London Newsletter - February 2026

London in February 2026 brings crisp air and shorter days, yet the city remains active thanks to its diverse communities. A major focus this month is the Lunar New Year celebration. On February 21, the West End—particularly Trafalgar Square and Chinatown—transforms to welcome the new year. It is one of the largest events of its kind outside Asia, featuring traditional lion dances, martial arts displays, and floats.

Visiting Chinatown provides an opportunity to explore the neighbourhood's culinary history. For a quick authentic taste, Bun House serves Canton-style steamed buns that are easy to eat on the go. Alternatively, Wong Kei is a Chinatown institution famous for its fast pace, vast menu, and hearty portions. These spots are reliable places to find warmth and good food during the festivities.

London’s cultural institutions also open significant exhibitions this month. At the Design Museum, the Wes Anderson exhibition offers a detailed look at the director’s world through original sets, props, and costumes. For a different perspective, the Tate Modern presents a major retrospective of Tracey Emin starting February 26. This exhibition spans 40 years of her career, exploring personal themes of passion and healing.

For a break from the cold, the Kew Orchid Festival returns to the Royal Botanic Gardens on February 7. Located inside the heated Princess of Wales Conservatory, the display features thousands of exotic orchids and floral arrangements. It provides a humid, colourful contrast to the winter weather and warrants the journey to West London.

The city hosts other varied events this month, from the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup Final at Emirates Stadium to the traditions of Shrove Tuesday on February 17. It is a quieter time to explore the capital before the spring crowds arrive. If you would like to learn more about the history of these areas, we would be happy to welcome you on a walking tour.

Date	Event	Category
February 14	Valentine's Day National holiday in GB	🎄 Holiday
February 17	Carnival / Shrove Tuesday / Pancake Day Attend one of London's many pancake races—not your average holiday experience!	🎄 Holiday	More details →
February 4 - March 29	KINOTEKA Polish Film Festival Experience contemporary and classic Polish cinema, documentaries, and special events across London venues, including a retrospective of acclaimed director Andrzej Wajda's work.	🎪 Festival	More details →
February 21-22	Lunar New Year London Celebration Join one of Europe's biggest Lunar New Year celebrations featuring lion dances, colorful floats, and cultural performances across Chinatown and Trafalgar Square.	🎪 Festival	More details →
February 1-28	HMS Pinafore Join this laugh-out-loud production of Gilbert & Sullivan's nautical love triangle with presenter and actress Mel Giedroyc. Enjoy a riotous revival with Olivier-nominated slapstick-filled performances at the English National Opera.	🎵 Concert	More details →
February 1-28	London Firebird Orchestra: Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations Experience Tchaikovsky's enchanting Rococo Variations performed by the London Firebird Orchestra at St. George's Church (Hanover Square). Enjoy virtuoso instrumental performances in an elegant venue.	🎵 Concert	More details →
February 3-17	La Traviata Experience Verdi's heartbreaking classic of love and sacrifice in Richard Eyre's acclaimed sumptuous staging at the Royal Opera House. Immerse yourself in one of opera's most beloved tragedies with multiple performances throughout February.	🎵 Concert	More details →
February 4-7	Handel and Hendrix Enjoy a National Youth Theatre musical blending Baroque with gospel and soul, performed at St James's Church in Piccadilly with an innovative take on music history.	🎵 Concert	More details →
February 18 - March 28	London Handel Festival Explore the musical legacy of Handel through orchestral performances, lectures, and recitals at historic London venues celebrating the Baroque master's compositions.	🎵 Concert	More details →
February 25	Soho Calling Music Festival Explore vibrant nightlife across multiple Soho venues with live music performances spanning diverse genres in this celebration of London's music culture.	🎵 Concert	More details →
February 1 - April 12	Caravaggio's Cupid View Caravaggio’s iconic Victorious Cupid on special loan from Berlin, exploring themes of love, triumph, and mischief in his dramatic Baroque style, contextualized with related pieces and historical insights. Enjoy this free exhibition up close at the Wallace Collection.	🖼️ Exhibition	More details →
February 1 - July 26	Wes Anderson at the Design Museum Dive into the whimsical aesthetic world of Wes Anderson through immersive sets, props, storyboards, and influences from his films, celebrating his symmetrical and quirky style. Immerse yourself in this fan-favorite curation at the Design Museum.	🖼️ Exhibition	More details →
February 3 - May 4	Samurai Encounter Samurai warriors and artifacts in this exhibition at the British Museum, delving into their history and culture. Explore the world of Samurai through displays of armor, weapons, and related items.	🖼️ Exhibition	More details →
February 7 - March 8	Kew Orchid Festival 2026 Explore thousands of exotic orchid species in stunning floral arrangements, including themed Chinese gardens and cultural performances celebrating the beauty of spring blooms.	🖼️ Exhibition	More details →
February 12 - May 4	Lucian Freud: Drawing Into Painting Explore Lucian Freud’s mastery of drawing in pencil, ink, charcoal, and etching, alongside key paintings that reveal the dialogue between his works on paper and canvas, focusing on the human face and figure from the 1930s to the early 21st century. Discover his lifelong preoccupation with the human form at the National Portrait Gallery.	🖼️ Exhibition	More details →
February 26 - August 31	Tracey Emin Trace 40 years of Tracey Emin’s groundbreaking practice through paintings, videos, textiles, neons, writings, sculptures, and installations that challenge boundaries using the female body to explore passion, pain, and healing. Encounter career-defining works and never-before-exhibited pieces at Tate Modern.	🖼️ Exhibition	More details →
February 1	FIFA Women’s Champions Cup Final Experience thrilling semi-finals and finals as four of the world's top women's club teams compete at Emirates Stadium, witnessing renowned players deliver high-stakes football action.	⚽ Sport	More details →