What’s on in London: New Year’s Resolution Edition

New year, new habits... or at least some very good intentions. Whether you’re trying to get more cultured, healthier, or ready to try something completely new, London has you covered this January.

Looking for inspiration? Here’s your ultimate guide to London in the New Year✨

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Cultural Spotlight: Burns Night

Celebrate Scotland’s most famous poet on the 25th of January with haggis, neeps, and tatties (that’s sheep’s offal, swede, and potatoes).

Robert Burns is renowned for his poetry—including the most famous New Year’s Eve song of all time, Auld Lang Syne. Writing in the 18th century, Burns became a key figure in the Romantic movement, influencing poets like Wordsworth. Each year, Scotland honours his legacy with traditional food, poetry readings, and bagpipe performances.

While Burns Night is a Scottish tradition, it’s easy to join in from London. From ceilidh, a traditional Scottish group dance, to full Burns Night suppers, the city has plenty of events to get involved with.

👉Check out our full guide to Burns Night here

🔄Try Something New

New experiences for a New Year

The Worst Comedy Night Ever at Angel Comedy Club, January 19th – Blue Monday is often called the most depressing day of the year, but Angel Comedy Club is here to fix that. Comedy ‘so bad it’s good’, for just £8. Winter blues, cancelled.

Lander 23, until March – Ever wanted to climb inside your favourite video game? Lander 23 is an immersive, real-life video game experience where you work together with friends to complete missions.

Canary Wharf Winter Lights, January 20th to 31st – See light installations by international artists around Canary Wharf. This year’s theme is Dreamscape: a bright escape from dark evenings.

🧘‍♀️Get Healthier

Equanimity Fest in Kings Cross, January 15th to 22nd– Slow down and recharge at this wellness festival with saunas, cold plunge pools, meditation sessions, and affordable drop-in therapy. The perfect mental reset for January.

Join the Matcha Craze – Swap out your morning coffee for a cup of the green stuff at one of London’s best matcha cafés. How Matcha!, Jenki, and Wa Café all serve proper matcha lattes alongside more creative combinations.

🌱Veganuary – London’s Best Vegan Eats

• Beaten by a Whisker – for when you have a sweet tooth
• LDs Kitchen – for(actually) delicious vegan Sunday roasts
• Mildreds Convent Garden – for pre-theatre plant-based feasts
• Sagar Indian – for some of the best vegan Indian food in London

🍹Dry January – Sober Nights for Sunnier Days

Tired of feeling tired every weekend? Try these bars with genuinely good alcohol-free options:

• Little Mercies – booze-free cocktail classics for only £6.50
• Lucky Saint – a traditional pub with 8+ different low or no alcohol beers
• Club Soda Tasting Room – a huge menu oflow or no alcohol cocktails, spirits, and wines

🎨Expand Your Cultural Horizons

Become a culture vulture this January

Hawai’i: A Kingdom Crossing Oceans at the British Museum, Jan 15th to May 25th – Discover Hawaiian history and culture through traditional objects, stories, and art.

A View of One’s Own: Landscapes by British Women Artists at The Courtauld, Jan 28th to May 20th– Explore landscape paintings by female artists from 1760 to 1860. Overlooked in the past, these works are finally being celebrated.

London Short Film Festival, Jan 23rd to Feb 1st – The UK’s leading short film festival, featuring over 300 independent and experimental films.

Citra Sasmita: Into Eternal Land, Jan 30th to 21st April – A free exhibition by Indonesian artist Citra Sasmita, reimagining traditional Balinese art and sacred practices from a feminist perspective.

London Art Fair, Jan 21st to 25th– London Art Fair isn’t just for buying! It’s also an opportunity to attend talks, exhibitions, and events celebrating modern and contemporary art.

🎭London Theatre Highlights

Here’s what’s taking centre stage this month:

Arcadia at The Old Vic, Jan 24th to March 21st – Connecting two stories across generations, Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia explores love, science, and time.

The Devil Wears Prada at Dominion Theatre, Ongoing – The cult classic is transformed into a musical, with songs by pop legend Elton John.

The Tempest at Shakespeare’s Globe, Jan 17th to April 12th– Tim Crouch’s magical take on The Tempest in the Globe’s cosy candlelit playhouse.

Man and Boy at the National Theatre. Jan 30th to March 14th– A gripping drama about success, secrets, and the cost of ambition in post-war Britain.

🦋Be More Social

Get out there and flex your English skills

New Year’s Parade, January 1st – Celebrating its 40th anniversary, London’s New Year parade returns to Westminster with music, floats, and over 8,000 performers.

Glitterbox New Year’s Day, January 1st – Start the year right with a daytime rave at Koko. Doors open at 3pm and close at 9.30pm—perfect if you missed NYE or want to keep the party going.

Twelfth Night Celebrations, January 4th – Mark the end of Christmas near Shakespeare’s Globe with music, theatre, and traditional folk customs hosted by The Lion’s Part theatre group.

Americana Music Week, TBA – London’s annual celebration of Americana is back. Last year’s events ran from the 20th to the 24th of January, so make sure to follow their Instagram for updates.

🌍Study and Explore in London with an English Course Abroad

Why choose just one resolution when you could achieve six? With Twin, you can:

1. Improve your English
2. Learn new skills
3. Expand your career
4. Meet new people
5. Grow confidence
6. Explore a new city

Study English in London, Eastbourne, or Dublin and turn your 2026 into the ultimate adventure.