Gennaro Contaldo
Contrary to most people, I actually love January and February. London gets a bit quieter after the Christmas madness and a sense of routine and normality returns to the city. It’s a great time to wrap up and just wander around the capital, see the sights and browse the shops calmly without the crowds.
I love the Chinese New Year celebrations and enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants in Chinatown. I’ve always found this area fascinating, probably because coming from a small village in Italy, I wasn’t exposed to a different culture. I like to pop into the supermarkets to check out the produce and I love their pandan cake and coconut buns from the Chinatown bakery.
As it’s still very cold, it’s a good time to visit museums – some of my favourite ones are the Imperial War Museum, the National History and the V&A especially its opulent café for a light lunch or afternoon tea. At the National History museum, I love seeing the collection of preserved animals – I used to do taxidermy many years ago.
This February, I’m going to spend some time in my hometown of Minori on the Amalfi Coast – it’s quiet there too at this time of year and I’m looking forward to catching up with family and friends, having days out without the crowds and enjoying some of my favourite meals. The last time I was here I was with photographer David Loftus shooting for my book, Hidden Italy. The book is a journey throughout Italy discovering forgotten traditions and lesser-known recipes, some only known in a certain town or village – unusual pasta shapes, breads and pastries as well as meat, fish and vegetable dishes. The book will be out on 26 February.
- Gennaro Contaldo
Food: Simpson’s in the Strand
Credit: Simpson’s in the Strand
After years of rumours, delays and serious anticipation, one of London’s most legendary restaurants, Simpson’s in the Strand, is finally reopening its doors this month under the stewardship of renowned restaurateur Jeremy King. First opened in 1828, this iconic West End institution has hosted literary greats like Charles Dickens and historic figures such as Winston Churchill, and became famous for its grand British roasts carved tableside from silver trolleys, as well as its central place in London’s dining and cultural scene for almost two centuries. King’s relaunch keeps that rich heritage alive with the return of the classic Grand Divan dining room, a more relaxed all-day space upstairs called Romano’s, and two standout bars: Simpson’s Bar on the first floor, a stylish cocktail spot focusing on British spirits and sparkling wines, perfect for pre-dinner drinks, and Nellie’s Tavern, which has its own discreet entrance, a late-night licence and a lively, intimate vibe that carries on into the early hours. There’s even a small ballroom, adding fresh energy to the beautifully restored building. This is the place to go if you’ve always wanted to experience a proper old-school British roast while soaking up a slice of London history and it’s a must-visit moment in 2026 for anyone keen to be part of the revival of one of the city’s most storied culinary landmarks.
Art: Tracey Emin: A Second Life
Credit: Tate
The Tate Modern is kicking off 2026 with a bang by hosting Tracey Emin: A Second Life, the biggest-ever retrospective of the British artist’s work and this is one you won’t want to miss. Opening on the 26th February and running until the end of August, the show brings together more than 90 pieces spanning 40 years of Emin’s bold, raw art, from early works and iconic pieces like My Bed to recent sculptures, paintings and never-before-shown material that dives into her experiences with love, trauma, resilience and recovery. It’s like walking through her life; sometimes messy, sometimes joyous, always emotionally charged. All told through neon, textiles, video, painting and big installations. Tickets are about £20, and with themes that stick with you long after you leave.
Experience: Summit Ally Pally
Credit: Alexandra Palace
It’s time to see London from a whole new angle with Summit Ally Pally, a brand-new rooftop adventure opening at Alexandra Palace on Valentine’s Day. Nothing says “I love you” like heights! However this is not just any view, it’s the UK’s highest roof walk, taking you up to about 130 metres above sea level for panoramic sights stretching up to 25 miles across the capital, with landmarks like The Shard, St Paul’s and Canary Wharf laid out beneath you. You’ll be kitted out with safety gear for a fully guided climb along the palace’s roof and you can pick a daytime, sunset or “London Lights” evening slot to suit the vibe. Tickets start at around £28 for adults, with small extra fees if you want to bring your phone up for photos, and the whole adventure lasts about an hour, ending with gloat-worthy views and serious bragging rights. It’s perfect if you’re after something outdoorsy and a memorable date idea.
Art: Art After Dark
Credit: Dave Parry
Art After Dark is a very cool late-night art and culture festival that will light up London’s West End with free gallery openings, public art installations and a buzzing evening vibe you’d usually only get at a night out, only this time with art at the centre of it all. Instead of rushing to see exhibitions during the day, this seasonal event lets you explore world-class galleries and independent art spaces after hours, with places like the Royal Academy of Arts, The National Gallery and lots of smaller venues throwing open their doors late and often without a ticket price. On past editions you could wander between immersive installations, see illuminated artworks around Piccadilly Circus and St James’s, grab a drink or dinner in between stops and soak up art in a totally different, more social setting; all for free!This year its running from the 3rd to 10th February and because venues stay open late and there’s public art to stumble upon, it makes for an awesome, relaxed night out with friends or on a date if you’re up for discovering London’s art scene in a fresh way.
Theatre: Dracula
Credit: @draculawestend
Dracula, starring Cynthia Erivo, is a brand-new and mega bold reimagining of the classic gothic tale that’s already got theatre fans buzzing. Rather than a traditional cast, Erivo, the Oscar-nominated, Tony, Emmy AND Grammy-winning star of Wicked, The Colour Purple and Harriet, plays ALL 23 characters in this adrenaline-fuelled show directed and adapted by visionary theatre maker Kip Williams (the genius behind The Picture of Dorian Gray). It runs at the historic Noël Coward Theatre from the 7th Feb to the 30th May and mixes live performance with cinematic elements for a totally fresh, immersive spin on Bram Stoker’s vampire myth. Tickets start from about £30 (with a lottery available on select dates) and because this is a truly once-in-a-season West End event, with one powerhouse performer embodying everyone from Jonathan Harker to Dracula himself, it’s wickedly clever, hauntingly thrilling and absolutely worth snagging a seat for.
Health: Equanimity
Credit: Kings Cross
If you’re looking for something to actually reset your mind and body after the holiday chaos and the jolt of starting back to normal life in January, then the Equanimity Festival (Equanimity is a state of mental calmness, composure, and inner stability) at King’s Cross is the new chill-out hang you’re going to want on your radar. It is running now until the 31st March with a bunch of wellness-focused workshops and experiences designed to help you start your year calmer and more balanced. It’s a whole-neighbourhood wellbeing celebration with everything from yoga, meditation and sound-healing classes to somatic breathwork and immersive retreats and the highlight for many is the return of Slomo’s pop-up spa: with wood-fired saunas, cold plunge pools and a six-person ice bath right in Lewis Cubitt Square that’ll leave you buzzing and refreshed. Most individual sessions (like an hour in the sauna or a guided wellness class) are affordable at around £12-£14 and you can book different bits to suit what you’re after. This is a good one for if you’re looking to try new self-care stuff or find your new slow-living vibes with a break from screens and to-do list. A proper little mental health gift to yourself this winter.
Kids: Planetarium Go!
Credit: Battersea PowerStation
If you’re looking for a brilliant half-term activity in London that’s fun, educational and totally different, then please check out Planetarium Go! At Battersea Power Station. It is an immersive pop-up planetarium experience popping up from the 30th January to the 1st March so you’re all set for Feb half term adventures. Inside a cool big spherical dome you and the kids can lie back and watch 20 to 30-minute 360° films that take you on journeys through space. From exploring planets and galaxies to fun stories designed especially for younger audiences, all brought to life with stunning visuals and sound that make you feel like you’re actually in the universe. It’s perfect for families or anyone curious about the stars, with tickets starting around £15 for adults, £12 for students and free entry for under-4s with a paying adult (plus value family packages available. Because sessions run throughout the day and into the early evening, you can easily slot it into your half-term plans before or after exploring the shops and restaurants around the Power Station too.
Dance: Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch: Sweet Mambo
Credit: Sadler’s Wells
For something a bit different and deeply moving this month, don’t sleep on Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch: Sweet Mambo, a mouthful and the long-awaited London premiere of one of legendary choreographer Pina Bausch’s most expressive works, playing at Sadler’s Wells Theatre from the 11th to 21st of the month only. Rather than a traditional story, Sweet Mambo is a raw, poetic dance-theatre experience where a brilliant international cast uses movement, music and emotion to explore desire, obsession, hope and human connection in ways that words just can’t capture. We’re talking sensual choreography, philosophical twists and some seriously unforgettable stage moments. It’s one of those shows that sticks with you long after the curtain falls. Tickets start from around £15 with lots of dates and times across the run so you can find a slot that fits your plans. This is a brilliant West End pick for February.
Charity of the Month: The Mayhew
Credit: The Mayhew
The Mayhew is an incredible London-based charity dedicated to helping dogs and cats that are unwell, vulnerable, or at risk, as well as supporting the people who care for them. They provide vital veterinary treatment, behaviour support and practical advice, alongside community outreach and education that helps prevent problems before they start. Their focus isn’t just on escue, but on creating long-term change so fewer animals end up in crisis. You can support The Mayhew by donating, fundraising, adopting or fostering an animal, or even volunteering your time. Every contribution helps them continue their work and make a real difference to animals and owners across the community.