The best things to do in London this week, from Chinese New Year festivities to comedy festivals Prepare for the inevitable at Death: Southbank Centre's Festival for the Living One of the two inevitabilities of life, death waits for all of us but is addressed by few of us. Tackling the taboo and confronting this uncomfortable certainty head on, Death: Southbank Centre's Festival for the Living is a four-day consideration of all things to do with our dissolution. Serious in places - the programme includes Chris Larner's play An Instinct for Kindness, about his wife's trip to Dignitas, and featuring talks on assisted dying led by Jon Snow - the festival more generally takes a matter-of-fact and at times almost celebratory view of death and the rituals that surround it. A display of bespoke coffins, shaped like cars or guitars or canal barges, shows how the containers that hold our corpses can reflect our earthly passions and status; talks consider the art of obituary writing and Sandi Toksvig presents her own memorial lecture. When: Jan 27-30 Where: venues throughout the Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX Tube: Waterloo How much: some events are free, but others are ticketed. Day passes are available on both Saturday and Sunday for £12 per day, and grant admission to a range of talks, debates and events Get out at Walk London Epping Forest: routes cover central London and beyond. If New Year resolutions to keep fit have already fallen by the wayside, Walk London gives you an opportunity to make amends and see the best of the city, gratis. Over Saturday and Sunday, a series of guide-led, themed tours navigate major walking routes and lesser-known side streets, revealing unexpected facets and fascinating facts about London's districts and inhabitants. Impressively, the Westminster tour covers 1000 years of history in about two hours, while walks through Camden, Oscar Wilde's London and the city's hidden alleyways and courtyards are of a similar duration. More demanding walks explore the Lea Valley and Epping Forest - a full list of routes is shown on the Walk London website. When: Jan 28-29 Where: throughout London. How much: free Cheer up at the London Comedy Film Festival For four days this week, the LoCo London Comedy Film Festival sees BFI's screening schedule dedicated to all things funny. As you'd expect, humorous full-length comedies and well-pitched shorts, featuring established titans of comedy including Charlie Chaplin and The Muppets, are a focal point but there are also premieres of independent films and foreign-language favourites. A series of master classes, talks and parties round out the programme and if you're struggling to find a way to keep younger charges entertained, consider registering for the festival's LoCo's School of Slapstick on Sunday. Designed to alert a new generation to the beauty of well-crafted comedy, the session invites kids aged 8-12 to make their own funny silent films. When: Jan 26-29 Where: BFI, Belvedere Road, South Bank, Waterloo, London SE1 8XT Tube: Waterloo How much: prices vary Enjoy adults-only entertainment at Museum Lates It's an adults-only evening at the Natural History Museum this Friday. If, during Saturday and holiday-time visits, you find South Kensington's museums more akin to oversized crèches than world-class cultural institutions you might like to know about this week's series of late events, for adults only. On Wednesday, the Science Museum stays open until 10pm and features a special display dedicated to Bridget, an Astrium prototype Mars-rover, expert talks and a special speed dating event to give singletons some options for romance in advance of Valentine's Day. On Friday, both the V&A and Natural History Museum extend their opening hours until 10pm and 10.30pm respectively. To celebrate next month's Carnival, "Brazil" is the theme of the V&A's programme so expect Latin music, dance and cultural events, and caipirinhas. Next door, the Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year and the new Scott's Last Expedition exhibitions stay open late, while a live jazz band provide the soundtrack in the Central Hall and Gold Bar. When: Jan 25 (Science Museum); Jan 27 (V&A and Natural History Museum) Where: entrances for each venue on Exhibition Road, London SW7 Tube: South Kensington How much: entry to the museums is free but there may be a charge for special events and exhibitions