Looking for the best things to do in London in January? We’ve got you covered
You’re in plenty of time to book tickets to the best events in London, from theatre shows to art exhibitions, and there are always pop-ups opening across the city, but our handy guide features the best of what’s on in London in January so you won’t miss a thing.
After all the excess of the festive season, January can feel like a slog but the cold temps and empty bank accounts don’t have to get you down, especially as you can still squeeze in some ice skating and light trails at the start of 2024. If you’re embarking on a health kick by ditching the booze and the animal products, it doesn’t have to be boring with these 0% drinks and vegan restaurants. And with cheap eats and great value set menus, plus a ton of great free things to do in the city, you can still go out even if you’re on a budget.
1. See This Interactive Accidentally Wes Anderson Exhibition
An ‘Accidentally Wes Anderson’ exhibition has landed in London, featuring over 200 photos of buildings and landscapes from around the world that look as though they could be backdrops in a Wes Anderson flick. The show is spread out across seven themed rooms, including ‘Classic Facades’ ‘Transport’, ‘Maritime’ and ‘Hotels/Motels’, each filled with photographs that evoke Wes Anderson’s distinct style in different ways, whether through Art Nouveau exteriors, pastel hues, vintage modes of transportation or an abundance of symmetry. The second to last room – ‘The London Room’ – centres around Accidentally Wes Anderson photos of the city and guests will be able to submit their own photos for the chance to be featured.
Wed 3rd – Wed 31st January 2024 (excluding Mondays & Tuesdays)
85 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London SW7 3LD
@accidentallywesanderson
2. Shine Some Light on the Dark January Nights at South Bank’s Winter Light Trail
South Bank’s free open-air Winter Light exhibition is back for the season. There are a host of LED light installations from ten acclaimed contemporary artists around the Southbank Centre and Riverside Walk, including a sculpture inspired by Italian illuminated decorations from Marinella Senatore, a giant clock, hypnotic digital artworks from Leo Villareal accompanied by tracks from Kode9, a geodesic dome lit by a single energy-efficient bulb from Jakob Kvist, a pair of 6.5 metre tall spinning glowing rings by Fred Tschida, and neon lights designed by David Ogle woven into the trees. Your walk down the river just got LIT.
Mon 1st – Sun 7th January 2024
South Bank, London, SE1
southbankcentre.co.uk
3. Still Feeling the Christmas Spirit? Take a Trip to Gingerbread City
Forget gingerbread houses, there’s an actual gingerbread city at Westfield London. Created by the Museum of Architecture, this is the seventh year of the project and this time, the theme for the exhibition is ‘Water in Cities’. The aim is to explore how cities could be designed to be more water resilient (something that’s becoming more and more pressing each year), only doing it through the mediums of biscuits, sweets, cakes, and icing. Not only is this a sweet way to help get the public excited about architecture and innovative, sustainable design, but a little holiday cheer never hurt anybody.
Mon 1st – Sun 7th January 2024
Westfield, Ariel Way, London W12 7GG
thegingerbreadcity.com
4. Fill Up on Fondue at the Cheese Bar and Barge
The Cheese Bar in Camden Market and The Cheese Barge in Paddington are bringing Fondue Thursdays BACK, so drop by either location for a perfect pot of melted cheese every Thursday. This year, they’re bringing on a new guest chef each month to keep things exciting and Decatur’s Tom Browne is taking the reins throughout January, bringing us a cheesy taste of the Deep South.
Thurs 4th, Thurs 11th, Thurs 18th & Thurs 25th January 2024
The Cheese Bar, Unit 93/94 Camden Market, North Yard, Chalk Farm Road, London, NW1 8AH
The Cheese Barge, Sheldon Square, London W2 6DL
thecheesebar.com
5. Get Immersed in Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett
On a back alley of Central London, a new production is bringing the “punks, freaks and weirdos” back to Soho. Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett has opened at the recently revived The Boulevard (now Underbelly Boulevard), a gritty and glamorous series of jaw-dropping acts led by the show’s titular character, Bernie Dieter. Expect a host who gives Frank-N-Furter meets Marlene Dietrich meets Lady Gaga and performcances that are subversive, hilarious, but also quite touching. And, of course, come prepared for a strong dose of audience participation.
Tues 2nd – Sat 6th January 2024
6 Walker’s Court, London W1F 0BT
underbellyboulevard.com
6. See Henrik Ibsen’s Haunting Play at the Globe
Henrik Ibsen is being performed at Shakespeare’s Globe for the first time this winter with Ghosts at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. The opening show for the candlelit theatre’s tenth anniversary season, Ghosts is an exploration of forbidden desire and family secrets as Helene attempts to hide the truth about her late husband from her son Osvald, who has returned home from abroad and begins an illicit affair that threatens to destroy both her and her son’s life. This adaptation from Joe Hill-Gibbins, who is also on directing duties, stars Greg Hicks, Paul Hilton, Hattie Morahan, Sarah Slimani and Stuart Thompson.
Tues 2nd – Sun 28th January 2024 (excluding Mondays)
Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT
shakespearesglobe.com
7. Squeeze in One Last Go Around the Ice Rink
Before ice rink season comes to an end, head to Canada Square Park and get your skates on. The Canary Wharf rink is covered and adorned with hundreds of fairy lights (with a Christmas tree under a disco ball in situ during the festive season) so you can practise your pirouettes whatever the weather and when you’re done you can grab a well-deserved drink from the alpine-themed rink-side Grandstand bar.
Mon 1st – Wed 31st January 2024
Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AB
icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk
8. Eat Some Reubens at Ruben’s Reubens
After a summer residency at Robin Gill’s Brentford-based bakery and grill Rye By The Water, Ruben Danway of Ruben’s Reubens is teaming up with Gill for a winter pop-up in Brixton Village. Ruben has been making his reubens since the start of Covid when he would smoke meats in his parents’ garden in Brixton during lockdown. The sandwich business was inspired by his Polish-Jewish background and has already picked up a large and loyal following through a series of pop-ups. This latest residency, which will run Weds – Sun throughout the winter, will feature his reuben and salt beef sarnies alongside the likes of latke buns, hot honey burnt ends, smoked white wings, kung pao-strami cauliflower, and house lamb sausage. Word on the street is that guest chefs will be passing through the pop-up too.
Wed 3rd – Wed 31st January 2024 (excluding Mondays & Tuesdays)
Brixton Village, Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8PS
@rubens.reubens
9. Travel to Ancient Egypt With This VR Experience
Travel back to Ancient Egypt with new VR expedition experience Horizon of Khufu at Westfield Stratford City. The experience, which has been a hit in France and China, has been developed by a leading Egyptology team from Harvard University in partnership with VR studio Excurio to realistically recreate the civilisation from 4,500 years ago. Over 45 minutes you’ll explore ancient burial chambers, witness mummification ceremonies, travel down the Nile by boat to attend the funeral of King Khufu, and climb to the top of the 146-metre-high Great Pyramid of Giza to take in the 360° views as the sun sets.
Mon 1st – Sun 28th January 2024
Westfield Stratford City, Montfichet Road, London E20 1EJ
horizonkheops.com
10. Have a Roast at Lagom
Elliot Cunningham has nailed live-fire cooking with Lagom, which is in residence at Hackney Church Brew Co, and now he’s applying his skills to the Sunday roast. As per the concept’s name, which translates to “just enough” in Swedish, the Sunday roast menu is short and sweet with the choice of smoked chicken, coal-roasted beef rump, smoked pork belly and coal-roasted celeriac. The meat, perfectly cooked and infused with smoke from the grill, is the real star here and the kitchen knows it because you get an absolute whopping portion – three thick slices of perfectly pink beef and a slab of pork belly, with a crispy crackling top, that’s almost half the plate’s circumference. They come with Lagom’s beloved crispy potatoes, cabbage, carrots, fluffy Yorkshire puddings and gravy, so all you need to add is a fresh pint from the brewery’s taps.
Wed 3rd – Wed 31st January 2024 (excluding Mondays & Tuesdays)
17 Bohemia Place, London E9 6PB
hackneychurchbrew.co