After endless festivities - think winter markets, present-buying, street lights, overeating and New Year’s Eve parties January can often feel like a bit of a let-down in England, After all, it’s still wintery weather, spring’s a long way off and the idea of a few more months of dark evenings and thermal leggings isn’t always appealing!
However, the thing that’s so great about London is that it’s a city for all seasons. And what you can’t do in January is still countered by what you can do - whether you’re into museums and galleries, fine dining and street food, department stores and vintage finds, or simply talking long walks in the endless neighbourhoods, there’s still plenty to do and see.
And the great thing is that London’s not so crowded at this time of the year, so it’s easier to book tickets for attractions, get a seat on the tube and see the city when there are more locals than tourists in the centre! On the contrary, London is a little less busy at this time of the year and this can make it quite a fun place to explore.
So what's going on in London in January 2005? Here are some of our ideas for chasing away the winter blues in the British capital…
1. Attend the The New Year’s Day Parade - 1st January
For those who aren’t sleeping off hangovers or enjoying their last day of this long holiday before they return to work, then London’s famous New Year’s Day Parade.
Kicking off at midday (noon) in Piccadilly, in the heart of the West End, it will leave you in no doubt as to how diverse the capital is. Over 10,000 performers, from across the city’s local boroughs, will be entertaining you - think American marching bands, majorettes with twirling batons, drummers, salsa dancers and even the London Pearly Kings and Queens Society making an appearance.
It’s free to attend and you don’t need a ticket but if you want a good view, pitch up early (you can take a walk in Covent Garden or Soho first, then make your way down to the centre of the action in time for the start!)
2. Watch ‘Giselle’ the ballet at the London Coliseum - 15th -18th January
With only six performances being given, it might not be easy to get a ticket (though there are always cancellations and returns!) but make the effort and you will be rewarded for a trip to the English Ballet to witness Giselle is pure heaven.
This haunting ballet - with its themes of innocence and betrayal - received five star reviews in 2024. GIselle is in love with Albrecht, a Duke who hides his title from her, as well as his engagement to another woman. When Giselle uncovers the truth, she becomes insane and dies of a broken heart. But what of the spirits who gather at her grave to receive her into their group - will they punish Albrecht for his treachery?
Moonlight, mystery and drama, played out at the gorgeous Coliseum venue in St. Martin’s Lane in the West End - grab a ticket if you can!
3. Eat well at Veganuary Food Fest - 11th and 12th January
It’s not uncommon for many of us to make New Year resolutions that relate tolerating better. After all, a healthy diet is imperative to making us look and feel better. But besides swearing off the booze for January, why not take a trip to Walthamstow (currently one of east London’s most trendy neighbourhoods, so they say) for ‘Veganuary Food Fest’.
Some fantastic food traders, all promoting their vegan food, will be there, giving you the opportunity to learn more about plant-based diets, not to mention tucking into some tasty fare. Ever wanted to try ‘chicken and chips’ that’s not really chicken? Or vegan burgers, hogless roasts and vegan beer? Well now’s your chance. Just head down to Blackhorse Road and start sampling - Veganuary is free to enter and they’ll even have a DJ there to keep things hopping! Who knows, you may become inspired to give up meat altogether!
4. Be wowed by ‘Oedipus’ at the Old Vic Theatre - 21st January to 29th March
“Crave not mastery in all, For the mastery that raised thee was thy bane and wrought thy fall.”
This is just one of the many extraordinary lines quoted in Oedipus, an extraordinary Greek Tragedy by Sophocles, which is opening at the Old Vic Theatre next to London’s South Bank in mid January. Written in 429 BCE, it tells the (much analysed) story of a mythical King Laius, his wife Jocasta, and their son Oedipus, who was banished by his father after a prophet forecast that father would kill son.
A shepherd, who was supposed to leave Oedipus on a mountainside to die, took him to Corinth where he was adopted. Years later, Oedipus returns to Thebes - unaware of who his parents are - after unwittingly killing his father, and resolves to solve the riddle of the Sphinx.
Filled with dramatic suspense, much irony and a heaping of sheer tragedy, Ella HIckson’s production (starring Rami Malek and Indira Varna) looks to be riveting. Tickets are on sale at the Old Vic now.
5. Invigorate yourself with a long walk on Hampstead Heath
We might be biased but, for us, Hampstead Heath is one of London’s most beautiful green spaces. Perfect for exploring year round, winter can be a magical time to take a long walk across what’s known as London’s ‘Green Lung’. In fact, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in the countryside, rather than just a quick underground journey from the West End.
If you take a walk there, you’ll soon understand why - it’s like being in the country, even though it’s just 15 minutes from the city centre by underground.
Hampstead Heath is enormous, and there’s plenty to see - whether you want to explore stately Kenwood House (entry is free), climb to the top of Parliament Hill and be rewarded with skyline views, or brave the bathing ponds and go for an invigorating swim in the waters there. Whether the skies are grey and forlorn-looking or bright and blue, the air is fantastic, the nature is stunning and a bracing walk here never fails to cheer you, even in January!
Finally, if you’re coming to London and looking for accommodation, why not consider staying at La Gaffe Hotel Hampstead? Our comfortable guest accommodation is competitively-priced, we’re family-run and owned ( so you’re assured of a warm and personal welcome) and our rates include VAT and a continental breakfast (complete with our famous cappuccino).
We’re just three minutes walk from Hampstead tube and then it’s a quick trip (around 15-20 minutes) into the city centre by underground. And our neighbourhood is so charming, many people never want to leave it!
To find out more about us, give us a call on 0207 435-8965 or book directly with us (for the best rates!) on our website.
Happy 2025 to you all - may it be peaceful and joyful.