What's on in London on Friday 21st February 2025
Top events happening London
Out of Many One Caribbean: Delving Deeper into Our Collections
A special day of object stories, curator reveals, and artist conversations, where the V&A rethinks, and reconsiders the Caribbean treasures held within its collection.
11:00am to 8:00pm£35Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum, South Kensington
A special day of object stories, curator reveals, and artist conversations, where the V&A rethinks, and reconsiders the Caribbean treasures held within its collection.
Library and Archives Discovery DayDrop in and explore our reading rooms, meet our staff, see our collections and take a glimpse behind the scenes.
11:00am to 4:00pmFreeVictoria and Albert (V&A) Museum, South Kensington
Drop in and explore our reading rooms, meet our staff, see our collections and take a glimpse behind the scenes.
Introducing The London Archives LGBTQ+ CollectionsAs part of LGBTQ+ History Month, come along to see a selection of documents that speak to the lives and experiences of LGBTQ+ people.
12:30pm to 2:00pm£5The London Archives, Clerkenwell
As part of LGBTQ+ History Month, come along to see a selection of documents that speak to the lives and experiences of LGBTQ+ people.
Film Screening and Q&A: Under Your Nose, a film by Veronica McKenzieScreening of a documentary that tells the story of a group of activists who set up the UK’s first community centre for Black LGBTQ+ people in the 1980s – and the many challenges they faced along the way.
6:00pm to 9:00pmFree
Screening of a documentary that tells the story of a group of activists who set up the UK’s first community centre for Black LGBTQ+ people in the 1980s – and the many challenges they faced along the way.
Collecting and curating PicassoJoin world-renowned art dealers Frederick Mulder and Anne-Françoise Gavanon, long-time scholars of Picasso, as they talk with Catherine Daunt, curator of Picasso: printmaker.
6:30pm to 7:30pm£12British Museum, Russell Square
Join world-renowned art dealers Frederick Mulder and Anne-Françoise Gavanon, long-time scholars of Picasso, as they talk with Catherine Daunt, curator of Picasso: printmaker.
Fighting for the Empire? Britain’s Colonial African Armies, 1939-45Hear from John Concagh as he highlights how soldiers from Africa were recruited, trained and mobilised during the Second World War.
12:00pm to 1:00pmFreeNational Army Museum, Chelsea
Hear from John Concagh as he highlights how soldiers from Africa were recruited, trained and mobilised during the Second World War.
Beyond the Typewriter: Gender, Work and Technological Change in City of London Banks, 1870-1939This talk examines the relationship between women's employment and technological change in the City of London banks during a pivotal period of financial and technological transformation.
5:30pm to 7:30pmFreeThe Institute of Historical Research (IHR), Euston
This talk examines the relationship between women's employment and technological change in the City of London banks during a pivotal period of financial and technological transformation.
Ten exhibitions that are closing soon
Cockney Rebels: Popular Music in Tower Hamlets, 1624-2003Discover the extraordinary story of popular music in London’s East End. From Elizabethan ballads to the birth of grime, this first-of-its-kind exhibition takes visitors on a journey spanning four centuries, exploring how the East End and its people have inspired …
Exhibition ends on Friday 21st Feb FreeWhitechapel
Discover the extraordinary story of popular music in London’s East End. From Elizabethan ballads to the birth of grime, this first-of-its-kind exhibition takes visitors on a journey spanning four centuries, exploring how the East End and its people have inspired …
Antoni Malinowski and Helene Binet: Pigments and PhotonsThe first joint exhibition of Antoni Malinowski and Hélène Binet in a public gallery, celebrating their deep sensitivity and understanding of light and architectural space and form.
Exhibition ends on Saturday 22nd Feb £8.80Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery, Ealing
The first joint exhibition of Antoni Malinowski and Hélène Binet in a public gallery, celebrating their deep sensitivity and understanding of light and architectural space and form.
A Silk Road Oasis: Life in Ancient DunhuangThe oasis of Dunhuang, at the edge of the Gobi Desert, was once a bustling town on the famous Silk Road connecting China and the Mediterranean. Discover the personal stories of those who lived, travelled through, worked, and worshipped here …
Exhibition ends on Sunday 23rd Feb £8British Library, Camden
The oasis of Dunhuang, at the edge of the Gobi Desert, was once a bustling town on the famous Silk Road connecting China and the Mediterranean. Discover the personal stories of those who lived, travelled through, worked, and worshipped here …
Silk RoadsCamel caravans crossing desert dunes, merchants trading silks and spices at bazaars – these are the images that come to mind when we think of the Silk Roads. But the reality goes far beyond this. This exhibition challenges and expands …
Exhibition ends on Sunday 23rd Feb £17British Museum, Russell Square
Camel caravans crossing desert dunes, merchants trading silks and spices at bazaars – these are the images that come to mind when we think of the Silk Roads. But the reality goes far beyond this. This exhibition challenges and expands …
Barbie: The ExhibitionJourney into the Barbie universe and discover over 250 remarkable objects, with rare, unique and innovative dolls dating from 1959 to the present day. What to expect Opening to coincide with the 65th anniversary of the Barbie brand in 2024, …
Exhibition ends on Sunday 23rd Feb £18Design Museum, Kensington
Journey into the Barbie universe and discover over 250 remarkable objects, with rare, unique and innovative dolls dating from 1959 to the present day. What to expect Opening to coincide with the 65th anniversary of the Barbie brand in 2024, …
Churchill in Cartoons: Satirising a StatesmanChurchill once wrote, ‘I always loved cartoons’, but complained that cartoonists ‘have great power indeed.’ This exhibition marks 150 years since Winston Churchill’s birth, uncovering how satirical cartoons influenced public perception during Churchill’s lifetime, and how they shape our understanding …
Exhibition ends on Sunday 23rd Feb FreeImperial War Museum, Southwark
Churchill once wrote, ‘I always loved cartoons’, but complained that cartoonists ‘have great power indeed.’ This exhibition marks 150 years since Winston Churchill’s birth, uncovering how satirical cartoons influenced public perception during Churchill’s lifetime, and how they shape our understanding …
Battersea Light Festival 2025A free interactive art trail for all to enjoy, explore seven light installations from British and international artists, a number of which are making their UK or London debut.
Exhibition ends on Sunday 23rd Feb Free
A free interactive art trail for all to enjoy, explore seven light installations from British and international artists, a number of which are making their UK or London debut.
Lauren Halsey: emajendat Through objects and installations, Halsey archives and remixes the changing signs and symbols of her environment, gathering physical and graphic material from her neighbourhood.
Exhibition ends on Sunday 23rd Feb Free
Through objects and installations, Halsey archives and remixes the changing signs and symbols of her environment, gathering physical and graphic material from her neighbourhood.
Pride of EnglandA community-focused exhibition celebrating the diversity, unity, and community legacy of the England football teams.
Exhibition ends on Sunday 23rd Feb £8.80Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery, Ealing
A community-focused exhibition celebrating the diversity, unity, and community legacy of the England football teams.
Disney’s The Lion King Pop-UpVisitors will be able to explore the iconic masks, puppets and costumes up-close and learn about the inspiration behind many of the show’s impressive designs.
Exhibition ends on Sunday 23rd Feb Free
Visitors will be able to explore the iconic masks, puppets and costumes up-close and learn about the inspiration behind many of the show’s impressive designs.
Walking tours of London
Great Fire of London WalkStep back into London’s 1666 and explore the area once ravaged by the Great Fire. Discover the path of destruction and the stories of resilience that followed.
Walk in the footsteps of Shakespeare, Pepys, and Dickens
Connect with fellow adventurers
Led by a qualified guide
Perfect for all ages! (Children must be accompanied by an adult.)
12:30pm to 2:00pmFree
Step back into London’s 1666 and explore the area once ravaged by the Great Fire. Discover the path of destruction and the stories of resilience that followed.
Walk in the footsteps of Shakespeare, Pepys, and Dickens
Connect with fellow adventurers
Led by a qualified guide
Perfect for all ages! (Children must be accompanied by an adult.)