Things To Do This Weekend In London: 26-27 February 2022

All weekend

COMIC CON: Time to dust off that costume, as London Comic Con returns. Doctor Who's Jodie Whittaker, Game of Thrones' Leigh Gill and Bob Elmore from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre are among the famous faces scheduled to appear. Olympia, from £16 adult/£10 child, book ahead, 26-27 February

JEWISH BOOK WEEK: More than 70 events are on the impressive Jewish Book Week programme, covering topics as diverse as ghosts, music, vaccines and Margaret Thatcher. The festival celebrates the work of Jewish authors, many of whom appear at events, and addresses issues which affect Jewish people. Kings Place (King's Cross) with some virtual events, various prices, book ahead, 26 February-6 March

CAMELLIA CELEBRATION: Chiswick House and Gardens is home to one of the oldest collections of rare camellias kept under glass in Europe, with 33 different varieties — and this is the first of two open weekends when the public can have a gander. Photography is encouraged, while a pop-up shops sells camellia-themed goodies. Chiswick House and Gardens, free, just turn up, 26-27 February (and 5-6 March)

THE TRAIN: Southbank Centre opens exhibition Chihoi: The Train, a slideshow of artworks from Hong Kong artist Chihoi's graphic novel. That itself is based on a story written by Taiwanese poet Hung Hung, about a train that runs day and night around the island. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 26 February-19 June

LAST CHANCE SKATING: Though Christmas is but a distant memory, the last of London's seasonal ice rinks carries on until the end of this weekend. Ice Rink Canary Wharf is located at the base of east London's skyscrapers, with twinkling lights, and a rinkside bar for those who just want to watch. Ice Rink Canary Wharf, £17.95 adult/£11.95 child, book ahead, until 26 February

FASHION WITH PURPOSE: Showcase With A Difference: Product & Purpose is a free exhibition on the topic of sustainable fashion. It gives an insight into how clothes are made, with the work of 10 designers on show to demonstrate how they are rejecting the fashion industry's bad habits. The Lab E20 (Stratford), free entry, book ahead, until 27 February

LAST CHANCE DÜRER: It's the final weekend of Dürer's Journeys: Travels Of A Renaissance Artist, a National Gallery exhibition charting the travels of German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. Paintings, drawings, prints, and letters tracks his journey through the Alps, Italy, Venice and the Netherlands, looking at the influences he picked up from other artists along the way. The National Gallery, £20, book ahead, until 27 February

LAST CHANCE LIGHTS: Also coming to an end this weekend is Battersea's light festival, a free trail of six flowing installations located in the area around the power station. Look out for a glowing greenhouse, and a digital origami tiger, among other works. Battersea, free, just turn up, until 27 February

STRANGE ECHOES: Poet Olivia Douglass curates a six-day programme of spoken word, short films, listening sessions and workshops, themed around poet and writer M. NourbeSe Philip. Philip's work is considered deeply influential on today's Black experimental writing in Britain. ICA (The Mall), various prices, book ahead, 22-27 February

BEATLES PHOTOS: Snaps of The Beatles which have never been on public display before can be seen in Belgravia for a short time. The windows of The Hari hotel host an exhibition of 48 candid photos by pop culture photographer, the late Tommy Hanley, including pictures of John Lennon which are on loan from the private collection of Yoko Ono. The Hari (Belgravia), free entry, just turn up, until 2 April

SURREALISM BEYOND BORDERS: In its latest exhibition, Tate shows us that Surrealism is a truly global phenomenon. The show spans 80 years and 50 countries, ranging from Prague to Cairo, Buenos Aires to Tokyo, highlighting the stories of artists inspiring one another across borders. Tate Modern, £18, book ahead, 24 February-29 August

Saturday 26 February

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN: Introduce younger members of the family to classic 1952 film Singin' In The Rain, starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds. It's Barbican Family Film Club, which means kids must be with an adult, and adults must be with a kid to attend. Barbican Cinema, £3.50, book ahead, 11am

RAVI SHANKAR: Who was Ravi Shankar? Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Indian composer's birth (in an event that's two years late, due to Covid...) with his wife Sukanya Shankar and biographer Oliver Craske. They chart his rise to fame, from India to the international stage, and look at the impact his work had on other genres, including jazz, pop and film scores. Southbank Centre, £25, book ahead, 12pm

GIN TOURS: After a long break, historian Dr Matthew Green's immersive gin tours of London are back. Accompanied by musicians and actors, learn about the history of gin in the capital, from the setting of Hogarth's Gin Lane to the sites of some of London's most splendid gin palaces. Your ticket includes as much 18th century gin as you can drink. Church of St Giles in the Fields (Tottenham Court Road), £36, book ahead, 2.30pm

ANTON & ERIN: Missing your Strictly fix? Anton du Beke and Erin Boag take to the stage to dance, with a soundtrack of tunes by the likes of Elton John, Shirley Bassey and Frank Sinatra, accompanied by a 23-piece orchestra. Expect dazzling costumes, and an audience Q&A session. Barbican Hall, £21.50-£49.50, book ahead, 2.30pm

LEYTON ORIENT: Catch some EFL League Two action at Leyton Orient, as 'the O's' face Carlisle, who are battling to stay out of the relegation zone. We highly recommend a visit to the club bar beforehand. Leyton Orient (Leyton), from £18 adult, £8 under-18, book ahead, KO 3pm

EARL'S COURT PRIDE: Celebrate the golden Earl’s Court gay hey days at Earl's Court Pride. Taking place at The Bolton pub, one of the area's original gay pubs, it's an evening of film, fun, friendship, music, memories, drag queens, and celebrities. The Bolton, free, book ahead, 6pm

MARDI GRAS PARTY: Regular prohibition-style party The Candlelight Club brings a touch of New Orleans to London for its Mardi Gras party. Enjoy Big Easy-style cocktails and cuisine, live New Orleans music from the Candid Jug Orange Band Central, plus cabaret and more. London location, from £25, book ahead, 6pm

THINKING DRINKERS: Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham, together known as the Thinking Drinkers, are experts at combining booze and comedy, and do so with aplomb at their regular Thinking Drinkers Pub Quiz nights. Expect an onslaught of amusing facts and trivia, and five free drinks for every audience member. Leicester Square Theatre, £18.50, book ahead, 7pm

BLACK TO THE FUTURE: Mercury-nominated quartet, Sons of Kemet perform their award-winning tunes including those from their latest album, Black to the Future. The album begins and ends with powerful lyrical and musical statements of rage and frustration, in the wake of George Floyd’s death and the subsequent BLM protests. Roundhouse (Camden), £23.50, book ahead, 7pm

SURVIVING SUICIDE: An event designed to offer ways to combat the ever growing problem of people wanting to take their own lives, SOS-Surviving Suicide features six poets sharing their work and back stories. Experts from leading suicide charities are also on hand to share experience and advice. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), free, book ahead, 8pm

SUMMER OF SOUL: Ever head of the Harlem Cultural Festival? It took place just 100 miles south of Woodstock in the summer of 1969, and was huge celebration of Black history and culture. Now, filmmaker Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson has used archive footage to bring the event back to life for documentary Summer of Soul, with performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly and the Family Stone, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Mahalia Jackson, B.B. King and many more. Bertha DocHouse (Bloomsbury), £9/£7, book ahead, 8.20pm

Sunday 27 February

WHITEWEBBS MUSEUM: It's the final Sunday of the month, which means Whitewebbs Museum of Transport opens to the public. It's home to model vehicles, motorbikes, vintage fire engines and more —read about our visit to get an idea of what to expect. Whitewebbs (Enfield), £9, just turn up, 10am-4pm

ANTIQUES FAIR: On the look out for some antiques? Head along to the long-running Adams Antiques Fair, featuring over 100 dealers selling jewellery, collectables and more. Royal Horticultural Halls (Westminster), £4.90, book ahead, 10am-4.30pm

LIVE MUSIC: Singer-songwriter Sherika Sherard takes to the stage at this month's Sunday Buzz, a relaxed performance taking place in the cafe at artsdepot. Get yourself a coffee or some lunch and kick back to enjoy the show. artsdepot (North Finchley), free entry, just turn up, 1pm

FAMILY RAVE: Who says parents can't party? Big Fish Little Fish family raves are just that — raves that the whole family can attend. DJ Jerome Hill plays club classics, with bubbles, foam balloons and confetti to entice younger family members onto the dance floor, plus craft tables, face painting and a chill space. Fancy dress theme is space and aliens. West Five Bar (South Ealing), adult £11/child £8, book ahead, 2pm-4pm

RADICAL WOMEN: Join Footprints of London guide Oonagh Gay to discover where Sylvia Pankhurst and Millie Lansbury campaigned to improve the lives of women in the East End. The guided walk looks at where struggles for social justice took place, as well as talking about modern Bow on the way. Bow Church DLR, £!2/£9, book ahead, 2pm

SIMPLY SINATRA: Celebrate Ol' Blue Eyes as the London Concert Orchestra, as Matt Ford and Katie Birtill perform some of Frank Sinatra's best-loved songs, including Come Fly With Me, My Way, and Fly Me To The Moon. Southbank Centre, £16.50-£48.50, book ahead, 3pm

QUEER HORROR: The Castle Cinema launches a new film club devoted to queer, cult and classic horror cinema — and they're starting with the 1931 version of Frankenstein, directed by the openly-gay James Whale. There's a pre-screening intro and post-movie social in the bar. The Castle Cinema (Hackney), £11, book ahead, 5pm

PIANO TRIO: The Linos Piano Trio span an impressive seven languages and five nationalities between them, so it's no surprise their performances have been described as 'multifaceted'. See for yourself at this afternoon's Sunday Concert. Conway Hall (Holborn) or online, £10-£14, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm

COLLYWOBBLERS COMEDY: Fiona Allen of Smack the Pony fame, and Welsh Zimbabwean comedian Tadiwa Mahlunge are among those on the bill tonight at one of Streatham's best pubs. A great way to laugh off those Sunday eve blues. The Railway (Streatham Common), £7, book ahead (or £9 on the door), 8pm-10.45pm

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