Vivendium: February 2023

Welcome to February

February brings romantic vibes with Valentines Day as well as Pancake Day in London too. Also, enjoy plenty of fun things to do in London in February. UK schools enjoy a February half-term so London (and UK) attractions bustle with special family-friendly activities throughout the week.

And the top February events include Valentines Day and London Fashion Week. Make the most of the week-long half-term and treat the family to wintry London activities this February; with attractions hosting special events, the perfect opportunity to spend some quality family time in the capital.

The weather will likely still be chilly this month so wrap up warm and visit London's indoor attractions and events or warm up in a cost London pub and of course 21st February is Pancake Day so what better way to celebrate!

London Calling

A selection of what’s on in London this month

Valentines Day – 14 Feb (as if you need reminding)

Rather than just a meal in a restaurant be more creative and celebrate Valentine's in London in so many ways….

• Take in a romantic theatre shows or West End musicals

• Feel the effects of Cupid's bow onboard a Bateaux London dining cruise whilst feasting on a sumptuous seasonal menu and a selection of wine and cocktails as you cruise along the Thames

• Have a fun date night at a museum late, wander around museum galleries after dark with a glass of wine

• Stroll through Kew Gardens and lose yourself amongst hundreds of colourful flowers

• Buy a beautiful bouquet at Columbia Road Flower Market, find fabulous fragrant flowers for your loved one; or

• Have a romantic weekend, make the most of your time together in London with a stay in a luxury hotel

Imagine

Children's’ Festival – 8 to 18 Feb Southbank

And for more ideas and suggestions just contact one of our lifestyle managers here to help you. Treat the kids to their very own festival with a whole heap of fun activities, events and entertainment for kids.

You can usually take the little ones on a creative exploration of stories with world-class music performances, literature, belly-aching comedy and parties spanning 12 days.

Pancake Day – 21 Feb

Feast on a mountain of pancakes on Shrove Tuesday and watch runners flip their pans at a charity Pancake Day race in London. Top celebrations include pancakes races at Greenwich Market, Borough Market and Leadenhall Market.

London Fashion Week – 17 to 21 Feb

The first of the year’s London Fashion Week hits the city. Emerging designers and renowned fashion houses will be setting up shows across the city to reveal the cutting-edge trends and global leading beauty for the forthcoming Autumn/Winter season. This is a womenswear and menswear event spanning the digital and physical.

Check-out events at: https://britishbeautycouncil.com/events/

LGBT + History Month 2023: Behind The Lens

The LGBT+ History Month 2023 ‘Behind The Lens’ celebrates LGBT+ peoples’ contribution to cinema and film from behind the lens. Directors, cinematographers, screen writers, producers, animators, costume designers, special effects, make up artists, lighting directors, musicians, choreographers and beyond.

Ice Skating at Canary Wharf – Until 25 Feb

This Christmas ice rink that sits in the shadow of the big three skyscrapers at Canary Wharf. Last chance to get some skating in before spring arrives.

Climb the Dare Skywalk at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Climb to the top of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, probably one of the best football stadiums in the world, stand by the iconic golden cockerel.

Six Nations Rugby 2023 in February

Be a spectator at two of the first home matches of the 2023 6 Nations campaign.

4 February

England v Scotland

Twickenham Stadium @ 1645

12 February England v Italy

Twickenham Stadium @ 1500

Just a taster of all the wonderful events happening in London this month, speak with your lifestyle manager for more ideas and suggestions.

Dining Out

Socca

In a nutshell: Claude Bosi in Mayfair

Where is it? 41 S Audley St, London W1K 2PS

Claude Bosi has teamed up with Samyukta Nair, the restaurateur behind Jamavar, for new bistro Socca. The Mayfair bistro will have a French/Mediterranean-influenced menu.

Lio London

In a nutshell: Cafe de Paris MK II

Joia

In a nutshell: Portuguese in Battersea

Where is it? 1 Electric Boulevard, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ

On the 15th floor of the Battersea Power Station will be an Iberian-themed restaurant called JOIA from acclaimed chef Henrique Sá Pessoa, owner of two-Michelin-starred Alma in Lisbon, as well as tapas venue Tapisco.

Where is it? 3-4 Coventry St, London W1D 6BL

This is the first London restaurant for the Pacha group who are a big name in Mykonos, Las Vegas and in Ibiza. In London, they've taken over the Café de Paris for a cabaret restaurant that morphs into a nightclub.

Some of the very best new restaurants in London, be the first to know what is new and coming this month

Unmissable Art Exhibitions Starting In February

Blockbuster and some smaller unique displays coming this February

Action Gesture Paint: Women Artists and Global Abstraction 1940-70

This new exhibition looks past the usual suspects to explore the rich history of women working with gestural abstraction in the aftermath of the 2nd World War.

Whitechapel Gallery, 9 Feb to 7 May

The Morgan Stanley Exhibition: Peter Doig

New and recent works by British Artist, Peter Doig will shed light on the influence on the painter of earlier artistes such as Cezanne, Gauguin, Manet, Monet, Pisarro and Van Gogh.

Courtauld Gallery, 10 Feb to 28 May

Donatello: Sculpting The Renaissance

Probably the first Blockbuster of the year! The major UK Exhibition to look at the talents of the Renaissance master Donatello.

The ‘greatest sculptor of all time’.

Treading The Boards – London Theatre

Find out what new shows are coming to London in February 2023, including West End musicals and plays

Speak with your lifestyle manager about all the current and new theatrical performances happening in London, here are some new shows launching this month.

Bat Out of Hell – The Musical

Peacock Theatre - 17 Feb to 1 Apr

Jim Steinman’s smash-hit musical Bat Out of Hell returns to London with its boundarypushing spectacle, thrilling performances and reimagining of Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s greatest hits, the romance of rock ’n’ roll comes alive on stage in this exhilarating tale of star-crossed lovers.

Carmen London Coliseum – 1 to 24 Feb

ENO’s dazzling production and Bizet’s dazzling score! A passionate tale of lust, seduction and betrayal, no other opera boasts such a popular a following. Set during the dying days of Franco’s Spain, Calixto Bieito’s acclaimed production of this must see opera has been enjoyed by audiences across Europe.

Cirque Berserk

Riverside Studios – 9 Feb to 12 Mar

Cirque Berserk! Britain’s biggest and boldest theatre-circus spectacular returns to London this February. Following sold-out seasons in the West End and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Cirque Berserk! premieres its tenth anniversary show at the Riverside Studios.

Shirley Valentine

Duke of Yorks – 17 Feb to 3 Jun

Sheridan Smith stars in Willy Russell’s joyous, feel-good comedy Shirley Valentine. Multiaward winning actor Sheridan Smith returns to the West End starring in Shirley Valentine at the Duke of York’s Theatre. Winner of the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, Shirley Valentine is the critically acclaimed, life-affirming story of a The Choir Of Man

woman who got lost in marriage and motherhood, and who winds up talking to the kitchen wall whilst cooking her husband’s chips and egg. But Shirley still has a secret dream.

Arts Theatre – Now on until 28 May

The worldwide smash-hit The Choir of Man returns to the Arts Theatre in London’s West End this Winter.

Welcome to The Choir of Man – the best night in your local you’ve ever had. It’s a party, it’s a concert, it’s a lock in like no other. The show features breathtaking reinventions of chart topping hits from artists including Guns’N’Roses, Fun!,Adele,Avicii, Paul Simon, Sia and many more performed by a nine-strong cast.

Listen To The Music, Gigs and Festivals

2023 is already looking like it's going to be a HUGE year for live music...Arctic Monkeys, Sam Fender, Paramore, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Springsteen, Blur, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Muse, Iggy Pop with Blondie, Billy Joel and of course Elton at Glasto!

Speak with your lifestyle manager about all the gigs and festivals this year.

And this month…. 

Ellie Goulding – Koko 

Belinda Carlisle - The London Palladium 

Chris Brown - The O2 

Randy Newman - The London Palladium 

You, Me At Six -Alexandra Palace 

Guns ’N’ Roses - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 

Bruce Springsteen – Hyde Park, London 

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 

Madonna – The O2 

Billy Joel – O2

Just For Laughs

Stand-up and comedy this month

Hit the stand-up comedy circuit in London at some great venues such as The Leicester Square Theatre, The Soho Theatre, The Comedy Store, The Queen of Hoxton, The Covent Garden Cocktail Club, The 99 Comedy Club, The Top Secret Comedy Club.

And this month…. 

Peter Kay - The O2 

Alan Carr - The London Palladium 

Nigel Ng - The London Palladium 

Finn Taylor - The Leicester Square Theatre 

John Kearns - The Soho Theatre