Events and Things to do in London in February 2024

This post lists the many things to do in February in London, updated for 2024. We include a top ten list, free events, family-friendly activities, and things to do at night.

There's plenty to see and do throughout the city and visitors will find it's a great time to visit London and the UK generally.

The weather in London in February is a bit cold, although it's warmer than January. High temps are in the mid-40s early in the month and approaching almost 50 by the end of the month.

Just be sure to wear some layers, so you can add or remove clothes as needed, and carry along a small umbrella.

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN FEBRUARY

Below is our list of the top 10 things to do and see in February.

There are plenty of things for visitors to do in London in February, from an orchid festival at Kew Gardens to attractions such as the Tower of London, the British Museum, and events in the West End.

Visitors can also see the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace or attend London Fashion Week.

And if you're looking for things to do with kids, we have that too!

Some of our other most popular posts include:

If you are considering visiting many top attractions, then you should consider a tourist discount card or a bus tour combo ticket.

1. Go to a Concert

February can get quite cold, so it's the perfect time to spend an evening indoors listening to your favorite artists.

Concerts

Abba Voyage | all of February
ABC | February 1st, 5th 17th, 22nd
Miles Kane | February 5th, 8th, 9th, 10th

Click here to see even more concerts in London in February.

2. See a Sports Event

London is known for its local football clubs, and you can see a number of those clubs play this month.

Football (American Soccer)

Rugby

Six Nations Championship 2024

You can find other professional sporting events in London here.

NOTE: Both a Chelsea Stadium Tour and an Arsenal Stadium Tour are included for free with The London Pass.

3. Enjoy the Theatre

The West End of London is home to some of the most well-known theatres in the city, such as the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Gielgud Theatre, Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and many more.

Performances have been taking place in this part of the city since 1663!

You can find more of London's February theatre productions here.

If you're looking for cheap theatre tickets, check out our handy discount ticket guide to London theatre.

4. Take a Walking Tour

We offer both guided tours and free self-guided tours that take you through the heart of Westminster, the Old City of London, and help you decide what to do in London and what to see.

Our selection also includes food tours, street art tours, and themed tours, such as our Rock N Roll London, Jack the Rippery Harry Potter Tours.

Check out our current schedule of guided tours or take one of our GPS-enabled audio tours, which you could take any time that you like.

5. See the Changing of the Guard

In February, crowds are small and it's much easier to get your choice of a viewing area.

This event is free and can be watched from a few different locations including Buckingham Palace and the Wellington Barracks.

To find out everything you need to know about attending the Changing of the Guard visit our blog post.

TIP: The Changing of the Guard is a part of our Tour of Westminster and London in a Day tour, so let us take you there.

6. Explore the Orchid Festival

A perennial favorite event in London is the Orchid Festival at Kew Gardens.

The festival runs from February 3rd through March 3rd, 2024.

Each year the theme changes and this year the festival is a celebration of the immense beauty and biodiversity of Madagascar.

The Orchid Show is included in the price of entry to the Gardens. You can save money by purchasing your tickets online in advance.

7. Enjoy a Comedy Show

London is full of great comedians with stand-up shows and entertaining acts.

If you're a fan of British TV, you've probably seen some of them on comedy panel shows.

Stand-Up Comedy

Daniel Sloss | February 2nd, 3rd
Phil Wang | February 23rd
Peter Kay | February 24th

Comedy Clubs

Check this list for even more comedy shows in February in London.

8. Visit a Museum

London has more than 170 museums, so there's one for every taste.

A few of the popular museums are:

The British Museum

This museum has one of the most important collections of historical artifacts anywhere in the world and has over 8 million objects, of which 80,000 are on display at any given time. Visit here for information on a guided tour.

The Tate Modern

This free museum is the world's largest and most visited modern art museum, with galleries covering surrealism, abstract art, abstract impressionism after WWI, and more.

The collection dates back to 1900 and is housed in an old power station. For more information, visit our post.

The Tower of London

Is may not sound like it, but the Tower of London, on the banks of the Thames, is for the most part a museum. The grounds have towers, turrets, a (now filled) moat, royal apartments, a chapel, and more.

It also has a Fusilier Museum, a Royal Armouries museum, a small Royal Mint museum, and a museum that displays the Crown Jewels.

Note that tickets or access to many museums can be had with a discount card.

9. Have a Proper Afternoon Tea

If you are interesting in sitting with a nice tea, scones, sandwiches, and cakes, there are a number of options in the London area.

Just a few of the places you might like to visit for Afternoon Tea are:

For something a bit outside of the traditional Afternoon Tea service, you might try the Peter Pan Afternoon Tea at aqua Shard.

They have managed to put a creative spin on the tea experience, weaving Peter Pan through the entire event.

10. Save Money with a Tourist Attraction Discount Pass

A great cost-effective (and time-saving!) way to see more attractions, tours, and landmarks is by getting a London tourist pass.

These passes bundle together multiple attractions, museums, and tours into one single price and can help you save up to 55%.

Certain passes also give you skip-the-ticket-queue privileges at several locations.

Depending on which pass you get, admission to the following activities and attractions are included:

Make sure to read the full post covering London discount passes.

If you've already decided which discount pass is best for your purposes, you can purchase one here: The London Pass - Go City London | Explorer Pass- Go City London | Day Pass - London Sightseeing | London City Pass -Turbopass

Honorable Mention: London Fashion Week

Fashion Week comes to London in both February and September. In February, the event runs from the 16th-20th.

Folks will be traveling from all over the world to London to be dazzled at one of the many couture catwalk shows.

There are lectures and panels with influential industry insiders and shopping at industry-insider prices!

People can update their wardrobes with items from over 150 British and international designer brands.

With dozens of events to choose from, there are activities and experiences for every budget.

Honorable Mention: London Classic Car Show

The London Classic Car Show, a popular annual event, is perfect for those who are enthusiastic about classic cars.

Guests will have the opportunity to see more than 700 classic cars at Olympia London.

There is even an indoor driving runway where you can see some of the finest classic cars in action.

See their website for more information and to buy tickets. Prices often start as low as £20.

Honorable Mention: Valentine's Day

Each year on February 14th, folks from around the world celebrate Valentine's Day.

London is the perfect place for such a romantic holiday.

You could do things like ride the London Eye or visit the Sky Garden for a stunning view of the city at night.

Or you can see a show on the West End, a special treat. Perhaps you would enjoy the Orchid Festival that begins just after Valentine's Day at Kew Gardens.

A cruise on the Thames would be romantic. And a food tour would you give ideas of where you might like to book in for a romantic dinner.

London is full of options!

Honorable Mention: Chinese New Year

The London Chinatown Chinese Association holds free Chinese New Year celebrations each year.

They hold "the largest Chinese New Year celebration outside Asia" with a colorful parade and other festivities.

This year festival day will be February 11th. Join folks as they celebrate the year of the dragon.

Visit their website for updates.

FREE THINGS TO DO IN FEBRUARY

Here are just a few of the many free things you can do in London in February.

Be sure to check out the other sections of this post, as many of these other ideas are free.

Check our post on Free Things to Do in London and London on a Budget for more money-saving ideas.

Visit the House of Commons and the House of Lords

Located inside the Palace of Westminster, the legislative body for the United Kingdom is open to the public.

You can sit in the public galleries and watch political debates anytime the House of Commons or House of Lords are at work inside the palace.

You will need to know the debate schedule and be prepared to go through security.

This experience is separate from touring the Palace of Westminster, which has a cost.

Visit our blog post on How To Visit the Houses of Parliament and The Palace of Westminster to find out more!

Take In a Free Concert

Located in South Kensington, the Royal College of Music is one of London’s most vibrant conservatories and hosts free concerts inside featuring the talents of both the staff and students.

Due to its location in an important cultural quarter, the RCM is also surrounded by other great free attractions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Visit the British Museum

This is a perfect way to spend a day, with the added benefit of being indoors should London temperatures drop low.

Another benefit is that it is free to visit!

There are over 8 million objects to see, so why not join us and let us handle the task of navigating.

Our tour of the British Museum includes a knowledgeable tour guide who will not only steer you through the vast collections.

TIP: For which museums are free or offer free hours, see our post on The Best 42 Free Museums in London.

Stroll Through Camden Market

Located in north London, Camden Market is one of the most famous markets in the world.

It is filled with shops, stalls, cafes, and stables that offer something for every tourist.

There are plenty of places to hear live music or grab a drink and bite to eat.

There’s even a zoo for those traveling with children.

To find out about all the great things there are to do in Camden market visit our blog post of Things to Do in Camden Town.

You can find even more free activities by looking at our post, Free Things to Do in London

THINGS TO DO AT NIGHT

Just because it's February, doesn't mean nightlife in London slows down.

Likewise, some of the above-mentioned items can be experienced in the evening, such as a visit to the Sky Garden or the Shard.

For a full list, check out our post Things to Do at Night in London.

Witness the Ceremony of the Keys

Every night the Tower of London comes alive with a centuries-old tradition that is the official locking and securing of the tower, the Ceremony of the Keys.

This uniquely London experience is completely free to attend though tickets are required.

Visit our blog post to learn how to get tickets and find out more about the ceremony.

Ride the London Eye

The London Eye offers one of the best vantage points in the city, and during February, it is still open when it's dark out.

For those looking for great views of the city lit up at night, including the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben, this is a terrific option.

There are several different ticket options made available which you can find out more about by visiting our blog post.

See London from the Sky Garden

Another great option for those looking for great views of the city at night is London’s Sky Garden.

While the outdoor viewing balcony closes at 5 pm (sunset is earlier), the atrium stays open into the late hours of the night.

We cover how to make reservations, how to get here, and where to eat in our post on the Sky Garden.

Join a Pub or Club Crawl

London is home to many different pub crawls, including a Harry Potter pub crawl.

Check out our comparison post which reviews many of the best crawls in London.

Enjoy Orchids and Botanical Cocktails at Orchids After Hours

As part of the annual Orchid Festival at Kew Gardens, you can enjoy an adult evening surrounded by beauty while sipping on specialty botanical cocktails.

Get more information here.

Catch an indoor show at Shakespeare Globe

Located on the south bank of the River Thames, Shakespeare Globe is a huge complex holding a reconstructed outdoor theatre, a winter theatre, and a museum and education center.

While it may be too cold to enjoy a show outside, there are still shows indoors and a chance to participate in lectures, staged readings, and workshops.

Get more ideas from our detailed post, Things to Do in London at Night.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES

If the kids are on half-term, or you're looking for something to interest your kids, below are just a few of the ideas for things to do in London in February.

Some of the items mentioned above are ideal for families such as the Orchid Festival and the London Sky Garden.

You can find even more ideas in our post, Free Things to Do in London, which includes a family-friendly section.

Go Ice Skating at the Canary Wharf Ice Rink

While most of the other rinks in the city have closed for the season, Canary Wharf is still up and running through February 25th, 2023.

It stretches 80 meters (262 ft) and is lit by 8,000 LED lights!

They also have some live DJ events and curling tournaments.

Children (4-12 years) | £13.50
Adults/Teens (13 years and above) | £17.95
Family (4 skaters) | £53.95
Children must be accompanies by a teen or adult
Skate aids are for hire at the Box Office 30min prior to the skate session (limited availability)
£3.50 booking fee applies
Check The Canary Wharf Ice Rink website for more details.

Visit the Young V&A

This recently renonvated museum is focused on the joy of play.

This unique collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum includes toys, dolls, and games that date as far back as the 1600s.

The collection aims to show how children may have lived at these different periods in time in play, learning, and clothing.

The museum also runs exhibits and hands-on activities that kids of all ages will enjoy.

With a Play Gallery, an Imagine Gallery, and a Design Gallery, there's something for kids of all ages to do here.

See a Children’s Show

There are several theatres throughout London that have excellent programs for kids, such as the Little Angel Theatre and Half Moon Young People's Theatre.

Both theatres have kid-themed shows running often and at times host interactive workshops.

Explore The Science Museum

The Science Museum is another great option for those looking for great hands-on learning activities for the kids.

Here, kids are able to create science-based art and even take in a fun film in the museum's IMAX theatre.

Find more information on their website.

For more great family-friendly activities to consider, visit our post on Free Things to Do in London which includes a section dedicated to family-friendly activities.

Imagine Children's Festival

For 21 years this festival has brought theatre, comedy, music, literature, poetry, and dance to kids aged 0-11.

There are performances and dance for kids under age 5 just before the February half-term. There are retellings of Rapunzel, a DJ, dinosaurs, magic, astronomy, and more during half-term.

Best of all, the festival is entirely free!

Activities take place February 7th-24th at Southbank Centre in the Heart of London on the south side of the Thames.

Visit the event website for more information.

Take a Harry Potter Tour

Whether you received your invitation to Hogwarts or not, everybody knows about the magical world of Harry Potter.

Not only does Harry journey to and through London throughout the 8 movies, but most were filmed right here in the capital of the U.K.!

An expert guide will take you through London, pointing out sites and locations from the movie.

Click here for more information.

What to Do in London in February