And just like that, another year is on the horizon. Christmas is done and dusted, and a new year is upon us. What awaits us in 2024? 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 2024. What will you make of the new year?
1. Give the planet a breather and go vegan
According to the Veganuary campaign, over 700,000 people from more than 220 countries and territories signed up to give veganism a go during 2023’s Veganuary campaign. This year, restaurants and venues around London are making it even easier for Londoners to give it a go with a whole host of special menus and campaigns. Here are a few places to keep an eye on, or secure a booking for:
🔥 Acme Fire Cult is kicking off 2024 (and Veganuary) with a new five-course vegan feast that costs just £32 per person. The open-fire cooking restaurant is already a big proponent of delicious BBQ’d veggie dishes, but this takes it a whole other (delicious) step forward.
🎶 STEREO is augmenting its bar snacks menu with some plant-based dishes for Veganuary. Chow down on celeriac pastrami sliders and cauliflower hot wings in between dancing sessions and sips of their Dry January drinks specials.
🥘 Experience the intoxicating fragrance of expertly made Indian vegan dishes at London’s Cinnamon Collection restaurants. Across their four restaurants, they’re offering dishes that range from grilled pink aubergine with tamarind sauce to date and ginger pancake with coconut lime sorbet and beyond.
🍽️ See what the finest British produce can do to elevate seemingly humble vegan dishes through Ormer Mayfair by Sofian’s 5-course vegan menu. The four AA Rosette restaurant will have you rethinking the possibilities of vegetables with their inventive dishes.
🏙️ Try a special vegan menu from a stunning sky-high perch at Bōkan 37. The seven-course vegan tasting menu highlights the best produce alongside some of the best views in London.
🍝 The Soho pasta-flingers at Pastaio have partnered up with vegan cook and food writer Meera Sodha on a limited-time dish for Veganuary: Kimchi, tomato and sesame spaghetti. The intensely umami-rich dish is being touted as “the perfect livener for a cold winter day”, and 50p will be donated to The Trussell Trust for each plate sold.
🍣 The legendary Nobu restaurant in Shoreditch will highlight wellness this January with a Vegan Omakase offering and a brand-new Elements Vegan menu. The latter draws inspiration from the Five Elements Theory to create five dishes inspired by Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.
🏆 Over in Peckham you’ll find naïfs, which is one of only two vegan restaurants featured in the Michelin Guide. And for Veganuary, why not try some of the best vegan food around? Their new Winter menu includes the likes of Smoked Pumpkin & Leek Fritters, Braised White Carrots with Mushroom Preserve & Horseradish Cream, and more.
🌮 Wahaca has accented its menu with new dishes for Veganuary, among them the new Vegan Set Menu. Enjoy a filling feast that ranges from Smoky Sonoran Hummus with homemade tortilla chips to Zesty Bean Tostadas, Plantain Tacos, and more.
🍕 The award-winning Neapolitan pie slingers at Crust Bros will be selling a limited edition, plant-based pizza for Vegananuary at their Waterloo restaurant. The ‘Vedudja Really Like It’ features Stracciazza (a vegan take on traditional stracciatella from Purezza), veduja, tomato, fresh basil, and lemon zest.
🖼️ The National Gallery’s Ochre restaurant is ringing in Veganuary with a dedicated set menu that includes the likes of Delica Pumpkin Soup with King Oyster Mushroom and Roast & Tempura Cauliflower.
🍜 Noodle-aholics will want to head straight to Marugame Udon for some delicious (and affordable!) vegan dishes ranging from Creamy Kitsune Udon to Pumpkin Katsu Curry and vegan tempura dishes.
2. Cook up some Italian vegan delicacies
If you’re keen to find out how you can apply the principles of Veganuary at home, without making the same tired dishes over and over again, Eataly is coming to the rescue. The Italian food hall has partnered up with Plant Club to launch two Vegan and Gluten-free masterclasses on January 16 & 17. Guests will learn to make some delicious vegan and gluten-free dishes, aperitivo in hand, that will be sure to impress at many a future dinner party.
Find out more and grab a ticket here.
3. Delight in a stunning interactive Korean art exhibition
Past and present, ancient mythology and contemporary story-telling, tradition and modern-day metropolises, all these and more coalesce into one impressive immersive exhibition at Delight. 12 rooms spread across two floors hid 25 multi-sensory installations that range from a large-scale moon sculpture to a nostalgic neon installation and beyond. Be sure to grab a ticket so you don’t miss your chance to marvel at the 360-degree artwork.
Find out more and grab a ticket here.
4. Follow a snowman trail around London (ends January 5)
The festive sculptural trail inspired by Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman will only be around until January 5, so if you haven’t found all of the snowman sculptures – act fast! The sculptures, 12 in total, wind themselves around Fleet Street Quarter and each one features a unique ’12 Days of Christmas’ design.
Find out more here.
5. Fight off the January blues with a dopamine boost
We get it – January can be a hard month for many people. The cold wintry months are still here, even though Christmas has come and gone, and the sun still sets FAR too early. So why not fight off those January blues and head to Dopamine Land? It’s a multi-sensory experience that’s literally designed to give you a dopamine boost. It’s just so wonderfully fun with its pillow fights, meditative fire lanterns, and infinity digital landscapes, that you can’t help but feel better after a visit!
Find out more and grab a ticket here.
6. Go dry for January
It’s not uncommon for people to maybe go a little bit too hard for the New Year’s festivities. And, in turn, it’s not uncommon for Londoners to take a break from the booze for the first month of the new year. Dry January sees Londoners seeking out new non-alcoholic tipples to try, and special venues to check out. And where better to start the recovery than at the official bar of Dry January? Torstig is Brighton’s first alcohol-free bar, and it will be landing in East London’s Hoxton from January 5 – 20 with an entirely alcohol-free selection of signature cocktails. Head on down to try out an expertly curated take on the alcohol-free life.
Find out more and book a table here.
7. Sip on more low- and no-alcohol drinks
Torstig is hardly the only place in London serving up non-alcoholic beverages in January. In fact, all sorts of venues and drinks producers have you covered if you’re going dry this month. Here are a few of our recommendations to help you make the most of Dry January:
🍻 For the classic pub experience this Dry January, head to Lucky Saint’s own pub, The Lucky Saint. They’ve got plenty of non-alcoholic and alcoholic options for every taste, so everyone can enjoy themselves.
🍹 Sip on the official cocktails of Dry January from Mocktails. The ready-to-drink beverages make use of real fruit juices and exotic flavours – without any artificial colours or flavours. The drinks range from the Mockarita to the Mockscow Mule, the Espress0% Martini, and beyond.
🍸 Everleaf has popped up at Bermondsey cocktail bar The Hide, with delicious signature serves containing their non-alcoholic aperitif. Keep an eye out for even more pop-ups from the brand throughout January.
🍹 Sister cocktail bar locations Swift Borough and Swift Shoreditch have partnered up with Lyre’s – the official spirit and official wine of Dry January – on some delicious non-alcoholic tipples to enjoy all through the month (and indeed throughout the year!).
🍸 The iconic Donovan Bar has launched a new menu, and along with it a whole host of low-ABV and non-alcoholic options. Plus, many of the standard drinks can easily be made non-alcoholic. It’s the go-to spot for properly classy Dry January drinks.
🍹 Try out a Thai-inspired take on Dry January with the non-alcoholic serves at the recently opened KOLAE, from the team behind the beloved som saa.
🍽️ The Jun-Kombucha makers at nunc have partnered up with the Westin London City’s restaurant, Mosaic, for a limited edition pairing menu. Each dish has been perfectly paired with a Jun-Kombucha to highlight the possibilities and flavour of the drink.
🍹 TT Liquor is complementing its already impressive non-alcoholic menu with a special non-alcoholic Aperitivo Menu. Guests can enjoy two cocktails and an aperitivo board of snacky delights for just £20 – all without the alcohol. You can even attend a non-alcoholic cocktail-making class!
8. Explore 100 years of Disney’s history (ends January 21)
There’s something truly magical about Disney – that’s why it’s been able to stick around for so long and bring joy to many generations! Have you ever wanted to peek behind the curtain and take a look behind the scenes? Then we’ve got just the place for you: Disney100 – The Exhibition is a wonderful way to explore the Walt Disney Archives thanks to an impressive selection of “historical and special treasures, original artworks, artefacts, costumes, props and memorabilia”. But you’ll want to be quick because they’re shutting their doors this January. Make sure you don’t miss out!
Grab your tickets here.
9. Invite good luck and fortune into the new year (January 6)
Ichiba Japan Centre – the Japanese food hall in Westfield London – is inviting Londoners to a traditional Japanese ceremony to ring in the new year. They’re hosting a free mochi pounding and Kagami Biraki Sake Barrel Breaking, both of which are intended to invite good luck and fortune into our lives. Head on down at midday on January 6 for the event, and to try both mochi and sake. What could be more fortuitous in the new year, after all, than free food and drink?
10. Start the year with a bottomless brunch
Sure, you could start the year with clean eating and some time away from the boozing. Or – and bear with me for a minute here – you could celebrate the start of a brand new year, with brand new possibilities. And what better way to celebrate than by rounding up your mates and enjoying some brunch? Here are some new additions to London’s brunch scene to check out:
🍔 EVE Kensington launches its new Saturday brunch offering on January 13, with twists on classic brunch dishes. Across three courses indulge in the likes of the ZFC Fried Chicken Burger and Shakshuka with Za’tar Flatbread. Naturally, there’s also a bottomless cocktails option!
🥞 Japanese-Peruvian restaurant Chotto Matte has launched their all-new Saturday brunch menu with their ‘Niwa’ Brunch experience. The sharing menus include the likes of a Sushi Doughnut, Crispy Chicken & Waffles, and Japanese Fluffy Pancakes. Head to their Soho or Marylebone branch to try it out!
Check out our roundup of some of the best bottomless brunches in London here.
11. Or a bottomless Sunday lunch
Over at the Aviary Rooftop Bar & Restaurant, they’ve taken the Sunday lunch and given it the bottomless brunch treatment. Except, you know, they’ve swapped the brunch for a full-on Sunday roast. From a rooftop perch guests can gorge themselves on an indulgent Sunday roast with a bottomless drink offering that ranges across English Wine and Sparkling, as well as a selection of cocktails including a Grey Goose Bloody Mary, Grey Goose Peach & Rosemary Vodka & Tonic, and an English Buck’s Fizz with Chapel Down.
Find out more and book your table here.
12. Extend the Christmas cheer into January
You may think that any and all Christmas-themed attractions and pop-ups in London would disappear once the big day has come and gone. But that’s not necessarily the case! The immersive Christmassy dive bar Humbug, for example, will still be thrilling guests all the way through to January 6. Head on down for your last chance to enjoy some Christmas cheer, festive sing-a-longs, and late-night revelry.
13. Go on a vegan aperitivo bar crawl
Bet you never thought you’d see those four words together, right? Well, vegan aperitivo brand Savoia is partnering up with several London cocktail bars for a ‘Vegan Road’ to celebrate the world of vegan food and drink. From January 11 – February 11, some of the capital’s best bars will be serving up two signature Savoia drinks as well as a unique offering from each venue. Fancy giving the ‘Vegan Road’ a try? Make your way between the five bars – Aqua Nueva, Aqua Kyoto, Bar Antoine, Tavolino, and Tozi Victoria – to sample all the vegan delights for a no-less indulgent night out.
14. Find your zen
If one of your resolutions for 2024 is to focus on your wellness and health, might we recommend looking inward with the help of the Mindful Glow candlelit sound bath meditation? Guests will be guided through an experience that will “relax and heal the mind, release tension, open blocked energy channels, and generate new vibrational frequencies”. It’s the ideal new experience to kick off a year of self-care and will have you raring and ready to go for 2024.
Find out more and snap up your tickets here.
15. See a gigantic dinosaur up close (ends January 14)
Over at the Natural History Museum, one of the largest animals ever to walk the Earth has been on display since April of 2023. The jaw-droppingly huge Titanosaur has been dazzling visitors throughout the year, but it won’t be in London for much longer! The Patagotitan mayorum specimen will leave the museum on January 14. So act fast if you haven’t seen it yet…
Find out more, and grab tickets to see it, here.
16. Paint a new masterpiece (in the dark!)
Whether you fancy yourself a pretty skilled artist or struggle to draw a stick figure, you’re equally sure to have a blast with this experience. At Paint In The Dark the lights get turned off, the drinks get poured, and guests are invited to express their creativity! But don’t worry, you won’t be left completely in the dark thanks to the black-lit environment and fluorescent paint. Will you create a timeless work of art? Or will you be ashamed to even show it to your mother? Who cares when you’re having this much fun?!
Reserve your spot here.
17. Wander around the London Art Fair (January 17 – 21)
London’s art calendar kicks off with this annual celebration of modern and contemporary art, now entering its 36th year of exhibition. Full of works by world-renowned artists, you could even grab your very own work by Andy Warhol or David Hockney – if you’ve got the money. Otherwise, it’s still an incredible sight with over 120 galleries showcasing works for you to marvel at and dream of buying one day. (Which, let’s be real, is all I can afford to do, myself!)
18. Laugh your way through a unique supper club (January 18)
If you love great food, hilarious antics, and unforgettable experiences you won’t want to miss this. Mam Sham is taking over Central London’s Outernet this January with a one-day-only supper club that combines three courses of food with three comedy acts. Both the food and the lols are coming from legends in their respective fields. None other than FKA Black Axe Mangal, Ling Ling’s in collaboration with Mambow, and Supa Ya Ramen will be bringing the delicious food, while Ed Gamble, Rose Matafeo, and Crybabies will have you running the risk of choking thanks to their side-splitting performances. Expect surprising and shocking dishes and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
Tickets cost £53, with all profits being donated to Choose Love. Tickets are available here.
19. Relax to the sounds of a Candlelight Concert in Southwark Cathedral
If you want to kick off 2024 with a truly impressive sight, you have to experience a candlelight concert in these stunning environs. With the lights flickering around you (don’t worry – they’re electric so there’s no danger!) you can relax to music that ranges from Vivaldi to Coldplay to Pink Floyd and beyond. You won’t be able to stop telling everyone what an enchanting night you’ve had.
Find out which Candlelight Concerts are playing at Southwark Cathedral here.
20. Or enjoy these other stunning candlelight performances
Because truly, is there a more magical way to spend an evening than in stunning, candlelit environs as you enjoy new interpretations of your favourite music? Check out these performances throughout January.
🕯️ Candlelight: A Tribute to Paramore (January 3)
✨ Candlelight: A Tribute to Ed Sheeran (January 11 & 26)
🕯️ Candlelight: Hip-Hop’s Greatest Hits (January 12)
✨ Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift at Southwark Cathedral (January 13)
🕯️ Candlelight: A Tribute to Beyonce (January 16)
✨ Candlelight: Sci-Fi and Fantasy Soundtracks at Southwark Cathedral (January 17)
🕯️ Candlelight: A Tribute to Bad Bunny (January 19)
✨ Candlelight: A Tribute to Oasis (January 24)
But that’s just a handful of the concerts on offer. Others range from pop and rock stalwarts to contemporary classical musicians, Bollywood, and beyond.
Head here to see even more Candlelight Concerts in London.
21. Double down on the meat
Over at Burger & Beyond, they’re running in the opposite direction of many restaurants with their ‘Anti-Veganuary’ menu. They’ve teamed up with butcher Richard Turner to celebrate the very best British meat, marking the first time that steak will be on the menu at their three burger restaurants. They’re removing all vegan items from the menu, and are spotlighting the UK’s butchers and farmers to encourage people to think about what they’re eating. Said Turner: “If you want to eat less meat then just buy less, but better quality. Support your local butcher!”
The ‘Anti-Veganuary’ menu is available for dine-in only. Book your table here.
22. Marvel at the Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival (January 17-27)
With the sun setting so early this time of year, we need a bit of light and brightness to get us through the nights. Well, London has no shortage of light festivals and trails, but the big arrival on the light festival scene in January is the Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival. The award-winning display will be back from January 17-27, with a breathtaking display across the area.
Head here to find out more.
23. Support your local
2023 has been yet another difficult year for the hospitality industry. While there have been a lot of new openings, there have been just as many, if not more, closures. With many often choosing to stay home in January to save money in the wake of the Christmas spending, it can be a difficult time for hospitality venues. So, if you can, head out and support your local. It could be a local pub or bar, or a small restaurant or coffee shop. Do your best to be there for the small businesses, so they can continue to be there for you in the days, months, and years to come.
24. And try out a new local
Speaking of new openings, some venues have decided to open up shop in London during what is historically one of the quietest months of the year! Why not show up and support them – they might become your new favourite. Here are some of the most exciting new openings in London this January:
🍣 Upstairs from Notting Hill’s acclaimed Los Mochis, “the smallest and most intimate Omakase restaurant in London” is set to open in January. Juno will only seat six people at a time and will be the only gluten-free and nut-free omakase in the world.
🍽️ Restaurant Story returns once again, ten years after it first opened its door, following a full refurbishment and the creation of a new dining area upstairs. Tom Sellers’ two Michelin Star restaurant reopens in the wake of other openings from the team: Story Cellar in Neal’s Yard and Dovetale in Mayfair.
🍝 Emilia’s Crafted Pasta was originally going to open their latest casual Italian spot in January of 2024 – but lucky for us they opened a few weeks early in December! Head on down to their new Baker Street restaurant for wonderfully cosy Italian vibes and fresh pasta.
🍷 A new French bistro, Josephine, will land in Chelsea this January, inspired by Lyon’s bouchon restaurants. Expect Lyonnais specialties inspired by proprietor Claude Bosi’s upbringing in Lyon.
🌮 Originally we were expecting Hollywood superstar Danny Trejo’s eponymous taco joint to open in late December – will January finally mark the much-anticipated opening of Trejo’s Tacos?
🦐 Love shrimp? Then you’ll definitely want to check out the new fast-casual joint, Shrimp Shack. Pick your shrimp, settle on a flavour, and then finish it off with some seasoning – all at a wallet-friendly price.
🍣 CLAP is bringing its sensory Japanese dining experience to London with a sprawling location in Knightsbridge that sees them taking over a refurbished tube station.
25. Jump around at a top-notch London gig
London has no shortage of brilliant artists performing throughout January, so why not make 2024 a musical year to remember? Here are some of our top picks for gigs to see in January 2024.
🎸 The Vaccines (January 14): Rough Trade East – the indie rock band will pop up at Rough Trade before hitting the road with some UK dates in February.
🎶 The Milk Carton Kids (January 19): Barbican Centre – the American folk duo continue their 2023 tour with a handful of UK dates supporting the new album ‘I Only See the Moon’.
🤘 Bring Me The Horizon (January 20 & 21): The O2 – get your head banging at an evening with a packed roster of support acts.
🎤 Depeche Mode (January 22, 27): The O2 – can you get enough? Because I ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’.
🎶 José González (January 25): EartH – get swept away by the spell of González’s hypnotic music and vocals.
🎉 Dorian Electra (January 26): Electric Brixton – expect haywire antics and experimental pop mayhem as Dorian Electra tours behind their new release ‘Fanfare’.
📻 Del Water Gap (January 30): Electric Ballroom – the solo project from powerhouse New York record producer, Samuel Holden Jaffe, tours behind his newest album ‘I Miss You Already + I Haven’t Left Yet’.
For even more gig recommendations, check out our monthly guide to London’s best gigs.
26. Go for a final spin on one of London’s ice rinks
The festive season hasn’t quite died down by the time January rolls around. In fact, many of London’s favourite wintry ice rinks will still be open for at least part of January. So head on down, grab some skates, and go for a glide across the ice.
⛸️ The Ice Rink at Westfield London, open until January 7, 2024
🧊 Glide At Battersea, open until January 7, 2024
❄️ Skate at Somerset House, open until January 14, 2024
⛸️ Canary Wharf, open until February 24, 2024
🧊 Alexandra Palace, open all year round
27. Catch a bite-size flick, or seven, at the London Short Film Festival (January 19-28)
Did you also make a New Year’s resolution to watch more films this year, instead of mindlessly rewatching Gilmore Girls for the seventeenth time? Make a head-start of it by checking out the London Short Film Festival. Showings range across genres, with shorts coming from all around the world, and venues spread throughout the capital.
Head to the website to figure out which ones you need to catch!
28. Head to an all-in-one entertainment hotspot
Nights out can sometimes be plagued by venue changes when different people want different things. One person wants to sip on cocktails, someone else wants to go bowling, someone else just wants a decent burger, and yet another person is insistent that everyone should play beer pong. Well, what if you could go to one place that caters to everybody? Enter, the newly opened entertainment destination: Lane7 Victoria. They’ve got EVERYTHING, from darts and bowling to an ‘Instagram-worthy’ crazy-golf venue, an over-18s arcade hall, food from burger vendors Patty&Bun, and much more.
Find out more here.
29. Try out a new workout experience
Over in East London, the recently opened Lab51 is changing up the world of personal training with dual-trainer group sessions. Up to six people can join the sessions where all the benefits of personal training are on offer, with a more social aspect, thanks to a minimum of two expert trainers. With a focus on personalized fitness, Lab51 allows anyone to get stronger and fitter without having to navigate the pitfalls of the typical one-size-fits-all approaches.
Fancy giving it a try without any of the commitment? They’re hosting an open day on January 27, so you can head on down and enjoy a day of fitness, fun, and freebies. Just secure your free ticket here.
30. Get cultured and check out an art exhibition
There are few better places to escape the January cold than one of London’s many museums and galleries. Take the chance, as you shelter from the elements, to take in some art or learn something new!
❤️ Andrew Salgado: Tomorrow I’ll Be Perfect (ends January 7): Saatchi Gallery – a collab between BEERS London and the Saatchi Gallery of Salgado’s “visual-excess” works with cacophonous displays of the body, literature, and colour.
💙 Nicole Eisenman (ends January 14): Whitechapel Gallery – the first UK survey of the American artist, with 100 works (paintings, drawings, and sculptures) that date from 1992 to the present day.
🖤 33 ⅓ Vinyl Exhibition (ends January 17): The Vinyl Cafe – explore historic album artworks at this celebration of 33 legendary albums from 1990, 33 ⅓ years after their release.
🤎 If Not Now, When? (ends January 22): Saatchi Gallery – a co-headlining sculpture show of works from 29 female sculptors, with works from 1960 up to now.
💜 Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Boundless (ends January 22): Saatchi Gallery – the co-headline exhibition to ‘If Not Now, When?’, ‘Boundless’ is a retrospective look at the career and achievements of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s artistic collaborations and life together as a couple.
Read our guide to London’s art exhibitions here.
31. Celebrate the works and life of Scottish poet Robert Burns (January 25)
On Burns Night, tradition dictates that we should find ourselves eating haggis, drinking whisky, and reciting poetry. (And that frankly sounds like a great night out any time of year to me!) As such, the night often turns to revelry with plenty of whisky-sipping and merriment. And perhaps even some bagpipe-ry! Here are some ways for you to join in on the fun this Burns Night:
🥃 Recently opened Soho cocktail bar Dram has partnered up with Cask to launch a new single-malt whiskey, Benromach, on Burns Night (and beyond to January 27). There will be tastings of the new whisky and two special cocktails that make use of the spirit.
🍻 Notting Hill pub, The Pelican, will be giving the Scottish celebration a London twist with a Cockney Burns Night Supper Club. Guests can enjoy a welcome cocktail, a three-course feast with paired whisky from East London Liquor Company, and a mix of Burns’ poetry and Cockney poetry.
🥃 Ham Yard Hotel has partnered up with the legendary Islay based Bruichladdich distillery for a night of Scottish whisky discovery. Across five courses (following a cocktail reception of course), guests will get to sample from five different bottles to really dig into the nuances of the spirit.
🔥 Acme Fire Cult are celebrating Burn Night with a special ticketed dinner in collaboration with Ardbeg whisky – the peatiest malt whisky in Islay. A three-course supper will be paired with Ardbeg cocktails and even an Ardbeg x 40FT boilermaker – grab your tickets here!
🥃 Skylight Peckham has partnered up with Glenmorangie for a kilt-raising, whiskey-filled knees up to celebrate Burns Night. This one’s all about the party vibes, with sharing plates, poetry readings, live music, cracking ceilildh routines, and drams a-plenty.
32. Head to the Bankside Frost Fair (January 26-28)
Following its launch last year, the Bankside Frost Fair will return in 2024 to immerse Londoners in the historic tradition. Legend tells of frost fairs that would descend upon the River Thames when it froze solid. There are even stories that an elephant once strode across the frozen waters. And now they’ve “reinvented the Frost Fair for the 21st century … [with] traditional games, music and dance, artisan stalls, art and craft workshops, and even a life-sized elephant!”.
Find out more here.
33. Be dazzled by the beauty of Life
Following popular light shows exploring the elements of the world, the start of the universe, and the majesty of our Earth, Luxmuralis are back again with their new show, Life. Having also recently dazzled Londoners with the Crown and Coronation show that lit up the walls of the Tower of London, their new piece will take place at St Martin-in-the-Fields. Running from January 30 to February 3, the show will take viewers “from sunrise to sunset, journeying through the beauty of planet earth, witnessing the sun, the oceans and the clouds in a dazzling show suitable for all ages.”
Find out more here.
34. Head to the West End and catch some of London’s legendary theatre
There’s a reason why London seems to pump out generation after generation of amazing actors. The theatre scene is (in our honest opinion) unrivalled throughout the world. Take advantage of living in a city with such a flourishing entertainment industry by checking out a play this month! How about one of these…
NEW OPENINGS
🖼️ Exhibitionists (January 5 – February 10): King’s Head Theatre – a modern gay rom-com set in the San Francisco art world.
🪦 The Last Show Before We Die (January 8 – 20): The Yard Theatre – a mash-up of found audio and interviews that grapple with the end of life and the world, that earned 5-star reviews across sold-out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe.
🎤 Alan Turing – A Musical Biography (January 8 – 27): Studio 3 at Riverside Studios – a musical journey through the life of the oft-misunderstood code-breaking genius.
🎪 Cirque du Soleil – Alegria (January 11 – March 3): Royal Albert Hall – a classic story of the struggle between tradition and the youth that challenge the status quo, but, you know, in Cirque du Soleil fashion.
😂 Alan Cumming Is Not Acting His Age (January 15 & 16): Theatre Royal Drury Lane – in a one-man show, Cumming covers “all the bases: sex, death and bacchanalia, with a set list as eclectic as the man himself”.
🎭 The Mother of Kamal (January 19 – 28): Upstairs at the Gatehouse Theatre – inspired by playwright Dina Ibrahim’s father’s family memoir, this production explores the world of a working-class Jewish-Arabic community in Baghdad in 1948.
CLOSING SOON
💭 Dreaming and Drowning (ends January 5): Bush Theatre – dive into “the boundless mind of a young Black queer man wrestling with anxiety”
🎞️ Sunset Boulevard (ends January 6): Savoy Theatre – Nicole Scherzinger takes on the lead role in this musical adaptation of a 1950 film noir of the same name.
⚽ Dear England (ends January 13): Prince Edward Theatre – the turbulent story of the England men’s football team under the management of Gareth Southgate.
✂️ Edward Scissorhands (ends January 20): Sadler’s Wells – the play based on the classic Tim Burton movie rolled in London last month with a new cast.
🎂 Two Strangers (carry a cake across New York) (ends January 20): Kiln Theatre – it’s all in the title in this musical journey as two strangers head to a wedding with a cake in tow.
🎭 Ulster American (ends January 27): Riverside Studios – an all-star cast helms this social satire that finds personalities and morals clashing as a new play starts to rehearse.
Read our guide to the can’t-miss theatre on the West End here.
35. Sip a cocktail that was made with soundwaves
Love drinks and music? Then you definitely don’t want to miss what’s happening at Hacha… The beloved London agaveria is shaking up the cocktail game with an intriguing new process. A recently unveiled cocktail menu draws inspiration from music from South London’s Hip Hop, Reggae, and Rock legends. The Cymatics cocktail menu finds the very music itself being used to mix and infuse the drinks. The soundwaves from basslines, beats, and vocals are used to mix the drinks, and ingredients have been chosen based on the frequencies from the tracks themselves.
Try out the new cocktails at Hacha’s Dalston or Brixton locations:
📍 Hacha Dalston, 378 Kingsland Road, E8 4AA. Nearest stations are Haggerston and Dalston Junction.
📍 Hacha Brixton, 12-14 Market Row, SW9 8LD. Nearest station is Brixton.
36. Feel the burn in an Australian-inspired pilates studio
Looking to ‘rise and shine’ this new year by working out more or starting a new wellness journey? You don’t need to look much further than London’s latest pilates studio, Bondi Rise, which brings the energy of Australia’s Bondi Beach to London. A variety of classes are on offer in the perfectly pink pilates studio, and they even offer an online community so you can join in on the workouts from anywhere!
Find out more here.
37. Keep exploring this wonderful city
That’s not all! All of us at Secret London have been busy writing about all kinds of other places and events. Why not add some of these to your January to-do list?
🍸 Twice Shy: A Swanky New Cocktail Bar Has Just Opened Up In West London
🏊♂️ This South London Lido Has Reopned After A Multi-Million Pound Glow-Up
🍛 Akara: The Rice Dish At Borough Yard’s New West African Restaurant Will Have You Hooked
🤹♀️ The World’s First Immersive Adult’s Fairground Is Open In London
🥩 This Restaurant In London Only Has One Dish On The Menu
🏙️ The Highest Free Public Viewing Platform In Europe Is Now Open In London
🍕 This London Pizzeria Is Officially Home To The Best Pizza Chef In The World
📷 London’s Fascinating Accidentally Wes Anderson Exhibition Has Opened Its Doors
🥙 A Three-Storey Kebab Shop Is Opening On Oxford Street
🚀 An Immersive Space Exhibition Has Opened In King’s Cross With Narration From Tom Hanks
🔥 Kanishka: This Indian Restaurant In Mayfair Might Just Be The Best In London Town
🪄 The Secret London Guide To The Harry Potter Studio Tour
🤤 Santa Nata: The Delicious Pastel De Nata Cafes Of Covent Garden
🖼️ Frameless: This Immersive Art Experience Lets You Walk Through World-Famous Artworks
🎂 The Proof: This East London Bakery Has A Build-Your-Own Profiterole Bar
More things to do inspiration…
😁 200 fab and FREE things to do in London