Things to Do in London This Weekend (21–23 February 2026) Best Events, Food & Easy Plans
Some London weekends feel overplanned before they even begin.
You open five different guides, save ten different posts… and somehow still end up wandering Leicester Square wondering what actually made sense to book.
So let’s keep this one simple and actually useful.
This guide focuses on what’s genuinely worth your time in London this weekend (Friday 21 to Sunday 23 February 2026). No filler. No unrealistic cross-city marathons. Just a well-balanced mix of seasonal events, cosy experiences, and easy wins that work whether you’re visiting or living here.
If you’ve been waiting for a weekend that feels full without feeling exhausting this is a good one.
Let’s plan it properly.
Catch the Orchid Festival at Kew Gardens (Still in Peak Season)
If you haven’t made it to the orchid display yet, this weekend is still a perfect window.
The annual Orchid Festival at Kew Gardens is currently in full swing, and this year’s edition focuses on the plants and landscapes of China. Inside the Princess of Wales Conservatory, you’ll find carefully curated floral installations, tropical colour everywhere, and warm greenhouse air that honestly feels like a small winter escape.
Why this works especially well right now:
late-winter colour boost
indoor but still feels outdoorsy
good for couples, families, or solo wandering
easy to pair with a West London café stop
Entry to the orchid display is included with standard Gardens admission.
How to reach:
Kew Gardens station (District line and Overground) is about a 5-minute walk.
See Cirque du Soleil: OVO (If You Want a Proper Crowd-Pleaser)
If your weekend mood is more “big night out” than quiet wandering, Cirque du Soleil’s OVO continues its London run and remains one of the most visually impressive shows currently in the city.
The production leans into a colourful insect world theme expect acrobatics, large-scale staging, and the kind of spectacle that works whether you’re a first-timer or returning fan.
Best for:
date nights
group outings
something weather-proof
visitors who want a memorable evening event
How to reach:
The show is currently staged at the Royal Albert Hall area South Kensington and High Street Kensington are your easiest Tube options.
Explore Lunar New Year Celebrations Around Chinatown
Even though the main parade has passed, London’s Chinatown and surrounding West End streets still carry a strong Lunar New Year atmosphere through late February.
This weekend you’ll still notice:
red lantern displays
special restaurant menus
festive window decorations
themed desserts and drinks
It’s one of those low-effort, high-reward London walks especially in the early evening when the lights start to come through.
How to reach:
Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus are both within a few minutes’ walk.
Wander Borough Market for Late-Winter Comfort Food
February weekends and Borough Market are still one of London’s most reliable combinations.
This time of year the market leans heavily into proper comfort food think hot raclette, fresh pasta, rich pastries, and steaming street food that actually makes sense in the cold.
What makes this weekend particularly good:
tourist crowds are still lower than spring
plenty of hot food options
easy to combine with a Thames walk
works well as a daytime plan
If you want to time your visit smartly, late morning or early afternoon tends to be the sweet spot.
How to reach:
London Bridge station is directly next to the market.
Take a Thames Evening Walk (The Quiet February Version)
This is the kind of plan that never trends but Londoners quietly do it all the time.
Late February evenings are slowly getting lighter, the riverside crowds are still manageable, and the city lights along the Thames hit differently when the air is still cold and clear.
Best easy routes this weekend:
South Bank → Tower Bridge
Westminster → London Eye → Waterloo
London Bridge → Tower Bridge
It costs nothing, requires no booking, and pairs perfectly with dinner before or after.
Cosy Café Reset (Because February Still Calls for It)
Let’s be honest London in February still demands at least one proper warm café stop.
This weekend is a great time to duck into one of the city’s quieter neighbourhood cafés, especially in areas like:
Notting Hill
Marylebone
Hampstead
Islington
Late winter is actually when these places feel most authentic fewer queues, more locals, and a much calmer pace than spring brings.
How to Plan This Weekend Smartly
If you want this weekend to feel smooth instead of rushed, here’s a simple rhythm that works well:
Friday evening:
→ Cirque du Soleil OVO or Chinatown dinner
Saturday daytime:
→ Kew Gardens Orchid Festival
→ West London café stop
Sunday:
→ Borough Market brunch
→ Thames riverside walk
London rewards plans that flow geographically. Try not to zigzag across the city unless you really have to.
Final Thoughts A Proper Late-Winter London Weekend
Late February sits in a strange but underrated sweet spot.
The Christmas crowds are long gone.
Spring hasn’t fully arrived yet.
But the city is quietly warming up again.
This weekend in London isn’t about huge headline moments it’s about well-chosen plans that actually feel good to do.
A warm greenhouse.
A riverside walk.
A proper show night.
Good food that makes sense in the cold.
If you build your weekend around a couple of these, you’ll get the version of London most visitors completely miss.
For more genuinely useful London weekend guides, seasonal food spots, and real city planning tips, and explore Londonyaar.com I’ll keep helping you experience the city properly, one weekend at a time.