects from the museum’s various archives while offering Londoners a peek behind the scenes to see how a museum goes about curating and caring for the items in its collection.  And now, the museum group has announced the opening date for the second part of its east London development project, V&A East, which is due to open to the public on Saturday, April 18 2026. Opening just shy of a decade after it was first announced as part of the £1.1 billion development of Stratford’s East Bank cultural quarter, the 7,000 square metre museum will bring together exhibits that speak to both east London’s creative heritage and the voices that are shaping contemporary culture across the globe today.  Photograph: V&A East Museum Why We Make Galleries render © JA Projects Also announced today are details of the free-to-visit permanent galleries, new commissions and temporary exhibitions that comprise the museum’s opening displays. These include the Wh

It’s a huge weekend on the London social calendar, with Halloween parties galore, Day of the Dead fiestas, a smattering of early Bonfire Night celebrations and the final few days of October half-term entertainment all happening over the next couple of days.  But while that sounds really fun, it also sounds...expensive! Blown all your money on a killer Halloween costume and/or a week of entertaining the kids? No worries; it’s also an excellent weekend for wallet-friendly fun around the capital.  From great museum lates to fun pop-ups, here’s where to have fun this weekend without spending any more of your paycheque before November has even started.  RECOMMENDED: All the best things to do in London this weekend.  The best free things on in London this weekend 1. Learn about Nigerian modern art at a Tate Late  Inspired by its new exhibition Nigerian Modernism, the Tate Modern’s October late features talks, workshops and curator chats exploring food cultures, diaspora fashion and key African artworks in the Tate collection. There’ll also be plenty of music with DJ sets curated by Native Soundsystem, Tone and Sample Chief.  Tate Modern, SE1. Fri Oct 31. Free (some events are ticketed). 2. Or go rococo at a V&A Late hosted by Riposte  Have you heard the rumours that Marie Antoinette was actually queer? This late drawing off the V&A’s blockbuster exhibition all about the fated French queen, will be delving into the lesbian-coded history and symbolism of Marie Antoinette, in an ev

The clocks have gone back, there’s a chill on the air and central London’s fancy dress shops suddenly have queues out the door. It can only mean one thing; Halloween is just days away! Pretty soon, the streets will be full of the raving dead, as Londoners head out to Halloween parties around the city. And with the spookiest holiday on the calendar happening to fall on a Friday this year, we’re even more spoilt for choice than usual when it comes to late-night antics on All Hallows’ Eve. Still trying to decide which club night deserves to be graced by your haunted labubu costume?  We know which one we’ll be doing the monster mash at, because one north London party has topped our list of London’s best Halloween parties for 2025, thanks to a killer line-up headlined by Kurupt FM and special guest Aitch.  With the likes of DJ AG, Eliza Rose, SBTRKT, Mike Skinner, Eats Everything, Yung Singh and Flowdan featuring across three huge rooms, Drumsheds Presents Halloween is promising more bangers than Dracula has had bloody dinners this October 31.  The north London superclub – which recently announced major upgrades ahead of its 25/26 winter season – will be kicking things off nice and early at 7pm, meaning partygoers will have eight whole hours of raving ahead of the 3am curfew.  The venue has also told partygoers to ‘Expect the unexpected,’ which we imagine means it’s got some spook-tastic surprises planned for the scariest night of the year. We reckon those high-tech screens in Roo