If you’re worried about getting the January blues, London is the perfect place to escape to. The city is buzzing all through the year, and January is packed with great things to see, do and discover all over the capital.
From lively music festivals to the Chinese New Year festivities and lots more besides, you’re never left without something to excite and delight you in the city. And with fantastic London hotels special offers to take advantage of, it’s the perfect time to visit the capital for a fun time away.
Read on for some of the great things you can look forward to this January, in London.
New Year’s Day Parade
Start the brand new year in style, with London’s lively New Year’s Day parade. Each year, the parade features a colourful variety of entertainment, from live music, marching bands, dancers and more.
Colourful floating inflatables provide visual delight, while the delicious variety of street food on sale will ensure you have plenty of energy to party with the parade running through the day. With The Montcalm Royal London House located conveniently close to the parade route, you can get to it easily, without struggling with the crowds.
Ice-skating across the city
If you haven’t had a chance to get to some of the great open-air ice rinks across the capital over the Christmas period, you’re still in luck, as most of them will be open across New Year’s until January 4. This means you still have a chance to enjoy the beautiful sight of some of London’s most illustrious venues, as you glide and spin across the ice.
Head to the Natural History Museum, the Tower of London or Somerset House and get your skates on. After a busy day on the ice, reward yourself with a delicious dinner at some of the Finsbury Square restaurants.
London Short Film Festival
Start January with a generous serving of culture and inspiration, with a visit to the city’s annual Short Film Festival. The festival returns to the capital for the 17th time and is partnered with a number of prestigious independent cinemas and venues across the city, where hundreds of short films from filmmakers around the world will be screened.
You’ll find films that provoke and delight and have a chance to see the exciting new filmmakers of the future as they show off their craft. With an international range of submissions, there is plenty of diversity to enjoy here, with virtually every kind of genre represented in the mix. Look out for tickets at participating venues.
January Blues Festival
Beat the January blues in the best way, with a generous serving of lively Blues music. This January, you can enjoy great live music at several venues across the capital, as some of the world’s most renowned blues artists make their way to London to showcase a fantastic selection of music.
The festival features legendary, award-winning guitarists like Kirk Fletcher, big blues bands, and plenty more, to ensure a lively night out. The January Blues Festival runs from January 16, through the month and tickets for individual events are available online.
Lightopia Festival
With great London hotels special offers around, it’s the perfect time of year to enjoy a lovely family trip to the city, and if you’re looking for a fun activity to enjoy together, check out this stunning light festival.
Held in Chiswick House Gardens from January 22 to March, Lightopia Festival arrives in London, after a tour around the UK. The festival features a wonderful variety of experiences to enjoy, including lantern trails, acrobatic shows and live music. You’ll also find plenty of food and drink on offer if you get hungry while you’re out there.
Chinese New Year celebrations
January sees the start of the Chinese New Year, and London boasts some of the biggest and best celebrations for the festivities, outside of Asia. From January 25, the city will be welcoming in the Year of the Rat, and there is a huge range of activities and celebrations to enjoy across the city.
On Saturday 25th, you’ll be able to see the beautiful and colourful Chinese New Year Parade, starting in Trafalgar Square, before winding down towards Chinatown and Piccadilly. Expect to see lively dragons and other creatures dancing through the streets, as well as plenty of live music and colourful attractions. Don’t miss the grand finale at Trafalgar Square later in the evening, which kicks off the new year in style, with a stunning fireworks display.
There will also be a great variety of events on across the city, where you can discover more about Chinese culture, art and food. Book yourself into The Montcalm Royal London House, to experience the best of this fantastic celebration.
Burns Night celebrations
Also falling on January 25 this year is the annual Scottish celebration of the poet, Robert Burns. Burns Night commemorates the poet’s many contributions to Scottish culture, and while London might be a little way away from Scotland, you’ll still find plenty of lively celebrations marking the occasion.
Discover traditional Scottish dishes, music, and dancing across the city. Kick the night off in style with a lively traditional Ceilidh, or whet your appetite with a Burns Night whiskey tasting session. Finish off with a delicious Burns Night dinner, where you might get to sample a little classic haggis.
London Art Fair
London is a hub of fantastic art, with some of the best museums and galleries in the world, and the annual art fair showcases a great array of modern, contemporary art. Whether you’re looking for pieces to add to your own collection or simply want to find some creative inspiration, head to Islington, where the fair will be presenting a variety of artists. You’ll find a range of media on display, including photography, painting, sculpture and digital art.
The London Art Fair takes place from 22 to 26 January, and tickets can be booked online.
