The first month of the year is always deceptively busy in London.
While the post-Christmas comedown can be tough to shake and plenty of us spend January getting healthy and saving money rather than heading out on the town, there’s still plenty of fun to be had in the capital.
Over the coming weeks, there are film festivals, drag events and world-beating theatre on hand to help Londoners beat those January blues. In fact, it's actually a pretty food time to head out – restaurants have more space, bars take fewer bookings, so it's the best time to try somewhere on the bucket list that's usually impossible to get into.
These are our picks of what to get up to across town this January.
Bag a bargain with The Wright Brothers
If you’re trying to save a little cash this month, but still fancy treating yourself, the Wright Brothers are putting on a special menu, offering a whole dover sole for just £20 – still £20, but a bargain for the dish. Visit the seafood specialists at their hubs in Battersea, South Kensington, Soho, Spitalfields and Borough Market to make use of the deal. Try the oysters while you’re there too, they’re some of the best in the city.
January 3-31, various locations, thewrightbrothers.co.uk
Get cineliterate at the London Short Film Festival
The London Short Film Festival is back for a 17th year this month, taking place across venues including the Institute of Contemporary Arts, Curzon Soho and Regent Street Cinema. As ever, the festival is celebrating the work of independent short film from across the world, as well as taking a retrospective look at the history of ephemeral films – encompassing everything from social hygiene videos to public service announcements.
January 10-19, various locations, shortfilms.org.uk
Take a magic carpet ride to Aladdin and the Feast of Wonders
Following Beauty and the Beast and the Game of Thrones-inspired Dinner is Coming, the Vaults is back with its latest immersive dining experience. Guests will journey to a whole new world with Aladdin and the Feast of Wonders. Set against the backdrop of an adult pantomime, cabaret performers and drag kings and queens perform for diners as a five-course banquet is served.
Until January 14, The Vaults, Leake Street, Waterloo SE1 7NN, thevaults.london
Be dazzled at the Winter Lights Festival
The Christmas lights are being taken down across the capital, but there’s a brand new display to look out for this month. The Winter Lights Festival in Canary Wharf will feature a total of 25 light installations, many of them interactive. It’s an Instagrammer’s dream, and there’ll be street food stalls to check out while you’re there, too.
January 16-25, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, E14 5AB, canarywharf.com
Sissy that walk to RuPaul’s DragCon
RuPaul is back in the UK for a celebration of all things drag at Olympia in Kensington. Taking place over two days, there’ll be DJ sets from the man himself, as well as panel discussions, family-friendly things to do and meet and greets with the cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and the likes of Michelle Visage. Shantay you stay.
January 18 & 19, Olympia, W14 0NE, rupaulsdragcon.com
Rendezvous in Bratislava at Camden People's Theatre
Camden People's Theatre is the place to be for comedy and cabaret this month, with Rendezvous in Bratislava arriving for three nights. The show recalls the life of writer Miriam Sherwood’s grandfather, dramatist Jan ‘Laco’ Kalina, and his adventures in Slovakia – don’t miss it.
January 24-26, 58-60 Hampstead Rd, NW1 2PY, cptheatre.co.uk
See Leopoldstadt at Wyndham’s Theatre
Tom Stoppard’s first new production since The Hard Problem in 2015 could prove to be the famed playwright’s most personal work yet. Leopoldstadt, which receives its world premiere at the Wyndham’s Theatre, follows a Jewish family in the early 20th century and is directed by Patrick Marber. It promises to be one of the must-see plays of the year.
January 25 - June 13, Wyndham’s Theatre, WC2H 0DA, delfontmackintosh.co.uk
Celebrate Chinese New Year in Trafalgar Square
See in the Year of the Rat surrounded by thousands of revellers, with a spectacular day in Trafalgar Square planned to mark Chinese New Year. It’s a chance to enjoy one of the capital’s most colourful events, with grand processions, dragon dancers and stage performances taking place throughout the day. As ever, there’ll be fantastic food stalls in the square, as well as a plethora of options in Chinatown just up the road.
January 26, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DX, visitlondon.com
Visit London’s ice rinks while you can
Londoners can still take to the ice in January, with a host of rinks staying open. The 1000 square metre rink in front of the Natural History Museum is an institution and well worth a visit before it shuts on January 12. Elsewhere, Somerset House (until January 12) and Skylight (until January 25) are two other excellent options for a late skate before it's too late – read our full guide here.
Various dates and locations
Double your bar tab at Pergola
Dry January is sure to put plenty of people off going out in January, but going out for a drink in 2020 doesn’t have to cost the earth. Pergola is helping your money go a little further in January by offering to double punters’ bar tabs – groups who pre-order a minimum of £30 and a maximum of £500 tab at Pergola Olympia, Pergola Paddington, Lost in Brixton and The Prince in Chelsea will have their money doubled by the bar, to get in twice as many drinks. Chin chin.
Until January 31, various locations, pergolalondon.com
