London Special Event Guide 2011

Famous for traditional, long-standing successes and contemporary productions, London's West End is hard to beat when it comes to musicals. Nearly every street in central London's Theatrel and boasts its own performance venue, so choice isn't an issue here. Listed below are some of our current faves. There's something to suit every kind of taste.
Forthcoming Events in London.

Directed by critically-acclaimed Canadian Director Robert Lepage, TOTEM is a unique and audacious spectacle in one of London's most beautiful venues.

With more than 50 performers, dazzling sets and beautiful costume design, TOTEM is the latest Cirque du Soleil show to delight London audiences.

London is the ultimate shopping destination. Keep one step ahead of the trends with the shopping news; find out what shops have just hit the scene and which shopping events are just too good to miss – it's all here. Read more

Canary Wharf ice rink brings a magical sparkle to London's Canada Square Park for winter. This winter, skate alongside Canary Wharf's world-famous towers at Canada Square Park's annual ice rink. Canada Square Park has been transformed for the occasion with sparkling lights and music and drinks to get you in the festive spirit.

Tickets: £10.00 to £12.00 (Adult). From £7.50 (Child)

Impress your date with panoramic views, catch a West End show, take a romantic stroll, snuggle up in a cosy pub or soak up some history and culture. 

Wrap up warm and walk arm-in-arm along the Thames. Take some air in one of London's Royal Parks or enjoy the magnificent winter display at Kew Gardens. 

Hyde Park is an ideal spot to rendez-vous, and with the park's 4,000 trees, a lake, a meadow, rose gardens, and magical Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens, it's easy to forget you're in central London.

Escape the winter weather and head to the tropics at Kew Gardens' exotic plant extravaganza.

The Tropical Extravaganza sees hundreds more amazing orchids added throughout the conservatory. This year's display has a "Forces of Nature" theme, reflecting the four classical elements: air, fire, water and earth.

The Princess of Wales Conservatory is home to hundreds of brightly coloured orchids. A hot, steamy zone features tropical varieties with showy flowers, and a cooler zone contains species from tropical mountainous regions.

Tube: Kew Gardens
Train: Kew Bridge

Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, falls between 2 February and 9 March, depending on the date for Easter.

In 2012, Pancake Day falls on 21 February.

As well as eating pancakes, there's a long tradition of pancake races in London. Participants have to toss pancakes in a frying pan while completing the course. The races often raise money for charity.

Search for designer eggs at Fabergé's record-breaking Easter egg hunt across London.

Russian jeweller Fabergé is organising the world's largest Easter egg hunt across London.

From 21 February, 200 fibreglass Easter eggs will appear throughout the capital.

Following on from the prestigious London Fashion Week, London Fashion Weekend is a must for every dedicated follower of fashion.

Come and experience a shopping mecca for the style-savvy, with some of Britain's hottest brands, hair and beauty labels and a range of cool pop-up bars and exclusive experiences. 

Make sure you're there to see the galleries of the spectacular neo-classical building transformed into an inspiring emporium of designer shopping, styling and beauty.

Venue: Somerset House
Adult Ticket: £28.50 to £31.50

Marking the end of winter, Maslenitsa combines a Russian Orthodox religious celebration with an older pagan festival welcoming the arrival of spring.

The free Trafalgar Square festival features a marquee for children, dance and theatre performances, and music from across Russia. 

There's also a bazaar selling Russian handicrafts and souvenirs, and stalls where you can sample authentic Russian dishes such as blini (pancakes).

Charles Dickens is one of the most influential writers in the English language. His characters and stories remain as popular now as they were in their Victorian heyday.

Marking the bicentenary of his birth on 7 February 2012, an incredible programme of events across London celebrates his novels, his life and times and the many stage and screen adaptations of his work.

See original Dickens' manuscripts and discover what London was like in Victorian times at the Museum of London's acclaimed exhibition, Dickens and London. Until 10 Jun

Based in Dickens' only surviving London home, The Charles Dickens Museum in Bloomsbury holds the world's largest archive of Dickens manuscripts and artefacts.

See Charles Dickens: Life and Legacy at the National Portrait Gallery until 22 April.