London Half Term Fun: Events, Exhibitions & Free Activities

London’s February half term, running from Saturday, February 14th to Sunday, February 22nd, 2026, offers a diverse array of family-friendly activities designed to suit all ages and budgets. The city transforms into a hub of entertainment, ensuring children and parents alike have memorable experiences.

A highlight is the annual Imagine Children’s Festival at Southbank Centre, catering to 0-11 year olds with performances like Horrible Histories in Concert and free dance sessions. Other unique events include ‘Meet Miss Nightingale’ at the Florence Nightingale Museum, a musical retelling of ‘Peter and the Wolf’ by The Chromatica Orchestra, and ‘A Party For Charles’ at the Charles Dickens Museum, featuring Victorian games and quill writing for 5-8 year olds. Creative kids can enjoy ‘Wild Life Drawing’ with live rabbits at Dulwich Picture Gallery or ‘Wigs and Wiggles’ interactive music for under-fives at Handel Hendrix House.

Exhibitions are plentiful, from the Young V&A’s ‘Wallace & Gromit’ celebrating Aardman’s 50 years to the Horniman Museum’s ‘Voyage to the Deep’ inspired by Jules Verne, complemented by a free ‘Octonauts’ trail. The Postal Museum brings ‘The Jolly Postman’ to life interactively, while the Natural History Museum offers ‘Wildlife Photography’ for older kids and a last chance to see ‘Space: Could Life Exist Beyond Earth?’.

Theatre options range from popular musicals like ‘The Lion King’ and ‘Matilda’ to specific half-term productions. The National Theatre presents the last chance to see ‘Ballet Shoes’, while ‘TUTU’ at Peacock Theatre offers a gender-norm-defying dance show. Circus and physical comedy are featured in ‘By Trial and Error’ and ‘Neon Sun: Roller Circus’, alongside ‘The Ultimate Bubble Show’ and ballet performances of ‘Sleeping Beauty’. An interactive ‘Sherlock Holmes’ mystery awaits 7-11 year olds at Fulham Palace.

For budget-conscious families, numerous free activities abound. The National Portrait Gallery hosts a free family day, and Lunar New Year celebrations at the National Maritime Museum and London Museum Docklands offer vibrant cultural experiences with lion dances and workshops. London’s many free playgrounds, the Leicester Square film statues, and permanent collections at museums like the Science Museum and Natural History Museum provide endless entertainment. The Brent Lodge Park Millennium Maze offers a unique outdoor adventure. However, for popular venues, booking ahead is recommended to avoid queues.

Beyond central London, options include year-round ice skating, winter sports, and day trips to places like the real Hundred Acre Wood. The article also provides tailored guides for autistic children and teenagers, ensuring inclusive and engaging activities for every family member during the half term break.

(Source: https://londonist.com/london/things-to-do/things-to-do-in-london-in-half-term)