New Year's Eve 2013: London Concerts & Quirky Parties

Lindsey
By Lindsey Last edited 124 months ago
New Year's Eve 2013: London Concerts & Quirky Parties

Photo by Noriyuki Kuroda

Yes, you could join the masses watching the fireworks in town or stay home and see the conflagration on telly but if you're looking for something a little different to entertain you on the last day of the year, how about a classical concert to warm up to the bongs? Or a quirky themed party to celebrate the turn of the year through midnight and beyond? Here are our suggestions, all (at the time of writing) for under £100 per person.

Concerts

Baroque: Orchestra of the Age of Englightenment play a programme including Bach and Purcell, at King's Place. Tickets from £9.50 (online saver) to £39.50, starts 6pm.

Hollywood: Watch silent film The Artist in concert at the Royal Albert Hall. London Symphony Orchestra play the soundtrack along to a HD screening, Dressing up in the style of Hollywood's Golden Age of Glamour is encouraged. Tickets from £25 to £65, 3pm and 6pm.

Viennese: How will you stop yourself from getting up and waltzing in the aisles at Barbican's Viennese New Year's Eve Gala. It's Strauss all the way, ballgowns and edelweiss optional. Tickets £19.50 to £44.50, starts 7.30pm.

Opera: Wigmore Hall promises a festive programme of Mozart rarities performed by Classical Opera. Tickets £18-£35, 7pm.

Operetta: A matinee at St Martin-in-the-Fields presents a glittering array of arias and scenes from favourite operas and operettas presented by rising stars from London’s Royal Academy of Music. Tickets £9-£20, 3.30-5.30pm.

Parties

Prehistoric: Have a prehistoric New Year's Eve with Propaganda at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire from 10pm-3am. Early bird tickets are on sale now at £10.

Vintage: New Year's Eve at the Southbank Centre involves vintage of all eras, and the chance to watch the fireworks on the Thames from the Riverside Terrace. Book quick though, early bird, party only ticket £95.

Camp: Scottee is hosting a Camp New Year's Eve at Shoreditch Town Hall with a variety showcase, camp cliches, game shows, dancing and live hair dos. Tickets £15-£20 (with meal deal), 9pm-3am.

Seventies: For one night only, Drink Shop Do aspires to be Studio 54 with a 70s disco New Year's Eve. Sideburns and jumpsuits encouraged. Tickets £20 in advance, 7pm-3am.

Murder!: Take part in a murder mystery event while dressed as your alter ego. After solving the clues, the night moves on to a three-course dinner with live band plus DJs, followed by partying. It's organised by Thinking Bob and takes place in Blueberry, Shoreditch. £60, prebook, 6.30pm-3.30am

Gatsby: It's been a revival year for F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Mansion Bar's throwing a 1920s Gatsby party with Champagne, jazz and Charleston dancing. Tickets £75 (includes canapes), 7pm-3am.

Circus: Belle Epoque + Torture Garden = Dark Circus Party, where dressing up, fantasy, subversion and theatricality are the order of the evening at the Grand Hall, St Pancras. Tickets £40, 9pm-3am.

Bavarian: The Bavarian Beerhouses in Old Street and Tower Hill throw Oktoberfest-style end of the year parties with plenty of beer, buffet, Leiderhosen and German and international disco. Tickets £29.50, 7.30pm-3am.

Cheesy: Pop + power ballads means Guilty Pleasures and Ultimate Power are going head to head again at Kentish Town Forum. Tickets £15, 9pm-5am.

Skate: A lucky bunch of skaters and spectators will get to watch the fireworks from the River Terrace of Somerset House. There are three sessions on the ice, Tom's Skate Kitchen will be open and tickets include champagne at midnight. Skate tickets £62+bkg, spectators £45+bkg, 7.30pm-1am.

Gloomy: Stuff New Year's Eve at Feeling Gloomy's miserable indie gathering at the Albany, Great Portland Street. Tickets £12, 9pm-4am.

Got a New Year's Eve concert or party recommendation? Let us know in the comments. Apologies there are no sky high bars or river cruises listed here - we found they're definitely not for the austerity budget.

A separate article on NYE clubbing and what to do on New Year's Day will follow.

Last Updated 22 November 2013