This February half-term, Southampton comes alive with a mix of family-friendly activities, cultural experiences, and seasonal celebrations to keep all ages entertained. From hands-on workshops at SeaCity Museum and Tudor House to family-friendly experiences like retro gaming fun at High Score Arcade and upcoming light trails, there’s plenty to spark creativity and curiosity.
Take a look below to see what's on and start planning a week full of memorable days out.
Upcoming events this half term
Lunar New Year celebrations
Throughout February, City Centre
This year, Southampton will celebrate the year of the fire horse as part of the city’s lunar new year celebrations. Several activities and performances are planned to take place throughout the month including a set of traditional dragon and lion dances, creative workshops and martial art displays. To see what’s happening head to our Lunar New Year page.
Brickstravaganza: Pokemon edition
14 – 15 February, SeaCity Museum
SeaCity Museum’s ever popular Pokemon Brickstravaganza event returns this February half-term, giving you a weekend packed with amazing LEGO® brick displays, hands-on activities, fun competitions and the chance to win prizes. To join in the fun, simply purchase a standard admission ticket to the museum. Make sure you hold onto you ticket to enjoy a whole year of free return visits as an added bonus!
Southampton Valentine's Day Festival
14 – 22 February, Above Bar Precinct
Southampton’s Valentine’s Day Festival is back! Enjoy classic funfair rides, indulge in delicious sweet treats, and soak up a lively atmosphere filled with family-friendly entertainment.
City Reflections
18 – 21 February, Old Town and City Centre
This half-term you can experience a free projection trail across six of Southampton’s historic Old Town and city centre venues. Presented by Southampton Forward, City Reflections shines a light on some of the stories, people and objects that have made Southampton into the city it is today. Venues include The Bargate, Holy Rood Church, The Dancing Man Brewery, Castle Vault, King John’s Palace and Southampton City Art Gallery. Each 3-minute projection will run on loop between 6pm – 8pm every evening, giving you a chance to visit each location at your own pace. Find out more here.
Child-friendly activities
Space to Create! John Hansard Gallery
Every Saturday, John Hansard Gallery hosts their free Space to Create workshops, giving families a chance to make and build their own art inspired by the latest exhibitions on display. Drop-in times are between 11am – 1pm and suitable for ages four and up. Upcoming sessions include miniature model furniture making, badge making and tabletop activities inspired by the year of the horse for the lunar new year.
Storytime at Waterstones Southampton
Join the Waterstones team every Wednesday at 11am for their weekly children’s story time. Suitable for children aged two and over, your little ones will be read a different book every week, with colouring or crafting to follow after each session.
For parents and older children, Waterstones also hosts regular book clubs on Thursdays from 6pm – 8pm in their café, each set around a different genre including Sci-Fi and Fantasy, narrative non-fiction and fiction. Visit them instore to find out more about their latest meets.
Children’s Theatre Trail - 28 February
The show must go on! Mayflower Theatre needs your help to save the show from disaster. Join them for their next theatre trail where children will have the chance to go behind the scenes to solve clues and small challenges along the way. Suitable for children aged 7-11. Tickets are from £8. Find out more here.
Catch the latest blockbuster at Showcase Cinema
Families can enjoy a great-value cinema trip at Showcase Cinema de Lux Southampton with a special £25 family ticket, available exclusively at the Southampton venue. The ticket covers either two adults and two children, or one adult and three children, for screenings in standard seats. For an added treat, guests can also upgrade to luxury recliner seating for a small additional charge. When booked online, there’s no booking fee, making it an easy and affordable option for a family day out. Take a look at the latest screenings here.
Retro gaming at High Score Arcade
Step back in time at High Score Arcades, where families can enjoy unlimited play on a wide range of retro arcade machines and classic consoles, all for one fixed entry price. From vintage favourites to well-known games from the 80s and 90s, it’s a great option for older children, teens and parents looking to share a bit of nostalgia.
High Score Arcade also runs SEN-friendly sessions at quieter times, offering a more relaxed environment for players who benefit from a smaller capacity setting with reduced noise and venue lights turned on.
Get creative at Southampton’s cultural venues
This half-term, SeaCity Museum and Tudor House & Garden are hosting a range of hands-on workshops designed to spark creativity and curiosity. Children can get creative with clay sculptures inspired by K Pop Demon Hunters, try acrylic painting to create winter scenes, or join Bluey-inspired pen pot sessions and Toddler Time’s Characterful Dogs! History fans can also step back in time with Hands on History: Awesome Egyptians.
These workshops are a great way for children to learn new skills and take home something they’ve made themselves. For session times and booking details click here.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Southampton
Valentine’s Day this year falls on Saturday 14 February, right at the start of the half-term break. Whether you’re planning a romantic outing, a fun family day, or a catch-up with friends, we’ve put together a handy guide with the best places to celebrate in Southampton. From cosy restaurants and sweet treats to romantic spots and fun activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Discover all our top picks and plan your perfect Valentine’s Day in the city by visiting our Valentine’s Day blogs.
More events and activities on this half-term
