Males that give birth, females who perform romantic dances, and couples that form life-long relationships are just some of the fascinating behaviours visitors will see at ZSL London Zoo's brand-new Seahorses exhibit.

Opening on 16 February, Seahorses will be home to 172 long and short-snouted seahorses, both of which are the focus of ZSL London Zoo conservation breeding programmes.

With eight bespoke tanks, Seahorses will show visitors the various stages of the seahorse lifecycle, with special curved tanks for the fry (seahorse babies…), different tanks for juveniles and separate tanks for each of the mating pairs, who like a bit of privacy.

ZSL's team of presenters will be revealing Seahorse Secrets every day during half term, with a daily talk about these remarkable creatures, including what seahorses have in common with monkeys and chameleons!  

Experience the majesty of the courts of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I to Ivan the Terrible and the early Romanovs in a major exhibition at the V&A. From royal portraits, costume and jewellery to armour and heraldry, Treasures of the Royal Courts tells the story of diplomacy between the British Monarchy and the Russian Tsars through more than 150 magnificent objects.

George Bellows (1882-1925): Modern American Life at the Royal Academy of Arts is the first retrospective of works by American realist painter George Bellows to be held in the UK. When Bellows died at age forty-two, he was considered one of the greatest artists in America. His fascination with New York's gritty urban landscape, its technological marvels and the diversity of its inhabitants, made him both an artist of the modern city and an insightful observer of the dynamic and challenging decades of the early 20th century. Most of the works in the exhibition have never been shown in the UK.

Tate Modern presents the first exhibition in the UK of Lebanese artist Saloua Raouda Choucair. Born in Beirut in 1916, Choucair is a pioneer of abstract art in the Middle East and is now becoming recognised as an important figure in the history of global modernism.

Ellen Gallagher (born 1965 Providence, Rhode Island) is one of the most acclaimed contemporary painters to have emerged from North America.

In 2013, Tate Modern will present the UK's first substantial solo exhibition of her work, providing a unique opportunity to survey her career over the past 20 years.

Gallagher's varied practice draws from an eclectic range of sources, including literature, music, myth, black popular culture, science fiction and advertising.

She obscures and abstracts this imagery, leaving behind traces that give rise to unnerving stories.

@ the Museum of London

The life and work of actor Sir Michael Caine celebrated in a new photography exhibition at the Museum of London

The exhibition traces Sir Michael's life from Cockney rebel, through to Hollywood legend and inspirational Londoner through a selection of never-before-exhibited photographs, iconic portraits by David Bailey and Terry O'Neill, and a selection of film and audio footage from some of his best-loved movies including Alfie, The Italian Job, Get Carter and Educating Rita.

'I'm every bourgeois nightmare - a Cockney with intelligence and a million dollars.'

Find out more

London Wonderground returns to the Southbank for a second year of cabaret, music, circus and strange curiosities.

Taking place in the coach park between the Royal Festival Hall and the London Eye, the festival is centred around the Speigeltent, in which you can watch a diverse range of performances from top contemporary talent. Visitors can also enjoy bars, outdoor performances and fringe shows in the London Wonderground event space.

The headline performance this year is the thrilling Limbo, created by the team behind last year's acclaimed show Cantina. Limbo is a mix of illusion, circus, magic and dance that promises to mesmerise audiences this summer.

Other acts to look forward to include an entertaining mix of music and stand-up comedy, and Al Murray the Pub Landlord's Southbank Saloon.

https://www.londonwonderground.co.uk/

What have the Olympics, Chairman Mao and matchboxes got in common? Who portrayed Margaret Thatcher as Napoleon, and why? Is propaganda public information or misinformation, and do we need it?

From safe sex to dictatorships, from the iconic to the everyday, Propaganda: Power and Persuasion is the first exhibition to explore how different states have used propaganda during the 20th and 21st centuries, in peace-time and in war.

Estuary brings together the work of 12 artists who have been inspired by the outer limits of the Thames where the river becomes the sea. The exhibition marks the 10th anniversary of the Museum of London Docklands, a converted Georgian warehouse on West India Quay. 

With its dramatic landscape - desolate mudflats and saltmarshes, vast open skies, container ports, power stations and seaside resorts - the Estuary has long been a rich source of inspiration for artists and writers. Through film, photography, painting and printmaking, the contemporary artists featured in this exhibition offer new insight into this often overlooked, yet utterly compelling, environment and the people that live and work there.

FREE entry

Find out more

Meet the weird, wonderful and wild relatives of the cultivated plants you eat every day. Take part in the banquet of offerings that make up this fantastically foody festival.  Be part of a giant fruit salad installation by hiring a fruit-shaped boat, stroll around a floating pineapple on the Palm House pond, travel the globe in our gastronomic garden or join a tea party with a twist.

Tate Britain presents two exhibitions running in parallel by the painters Patrick Caulfield (1936-2005), and Gary Hume (b1962).

Both known for their vibrant colourful paintings and bold techniques. Patrick Caulfield is perhaps best known for reinvigorating traditional artistic genres such as the still life as well as his mastery of colour, graphic elegance and wit.

This exhibition will offer the chance to reassess his influences and the legacy of his approach to painting.

Gary Hume is one of the celebrated group of 'Young British Artists' (YBAs) first received critical acclaim in the early 1990s with his bold, large-scale paintings which used high gloss paint to create planes of industrial colour.

This exhibition explores the breadth and vitality of his work, highlighting Hume's innovative use of colour, line and surface in his distinctive compositions. See both exhibitions with one ticket. 

A free exhibition celebrating extraordinary London architecture. Nominated by leading architecture critics, these ten buildings, structures and subways contribute to the mix and diversity of the city but are all too often overlooked and forgotten. 

Find out more

From ethereal images of deep space to close-up views of our planetary neighbours, Visions of the Universe features photographs from NASA, the Russian space programme and some of the greatest telescopes in the world, as well as highlights from the last four years of the Royal Observatory's highly successful Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition.

Now in its 245th year, the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, remains a much anticipated highlight of the contemporary arts calendar. It is the world's largest open-submission exhibition displaying over 1,000 works in all styles and media, including painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, architectural models and film.

3FOR2 offer available

Roger's photographs have featured in several WWF publications, in his books Dotted Plains, Spotted Game and Art in the Wild, and in a number of public and private collections.

14 June - 7 July, 11am - 6pm

Free Admission

Find out more

Booking for Kids Week 2013 will open at 10am on Tuesday 18 June.

During Kids Week, a child aged 16 or under can see a fantastic selection of shows for FREE when accompanied by a full paying adult. Two additional children can go at half price (per transaction).

Plus, there are no booking or postage fees to pay! Check out the full list of participating shows here.

The Courtauld holds the UK's most important collection of works by the Post-Impressionist master Paul Gauguin.

This was assembled by pioneering collector Samuel Courtauld and in this special display his collection of Gauguin's paintings, works on paper and sculpture is brought together for the first time. 

A ten-day event of outdoor theatre, dance and art, running from 21-29 June.

Featuring free outdoor performing arts (theatre, dance, and street arts), it's an annual 9-day celebration of extraordinary outdoor events and venues include Greenwich Park, the National Maritime Museum and Island Gardens, the riverside park at Tower Hamlets. 

Find out more

Come to the Square Mile and enjoy an outdoor programme more than 100 free events and many other unique paid-for events, many reflecting the theme of trees and the City's natural environment.

Events include three concerts staging Britten's 'Church Parables' at St Paul's Cathedral, a two-day conference of talks at Mansion House, free lunchtime recitals from the Guildhall School's finest emerging musicians, open air ballet, and a Honey Feast on the final day of the Festival, in Paternoster Square.

Find out more

This summer, Tate Britain presents a major exhibition of landscapes by the much loved British painter L S Lowry (1887-1976). This is the first show held by a public institution in London since the artist's death.

Bringing together around eighty works, including Tate's Coming Out of School 1927 and The Pond 1950, this show aims to re-assess Lowry's contribution as part of a wider art history and to argue for his achievement as Britain's pre-eminent painter of the industrial city.

NEW this summer, Tower Bridge Techie Talks programme is perfect for anyone intrigued by how the Bridge works and what goes on behind the scenes.  Available on certain dates during the school holidays, our expert engineers will be on hand in the atmospheric Engine Rooms to talk through the marvels of Victorian engineering.  Suitable for all ages.  Check the website nearer the time for Techie Talk dates.

Don't forget, we've also just launched the Tower Bridge App- find out more about the Bridge, plan a visit, play games, book tickets online and join the Tower Bridge conversations on Facebook and Twitter.  The app is available from the iTunes store, Google Play or from Tower Bridge's website.

'This is London' Exhibition

Why not experience a completely unique view of London by visiting our hugely popular 'This is London' exhibition, featuring M. Sasek's charming artwork of famous London sights such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and London Underground.  A perfect stop-off for both UK and overseas visitors, the exhibition is located in the Bridge's high level West Walkway, giving a panorama of stunning city views. 

For younger visitors, colouring sheets will be provided during the summer school holidays so they can create their very own masterpiece.

Also currently on display in the Engine Rooms, is 'Art at the Bridge #4', our latest exhibition in partnership with leading local arts charity Southwark Arts Forum, which features the work of five rising artists living in and inspired by the capital.'Vote for your Favourite!' Visitors will receive a token which they can use to vote for their favourite artwork. The artist who receives the most tokens will be given the prestigious honour of raising Tower Bridge!

Tate Modern presents the UK's first major exhibition of Sudanese artist Ibrahim El-Salahi (born 1930).

Bringing together 100 works from across more than five decades of his international career, this retrospective highlights one of the most significant figures in African and Arab Modernism, revealing his place in the context of a broader, global art history.

The exhibition traces the artist's personal journey, beginning in Sudan in the 1950s where the artist originally trained and practiced as an art teacher, as well as his time at the Slade School of Fine Art in London.

The South Coast Proms is back and bigger and better than ever. This will be the third time that the stunning location of HMS Excellent on Whale Island has been opened to the public for the two day musical extravaganza.

The event will be taking place during the evenings of Friday 5^th and Saturday 6^th July and from 5pm on each of the two nights, you will have the unique opportunity to picnic in the grounds of HMS Excellent.

There will be music to suit all tastes culminating in a spectacular musical firework finale and an exciting aerobatic display by a Royal Navy Sea Fury prior to the start of the main concert. The 100 musicians who make up the Massed Bands of Her Majesty's Royal Marines will take centre stage, fresh from their sell out concert series at the Royal Albert Hall.  

They will be joined by the Portsmouth Military Wives Choir and the accomplished Australian Saxophonist Amy Dickson performing selected pieces from her chart topping album. All proceeds go to The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity. 

Ticket info: £10.00 - £25.00.  For all ticket options see the website www.southcoastproms.com

With a thought-provoking collection of images from 2011 and 2012, The Press Photographer's Year returns to the National Theatre for a seventh year.

Free exhibition. No tickets required.

Open during building opening hours
Mon - Sat: 9.30am - 11pm
Sun (when open): 12 noon - 6pm
Exceptions: Monday 26 August: 4 - 11pm

Find out more

150 years ago, Alexandra Park was opened by the renowned landscape architect Alexander McKenzie as a pioneering Victorian leisure Park and centre for education and entertainment. To mark this historic occasion, Ally Pally will celebrate 150 years of the extraordinary, bringing the park to life with entertainment and activities in true McKenzian style!

FREE event

Find out more

HYPER JAPAN 2013 is dedicated to bringing the very best of today's Japan to the UK. The event will showcase culture, customs, language, travel, fashion, arts, anime and food from Japan and much more.



Whether you're a foodie, an anime lover, a creatively-inspired cosplayer or you just admire the traditional culture and cuisine of Japan, HYPER JAPAN will be full of discovery about this fascinating, innovative and inspiring country.

27 - 28 July 2013 / 13:30

On the first anniversary of the London 2012 Games, the north of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park opens for a packed weekend of entertainment and activity, art and food.

Tickets:
Day tickets £9.50 (£6 children 5-16, under 5s go free)

£2 order processing fee applies per transaction

Find out more

The Imperial War Museum will partially reopen on 29 July 2013 with a major new family exhibition Horrible Histories®: Spies; a new programme of contemporary art and photography, IWM Contemporary; and a rehang of its art collection, Architecture of War. 

Find out more

From Friday 30 August - Sunday 1 September, ZSL London Zoo will open its doors for a weekend of big fun for your little ones.

There'll be colourful characters to meet, roving entertainers, interactive stage shows, storytelling, shadow puppetry and the magical fairy queen's rainbow trail through the enchanted woodland walk.

There are a range of activities just for kids including the splash zone, the adventure playground, bouncy castles, giant slides, whacky races and the Animal Adventure children's zoo.

Kids can get artsy in the Crafty Critters zone - making enrichment toys and puzzles for our animals or creating a masterpiece to take home.

There will be a range of special LIVE! demonstrations, keeper talks and feeds as well as our Animals in Action shows.

2FOR1 entry:

9am - 6pm (5pm Sun). Last entry 5pm

Enjoy the delights of this spectacular, yet informal late summer Show.

Browse, buy and get advice from over 40 specialist nurseries and garden trade stands, including many RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Palace Flower Show medal winners.

There is also a captivating display by the Surrey NAFAS (10am - 5pm), and the National Dahlia Society Show.

Find out more

Wisley Flower Show Preview Breakfast

4 September, 7.30am

Treat yourself to a special breakfast followed by a tour of the Show. RHS Members £25, Non-Members £35.75. Call 0845 612 1253to book (Lines open Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm).

Experience the beauty and allure of pearls which across centuries and cultures have long been associated with wealth, royalty and glamour.

This autumn the V&A and the Qatar Museums Authority explore the history of natural pearls from the early Roman Empire through to the present day.

Highlights include rare natural specimens, Mary Queen of Scots' necklace, a group of magnificent tiaras worn by European royalty, delicate art nouveau and striking art deco pieces and a pair of pearl drop earrings owned by Elizabeth Taylor.

Mira Schendel was one ofLatin America's most important and prolific post-war artists. Tate Modern will stage the first ever international full-scale survey of her work revealing Schendel's dialogues with a diverse range of artists, philosophers and critics, as well as her engagement with universal ideas of faith, self-understanding and existence.