NEW YEAR'S DAY PARADE: If you're not busy sleeping off the year's biggest hangover, head into central London on 1 January for The London Parade. Marching bands, dancers and huge inflatable balloons are part of the entertainment this time round. FREE, 1 January
TWELFTH NIGHT: London's annual Twelfth Night celebrations mix ancient customs with modern festivities, making for a bizarre and eclectic event. Head to the riverside near Shakespeare's Globe to witness wassailing, the Holly Man (or Green Man) being paraded across the river, dramatic performances and a chance to be crowned King or Queen for the day by finding a bean or a pea in a cake. Like we said, an odd (but fascinating) one. FREE (donations encouraged), 4 January
NEW CAFE: Planning a stroll in Gunnersbury Park? From 5 January, you can pause for a coffee and bite to eat at new cafe, Pure in the Park. It's child and dog friendly, and will distribute leftover food to charities and local food banks, rather than throwing it away. From 5 January
LA TRAVIATA: Giuseppe Verdi's opera La traviata gets an airing at the Royal Opera House, courtesy of the Royal Ballet and Opera. Glamorous courtesan Violetta is swept off her feet by the young Alfredo, giving up her luxurious life to be with him, until the appearance of his father throws their lives into turmoil. 8 January-17 February
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: Regular as clockwork every January, Cirque du Soleil swings back into the Royal Albert Hall to wow audiences with its latest production. OVO brings the bug world to life, with acrobatics inspired by the abilities of creatures both real and imagined: crickets leap skyward, butterflies soar midair, ants juggle with precision and spiders contort, bend and twist in the family-friendly show. From 9 January
OUR AMERICAN QUEEN: Kate Chase, apparently the most powerful American woman you've never heard of, is the subject of new play Our American Queen, which gets its UK premiere at the St Bride's Foundation in Fleet Street. Set during the 1864 presidential campaign, the production examines ambition, reputation and the limits placed on women seeking power, through the story of Kate Chase and her father Salmon P. Chase. 9 January-7 February
28 DAYS LATER: Danny Boyle’s award-winning, post-apocalyptic 2002 horror film 28 Days Later is shown at the Eventim Apollo, accompanied by a live orchestra and rock band performing John Murphy's score. 10 January
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Make your weekend plans at Smith’s Bar & Grill
Start your year on a high, with live music, bottomless brunches and great-value dining options throughout January at Smith's Bar & Grill. Handily located right outside Paddington station, overlooking the canal, Smith’s has a whole host of offers and events to get you through the most challenging month of the year.
Swing by on Friday or Saturday evening for a live violinist, and DJs spinning the tunes up until midnight, creating a lively atmosphere for drinking and dining. Tuck into the a la carte menu, or sample your way through the multi-course tasting menu (£55 per person) with optional sommelier wine pairing (£35 per person). Whichever menu you choose, expect modern British dishes created with seasonal and sustainable ingredients. It's worth arriving early too, with freshly shucked oysters for £1 available at the bar from 6pm-10pm, ideal for warming up the taste buds before dinner.
Alternatively, make plans for Saturday daytime and catch up with friends or family over a live music bottomless brunch (available 11am-4pm), with both bottomless food and drinks included for just £55 per person. The brunch menu offers a variety of sweet and savoury dishes including eggs benedict, steak and chips, and pancakes, paired with delish tipples including spritz cocktails. A saxophonist and live DJ provide the soundtrack.
Get your January plans sorted: Make a reservation at Smith's Bar & Grill.
ADVENTURE TRAVEL SHOW: Head to the Business Design Centre in Islington to satiate your wanderlust at the Adventure Travel Show. 125 travel organisations and specialists are there, offering you the chance to plan high-adrenaline and off-the-beaten-track adventures, and hear from high-profile names such as Simon Reeve. 10-11 January
NO TROUSERS TUBE RIDE: The annual No Trousers Tube Ride returns to London's public transport network, with members of the public navigating the Tube minus their trousers. Anyone can take part; just make your way to the meeting point in Chinatown. Note that trousers should be kept on until you enter the Underground... and underwear is very much required at all times. 11 January
HAWAI'I: The first big exhibition opening of 2026 is the British Museum's Hawai'i: a kingdom crossing oceans, celebrating the history and art of Hawai'i. Feathered cloaks worn by chiefs, shark-toothed weapons and works by Native Hawaiian artists are among the objects on display, marking more than 200 years since King Liholiho and Queen Kamāmalu travelled across vast oceans, sadly contracting a fatal illness during a visit to the Royal Military Asylum in Chelsea. 15 January-25 May
MUSIC IN PAINTING: Join art historian Mariska Beekenkamp-Wladimiroff (either in-person at the Foundling Museum or online) as she discusses Dutch genre paintings, and their extra layers of meaning, including the appearance of music and instruments in these 17th century artworks. 16 January
WORLD PREMIERE PLAY: Opening at the Royal Court Theatre, the world premiere of new play Guess How Much I Love You? is set in a hospital waiting room, touching on themes of impossible choices and enduring love. 16 January-21 February
KINDRED: The Bethlem Museum of the Mind's new exhibition, Kindred, considers how community, memory and relationships shape experiences of mental distress. Works from the museum's collection, including Benji Reid's Holding Onto Daddy, are shown alongside other paintings, photographs and mixed-media pieces to explore loneliness, care and social support. 16 January-27 June
WASSAIL DAY: London Wildlife Trust hosts a Wassail Day at Dulwich Village Orchard. It's an ancient custom of singing to apple-producing trees in cider orchards, and the event includes an orchard tour, live folk music, crafts and more. FREE, 17 January
MIME LONDON: Previously, London International Mime Festival took place at this time of year, but that's been replaced with a new event, Mime London. The same directorial team is behind it, though, with shows and workshops at venues including Barbican and Sadler's Wells. 17 January-1 February
THE TEMPEST: A candlelit production of Shakespeare's The Tempest opens at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, retelling the tale of Prospero, Miranda, Caliban and Ariel, four lost souls stranded on an island with no hope of escape. 17 January-12 April
ANOTHER MUSIC FESTIVAL: Curated by violinist Roman Mints, Another Music Festival: Displaced brings three concerts to St John's Waterloo exploring music shaped by exile — from Chopin, Stravinsky and Hindemith to contemporary works and UK/world premieres. Performers include Roman Mints, Katya Apekisheva, Vadym Kholodenko and Sasha Grynyuk. 18-21 January
JIMMY: After being served up rave reviews last time round, Adam Riches brings his one-man show Jimmy back to the Park Theatre, depicting tennis player Jimmy Connors' epic comeback at the 1991 US Open, in an incredible feat of mental and physical theatre. Trust us, it's ace. 19-24 January
LONDON ART FAIR: The capital's art scene swings into action for the year at the London Art Fair at the Business Design Centre in Islington. Focus is on modern and contemporary pieces, with galleries from all over London and beyond exhibiting. 20-25 January
CANARY WHARF WINTER LIGHTS: Once again the streets, docks, malls and squares of Canary Wharf will be aglow for the 10th anniversary of free light trail Winter Lights. We're awaiting full details of this year's event, but expect the usual mix of glowing artworks dotted throughout the vicinity. While you're in the area, why not take a twirl on the Canary Wharf ice rink. It's the only one of London's winter ice rinks which stays open right through until February. FREE, 20-31 January
WHIPLASH IN CONCERT: Relive the 2014 Oscar-winning film Whiplash in another live concert experience at the Eventim Apollo. The 18-piece London Intercollegiate Jazz Orchestra and world-class drummer Greyson Nekrutman perform live, syncing their sounds to the story of ambitious young drummer, Andrew, studying at an elite jazz conservatory in New York City — including a rather impressive drum solo. 21 January
JORVIK: Interactive and immersive Viking play Jorvik makes its London debut at the Glitch in Waterloo, following its premiere at the annual Viking Festival in York. Expect celebration, song, combat, larger than life characters and plenty of toasting, set in the aftermath of the conquest of Eoforwic (York) and its rebirth as the legendary city; Jorvik. 21 January-9 February
BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH: Help the RSPB keep an eye on the numbers of wild birds in London by taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch. If you're lucky enough to have a garden or outside space, spend an hour counting and recording the numbers and types of birds that visit it, then report back to the RPSB. The charity uses the data to spot any patterns, anomalies, or any species that may be in danger. No garden of your own? Head to your local park instead. FREE, 23-25 January
LONDON SHORT FILM FESTIVAL: January is ideal for snuggling down in the cinema watching films, which is where London Short Film Festival comes in. Taking place at several independent cinemas around the capital, the programme boasts a wealth of new drama, documentary, comedy and animation short films, competition-winning films and industry events such as Q&As and speed-pitching sessions. 23 January-1 February
BURNS NIGHT 2026: Scottish poet Robert Burns is celebrated on the anniversary of his birth with Burns suppers and other special Burns Night events. From special suppers to live music to ceilidhs, here's our pick of the best Burns Night events in London this year. 25 January
WHITEHALL MARCH: In late January 1649, King Charles I was led from St James's Palace to Banqueting House on Whitehall, in front of which he was beheaded, thus drawing a gory line under the English Civil War. For the past half century, The King's Army, a royalist branch of the English Civil War Society, has commemorated what they call "His Majestie's horrid murder", and on Sunday 25 January, they return for their 54th parade. 25 January
INDEPENDENT MUSIC WEEK: Flex your support for London's indie music venues at this tough time of the year, by going to a gig or two as part of Independent Music Week. Shows include Annie & the Caldwells at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, New Moon Rising at the Half Moon Putney and Soaked at the Camden Assembly. 26 January-1 February
THE CONVERSATION: After a successful launch series last year St Martin-in-the-Fields brings back The Conversation, a literary event featuring weekly conversations with some of the UK's brightest minds tackling some of the biggest political, social and environmental challenges of our time. Author Ian McEwan, historian Hallie Rubenfold, ornithologist Mya-Rose Craig and journalist Gary Younge are among those on the 2026 line up. 27 January-28 April
FIFA WOMEN'S CHAMPIONS CUP: London hosts the semi-finals, a third-place play-off, and the final of the first-ever FIFA Women's Champions Cup, with matches at both Arsenal's and Brentford's stadiums. The tournament showcases the highest level of women's club football, with the semi-final matches already confirmed as Arsenal vs AS FAR and Gotham FC vs Corinthians. Tickets available here. 28 January-1 February
FROST FAIR: The Thames might not freeze over anymore, but that won't stop a pop-up 'Frost Fair' taking place at Borough Yards (11am-3pm and then 7pm-late), featuring outdoor performances, roaming actors, puppeteers, music, workshops (in which you can make an elephant mask) and various interactive sessions. Stay posted here. FREE, 31 January
SNOWDROP SALE: January is snowdrop season with plenty of places to see the flowers in and around London. One place which does snowdrops particularly well is Myddelton House Gardens in Enfield, which holds a snowdrop sale with local nurseries and garden centres selling their wares, including rare and unusual varieties. 31 January
LAST CHANCE: A few things are closing this month too. It's your last chance to see:
COCKFOSTERS: A surreal comedy set on the Piccadilly line, Cockfosters is on at Southwark Playhouse Borough and follows the story of two strangers who meet at Heathrow on their journey across London. Until 3 January
PIRATES: Avast! The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich is all about Pirates, in an exhibition covering both fictional and real pirates. Long-John Silver, Jack Sparrow and Captain Pugwash feature on the pop-culture side of the exhibition, while the Global Pirates section delves into issues such as the bombardment of Algiers. Recommended age seven+. Until 4 January
JENNIE BAPTISTE: The first major solo exhibition from pioneering Black British photographer Jennie Baptiste is at Somerset House, showcasing iconic and previously unseen portraits from Baptiste, reflecting her contributions to Black British culture from music, fashion and youth identity over three decades. Until 4 January
IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST: The National Theatre's sold-out production of The Importance of Being Earnest is now at the Noël Coward Theatre, telling Oscar Wilde's story about two young men who lead double lives, getting caught in a web of lies. Olly Alexander stars. Until 10 January
CECIL BEATON: The fashion photographer is in the spotlight at the National Portrait Gallery, where Cecil Beaton's Fashionable World is the first exhibition dedicated solely to his fashion and portrait photography. 200 items including photographs, letters, portrait sketches, fashion illustration and costumes are displayed. Until 11 January
OTHELLO: David Harewood, Toby Jones and Caitlin Fitzgerald star in an "electrifying" production of Shakespeare's Othello, at Theatre Royal Haymarket. Until 17 January
COVEN: So popular, this debut run at the Kiln Theatre has been extended by over a month, new musical Coven tells the story of England's witch trials. Set in Lancashire in 1612, it's about a nine-year-old who accuses her own family of witchcraft, and whose past comes back to haunt her 21 years later. Until 17 January
WINTER LIGHT: Missing the illuminations as London's Christmas lights are gradually unplugged for the year? The free Winter Light trail at Southbank Centre continues until the middle of the month, with six installations adding light and colour to the dark winter nights. Liz West's multicoloured Hymn To The Big Wheel blends and casts strobes of multicolour depending on the time of day; two neon works by France-Lise McGurn pay homage to fashion adverts from the 1990s; and Samia Halaby and Rafaël Rozendaal offer vibrant computer-generated art. FREE, until 18 January
THE DELUSION: A video game commission and multiplayer immersive experience is Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley's current exhibition at Serpentine North Gallery. The Delusion explores themes of polarisation, censorship and social connection, inviting visitors into a post-apocalyptic world. In this imagined future, society has broken into factions, each clinging to its own version of truth, providing a space for players to pause, discuss and reconnect. FREE, until 18 January
WORLD OF WASPS: UCL's Grant Museum of Zoology hosts free exhibition World of Wasps, which reveals the hidden world of the misunderstood creatures, using UCL research to delve into their homes, lives and relationships. FREE, until 24 January
DIRTY LOOKS: Barbican's current exhibition Dirty Looks challenges conventional beauty in fashion, showcasing how dirt and distress have shaped modern aesthetics. Featuring notable designers like Hussein Chalayan and Alexander McQueen, the exhibit explores the shift from pristine to imperfect styles in fashion. Until 25 January
CONNECTION AND IDENTITY: Connection and Identity at the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College features two large-scale light and sound installations by Peter Walker which invite us to "contemplate what it means to be human". Connection is inspired by Michelangelo's hands from the Creation of Adam, while Identity features eight illuminated columns suspended within the Painted Hall, evoking DNA structures. Until 25 January
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM: Step into candlelit winter woods and discover the shadowy underbelly of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, performed at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse for the first time. Four young lovers flee to the forest beyond the city walls, unaware that the forest itself is locked in a fierce battle between the Fairy King and Queen, Oberon and Titania, over the ownership of a stolen child. Until 31 January
