Things to do this February
February is a month of excitement and new beginnings. Payday has finally arrived after what seemed like the longest time ever and has signalled the end of dry January. What’s more, we have Valentines and Singles Day for the attached and unattached. Stephen Bailey goes on tour and there is something cool going on all month.
Broke Girl in the City is about finding cool things you can do in London – even when completely broke.
February highlights:
Ariana Grande Cloud Pop Up
Friday 1st February 2 pm-6 pm
Saturday 2nd February 10 am-6 pm Covent Garden, WC2H 9AT
#ArianaGrandeCloudUK experience celebrates the launch of her fragrance in the UK. Be one of the first to sample the brand-new fragrance CLOUD by the multi-platinum recording artist, Ariana Grande! Strike your best pose in the photo booth, visit Ariana’s CLOUD room and chill out at 9-11 Shorts Gardens, Covent Garden, WC2H 9AT.
Entry to the event is free, and the first 1000 people will receive a goody bag from taking away. Ariana Grande will not be present.
The Lego Movie 2 Pop-Up!
#EverythingIsAwesome
1 & 2nd February, London South Bank
I am a huge fan of The Lego Movie. So how excited was I when my friend posted news that there will be a Lego Movie cafe in London this weekend! This incredibly exciting pop-up cafe will be installed at Observation Point on London’s South Bank.
Stars of The LEGO® Movie 2 will open a unique LEGO® Cafe on Friday 1st February coinciding with Awesome Week spreading positivity in the lead-up to the film’s release. THE COFFEE CHAIN, inspired by the cafe featured in The LEGO® Movie films, will be opened by the voice cast of Chris Pratt and Tiffany Haddish. The lego movie pop-up will serve free drinks, raising awareness and money for Unicef UK.
LEGO® will also deliver Lego doughnuts and coffee around London to people interacting on Twitter with the hashtag #EverythingIsAwesome so go ahead and share positive, awesome thoughts and pics.
THE COFFEE CHAIN will be open for two days, Friday 1st 10 am-6 pm and Saturday 2nd of February 10 am-5 pm at Observation Point, South Bank. Southbank, 58–72 Upper Ground, London, SE1 9LT.
Check @TheLEGOMoviesUK’s Twitter page for further updates
Stephen Bailey – Our Kid Tour
Starts February – Nationwide
Everyone’s favourite ‘guilty pleasure’ (Daily Record), stand-up comedy star, Stephen Bailey is back on tour with his brand-new show, Our Kid – a story full of Northern warmth, some working-class guilt and a bit of blue.
‘An outrageous, hilarious hour of comedy. Stephen Bailey is a superstar in the making’ (British Comedy Guide)
Stephen is one of my best friends, and I can’t rate him highly enough!
Expect lots of dick jokes. He’s very, very funny too.
The year of Stephen Bailey
2018 was an exciting year for Stephen. However, 2019 is the year Stephen is really going to explode. Not literally. Obvs. If you didn’t see his agony uncle appearance on ITV1s Zoe Ball on Sunday, you can catch him on Celebrity 5 go Camping on Channel 5.
Chinese New Year
5th February, 10th – Celebrations in London
The Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, starts on Tuesday, 5th of February. This year marks the Year of the Pig, the 12th of all zodiac animals.
The 2019 Chinese New Year Parade will take place in Chinatown, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square on Sunday 10th February. Having attended with friends last year, it is absolutely incredible.
Mandela: The Official Exhibition
From 8th February, 26 Leake Street
Nelson Mandela: The Official Exhibition reveals his epic story in a series of experiential zones. It takes visitors on Mandela’s life journey, from his little-known beginnings in rural Mvezo, Transkei, through decades of turbulent struggle against the apartheid regime, to his eventual vindication and final years as South Africa’s first black president, ‘Father of South Africa’, and a globally loved and respected figure.
Now a major new exhibition, Nelson Mandela: The Official Exhibition, celebrates his life and legacy and makes its World Premiere at 26 Leake Street on February 8th 2019.
Camden Rooftop Cinema: Valentine’s Cinema
10-14th February (except 15th), FEST Camden
From February 10th until the 17th (except Friday the 15th), a carefully curated selection of movies will be shown at Fest Camden’s Rooftop Cinema. When Harry Met Sally, William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet, Dirty Dancing, True Romance and The Notebook are just some of the films, you can enjoy in this winter-themed space. It is a magical getaway with live music, a fully stocked bar and wood-fired pizzas so you can treat yourself and your loved one right.
– Sunday 10th – When Harry Met Sally
– Monday 11th – Romeo & Juliet
– Tuesday 12th – Dirty Dancing
– Wednesday 13th – True Romance
– Thursday 14th – La La Land
– Sunday 17th – The Notebook
Singles Day – Evening with Amy
15th February, 7-10 pm Fest Camden
February is National Singles Day so that you can visit FEST’s Winter Chalet for rooftop cosy cubby holes with blankets, mulled wine and boozy hot chocolate. Or join in celebrating the legendary Amy Winehouse for ‘An Evening With…’. It will see a fantastic tribute and backing band play the soul great’s most moving album, Back to Black, in full, so it will be a great one to lose yourself in, with the option of seeing the show only, or combining it with dinner. Having experienced FEST Camden at Christmas, I can’t recommend this more highly!
London Fashion Week
London Fashion Week (15-19th) & London Fashion Week Festival (16-17th)
London Fashion Week is in town (15-19 February). Many fashion houses will host private collections, but your fashionista and fashion bloggers will all descend on the capital for this week. Fashion week happens in London twice a year—in February and September. Although the main fashion show is often exclusive to celebrities, media designers, and other fashionistas, there will be events held all over the city, which are generally free for all.
London Fashion Week Festival is a spin-off from LFW. London Fashion Week: Insiders offers the opportunity to be a part of London Fashion Week, in February 2019. Attend designer catwalk shows, enjoy immersive experiences and gain access to talks with designers and key industry figures. Tickets are not cheap though and will set you back £135 or £245 per ticket. If you have always fancied attending a VIP-style fashion show, this is the event for you!
International Fashion Showcase 2019: Brave New Worlds
THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF FASHION, 11-24th February 10-6 pm
The International Fashion Showcase (IFS) nurtures and presents work from the best up-and-coming fashion talent from around the world. For the first time this year, 16 selected designers from across the globe will showcase a series of compelling installations to represent their respective countries at Somerset House’s International Fashion Showcase.
Portrait Photography Workshop
Saturday 16th February, National Gallery
If you are serious about photography, it is worth saving up participating in a course or workshop. I have signed up to the Portrait Photography Workshop in London with photographer Louise Paton at the National Portrait Gallery this month, which is incredibly exciting.
Craft Beer Rising
21-23 February, Truman Brewery
From 21st to 23rd February 2019, the UK’s largest and most comprehensive craft beer festival is back in East London. Next to 155 breweries and delicious street food offerings, a world-class soundtrack will also come from five of the influential London radio station Soho Radio’s key hosts in Groove Armada’s Tom Findlay, The Cuban Brothers, Pete Paphides, Jay Carder and Andy Smith (45 Live) plus Don Letts, Jaguar, Norsicaa, The London Disco Society and Eva Crystaltips.
This carefully curated line-up covers a range of immersive sounds from house to disco, downtempo to dub, world music, fusion and plenty more at Truman Brewery on London’s iconic Brick Lane. It comes from giants of the scene including Tom Findlay, who will be presenting the Loose Joints show he hosts on Soho Radio. It finds one-half of the multi-million record-selling Groove Armada play more world music, disco and influences tracks, and his usual trademark house sound.
Hot Breakfast Month – February
Hot Breakfast Month was established to encourage people to get up and start their day with a meal that’s a bit more substantial than a simple bowl of cereal. Breakfast is an important meal of the day, that much is true, but taking the time to get up in the morning, prepare breakfast, and take the time to sit down and eat a freshly cooked meal is a great start to the day as well.
Vegan Cuisine Month
For anyone who has been doing Veganuary or is Vegan. London and other cities have so many new restaurants and offerings for Vegans. Check out the Veganuary website for lots of tasty recipes!
Top Tips?
Each month I am going to include a round-up of activities that are happening in and around London. If you are an events organiser or would like to contribute, please email us a Top Tip. There are so many cool things to do while living in the city!
