London Weekend Guide: Lunar New Year, Exhibitions & More (Feb 21-22)

London is set to buzz with a diverse array of activities and cultural events on the weekend of 21-22 February 2026, catering to all ages and interests. The weekend kicks off with significant celebrations, including the Lunar New Year, welcoming the Year of the Horse with family festivals at locations like London Museum Docklands and Greenwich Peninsula, culminating in a central London parade on Sunday. Families can also take advantage of the February Half Term offerings, with a comprehensive guide to special events, exhibitions, and theatre shows featuring beloved characters like Octonauts and Wallace & Gromit, many of which are free. Sports enthusiasts are covered with Six Nations rugby fixtures screened at various pubs and bars across the city.

Culturally, the weekend presents numerous opportunities. The Natural History Museum’s “Space” exhibition, exploring extraterrestrial life and allowing visitors to touch moon fragments or drive a Mars rover, closes on Sunday, urging prompt visits. Similarly, the Heath Robinson Museum’s “Sublime Space” and Somerset House’s “Infinite Bodies” on choreographer Wayne McGregor conclude their runs. Theatre highlights include the stage adaptation of “The Boy At The Back Of The Class” at Rose Theatre Kingston, and the final performances of “Ballet Shoes” at the National Theatre, both suitable for younger audiences. For adults, Josh Sharp’s critically acclaimed comedy “ta-da!” at Soho Theatre offers a unique, slide-based retrospective of his adolescence.

Shoppers can explore the Go East Vintage market in Bermondsey, featuring over 40 traders selling antique homeware, fashion, and art, or browse the monthly Adams Antiques Fair in Westminster on Sunday. Unique experiences abound, such as the “Space by Luxmuralis” light and sound show at St Martin-in-the-Fields, a “Gallery Late” at Dulwich Picture Gallery celebrating LGBTQI+ stories, and the final day of the “Imagine Festival” at Southbank Centre, packed with children’s performances and workshops. Educational tours range from ZSL’s “Veterinary Marvels” to a Black History Walks online talk on the Caribbean’s WWII contribution. Comedy fans have multiple options with KX Comedy Club, Churchill Comedy Club, and Collywobblers Comedy featuring various acts. This vibrant weekend ensures Londoners and visitors have a multitude of engaging events to choose from, though many popular exhibitions and shows are concluding, emphasizing the benefit of timely attendance to avoid missing out.

(Source: https://londonist.com/london/weekend/things-to-do-in-london-this-weekend-21-22-february-2026)