Please find below a curated selection of useful links highlighting a variety of free events and activities available during the upcoming February half‑term. These include opportunities taking place locally within Greenwich, across central London, as well as a number of events celebrating the Lunar New Year.

We always take great pride in putting these lists together, as they allow us to support our families and the wider community in planning an enjoyable and engaging half‑term break.

Greenwich

• Character Actors at the National Maritime Museum | Family-friendly Museum tours
• Character Actors at the Queen's House | Royal Museums Greenwich
• February half term 2026 events | Queen's House Greenwich
• February half term at Cutty Sark | Royal Museums Greenwich
• Spring Crafternoon 2026 | Woolwich Works
• Woolwich Works Games Night | Woolwich Works
• Chineke! Junior Orchestra | Woolwich Works
• Re-Style It Re-Use It - Lesnes Abbey Woods
• Lesnes Trim-trail - Lesnes Abbey Woods
• Events & Activities | Greenwich Libraries | Better
• Read with me sessions - Thamesmead
• Pancake Race at Greenwich Market - Family Event in Greenwich, Greenwich - Enjoy Greenwich
• February Half-Term at Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park

Central London

• Family Design Challenge - Workshop at Young V&A · V&A
• Slumber Stories Installation | Southbank Centre
• Architecture Explorers: Family Trail | Southbank Centre
• Giant Chalkboard | Southbank Centre
• Lip Sync Brawl | Southbank Centre
• Bollyqueer's Big Boogie | Southbank Centre
• Moving Sound Bath | Southbank Centre
• Dream, Design, Do! | Southbank Centre
• Big Laughs for Little Bellies | Southbank Centre
• Creative Encounters: Exploring STINKY! Sauces | Southbank Centre
• A Day at the Zoo | Southbank Centre
• ZooNation's Hip-Hop Half Term | Southbank Centre
• Wayne McGregor: Infinite Bodies Family Day - Body Sensors Play Space
• Family Day: impasto studio - National Portrait Gallery
• Portrait mixed media workshop - National Portrait Gallery
• Drumming Workshop | Westfield Stratford City
• Viking brooch-making | London Museum
• Complete the clues craft activity | London Museum
• Decorate a biscuit shield | London Museum
• Patterns from the past digital activity | London Museum
• Make a Roman clay pot | London Museum
• Buried treasure sensory installation | London Museum
• Things To Do In London This February Half-Term

Lunar New Year

• Lunar New Year 2026 at Greenwich Peninsula | Year of the Horse
• Royal Museums Greenwich Lunar New Year Celebration 2026 - Chinese New Year in Greenwich, Greenwich - Enjoy Greenwich
• Chinese Lunar New Year in London 2026: how to celebrate the Year of the Horse
• Celebrate Chinese New Year 2026 in Chinatown London
• EasyStepUK - Lunar New Year Fair 2026

Holocaust Memorial Day is a national day that takes place on 27 January. We commemorate the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered during the Holocaust, and the millions more murdered under Nazi persecution. Prejudice still continues today within our communities and across the UK. We also learn and commemorate where persecution led in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust has confirmed that the theme for HMD 2026 is “Bridging Generations”. This theme highlights the vital role each generation plays in carrying forward the memory of the Holocaust and more recent genocides. As survivors grow older, the responsibility to listen, learn, and share their stories becomes a collective act of remembrance and a commitment to building a safer, more compassionate future.

It encourages communities, schools, and organisations to explore how memory is passed on, how stories shape understanding, and how we can all contribute to safeguarding truth against distortion or denial.

It Began with Words – New Holocaust Memorial Day Film

It Began with Words explores how the Holocaust began not with violence, but with words, with stereotypes, prejudice and silence. Through survivor testimony and historical insight, it shows how ordinary people and everyday choices allowed hatred to grow. By understanding how the Holocaust unfolded, we can recognise the warning signs of prejudice today and use our voices to stand against it. Holocaust Memorial Day Trust | It Began with Words – New Holocaust Memorial Day Film

Helpful UK Resources

A selection of trusted, accessible UK organisations offering guidance, educational materials, and support for commemorations:

• Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT) Official theme guidance, free resources, lesson plans, and activity packs
• Holocaust Educational Trust (HET) Survivor testimony, teacher training, and the renowned Lessons from Auschwitz programme
• National Holocaust Centre & Museum (Nottinghamshire) Exhibitions, survivor talks, and digital learning resources
• Imperial War Museum (IWM) – Holocaust Galleries Extensive historical collections and educational materials
• Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) Testimony archives, heritage projects, and support for survivors and their families

Light the Darkness

Each year people from across the UK take part in our Light the Darkness national moment for Holocaust Memorial Day.

At 8pm on 27 January people across the nation will light candles and put them safely in their windows to:

• remember those who were murdered for who they were
• stand against prejudice and hatred today
• Iconic buildings and landmarks will light up in purple during this powerful national moment of commemoration and solidarity

PolyMAT is immensely proud to celebrate the national recognition awarded to both Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys and Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls for their exceptional outcomes for disadvantaged pupils in the 2024/25 academic year. Receiving commendations from the Secretary of State for Education is an extraordinary achievement – one that reflects the unwavering commitment, expertise, and compassion demonstrated across both of our secondary schools.

This recognition is not given lightly. It is a testament to the collective effort of our teachers, support staff, leaders, and of course, our students, whose ambition and resilience continue to inspire us. The impact you make every day is profound, and it is now being acknowledged at the highest level. 

This national commendation shines a light on the remarkable work happening across our Trust and the life‑changing impact our schools have on young people.

Comment from Mr T Plumb, CEO of PolyMAT

“Congratulations and thank you. I want every member of staff across both schools to know just how significant this recognition is. To receive commendations from the Secretary of State is a rare honour, and it speaks directly to the exceptional standard of care, teaching, and support that defines our Trust.

I am incredibly proud of and deeply grateful to all our staff and students. This achievement reflects the extraordinary difference you make to the lives of young people every single day. Your dedication ensures that our pupils, particularly those facing the greatest challenges, are given the opportunities, encouragement, and belief they need to thrive.

This is a moment for our whole Trust to celebrate. It reinforces what we already know: that PolyMAT is a community of excellence, compassion, and ambition. Thank you for everything you do and for the impact you have on the futures of our young people.”

Important Travel Update - Introduction of New Superloop SL11 Route

We want to make you aware of upcoming changes to local bus services that may affect your child’s journey to and from school. From Saturday 24 January 2026, Transport for London (TfL) will introduce a new Superloop route, SL11, operating between North Greenwich Bus Station and Abbey Wood Station via Woolwich town centre.

New SL11 Route

The SL11 will run a limited‑stop service between North Greenwich and Abbey Wood. It will only stop at specific bus stops along the route, including:

Towards Abbeywood:

• North Greenwich Bus Station - stop A named North Greenwich Station 
• Stop MC named Millennium Village / Oval Square located on West Parkside 
• Stop MF named Millennium Leisure Park East at Greenwich Peninsula 
• Stop MA named Peninsular Park Road located on Bugsbys Way 
• Stop E at Charlton Station 
• Stop K at Woolwich Elizabeth Line Station 
• Stop A at Plumstead Bus Garage 
• Stop F opposite Belmarsh Prison 
• Stop Y on Central Way named Thamesmead / Grasshaven Way 
• Stop J on Central Way named Thamesmead Town Centre / Watersmeet Place 
• Stop D named Linton Mead Primary School located on Central Way 
• Stop NG on Crossway named Thamesmead North / Eastgate Close 
• Stop SJ named Thamesmead / Carlyle Road located on Carlyle Road 
• Stop D opposite Abbey Wood Station on Harrow Manorway 
• Stop F on Gayton Road named Gayton Road / Abbey Wood Station

Towards North Greenwich Bus Station buses will only stop at the following bus stops: 

• Stop F on Gayton Road named Gayton Road / Abbey Wood Station 
• Stop C outside Abbey Wood Station on Harrow Manorway 
• Stop SK named Thamesmead / Carlyle Road located on Carlyle Road 
• Stop NC on Crossway named Thamesmead North / Manordene Road 
• Stop E named Linton Mead Primary School located on Central Way 
• Stop H on Central Way named Thamesmead Town Centre / Watersmeet Place 
• Stop X on Central Way named Thamesmead / Grasshaven Way 
• Stop G outside Belmarsh Prison 
• Stop WL named Plumstead Road / Plumstead Station located on Plumstead Road 
• Stop D at Woolwich Elizabeth Line Station 
• Stop G named Anchor & Hope Lane located on Anchor & Hope Lane 
• Stop MB named Peninsular Park Road located on Bugsbys Way 
• Stop MH named Millennium Leisure Park East at Greenwich Peninsula 
• Stop ML named Millennium Village / Oval Square located on West Parkside 
• Buses set down at stop E at North Greenwich Bus Station 

Service Frequency

• Monday–Friday: every 12 minutes before 06:30, every 6 minutes until around 21:00, then every 10 minutes
• Saturday: every 12 minutes before 07:30, every 6 minutes until around 20:00, then every 10 minutes
• Sunday: every 15 minutes before 09:30, then every 12 minutes
• First buses will depart at 04:58 from Abbey Wood and 05:00 from North Greenwich daily. Last buses will run at 00:00 (midnight) from both ends of the route.

Changes to Route 472

• As part of these changes:
• Route 472 will be withdrawn.
• The SL11 will replace the 472 only at the stops it serves.
• A new night service, N472, will operate every 30 minutes between North Greenwich and Abbey Wood, serving all current 472 stops overnight.

If Your Child Uses Route 472

Some stops previously served by the 472 will not be served by the SL11. 

These stops will continue to be served by other frequent local routes, including 161, 177, 180, 244, 301 and 380.

Families may need to plan for:

• A change of bus during the journey
• Slightly longer travel times
• Adjustments to morning or afternoon routines

Further Information

You can check updated timetables and plan journeys using the TfL Journey Planner

More details about the Superloop network are available here

This February half-term, Vibrant Health Education CIC - a not-for-profit initiative funded through the Greenwich Healthier Communities Fund, with support from Young Greenwich and Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) - will be delivering a free Health-Building Workshop Series for young people aged 13–19 at The Tramshed, Woolwich.

The sessions offer students practical, evidence-based and medically informed tools to support emotional regulation, stress management, healthy habits and cognitive focus. They are designed as an accessible, off-timetable opportunity for students, requiring no staff supervision and forming part of our wider funded wellbeing work across the borough.

The programme is an extension of our school-based initiative and provides a supportive option for students who benefit from applied, accessible - yet not readily available - wellbeing strategies.

Entry is free, with advance sign-up required.  Registration closes on 11 February 2026.

For ease, the registration link is included below should there be any issues accessing the QR code on the leaflet:
Registration Link