Just because you’re going alcohol-free this month doesn’t mean that your January has to be dry. Our fabulous city has a multitude of events and celebrations happening, so you can have all the fun you want – even if you are sober as a judge.
1. Fish Finger Sandwich Pop Up
The Canvas Cafe, 42 Hanbury Street, E1 5JL
2. Break a sweat!
One thing you don’t want to do drunk is exercise… Although, admittedly, some of us have been to the gym while still under the influence of booze from the night before. If you fancy burning some kcals whilst punching out any vented up aggression (the aftermath of Christmas can be a stressful time), try a boxing fitness class for £10 on Fever. Classes run in St Benedict’s School Sports Hall in Ealing every Wednesday and Friday. To check times and book you place, see here.
16 Marchwood Crescent, Ealing Broadway, W5 2DZ
You also might want to check out some of London’s sweatiest workouts. How do we know? We’ve done the hard work for you (some of it, anyway)…
3. Celebrate the Chinese New Year
This year marks the Year of the Rooster! Festivities will begin in London on 28th January, but the main parade takes place on 29th January in China Town and the West End. The parade will finish in Trafalgar Square, where there will be live performances and music. Throw on something red, scrub up on your ‘Happy New Year’ in Cantonese – “San Nin Faai Lok”
– and Mandarin – “Xin Nian Kuai Le”. And remember, if you’re not drinking alcohol, it surely means you can treat yourself to more dim sum?
4. Have an Undercover Urban Adventure
The Gravity Bar, Royal Trafalgar Hotel, 30 Orange St, WC2H 7HH
5. Check out the pretty lights at Canary Wharf
For your dose of January dazzle, the Winter Lights festival in Canary Wharf will exhibit a collection of 30 spectacular artworks, installations and experiences created by a range of internationally renowned artists. Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in some of the pieces, including one stand-out display, by Merav Etan and Gaston Zah. This piece, which consists of five giant wings with white halos, will turn visitors into glowing angels, with the underlying message of the work aiming to discourage discrimination through interaction. There will also be a number of performances over the weekend. The festival is free to the public.
16th January – 27th January
6. Enjoy a round of Plonk Golf
7. The Great Sausage Roll Off
2 Castelnau, London SW13 9RU
8. Snowdrop Days 2017
Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4HS