February is a great time to visit London, with an array of wonderful events to pop in the diary ahead of your trip.
From fantastic live shows to events celebrating the city’s art, scenery and more, this is the month which brings you Valentine’s Day, but also plenty of family-friendly entertainment.
Here’s a few of the best activities to look out for.
Meet Vincent Van Gogh
Southbank
From 7th February 2020
London’s South Bank Centre frequently hosts cultural treats, and this travelling exhibition dedicated to Vincent Van Gogh is certainly no exhibition.
Exploring the life of the artist from his earliest years through to his tragic end, the exhibition highlights some of his finest works through the lens of his lifetime and the places he lived.
It has already proven to be a big hit overseas, and tickets are already highly coveted long before the exhibition arrives in London.
Ideal for both established fans of the artist and people eager to discover more about a true legend of the art world, this is a wonderful way to get acquainted with Van Gogh.
Orchid Festival
Kew Gardens
From 8th February 2020
Kew Gardens is one of the most beautiful spots in London, and the annual Orchid Festival is amongst the major attractions drawing visitors in February 2020.
Here you can find out more about these stunning plants, as well as taking part in activities and exploring the surrounding gardens.
Imagine Children’s Festival
Southbank
12th-13th February 2020
The Southbank Centre will be hosting this event for the half-term holidays, providing kids with entertainment and activities which help bring out their creative side.
Family-friendly and full of fun, this is the ideal way to encourage bright young minds to explore their creativity in a supportive environment.
London Fashion Week Festival
Various locations
14th-18th February 2020
A major event in the international fashion calendar, London Fashion Week offers visitors a sneak peek at some of the best new clothing and accessories that everyone will be wearing in the months to come.
If you are a fan of high-fashion, we recommend splurging on tickets while enjoying London hotels special offers.
Pretty Woman: The Musical
Piccadilly Theatre
From 14th February 2020
Based on the classic film from 1990, Pretty Woman: The Musical brings the story to the stage, with the run beginning on Valentine’s Day.
This is a great chance to see the show before anyone else, with tickets already on sale at the West End’s Piccadilly Theatre. You don’t need to be a theatre fan to enjoy the show, as there’ll be plenty of music and a familiar story to immerse yourself in this February.
Valentine’s Day Event
The Natural History Museum
14th February 2020
The Natural History Museum is hosting an evening event for Valentine’s Day, sure to appeal to romantics visiting the UK capital this month. There’ll be film screenings and even a box of complimentary popcorn, as visitors choose between a few romantic classics.
With incredible surroundings, this is a chance to enjoy a movie with your date and celebrate the most romance-fuelled day of the year in style.
Cirque du Soleil
Royal Albert Hall
Until 16th February 2020
This is the last chance to catch the world-famous Cirque du Soleil in London this year, with a run which continues until the middle of February 2020. With expert feats of acrobatics on display, it would make the ideal after-dinner show after visiting restaurants near The Arch.
The London Craft Beer Festival
Tobacco Dock
21st-23rd February 2020
This fantastic festival of all-things-beer will be taking place in February, providing three days ideal for anyone who loves craft beer, as well as giving ample opportunity to acquaint yourself with this popular London export.
Craft beer has seen an explosion in popularity in recent years, and tickets will provide the chance to try some of the very best.
9 to 5 the Musical
Savoy Theatre
Until 23rd February 2020
Based on the ever-popular film from the 1980s, 9 to 5 the Musical is a raucous musical which offers crowd-pleasing showstoppers and great performances. Set within the world of corporate America, it follows the same plot line as the movie, which famously starred Dolly Parton.
If you are a fan of musicals or simply want a great evening of theatre, you can catch this show until the 23rd February 2020.
David Hockney: Drawing from Life
National Portrait Gallery
From 27th February 2020
This is the first exhibition dedicated to David Hockney’s drawings in more than twenty years, and provides insight into his work during the 1950s. It takes an insightful look at an artist who was still developing his style, and is sure to impress art fans with a keen interest in Hockney’s work, as well as complete novices eager to learn more about a British legend.
Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk
V&A Museum
From 29th February 2020
The V&A is one of London’s foremost museums, and entirely dedicated to stunning design. This exhibition opens at the end of the month, and brings together some of the greatest examples for an impressive look at the kimono from both a Japanese and international perspective.
As a true icon of fashion and tradition, the Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk exhibition is the perfect event for fans of design staying at 5 star hotels in London.
Young Bomberg and the Old Masters
National Gallery
Until 1st March 2020
This exhibition focuses on the early work of artist David Bomberg, and showcases some of the most unusual pieces from this period of his artistic output.
Young Bomberg and the Old Masters places the artist alongside some of the true ‘Old Masters’ of art, making an argument for his entry into the same pantheon of greatness. All the art here stems from the 1910s, and it is a compelling look at an artist in the making.