The 6 best free things to do in London this weekend [February 6-8 2026]

"Alright, you had all of January to hibernate. Now that the evenings are finally getting a little bit brighter and the days are becoming ever so slightly warmer, it's time to defrost and get out there to once again enjoy everything this brilliant city of ours has to offer. Short though it may be, February is packed with important dates for your diary. There's Valentine's Day, Lunar New Year, LGBTQ+ History Month and"

"The National Gallery, Royal Academy of Arts and National Portrait Gallery will be staying open beyond their normal hours on Friday as part of this year's Art After Dark. While you'll have to pay entry as normal for the RA, the National Gallery and National Portrait will, as always, be totally free to enter. They'll all stay open until 9pm,"

February in London features many free cultural events around key dates such as Valentine’s Day, Lunar New Year, LGBTQ+ History Month, the Super Bowl and the Six Nations. Museums including the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery will extend opening hours for Art After Dark with free entry and late-night access until 9pm; the Royal Academy remains paid. Piccadilly Circus will host the 7m disco lightbox installation 'Rise and Shine' by Lakwena Maciver with acid-bright visuals and hip-hop, soul and funk soundtrack. Free activities also include watch parties, a relaunched queer museum and improvised jazz nights across the capital.

Read at Time Out London