London will be awash with colour this weekend: not only does Sunday see the vibrant Chinese New Year celebrations taking over Trafalgar Square, but Kew Gardens will also be filled with a rainbow of orchids. Elsewhere, you can see some of the world’s oldest art, take the whole family dancing or watch James McAvoy star in the Scottish play.

Ice Age Art: Arrival of the Modern Mind at the British Museum

Learn about the beginnings of art at this fascinating exhibition, which brings together works of Ice Age art from across Europe. Created more than 20,000 years ago, the works of portraiture and sculpture demonstrate the evolution of figurative art and humans’ enduring ability for creative expression. Not only does the exhibition contain striking works of ancient art, but modern masterpieces by artists such as Picasso, Henry Moore and Matisse are also displayed to demonstrate themes that span millennia. Adult tickets are £10. Until 26 May

Orchids at Kew Gardens

Kew’s Princess of Wales Conservatory is filled with an unseasonal burst of colour this month, as it hosts a four week long celebration of orchids. The glorious plants are arranged in a variety of captivating displays, with a centrepiece that pays tribute to the majestic giant water lily. Adult tickets are £14.50; children 16 and under are admitted free of charge. Until 3 Mar

Chinese New Year in Trafalgar Square

Celebrate the Chinese Year of the Snake on Sunday with a colourful parade and celebrations that will light up the West End. London’s Chinese New Year celebrations are the world’s largest outside China and centre around a lively stage in Trafalgar Square, from which fireworks will be released at the end of the day. Don’t miss the parade to Chinatown’s Rupert Street, which leaves the square at 10am. 10 Feb

Macbeth at Trafalgar Studios

Bafta-winning actor James McAvoy, famous for starring in films such as Atonement, Wanted and X-Men: First Class, takes to the stage as Macbeth in a new production of Shakespeare’s renowned tragedy. The play follows the Scottish Lord Macbeth in his murderous quest for power, and is considered one of the bard’s darkest plays. Tickets start at £10. Until 27 Apr

Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House

Deal with your children’s half-term high spirits at this energetic afternoon of British country dancing. Commencing at 3pm, the barn dance features live music and a caller to guide you through the lively steps. Tickets start from £3 and adults must be accompanied by children, see the website for full details. 10 Feb

It’s a busy week for theatre news. Firstly, Enron’s extended its run at the Noel Coward Theatre, which is great news, particularly because I want to see it again – it’s *that* good! It’s now running until 14 August.

Also, two of my favourite south-of-the-river theatres have sent really exciting announcements my way.

Firstly, the Menier Chocolate Factory is bringing revivals of Educating Rita, Shirley Valentine and Aspects of Love to London in the coming months. (It really couldn’t be a better line-up if my Liverpudlian Lloyd-Webber loving Mum had chosen the shows for the pair of us herself.) Larry Lamb, who you’ll either know from EastEnders or Gavin & Stacey will be playing Frank in Educating Rita. And all-round ace (she writes, she acts, she directs, and sings, and produces) Meera Syal will be playing Shirley. No news as yet for the cast of Aspects of Love. (We’ve got our fingers crossed that Michael Ball will come back, but we know it’s probably never going to happen. Sniff.)

Second: Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre has sent some tasty casting news through too this week, which includes two actors I’ve really enjoyed watching at The Globe before: Dominic Rowan and Jamie Parker. The former’s going to be playing Henry VIII; the latter (who you might recognise from The History Boys) will play Hal in Henry IV Parts I and II.  And it’ll be interesting to see sexy Elliot Cowan play Macbeth: surely one of Shakespeare’s best plays? All in all, it’s shaping up to be a great summer at The Globe.

Finally, while memories of the wonderful Jerusalem are still strong in my mind, I’m pleased to tell you about the amazing Mark Rylance’s next project. He’ll be playing a street clown in David Hirson’s 1991 comedy, La Bête. Other cast members include Joanna Lumley OBE and David Hyde Pierce (or Fraiser’s brother Niles, to you and me). It turns out Niles, sorry, David Hyde Pierce has won a Tony for his work on Broadway, which includes Curtains, Monty Python’s Spamalot and Accent On Youth. This will be his West End debut. Can’t wait to see this show at the Comedy Theatre in June: it sounds really interesting.

On a brighter note: if you were a fan of I’d Do Anything on the BBC, I’ve got news about two of the show’s stars: firstly, gorgeous winner Lee Mead is heading over to the dark (green) side, to play Fiyero in the ever-brilliant Wicked from 10 May.

And secondly, it turns out Daniel Boys‘ run as Princeton in Avenue Q at the Gielgud is “only for now”. He’ll be replaced by Paul Spicer in March. London’s naughtiest musical is also moving to a new home as well as getting a new cast: it’ll be shocking you into fits of sniggers at Wyndham’s Theatre from 19 March.

Other exiting cast news comes from Down Under: Jane Turner, who you’ll know from Kath And Kim is coming to the West End in May. Holding The Man opens at the Trafalgar Studios on 4 May (previews from 23 April), and is about being young and gay in 70s Australia.

Finally, bringing a touch of sunshine to my January, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre (one of my favouritest things in the whole of London) have announced their 2010 season. There’s nothing like planning ahead to warm summery evenings in the outdoors with great theatre in a wonderful setting to lift a grey sky. And what treats do they have lined up for us? Well, under the header “Kings and Rogues”, there’s lots of royalty! Macbeth, Henry VIII and Henry IV parts 1 and 2, and an exciting sounding new play called Anne Boleyn by Howard Brenton. Plus a revival of the Globe’s acclaimed 2008 production of The Merry Wives of Windsor (which I’m looking forward to as I missed it that year) and another newbie, Bedlam, by Nell Leyshon. (Finally, a female on the list of Globe playwrights!)

I’m off to dream about standing in the fading sunshine with a £5 groundling ticket… Roll on summer!