Add Some Colour To Your Weekend With These 10 Plans

Those looking to get their culture fix this weekend, bookmark the Courtauld’s new exhibition dedicated to the German artist, Frank Auerbach. 

Presented together for the first time, Frank Auerbach: The Charcoal Heads features a collection of large-scale drawings by the artist. Fiercely rich and textured, this series is from Auerbach’s early works, exploring these huge charcoal drawings made during the 1950s-60s.

Head down this weekend and explore this deeply personal collection of works from one of the most celebrated living artists in the world.

When: 09.02.2024 – 27.05.2024

Where: The Courtauld Gallery, Strand, WC2r 0RN 

Website: www.courtauld.ac.uk

It’s Super Bowl Sunday! If you’re a lover of American football and fancy staying up until into the wee hours of Monday morning, Big Penny Social is helping you do so with its giant event. 

Armed with ice-cold beers, delicious food and DJ sets, you’ll have front-row seats for the action as the venue shows the live broadcast on its 16ft wide HD screen.

When: 11.02.2024

Where: Big Penny Social, 1 Priestley Way, E17 6AL

Website: www.bigpennysocial.co.uk

We’ve all seen the news announcing that Fenwick’s New Bond Street location has now closed its doors since Saturday 3rd February, but there is a way to creep inside the building one more time before it’s gone for good.

Charity Super.Mkt, the team that curates a collection of fashion and accessories from top UK charity retailers, will be hosting an exclusive pop-up in the former Fenwick six-storey department store for a limited time.

From 9th – 24th February, you’ll be able to shop everything from band t-shirts, football tops, denim goodies and everything in between at this secondhand pop-up shop. On Friday 9th, there’ll be a rummage launch event that you can sign up to for your chance to see and shop the collection before it goes live. 

WHEN: 09.02.2024 – 24.02.2024 

WHERE: FENWICK, 63 NEW BOND STREET, W1S 1RQ

WEBSITE: WWW.CHARITYSUPERMKT.COM

This Saturday marks the beginning of the lunar calendar, and London is going all out with celebrations. On Sunday 11th, the capital’s famous parade will take place throughout the West End, beginning on Duncannon Street at 10:15am. 

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon in style, following the parade throughout the streets before making your way to Trafalgar Square. There’ll be stalls and stages located around. 

If you fancy beating the crowds but still want to celebrate, we’ve rounded up the best foodie events taking place.

When: 11.02.2024

Where: Route starts on Duncannon Street at 10.15am

Online sustainable fashion brand, Damson Madder, will be hosting its first pop-up boutique this month. Known for its small-batch production and playful pieces, the week-long residence will allow you to explore, shop and try on the brand’s SS24 collection.

Running alongside the pop-up will be a two-day Valentine’s floral event created in partnership with the floral concept, My Lady Garden.

Expect to find some timeless pieces that you’ll wear on rotation.

WHEN: 09.02.2024 – 14.02.2024

WHERE: 35 MARSHALL STREET, W1F 7ES

WEBSITE: WWW.DAMSONMADDER.COM

It’s officially the beginning of the February half-term and if you’re scrambling around, panicking that you haven’t planned a single day, we’ve got you covered. 

From afternoon teas designed with adventurers in mind to dinosaur exhibitions that everyone will love, we’ve rounded up the 20 best half-term activities in London.

20 things to do this February half-term 

On the hunt for a one-of-a-kind Valentine’s gift? This Saturday sees the return of the DIY Art Market. 

Championing artists and publishers, the DIY Art Market returns to Peckham this weekend for a special Valentine’s edition. With over 150 up-and-coming and established artists from across the UK and Europe, you’ll have the opportunity to peruse everything from art prints to ceramics, zines to sculptures, sewn items to jewellery. 

The entrance fee is £1.50 and you can find the full exhibitors here. 

When: 10.02.2024 

Where: Copeland Park & Bussey Building, Copeland Road, SE15 

Website: www.diyartmarket.com

Ahead of its annual summer open studio event, the artist-run collective, North Yorkshire Open Studios, will be launching a public preview for those wanting to peek inside their studios. 

Running from 10th February at Danby Lodge National Park Centre, you’ll have the chance to meet and buy directly from the artists, as well as vote for your favourite two-dimensional and three-dimensional artists as part of an Audience Choice Award. 

Perfect for weekend perusing, the exhibition is on display until 12th May.

When: 10.02.2024 – 12.05.2024

Where: Danby Lodge National Park Centre, Lodge Lane, Whitby, YO21 2NB 

Website: www.nyos.org.uk

Channel your inner warrior over the half term and make your way up to York’s Jorvik Viking Festival. Running from 12th – 18th February, it’s the perfect family-friendly immersive experience to explore. 

There are a whole host of events happening across the week, from Viking-inspired banquets and reenactment fights to family crafts and a Viking-esque market.

When: 12.02.2024 – 18.02.2024

Where: Across York

Website: www.jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk

To celebrate the Chinese New Year, artist Grace Lau will be taking over 234 Terminus Road, Eastbourne, to give visitors the chance to get their photo taken for free inside a reimagined 19th-century Chinese portrait studio. 

Open from 9th – 25th February, you and your little ones will be able to strike a pose inside this ornate setting, complete with hanging lanterns, bonsai tree paintings and a mountain-painted backdrop. 

Portraits In A Chinese Studio is part of Co-Creating Public Space, a new project led by John Hansard Gallery inviting communities to engage with creatives to rethink the use of public spaces.

When: 09.02.2024 – 25.02.2024

Where: Towner Eastbourne, Devonshire Park, College Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4JJ

Website: www.townereastbourne.org.uk