And just like that, another year approaches steadily on the horizon. What awaits us in the new year? Dry January (if you’re partaking – or rather, not partaking), special Veganuary menus, hangers-on from the festive season, and plenty more. Find out how to kick off the year with a bang, with our guide to the best things to do in London in January 2025. What will you make of the new year?
1. Ring in the New Year
Sure, New Year’s Eve isn’t technically in January – but a successful celebration will take you all the way through until the wee hours of the new year and the new month. Here are some of our picks for hitting the town on December 31 and partying until it’s 2025:
🕺 Bar Lina Shoreditch and Lina Stores King’s Cross invite you to welcome the arrival of 2025 the Italian way with delicious food, cocktails, and live entertainment.
💃 Have a whale of a time ringing in the New Year at the Natural History Musuem.
🕺 Celebrate in style at The Coral Room’s Casa Coral Fiesta with Casamigos.
💃 Dance through the night at One Hundred Shoreditch’s party in collaboration with Phonica Records.
Check out even more wonderful ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in London here.
2. Check out the New Year’s Day Parade
Whether you stumble across it hungover after a night of revelry, or you skip the NYE celebrations in favour of New Year’s Day, London’s New Year’s Day parade is an epic way to kick start the year. Over 100,000 performers will make their way along London’s streets, from Piccadilly to Westminster, in a celebration of London’s rich heritage and diversity. The arrival of the New Year will also see performances, concerts, and events taking over venues across London throughout the week.
Find out more here.
3. Mark the start of the Lunar New Year (January 29)
Did you know that London’s Lunar New Year celebrations are the biggest in the world outside of Asia? What can we say, we love a chance to celebrate! On January 29, the Lunar New Year will begin, ushering in the ‘Year of the Snake’. In previous years, Lunar New Year celebrations have taken place at the National Maritime Museum, at restaurants and bars around London, and beyond. Oh, and don’t forget about the annual Chinese New Year parade that will make its way through the West End and Chinatown!
4. Turn your world upside down at the Paradox Museum
Over in Knightsbridge, a perception-challenging museum wants to turn your world upside down and leave you with your mind turned inside out. Okay, not really, but Paradox Museum sure is full of wacky and wild immersive exhibitions and photo ops that will have viewers wondering ‘HOW did they do that?‘ The museum houses over 50 installations, each toying with your perception in a unique way, many of which allow you to step right into the illusion yourself!
Find out more about Paradox Museum here.
5. Give the planet a breather and go vegan
Whether you’ve made a New Year’s resolution, or you’re interested in cutting down on your meat intake, Veganuary is a great place to start. And you couldn’t have picked a better city to do it in! London was recently crowned ‘The Best City In The World For Vegans‘ thanks to its wealth of veggie and vegan options alike. Give veganism a go this January at these London venues:
🍛 Babur is running a limited-edition vegan menu from January 9-30, with creative, modern Indian cuisine such as Kale Pakora Chaat, Tandoori Swede, and more.
😋 Plant-based KIN Restaurant recently opened next door to the popular KIN Café, with a menu of bold-flavoured dishes such as crispy broad bean croquettes, miso-glazed aubergine, and tomato three ways.
🍲 Kolamba East is offering a new vegan set menu this January, featuring Idli with Sambar, Cashew and Broadbean Curry, and more, for just £35pp.
🥙 Kapara is serving up a vegan sharing menu of Eastern Mediterranean dishes including pita with a spiced tomato dip, and smoky blackened aubergine with tahini and pomegranate molasses
🔥 Ekstedt at The Yard invites guests on a vegan journey to Scandinavia with a Nordic-inspired five-course feast of unique plant-based dishes cooked over an open flame.
🍩 Plant-based and gluten-free bakery, Borough 22 Doughnuts, has teamed up with PerfectTed on a vibrant matcha doughnut, available from January 1 for delivery and from Selfridges Foodhall London.
6. Go dry for January
After the excesses of Christmas – and particularly New Year’s celebrations – many of us end up needing to take a break. Luckily, London has plenty of options for you to go dry this January. Head to the following spots in London for special Dry January deals and drinks:
🍹 Boxcar Bar & Grill has a special menu of ‘Mocktails that Wow’ – including the Boxcar Sour and the Winter Spice.
🍸 Head to Wahaca for booze-free drinks with your tacos, including the Passion Fruit & Pineapple Picante and the 2024 special, the Blackberry Sour, which was so popular it’s now permanently on the menu.
🍹 Through January, Belgravia’s Cornus is offering diners a cold brew tea pairing of premium teas that are served by sommeliers as you would a fine wine.
🍸 Oriole’s adventurous cocktail list also includes plenty of non-alcoholic options such as the Caloocan Cooler, which features lemongrass beer, white peach and jasmine tonic and more.
🍹 SOMA brings the same level of artistry and inventiveness to its non-alcoholic drinks, such as the Peach, with Peach Soda, Clarified Chai, and Everleaf Forest, and the Banana, with Pentire Adrift, Acidified Banana Skin, and Ginger Ale.
🍸 London’s floating cocktail bar, Bruno’s, was founded by teetotal brothers Fin and Lorcan Spiteri, so you know their N/A drinks are good. Check out the Royal Fizz and the High Life.
🍹 Speakeasy cocktail bar, Do Not Disturb at Vintry & Mercer, offers a selection of CBD-infused non-alcoholic concoctions like the Get a Wiggle On and the Mickey Finn.
🍸 Mandarin Oriental Mayfair’s selection of restaurants and bars all offer a wealth of Dry-January-suited softs, such as Akira Back’s Shibui Highball, ABar Rooftop’s Welcome to Thailand, and ABar Lounge’s Tomato & Olive cocktail.
7. Experience the Wild West
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be an outlaw in the Wild West, we’ve got just the experience for you. Moonshine Saloon invites guests to escape the real world and step into a world of bootlegging and evading the law. Rub shoulders with outlaws, try your luck at some games, “and enjoy a barrel load of illicit drinks”. Don’t fret if you’re doing Dry January, though, as they’ve got plenty of non-alcoholic options to enjoy!
Find out more and grab your tickets here.
8. Watch the darts fly at The Darts Championship final (January 3)
Darts has captured the public’s imagination in years of late, spawning heroic figures and press darlings alike. And in 2025, it looks like dart-fever won’t be letting up any, with the first weekend of January seeing The Darts Championship final taking place. If you want to soak up all the action with a crowd of dart-enthusiasts (dart-thusiasts? dart-hard fans?), head on over to Walthamstow’s Big Penny Social for a raucous final-watching experience.
Find out more here.
9. Go for a final spin on one of London’s ice rinks
Sure, Christmas may be over, but London’s ice rinks are still going strong. Many will remain open until early January – while some are open until February, or even year-round! So make sure you take to the ice once more before the rinks are gone for the season.
Find our guide to London’s ice rinks here.
10. Start the year with a bottomless brunch
Why not start the year as you mean to go on by enjoying one of London’s most popular pastimes? I mean, everyone LOVES a bottomless brunch, right? So grab some friends and use the New Year as an excuse to celebrate with a fun ol’ time. Given that it’s January, many spots will also be serving up non-alcoholic options so everyone can enjoy the free-flowing drinks – with or without alcohol.
Check out some of our favourite bottomless brunches here.
11. Challenge your senses at SENSAS
A new team activity has popped up in London that challenges you to put your senses to the test. SENSAS takes participants on a multi-sensory journey that simulates losing your senses. One moment you’re in a pitch-black room, the next you’re facing your fears to finish a challenge. Whether you’re taking your family, friends, or colleagues, it’s inclusive fun for everyone!
Find out more here.
12. Give a new pub or bar a try for Tryanuary
January can be one of the most difficult months of the year for London’s many hospitality venues. After the excess of the holiday season and New Year’s many people (understandably!) can’t quite afford to head out much in January. But if you’re able to, why not head out and give a new London venue a try? Maybe head to that bar you always meant to visit. Or check out that local pub that looks like it has a tempting Sunday roast. At the very least – it’s easier than usual to get bookings and tables for many places in January!
13. Dine at an all-new restaurant
There are always new venues opening up all around our city. So why not usher in the new year this January by checking out one of London’s newest restaurants?
🎣 On January 9, Rake will kick off their latest kitchen residency at The Compton Arms, serving “restorative British fare” with a focus on whole beast butchery and sustainable Cornish fish.
🥩 Shiri Kraus and Amir Batito, the duo behind Camden’s The Black Cow and Epicurus, will open Middle Eastern steak house The Black Cow at The Stage, this January.
🍲 Kêu will open their fourth location this January, bringing traditional Vietnamese street food to Borough.
🍽️ Michelin-star chef Adam Simmonds will open Voyage with Adam Simmonds in late January – the new signature restaurant at King’s Cross’ Megaro hotel.
14. Marvel at the Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival (January 21 – February 1)
Every January, when the Christmas lights have come down, the nights suddenly seem to get darker and longer. That is until Canary Wharf returns, as it does each year, with the Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival. Each year the area is taken over by a wealth of stunning light-based artworks that light up London once more. It’s perfect for keeping the SAD at bay until the days get longer again!
Find out more here.
15. Sip on a cocktail inspired by comfort food
This January, The Milestone Hotel’s recently refurbished Stables Bar will launch an exciting new cocktail menu of drinks inspired by comfort food favourites. These include everything from the PB&J Fizz with peanut-butter-infused Havana 3 años rum and raspberry lemonade, to the ‘chips and dips’-inspired Kaos, which features clarified tzatziki with flavours of basil and olive. There’s also the BONKERS The Rooster, which flips the margarita on its head with Doritos Chilli Heatwave-infused tequila and a Pizza Cordial, among other ingredients.
Find out more and book a visit to the Stables Bar here.
16. Dance the night away at raucous themed club nights
While many venues get a bit sleepy in January, one iconic London spot is kicking into high gear to kick off the year. The Clapham Grand is welcoming 2025 with a series of unmissable themed club nights and events that will see you start the year with a bang. These include:
- SWEAT the brat club night with BIMINI, Tayce, A’Whora & more (January 11)
- SlayStation, gaming & drag night extravaganza (January 18)
- Swiftogeddon, A Taylor Swift club night (January 24)
- High School Musical 1 Brunch Party & Daytime Disney Disco (January 25)
Check out the full roster of events here.
17. Get cultured at a London art exhibition
As always, there’s plenty going on in London’s art and exhibition scene – from exciting new shows, to displays you’ll have to hurry to catch before they’re gone! Here are our picks of the top London exhibitions to check out this January:
EXHIBITIONS OPENING IN JANUARY
❤️ Into Eternal Land (January 30 – April 20): Barbican – Indonesian artist Citra Sasmita transforms Barbican’s The Curve painting, installation, embroidery, and scent that takes visitors on a multi-sensory journey.
EXHIBITIONS CLOSING IN JANUARY
🩷 The Imaginary Institute of India (Ends January 5): The Barbican – “a ground-breaking exhibition exploring Indian art, politics, and culture”.
🩵 Fragile Beauty (Ends January 5): The V&A – 300 never-seen-before prints from 140 photographers taken from Sir Elton John and David Furnish’s private art collection.
💜 Celebrity Skin (Ends January 6): Riverside Studios – a collection of rock ‘n’ roll photography from the famed Scarlet Page.
🖤 Peter Kennard: Archive of Dissent (Ends January 19): Whitechapel Gallery – an exhibition of “iconic and influential images of resistance and dissent” from photomontage artist Peter Kennard.
💙 Francis Bacon: Human Presence (Ends January 19): National Portrait Gallery – the gallery’s first major Franci Bacon showcase, featuring over 50 paintings that span from the 1940s until his death in 1992.
💛 Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers (Ends January 19): National Gallery – Van Gogh’s most well-known artworks have been flown in from around the world to be shown in one place at this “once-in-a-century exhibition”.
🤎 Monet and London: Views of the Thames (Ends January 19): Courtauld Gallery – an exhibition highlighting Monet’s Impressionist paintings of London and its landmarks.
❤️ As We Rise: Photography From The Black Atlantic (Ends January 20): Saatchi Gallery – a celebration of Black photography from Canada, the United States, Great Britain, The Caribbean, and across Africa.
🩶 Anastasia Samoylova: Adaptation (Ends January 20): Saatchi Gallery – works from American photographer Anastasia Samoylova, spanning Samoylova’s ‘Landscape Sublime’, ‘Image Cities’, ‘FloodZone’, ‘Floridas’, and ‘Breakfasts’ series.
💜 Zanele Muholi (Ends January 26): Tate Modern – over 260 photographs from Muholi’s career, documenting and celebrating the lives of South Africa’s Black lesbian, gay, trans, queer, and intersex communities.
Find out about even more London art exhibitions here.
18. Immerse yourself in Korean art
For another type of art experience that sees you surrounded by spell-binding artwork, head to Hello, Delight! The stunning experience fills multiple rooms with cutting-edge immersive displays and light installations. Guests can wander “around twelve immersive zones, each one shining a light on a different element of Korea’s rich cultural tapestry.” Ranging from mythical settings to a neon-filled metropolis and flower-filled dream worlds, the rooms provide a truly breathtaking experience.
Please note: this exhibition has now closed. Find out more here.
19. Head to DragCon UK (January 10-11)
Rupaul’s DragCon UK returns in 2025 with the biggest and best lineup in DragCon UK Herstory. Across the convention’s two days, fans will get the chance to meet “the brand new cast of sickening queens from season 17 of RuPaul’s Drag Race” as well as icons from previos seasons. Attendees can also check out talks, workshops, interviews, live performances, and more.
Find out more and grab your tickets here.
20. Take in a show on the West End
London’s theatre scene is the stuff of legend – for good reason! But that doesn’t mean its heyday is in the past. Indeed, the West End remains the ultimate spot to go for boundary-breaking and genre-defining performances. Check out these shows this January:
NEW OPENINGS
🌏 Kyoto (January 9 – May 3): Soho Place – a political thriller that takes viewers to the historic climate summit at the Kyoto Conference Centre on December 11, 1997.
❤️🩹 The Lonely Londoners (January 10 – February 22): Kiln Theatre – a stage adaptation of Sam Selvon’s iconic novel about “the hopes, dream and realities of generation Windrush.”
🎁 The Gift (January 22 – March 1): Park Theatre – an unexpected package, in a cake box, sends Colin spiralling as he tries to figure out who sent him such a strange ‘gift’.
✂️ SCISSORHANDZ: A Musical Reinvented (January 23 – March 29): Southwark Playhouse Elephant – a raucous musical parody tribute to the iconic Tim Burton character – produced by Michelle Visage and *NSYNC’s Lance Bass.
🎭 Second Best (January 24 – February 22): Riverside Studios – Sex Education star Asa Butterfield makes his stage debut in a story about an actor who narrowly missed out on the role of Harry Potter.
⌛ The Years (January 24 – April 19): Harold Pinter Theatre – Nobel Prize winner Annie Ernaux’s generation-spanning memoir, The Years, comes to the West End stage with a story that spans from the World Wars to the invention of the internet.
ENDING SOON
🗡️ Oedipus (Ends January 4): Wyndham’s Theatre – a modern interpretation of the Greek epic, starring Mark Strong and Lesley Manville.
🍭 Hansel and Gretel (Ends January 5): Globe Theatre – the renowned fairytale transforms the Globe “with poetry, songs and hope this winter.”
🤣 Only Fools and Horses The Musical (Ends January 5): Eventim Apollo – the musical adaptation of John Sullivan’s legendary television show hits the Eventim Apollo for the winter.
💸 The Lehman Trilogy (Ends January 5): Gillian Lynne Theatre – the story behind the Lehman brothers, their eponymous bank, and “its doomed fate which led to the biggest global financial collapse in history”.
👀 Barcelona (Ends January 11): Duke of York’s Theatre – Emily in Paris’ Lily Collins and Money Heist’s Álvaro Morte make their West End debuts in the seductive thriller.
🎶 Here You Come Again (End January 18): Riverside Studios – a rollicking new musical comedy featuring Dolly Parton’s biggest hits.
💣 Dr Strangelove (Ends January 25): Noël Coward Theatre – Steve Coogan stars in this adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s acclaimed film, Dr Strangelove.
Read our guide to theatre performances in London right here.
21. Band up with Guy Fawkes
It’s the year 1605, and a daring mission is about to take place. And you’re set to be right in the middle of the action. The Gunpowder Plot is a thrilling immersive production that combines history, live theatre, and virtual reality for an unforgettable experience. You’ll join forces with Guy Fawkes as you become part of The Gunpowder Plot. Join in on clandestine meetings and you’ll find yourself caught up in an explosive adventure.
Find out more and grab your tickets here.
22. See Shakespeare’s words come to life
A gorgeous new literary installation has brought the words of the world’s most famous writer, ol’ Billy Shakespeare himself, to life. Ahead of the opening of a new Shakespeare museum, ‘The Stage Is Set: Winter’s Ethereal Glow’ has been unveiled in Shoreditch. Comprising windows inspired by Shakespeare’s ‘The Winter’s Tale’, the windows add a literary slant to the city’s festive decorations.
Read all about the display here.
23. Catch a bite-size flick, or seven, at the London Short Film Festival (January 17 – 26)
Calling all cinephiles, fancy adding a whole bunch of films to your Letterboxd in a manner of days? Then you don’t want to miss the London Short Film Festival, which will take over London’s cinemas this January. Across the festival’s ten days, they’ll show a staggering number of films, with each festival showing “between 250-500 British and international films”.e
24. Turn Blue Monday pink (January 20)
American-style bakery, The Hummingbird Bakery, is shunning the blues this January and inviting Londoners to celebrate Pink Monday this year. Keen to start the year on a high, they want to celebrate “joy, treats and fabulousness with cake”. So, on January 20, customers can head to one of their six stores and grab one of the brand’s pink cupcakes for just £1. What a sweet treat!
Find your nearest store here.
25. Wander around the London Art Fair (January 22 – 26)
Returning to the Business Design Centre this January, the London Art Fair will be exhibiting works from “over 120 galleries from around the world… including over 40 London-based galleries”. Expect to see everything from sculpture to prints, textiles, and paintings, with works from luminaries such as Francis Bacon, David Hockney, Tracey Emin, and many more.
26. Celebrate the works and life of Scottish poet Robert Burns (January 25)
January 25 is Burns Night, the perfect ocassion to don your tartan and drink all the whisky you want to celebrate the birthday of the poet Robert Burns. A Scottish icon, Burns – affectionately nicknamed Rabbie Burns, the Ploughman Poet and the Bard of Ayrshire – is widely considered the national poet of Scotland. Head to these spots to celebrate the acclaimed poet:
🔥 The Gladwin Brothers will drop in at Sussex restaurant in Soho for a legendary night full of whisky, dancing, big-piping, and haggis-eating. Grab a ticket here.
🥃 Jamie Oliver Catherine St invites diners to WYOT (Wear Your Own Tartan) down to the restaurant on January 24-26 to enjoy a special menu inspired by the classic Burns Night meal. If you arrive in tartan, you’ll receive a complimentary whisky and walnut tart!
🔥 The Landmark London’s Great Central Pub will offer a celebratory à la carte Burns Night menu from January 24-26, featuring all manner of traditional Scottish fare.
🥃 Clapham’s The Ox pub is putting neeps, haggis and tatties centre stage with a Burns Night menu that includes Highland Venison Haunch Steak with haggis, neeps and tatties croquettes and bone marrow mash, and even deep-fried Mars Bar petit fours.
27. Usher in the new year with an extra special meal
If you fancy a special meal to kick off 2025, check out these limited-edition offerings and exclusive dinners. You can brag about them for the rest of the year…
🎉 Brasserie Zédel will celebrate Epiphany by offering complimentary Galette de Rois to those dining on the 6th as they enjoy live music and classic French dishes from the à la carte menu.
👑 Julie’s in Holland Park is celebrating Fête des Rois (Feast of the Kings) with a traditional Galette des Rois that will be available throughout the week from January 6.
😋 Starting on January 12, SESTA will launch a new Sunday menu of hearty sharers and comfort classics such as Nihari goose rillettes croquette, Smoked brisket steamed pudding, and Yorkshire chicken with ham & leek stuffing.
🍣 Nobu Portman Square will host a series of Four Hands Omakase dinners with guest chefs, running for three days only (January 23-25) and priced at £150 per person.
🔥 Kanishka by Atul Kochhar will kick off 2025 with its first Four Hands Dinner of the year for one night only on January 23, with the help of Chef Tim Kitchin.
🍲 Dalston’s OREN will launch a special ‘Slow Sundays’ lunch menu this January, serving a sharing three-course menu “inspired by the slow-cooked stews and bakes of the Middle East, North Africa and Mediterranean.”
☕ Pastaio launches its special tiramisu collaboration series this January, serving three limited edition tiramisus made in collaboration with “some of London’s best pop-up chefs and cookbook authors”, each for one month only. The collaboration kicks off on January 1 with Denai Moore’s vegan Mango Coconut Tiramisu.
28. Discuss world issues in The Conversation
This January, a special weekly event is being launched at St Martin-in-the-Fields, which sees some of “the UK’s brightest minds tackling some of the biggest political, social and environmental challenges of our time”. The Conversation events will kick off on January 14, and take place every Tuesday evening until April 22. Speakers range from award-winning writers to theatre directors, acclaimed historians, science writers, philosophers, and more. Each event is split in two, with the first half taking the form of a typical interview before the guest speaker joins the audience at small tables to engage in conversation.
Find out more and book tickets here.
29. Keep exploring this wonderful city
That’s not all! The team here at Secret London has been busy writing about all kinds of other places and events. Why not add some of these to your January to-do list?
🥐 London’s Smallest Bakery Is So Tiny, You Can Only Just Put Your Arms Out Inside It
🍻 This Riverside Pub Is The Oldest In London And Has A Rather Gruesome Past
🍽️ This Legendary Soho Restaurant Has A Truly Fascinating Past
🪚 One Of The World’s Oldest Surviving Operating Theatres Is Hidden Inside The Attic Of A London Church
🔥 London’s Newest Chicken Restaurant Serves Food So Spicy You Have To Sign A Waiver Before Eating
🍻 This Pub Is The Hardest To Find In London – And It Technically Used To Be In Cambridgeshire
🍕 This London Restaurant Has Unveiled A Festively Bonkers Pigs in Blanket Pizza
🫡 You Can Compete To Become A Taskmaster Champion At This Immersive Experience In London
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