10 Things To Do This Weekend, From Exhibitions To Theatre Shows
It’s officially the first weekend of February, which finally means we’re inching ever closer to spring. While we still have chilly weather to contend with, we’ve crafted a weekend guide filled with activities that won’t see you catching a cold. From early Lunar New Year celebrations to exploring Kew Gardens’ annual Orchid Festival, read on to get inspired.
Things To Do This Weekend, From Light Displays To Kews’ Orchid Festival
Kick off your Lunar New Year celebrations
Lunar New Year may officially take place next weekend, but that isn’t stopping Chai Wu from kicking off celebrations early.
Celebrated for its pan-Asian culinary mastery, this top restaurant, located inside Harrod’s, has added five tempting specials to its regular menu. Expect to be toasting to good fortune in 2024 with dishes such as Lo Hei, a prosperity-rich dish with fresh salmon and shredded vegetables topped with a gold leaf; the Dragon Roll, with flame-grilled eel and fresh avocado; and a Dragon Fruit Petit Gâteau with vanilla chiffon sponge.
When: 01.02.2024 – 13.02.2024
Where: Fifth Floor, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7XL
Website: www.harrods.com
Explore Kew Gardens’ annual Orchid Festival
If you fancy venturing into nature this weekend, make sure Kew Gardens’ Orchid Festival is at the top of your list. Returning this weekend, the annual festival is a celebration of the flourishing flora, with this year’s theme spotlighting Madagascar.
Running until 3rd March, expect to see the country’s vibrant natural beauty and biodiversity come to life inside the Princess of Wales Conservatory. There’ll be a host of installations on display and you might even spot ring-tailed lemurs hanging high up in the trees surrounding you.
When: 03.02.2024 – 03.03.2024
Where: Kew Gardens, Richmond, TW9 3AF
Website: www.kew.org
Book a fondue-filled party
Fancy levelling up your next dinner party? Book in for a special fondue party and enjoy an evening packed out with charcuterie boards, German beer, Swiss cheese fondue and fun.
You’ll be joined by an expert lederhosen-clad chef who brings all of the cooking essentials needed to make this an experience to remember. The event will kick off with charcuterie meats and Swiss cheese fondue, alongside artisanal sourdough bread for dipping. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, it’ll finish with a moreish chocolate fondue – yum!
Perfect for group parties and office get-togethers, a taste of Alpine living is brought directly to you.
Website: www.letsgodo.com
Head to the opening weekend of Sir Quentin Blake’s new exhibition
You probably fell in love with his illustrations reading Roald Dahl classics as a child, but now you can see Sir Quentin Blake’s artwork come to life in person as his new exhibition, NOW.
On display at the Arc Gallery at Cromwell Place, this new collection will appeal more to an older audience, with large-scale portraits and imaginary compositions on display. Expect his colourful humour and movement to be evoked, with the rare opportunity to buy an original piece of artwork from the artist.
When: Until 18.02.2024
Where: Cromwell Place, 4 Cromwell Place, SW7 2JE
Website: www.cromwellplace.com
See The Handmaid’s Tale in opera
If you adored Margaret Atwood’s novel and you’ve binged all of the five seasons so far, see the magic of The Handmaid’s Tale come to life in a whole new way at this new opera production.
Bringing the story of courage and survival amidst a world lingering with repression to the stage, Paul Renders’ score creates an unnerving atmosphere drawing on medieval chants and gospel music.
Following a successful run in 2022, it’s back again at the London Coliseum for a short two-week stint. Book now to see this unusual, dystopian take on opera.
When: 01.02.2024 – 15.02.2024
Where: English National Opera, London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ES
Website: www.eno.org
Immerse yourself in this sound & light show
Following on from last year’s successful immersive experience, St Martin-in-the-Fields has just launched its new sound and light spectacle.
Centred around ‘Life’, this year’s display will be projected onto the outside of the buildings, through the underground Crypt before finishing with a brilliant light show filling the entire church.
Perfect for all ages, expect to be dazzled with mesmerising imagery and sound displays.
When: until 03.02.2024
Where: St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ
Website: www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org
Catch the Serpentine’s new exhibition
This week saw the arrival of the Serpentine’s new major exhibition and it’s an exciting one. Known for her mix of imagery and words, Barbara Kruger’s Thinking of You. I Mean Me. I Mean You. sees the American artist return to London with her first solo institutional show in the city in over 20 years.
Running until mid-March, the retrospective showcases a series of installations, moving image works and soundscapes. Expect everything from blurring audio clips with memes and animated photos of cats with text. This is one of the biggest exhibitions worth catching this year.
When: until 17.03.2024
Where: Serpentine South Gallery, W2 3XA
Website: www.serpentinegalleries.org
3 Events Worth Travelling For
Watch Maidstone’s Lunar New Year parade
Those looking to venture out of the city, we’ve found a Lunar New Year celebration worth bookmarking. This Saturday sees Maidstone celebrate with an exciting parade through the Jubilee Square.
A series of Chinese lions will be playfully prowling the town centre, alongside musical ensembles and Chinese opera performances. Alongside all of the action, there’ll be free dragon crafts taking place at the Lockmeadow Entertainment Centre, perfect for little ones to get creative and learn more about this tradition.
When: 03.02.2024
Where: Jubilee Square, Maidstone, Kent, MC14 1SA
Website: www.visitmaidstone.com
Channel your inner Mario at this pop-up bar
Calling all retro gamers, The Cocktail Geeks has transformed its Edinburgh site to create an all-encompassing mushroom kingdom dedicated to Super Mario.
Join the world’s finest plumber as you embark on a magical journey through this Nintendo-fused world, featuring brilliant cocktails inspired by the iconic games and a menu filled with Japanese-Italian fusion flavours.
When: until 09.06.2024
Where: The Arches, 27 East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8FS
Website: www.thecocktailgeeks.com
Stop by Turner Contemporary’s new major exhibit
Another Kent happening worth exploring this weekend is the Turner Contemporary’s newest retrospective, opening its doors on Saturday.
Titled Beyond Form: Lines of Abstraction, 1950 – 1970, it’s a group exhibition exploring “radical global language shared by women artists in the twenty years following World War II”.
Featuring over 80 artworks and sculptures, it brings together the work of over 50 artists, looking at how women have pushed the boundaries of artmaking while facing cultural, social and political shifts.
When: 03.02.2024 – 06.05.2024
Where: Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent, CT9 1HG
Website: www.turnercontemporary.org
