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As we enter the final month of winter, there are plenty of exciting things to do and places to visit before spring rolls around.
From music and literature events to classic car shows and comedy festivals, here are 12 things to do and upcoming events in the UK this February.
1. Visit Europe’s largest Viking festival, York
This February, the Vikings are back for their annual invasion of York. Jorvik Viking Festival is the largest celebration of Norse heritage in Europe and includes everything from tours and talks to family events and dramatic battle re-enactments. It’s held at the world-famous JORVIK Viking Centre, which sits on the site of groundbreaking archaeological discoveries.
Watch Vikings parade through the city, learn about traditional crafts like woodworking, watch a live re-enactment of the Battle of York, or challenge others in the legendary Viking Games. In JORVIK Viking Centre itself, you’ll find a bustling, reconstructed Viking street and an extensive gallery of 40,000 original artefacts.
To find out more and book tickets, head over to the JORVIK Viking Centre website. This year, the festival will run from 16th to 22nd February.
2. Celebrate Chinese New Year, London
On 17th February 2026, one quarter of the world’s 8.2 billion people will celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. From China, Vietnam, and Singapore to the buzzy streets of London, celebrations this year mark the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse, symbolising victorious success and good fortune.
In central London, the 2026 Chinese New Year festival will take place on 21st and 22nd February. The parade, featuring colourful floats and the largest gathering of Chinese lions and dragons outside Europe, usually starts on Charing Cross Road at 10.15am and finishes on Shaftsbury Avenue around midday.
You can also enjoy a range of lively activities and foodie treats in Chinatown, family-friendly entertainment in Leicester Square, and main stage performances in Trafalgar Square.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to avoid the crowds, the National Maritime Museum will be hosting a range of talks, workshops, and performances, including lion dancing, tai chi, lantern-making, calligraphy, and a zodiac puppet show.
Check out this guide to the Chinese Lunar New Year in London 2026 from Visit London to learn more. If London is too far for you, Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham are also great places to celebrate.
3. Immerse yourself in literature at BookFest, Portsmouth
Bookworms and literary enthusiasts will enjoy the exciting range of events taking place at Portsmouth’s BookFest this February.
Now in its 15th year, BookFest is a vibrant two-week celebration of literature, storytelling, and creativity. This year’s programme highlights include poetry workshops, creative writing sessions, local history tours, and talks from inspiring authors, including Alex Poter and Caroline Hulse.
BookFest 2026 will run from 16th February to 8th March. You can book your place via We Got Tickets below.
4. Play Topgolf, UK-wide
If you enjoy activities like mini golf and adventure golf, Topgolf might be up your street. It involves hitting microchipped golf balls into large, dartboard-like targets in an outfield. The further your distance and the closer you get to the centre of a target, the higher your score.
Topgolf is a great family-friendly activity and a fantastic way to get outside during winter, as each hitting bay is climate-controlled. No prior experience is needed, and you can enjoy delicious food and drinks delivered to your bay, too.
Topgolf is currently available in Chigwell, Watford, Glasgow, and Surrey.
If none of these are near you, you might like to read this list of the best crazy golf courses in the UK by DesignMyNight.
5. Get back to nature at the Fort William Mountain Festival, Lochaber
The Fort William Mountain Festival is a five-day annual event that celebrates mountain culture through a series of films, workshops, talks from adventurers, and awards.
Held in Lochaber, the ‘outdoor capital of the UK’, the festival is run by volunteers and aims to inspire people to respect and protect the environment. It offers everything from inspiring talks and engaging films to varied outdoor activities like swimming, snowsports, paddling, biking, climbing, and running.
Have a go at winter foraging, take a mobility class, or browse an exhibition of artists whose pieces are shaped by mountains and wild places. It’s a wonderful opportunity to escape everyday life and immerse yourself in nature’s beauty.
This year, the Fort William Mountain Festival takes place from 12th to 15th February. You can find a full programme here on the official website.
6. Visit Kent’s biggest blues festival, Broadstairs
Broadstairs Blues Bash is Kent’s biggest blues festival, and it’s back for its 18th year.r. From 18th to 22nd February, over 100 performances (most of which are free!) will take place across town, including Chicago, Delta, and blues-rock.
Broadstairs Blues Bash is popular for its intimate, pub-crawl-style atmosphere – bringing live music to several cosy venues across town. Celebrating a mix of local talent and well-known artists, his year’s lineup includes Paul Jones, Dave Kelly, and Richard Rozze. You can grab tickets from the official website below.
7. Get inspired at a Dark Skies Festival, UK-wide
National Parks remain some of the darkest places in Great Britain, and throughout autumn and winter, various festivals take place to celebrate our starlit skies.
Dark Skies Festivals are designed to help people discover, enjoy, and learn more about the night sky. Activities include walking, cycling, running, and caving at night; as well as stargazing, parties, and daytime events where you can learn more about topics like star constellations.
Several Dark Skies Festivals are taking place this February, including in Wales, the South Downs, and the Yorkshire Dales. To see what’s happening near you, head over to the Dark Skies National Parks website.
8. Enjoy good food and drink at Wakefield Rhubarb Festival, Wakefield
Wakefield’s annual Rhubarb Festival has become a staple event in West Yorkshire since its debut in 1999. The city’s links with rhubarb stem from the fact that Wakefield, Leeds, and Bradford were once responsible for producing 90% of the world’s forced rhubarb.
This year, the festival is set to return bigger and better than ever before. With over 50 chalets to explore, you can sample and buy local delights, including the finest gins, jams, cheese, pickles, baked goods – and, of course, plenty of rhubarb-themed food and drink.
There’s also a range of workshops on offer, along with live street entertainment and a programme of chef demos where you can brush up on your culinary skills. You can also expect live music every day at the Rhu-Bar, including a selection of local rock, folk, and pop artists.
Wakefield Rhubarb Festival will run from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd February this year. If you’re a keen foodie, this isn’t one to miss – grab your tickets via the Experience Wakefield website.
9. Learn something new at the Northern Irish Science Festival, Belfast
Since its beginnings in 2014, the Northern Irish (NI) Science Festival has grown to one of the leading science festivals across Europe.
The festival includes a programme of over 250 events covering a range of fascinating topics – from engineering and robotics to maths, physics, astronomy, and the environment.
This year’s events include everything from discussions on the neuroscience of trauma and the nutrition for menopause to talks about reviving Northern Ireland’s lost meadows and designing for sustainability. Check out the full programme on the NI Science Festival website.
This year, the festival will run from 11th to 22nd February.
10. Visit a National Trust or English Heritage site, UK-wide
If you’re in the mood for fresh air and adventure this February, you might enjoy visiting a National Trust or English Heritage site.
With it being the February half-term, many sites are hosting fun events and activities alongside their usual openings.
Enjoy craft activities at Worcestershire’s Hanbury Hall, look out for woodpeckers at Belton Estate in Grantham, or head to Bodiam Castle near Robertsbridge to explore their Moomin-themed trail.
You can visit the National Trust and English Heritage websites for more information on upcoming events.
Even if you decide not to attend specific events, historic sites make an enjoyable day out – and during winter, you’re more likely to skip the crowds, too. Check out our article, 28 of the best historical sites to visit in the UK, for ideas on where to go.
11. Have a laugh at the Leicester Comedy Festival
If you’re up for a laugh this February, why not take a trip to the Leicester Comedy Festival?
Leicester Comedy Festival is one of the biggest and longest-running comedy festivals in the UK, and this year’s line-up includes stand-up, sketches, musical comedy, improv, discussions, workshops, and much more.
As well as plenty of up-and-coming comedians, the Leicester Comedy Festival also features big names like Maisie Adam, Ahir Shah, and Milton Jones. Running from the 4th to the 22nd of February across venues all over the city, it’s the perfect event for anyone looking for a pick-me-up this winter.
12. Enjoy a Valentine’s Day-themed activity
Last but not least, Valentine’s Day falls in February and is a day that many people, single or not, enjoy getting involved with.
If you’d like to plan a Valentine’s date for someone special, you can find plenty of romantic ideas in our dating section.
This could be as simple as spending the day getting creative in the kitchen and preparing something delicious. You might like to try one of the recipes from our articles, 10 Valentine’s Day baking ideas and 10 recipes for an at-home date. Or, why not curl up on the sofa and watch a romantic comedy?
Remember, Valentine’s Day can be enjoyed by everyone and isn’t exclusively for couples. Whether you decide to spend time with friends and family or simply reserve the day for self-care, remember to treat yourself with love. If this is something you struggle with, have a read of our article: 8 ways to fall in love with your own company.
Final thoughts…
However you like to spend your time, there are plenty of unique and exciting events to enjoy across the UK this February. From food and music festivals to events celebrating history and nature, we hope there’s something for everyone on this list.
For more fun day-out ideas, head over to our art and culture or travel sections. Here, you’ll find everything from foodie hotspots and must-see historic sites to scenic walking routes and staycation inspiration.
What trips and activities do you have planned for this February? Have any of the ideas on our list sparked your interest? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.
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