FeaturedGet ready to explore the City of London’s rich array of ancient and modern buildings for free during Open House Festival 2026.
12.09.2026
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20.09.2026
This article relates to February 2026. To find out about the latest events happening across the City now, you can view our What's On page to search by date and topic.
Whether you’re looking to keep children entertained during February half-term, enjoy a night out, or celebrate Valentine’s Day with a memorable romantic experience, the City of London has something for everyone.
From yoga and brunch to live concerts and cultural events, February 2026 is bursting with activities to enjoy in the Square Mile.
1. Celebrate Valentine’s Day in the City
The City of London offers an ideal setting to orchestrate an unforgettable date. From the timeless charm of romantic restaurants to swoon-worthy views from rooftop venues here are a few ideas to get you started.
Follow our guide to Valentine’s Day in the City of London.
A romantic walk idea? A view of Blackfriars Bridge during an Illuminated River walk. © James Newton / Illuminated River
2. Explore Guildhall Art Gallery’s ground-breaking new exhibition
From Friday 27 February, step into the sensory world of London’s Tube in Guildhall Art Gallery's immersive exhibition by Jock McFadyen RA and Jem Finer of The Pogues.
The exhibition brings together Jock McFadyen’s large-scale Tube station paintings, revisiting his Underground series from the late 1990s, with a layered soundscape by Jem Finer, founding member of The Pogues, composed from field recordings on the Northern and Central lines. Image and sound combine to transform familiar stations, signage and everyday noises into an immersive experience, encouraging visitors to see and listen to the Underground anew.
Open daily from Friday 27 February. Admission: Pay What You Can.
'Jock McFadyen with Jem Finer: Underground (and Surface)' opens on Friday 27 February at Guildhall Art Gallery.
3. LGBT+ History Month walks and tours
Explore the City’s vibrant history and culture through activities that honour the contributions and stories of the LGBTQ+ community.
Uncover Hidden Histories at the Charterhouse (5, 13, 18 and 27 February): during a special journey by candlelight, you will learn how the Charterhouse, predominantly a male community for centuries, served as a unique sanctuary for men in their later years, many of whom were gay men seeking a haven when they had no family to care for them. The Charterhouse sits just outside the City of London boundary.
Join a tour of the Bishopsgate Institute’s LGBTQIA+ Collections (7, 10 and 12 February): you’ll discover a treasure trove of LGBTQIA+ history with extensive archives holding cuttings, badges, and banners – and even a set of wizard’s robes.
Walking London's Queer History (Saturday 7 and 21 February): walking through the City of London, your guide will uncover some hidden histories; from Roman occupation to queer struggle, queer joy, late-night trysts in St Paul's Cathedral and thieves in controversial clothing.
Explore LGBTQ+ stories at the London Archives (20 February), with a selection of documents that speak to the lives of, and experiences of, LGBTQ+ people. £5 / booking essential.
An archive photograph from the Bishopsgate Institute LGBTQIA+ Collections
4. Discover Sir Christopher Wren's architectural legacy (Wednesdays)
Most widely known for rebuilding St Paul’s Cathedral after the Great Fire of London in 1666, Sir Christopher Wren is one of Britain’s most celebrated architects, and his visionary designs transformed the City of London.
Take a walking tour with the official City of London Guides to discover his most iconic works on City Churches, including the dome of St Stephen Walbrook, the Gothic spire of St Margaret Pattens, and The Monument, commemorating the Great Fire of London 1666.
There are daily walking tours organised by the City of London Guides. Advance booking is essential.
Image © Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral. Graham Lacdao
5. Explore the 'Room with All Existing Words' above the ancient Temple of Mithras
Visit the latest installation at London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE: Room with All Existing Words by Dutch artist Mark Manders: a monumental sculpture as well as one of Manders’ signature invented newspapers. Together, these elements explore how history is continually rewritten—revealing what is preserved, what is lost, and what remains unresolved.
Installed above the Roman Temple of Mithras, London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE showcases a series of contemporary art commissions, responding and bringing fresh perspectives to the history of the site. Open from Tuesday to Sunday.
'Room with All Existing Words' by Dutch artist Mark Manders. Photo Marcus J Leith.
6. Walk and visit Dr Johnson’s House (Wednesday 11 February)
Take a fascinating walk through the historic heart of literary London, in the Fleet Street Quarter, and visit the home of its most famous resident writer: Dr Samuel Johnson.
17 Gough Square is the only historic townhouse still standing in the area, having survived many near misses - not least the Blitz. Built in the 1690s, shortly after the Great Fire, the five-storey house retains many of its period features. You can browse all the rooms and sit down on the chairs and window seats to soak up the atmosphere in what was still the tallest building in the locality during WWII.
You can also visit the house on at half-price on Friday afternoons.
Dr Johnson's House © City of London Corporation
7. Keep children entertained with February half-term adventures
These exciting and educational activities are happening across the City this half-term.
Second Saturday at Guildhall Art Gallery (Saturday 14 February): join for a celebration of love. You will explore Victorian symbolism and sentimentality with storytelling and Valentine's card-making with our embossing paper press. This event is for children aged 3 to 13 and their families. Free activity.
Here be dragons! at Tower Bridge (Saturday 14 February): look out for dragons on your visit to Tower Bridge! Find out more about these mythical stone beasts and their link to London at this drop-in activity. You can make your very own dragon to take home and keep (included in ticket to Tower Bridge, no need to book). Tower Bridge sits just outside of the City of London boundary.
Beano Mischief at the Tower of London (Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 February): join Dennis and his Beano pals this February half term as they crash their time machine into the fortress. Can you help them get back home? The Tower of London sits just outside of the City of London boundary.
Uniform thinking at the Bank of England Museum (Monday 16 to Friday 20 February): catwalk into the Museum during February half term; design and colour your very own Bank of England uniform. Plus, discover more about the various attire from the Bank's past, and the many accessories that have accompanied the Bank's worn history. Free activity.
Half-term Family Day at Guildhall Art Gallery (Wednesday 18 February): a day to unleash your natural creativity: there will be no templates, no instructions, just artists and playworkers to help facilitate creation and play surrounded by great art, ancient history, and storytelling. Free activity.
London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE (Wednesday 18 February): join a free, hands-on art activity for children and families inspired by the newest installation, Room with All Existing Words by Mark Manders. Children will use collage and paper-cutting to make their own masterpieces in the shape of an ancient relic. Free activity.
Hands-on activity at the London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE. Photo by Dario Nesi
8. Enjoy a world premiere by the London Symphony Orchestra (Sunday 8 February)
The LSO is putting together an exciting programme for this early February concert: a world premiere Oboe Concerto from one of Britain’s finest composers, Colin Matthews, the folk-inspired Dance Suite by Bartók, plus Rachmaninoff’s late and great orchestral showstopper, the Symphonic Dances.
The LSO’s Principal Oboe Olivier Stankiewicz takes centre-stage for the Colin Matthews premiere, led by conductor Elim Chan – winner of the 2014 Donatella Flick LSO Conducting Competition – , a frequent guest with the orchestra.
Conductor Elim Chan © Simon Pauly
9. Rejuvenate with Rooftop Yoga and Brunch (Saturday 21 February)
Elevate your mornings with Rooftop Yoga and Brunch at The Skyline London. Suitable for all levels, these guided sessions promise rejuvenation against a backdrop of stunning city views, including Tower Bridge and the River Thames. Complete your morning with a wholesome brunch to fuel your day.
10. Discover the Interwoven Fashion History of the Culture Mile (Thursday 19 and Wednesday 25 February)
In celebration of London Fashion Week 2026, come and be guided through the historical streets of the Culture Mile with a free walking tour bringing to life rich fashion and textile history stretching back to Roman times, including historic Smithfield, the modernist Barbican Estate and the gleaming new towers around Moorgate.
The Interwoven Fashion History of the Culture Mile – A Walking Tour
11. Join the Cheapside Choir, to prepare a special International Women’s Day celebration
The Cheapside Choir returns for 2026, bringing you 6 free weekly singing workshops in the lead up to International Women’s Day.
The workshops are taking place on Wednesdays 4, 11, 18 and 25 February, as well as Wednesday 11 and 18 March, from 6 to 7pm at Temple Bar in Paternoster Lodge. You can join the choir on the Cheapside Business Alliance website.
12. Visit these free exhibitions – closing soon!
Blondie in Camera 1978 (until Saturday 21 February): Blondie takes centre-stage in a free photographic exhibition, at the Barbican Music Library. Step into the electric pulse of late-70s New York as legendary rock photographer Martyn Goddard unveils 50 hand-picked prints capturing Blondie at the height of their rise.
Glassed in Dreams (until Tuesday 31 March): a striking new glass installation by artist Gabriele Beveridge, commissioned by Brookfield Properties following an open call for female artists initiated by The Association of Women in the Arts (AWITA). Free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm.
The Barbican Centre. Photo Credit: Max Colson
13. Discover Bart’s Great Hall during a lunchtime concert (Wednesday 11 February)
Enjoy a lunchtime concert at Bart’s North Wing, featuring new City Music Foundation Artist, Will Harmer, as part of the Bart’s Lunchtime Concert series.
Will Harmer is a London-based composer and pianist. Will is an Oxford Song Young Artist 2024-25 and has performed recitals at Cheltenham Festival, Wigmore Hall, St Martin-in-the-Fields, Oxford Song and Lied Festival Zeist.
Will Harmer. Photo by Ben Ealovega.
14. Admire the Inter-Livery Pancake Day Race (17 February)
Every Shrove Tuesday, dozens of Livery members split into teams and race around Guildhall Yard for the Inter-Livery Pancake Race.
Hosted by the Worshipful Company of Poulters, this is one of the most visually spectacular events of the year in the City, and an example of City Livery companies coming together to raise money for charity.
Inter-Livery Pancake Day Race in Guildhall Yard.
15. Join a run club in the City of London (Wednesdays)
Are your still carrying on with your good resolutions? The Cheapside Run Club meets every Wednesday at 6pm and start and finish at Pure Sports Medicine St. Paul’s, on the 1st Floor of One New Change.
The club runs a 5k route, featuring iconic Cheapside locations and beyond, is suitable for all abilities and open for all to join.
The Cheapside area is full of iconic views, here next to the Bank of England and the London Troops War Memorial © City of London Corporation
16. Get a free intro to music, health & wellbeing in the Culture Mile (Wednesday 4 and 11 February)
Whether you’re a seasoned singer or just starting out, there is an exciting programme of free events this February, taking place on two Wednesdays lunchtime, at the London Centre.
Sing Away the Blues (Wednesday 4 February, 1pm), for an uplifting session with gentle vocal warm-ups and breathing exercises, or get an Intro to Mindful Breathing (Wednesday 11 February, 1pm), exploring simple breathing techniques for focus, calm and stress reduction.
A sound bowl workshop at the London Centre © Music in Offices
17. Explore three free new exhibitions at Hypha Galleries at No.1 Poultry
INTERNET CAFE at Hypha Gallery 1: spanning contemporary painting, drawing, sculpture and installation, INTERNET CAFE invites us to reflect upon how new media has accelerated the disappearance of social and cultural customs associated with hand-held technology.
What lasts doesn't always hold shape at Hypha Gallery 2: curated by Taylor Hall and Rebecca Jak, it brings together works by Marian Drew, Levent Ozruh, and Jobe Burns. Drew, Ozruh and Burns respond directly to No. 1 Poultry by engaging with the physical and symbolic life of the stone that envelops the building’s façade.
WHAT'S LEFT | WHAT'S GONE at Hypha Gallery 3: a group exhibition that considers what materials retain and what slips away over time. Bringing together artists working through process and material experimentation, the exhibition approaches making as a way of thinking through memory, fiction, and lived experience.
Poster for the What lasts doesn’t always hold shape exhibition at Hypha Gallery 2 / No. 1 Poultry
18. Enter the Great Fleet Street Quarter Cook Off
Do you work for a business located in the Fleet Street Quarter area?
If yes, apply for the Great FSQ Cook Off before Tuesday 24 February and tell why you would like to take part and represent your Business. With guidance from Le Cordon Bleu Masterchefs, entrants will be tasked with replicating a dish before plating-up for the judges. No previous professional cooking experience is necessary, just a passion for creating delicious food!
© Fleet Street Quarter
19. Learn something new with lectures at Gresham College
Alien Earths: What Makes Us Special? (Wednesday 4 February): sometime in 2026, we will discover our 10000th exoplanet, a world around a distant star. This population of worlds has proved remarkably diverse, but hasn’t produced any world like our own. A lecture by Astronomy Professor Chris Lintott.
Lee Miller's Indelible Images (Tuesday 10 February): what is it that makes an image stick in our memory against our will? People find many of Lee Miller’s combat photographs have this indelible quality, and of these the most powerful are from her witness of the Holocaust. A lecture by Miller’s son, Antony Penrose. [Note: this lecture includes imagery that some viewers may find distressing].
The Price of Pixels (Tuesday 17 February): this lecture explores the destructive rare earth mineral mining powering our devices, the vast energy consumption of data centres fuelling climate change, and the toxic e-waste contaminating our environment and harming human health. A lecture by Professor Ian Mudway, Visiting Professor of Environmental Health.
