The best things to do in London this week, from a tropical extravaganza at Kew Gardens to stargazing opportunities in Greenwich Catch up on culture at First Thursdays Always a good night out, First Thursdays returns this week. The premise is simple: on the first Thursday of each month, over 100 galleries and museums throughout east London remain open until 9pm, offering free access to exhibitions, talks and parties, and typically followed by late-night events at the bars and clubs of Shoreditch, Bethnal Green and Dalston. Major galleries contribute to the programme again this month - Chantal Condron gives a talk at the Whitechapel Gallery; the curator of OMA/Progress talks about his research at Barbican Art Gallery - but it's often events at the smaller venues that are most worth exploring. At Hoxton Art Gallery, Utopia presents otherworldly photography, sculptures and paintings depicting paradise-like realms, while August Art shows Mirror House, a soundscape collaboration between Rob Olins and composer Douglas that transmits the sonic clash found between nature and urbanity in the city of Vancouver. When: Feb 2 Where: throughout east London. A complete list of participating venues is found on the First Thursdays site How much: most events are free Get some colour at Tropical Extravaganza The Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew Gardens. A welcome jolt of colour during this grey and bleak time of year, the Tropical Extravaganza festival transforms Kew Gardens" Princess of Wales Conservatory into a riotous display of exotic plants. This year the interior is inspired by the elements of fire, air, water and earth so expect to see aquatic-coloured flowerbeds shimmering purple and blue, and climbing strands of foliage in blazing shades of red and yellow. As well as the opportunity to admire the displays themselves, there are a number of special events being held during the festival's month-long duration. Behind-the-scenes tours of the nursery are supplemented by a Q&A with the gardens" horticultural staff; free hands-on gardening sessions are scheduled and day-long courses teach visitors how to grow orchids at home. When: Feb 4 - March 4 Where: Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB Tube: Kew Gardens How much: £13.90; concessions £11.90; under 17s free Watch Dickens's works during Dickens on Screen The trailer for David Lean's 1948 interpretation of Oliver Twist With 2012 marking the bicentenary of his birth, Charles Dickens is the subject of numerous festivals, exhibitions and celebrations this year. Following on from the ongoing Dickens & London exhibition at the Museum of London, all about the novelist's connection to the city, the BFI hosts Dickens on Screen, an exhaustive retrospective of films based on or inspired by the accomplished author's works. There are numerous film screenings - as you would expect - but this affectionate look at Dickens's work also broadcasts TV productions and includes plenty of expert talks to ensure the man's works are considered with due reverence and in plenty of detail. When: Feb 1-28 Where: BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, South Bank, London SE1 8XT Tube: Waterloo How much: prices vary Have a laugh at the Festival of the Spoken Nerd Most people would say comedy and science aren't natural bedfellows, but that statement is disputed by musical comedian Helen Arney, stand-up mathematician Matt Parker and Blue Peter science expert Steve Mould. The trio this week hosts Festival of the Spoken Nerd, a celebration of science, comedy and, in their words, "unashamed geekiness." Whatever your own intellectual aptitude and personal proclivity for comedy, the event does a good job of making learning fun, with live experiments, audience participation and special guests keeping things ticking throughout the night. The concept is now being toured around the country, but if you're unable to make this week's session look out for regular future performances at the New Red Lion Theatre by Angel. When: Feb 2 Where: Theatre Royal Haymarket, 18 Suffolk Street, London SW1Y 4HT Tube: Piccadilly Circus; Leicester Square How much: from £10