While the capital’s Christmas lights may have been taken down, this is a city that is ever vibrant – as these fun things to do in London this January prove.
Whether it’s seeing Hollywood A-listers on stage, wrapping up warm to catch a winter lights installation or buying some new art of your own, January in London offers a more relaxed opportunity to experience the capital’s cultural offerings. This is a selection of events we’re planning to check out this month.
Wrap Up For Winter Lights
Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival
If you thought the best winter lights are only the Christmas kind, think again. From 21 January, Canary Wharf is hosting its ninth edition of the Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival, showcasing 12 temporary installations every evening, as well as the water-side district’s permanent light artworks.
The 2025 festival explores the otherworldly qualities of art and light, showcasing installations inspired by portals, black holes, and dreamlike mirages. While enjoying the lights, you can warm up with a hot drink along the way, and then enjoy dinner from one of the many great restaurants in the area – including Roe, Kricket, or for those doing Veganuary, Mallow, which opened in Canary Wharf last year.
Discover New Artists (And Buy Their Work)
Alice Macdonald In The Garden 2024 gouache and collaged painted paper 25 x 35cm Oliver-Projects. Image Credit: London Art Fair
If the walls in your house are looking bare now that the holiday decorations are down, two north London art fairs this month provide the perfect chance to snap up some new pieces to decorate with.
London Art Fair
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For over 30 years, the London Art Fair has been a cornerstone of the UK art scene, featuring 100 galleries of modern and contemporary works for visitors to explore, enjoy and purchase. While celebrating its heritage as a champion of modern British art, the event has evolved to embrace an increasingly global perspective.
Fresh: Art Fair
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Fresh: Art Fair makes its London debut this January, brought to the capital by the team behind the established Cheltenham edition. With 750 artists displaying thousands of pieces, this family-friendly event is also offering free workshops and artist demonstrations alongside other hands-on activities.
Celebrate Burns Night
Haggis will be served for Burns Night at Ham Yard Hotel
For those who enjoy pairing culture with cuisine, Saturday, January 25 is Burns Night – a celebration of Scotland’s most famous poet, Robert Burns. It’s the perfect excuse for Londoners to brighten up a quiet month with an evening of music, poetry, good food, and a dram of whisky or two. Every year numerous venues around the capital host events featuring traditional Scottish fare like haggis, neeps, and tatties, alongside poetry readings, live music, and ceilidh dancing. Two of our top picks to celebrate this year are Boisdale, unofficially known as the Scottish Embassy, who are hosting a five-course dinner, with live musical entertainment. Or if you want to begin your celebrations early, The Ham Yard Hotel is hosting a dinner in partnership with Macallan on Friday 24 January, highlighting authentic Scottish flavours, complemented by a curated selection of expertly paired whiskies.
Unmissable Stage Performances
For a more theatrical experience this January, three stand-out productions are opening in London: Elektra at the Duke of York’s Theatre, The Years at the Harold Pinter Theatre, and Oedipus at the Old Vic Theatre.
Elektra
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Starring the Oscar-winning American Actress Brie Larson (Room, Lessons in Chemistry) and the icon that is Stockard Channing, Elektra is a gripping Greek tragedy delving into themes of family, grief and vengeance, as Elektra seeks to avenge her father’s death. Directed by Daniel Fish, known for his recent innovative take on Oklahoma! this production marks the first major revival of the play in over a decade.
The Years
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Following a critically acclaimed, sold-out run at the Almeida Theatre, The Years transfers to the West End this month. Written by Nobel Prize-winning author Annie Ernaux, this fearless adaptation of her autobiography captures her story from working-class upbringing in Normandy to life as a French literature teacher, mother, and eventual divorcee. Told through the performances of the five incredible actresses who reprise their roles from the Almeida (Deborah Findlay, Romola Garai, Gina McKee, Anjli Mohindra and Harmony Rose-Bremner), the play paints an unapologetic portrait of Ernaux’s life while capturing the dramatic transformations of 20th-century France. Thought-provoking and powerful, it’s a must-see this season.
Oedipus
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Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody, No Time To Die) joins Olivier Award-winning actress Indira Varma (Game of Thrones) in a striking new adaptation of Oedipus. Brought to life by acclaimed playwright Ella Hickson, this reimagining of Sophocles’ timeless Greek tragedy delves into destiny, self-discovery, and the dynamics of power. Performed in the intimate setting of the Old Vic in Waterloo, this fresh take on a classic promises an unforgettable evening of theatre.
Step into Palacial Grandeur – Versailles: Science and Splendour
Visitor looking at the ‘Marie Antoinette’ perpétuelle, Breguet, No. 160 watch in Versailles: Science and Splendour at the Science Museum. Image credit: Science Museum Group
The Science Museum is set to showcase the grandeur of French royalty in London this spring with its captivating exhibition, Versailles: Science and Splendour. This landmark exhibition delves into the intriguing role of science at Versailles, revealing how it shaped culture, became a symbol of fashion, and served as a powerful tool to elevate France’s global standing.
Lead image: London Art Fair 2024. Image Credit Mark Cocksedge.
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