London

New Year's Day parade
This American-style extravaganza of 10,000 musicians, dancers, acrobats, cheerleaders, clowns, pearly kings and queens and floats will twirl, march and drum its way from Parliament Square to Piccadilly.
Find out more about London's New Year's Day parade

Museums & Attractions
Kew Gardens is free of charge on New Year's Day to kick off a year of festivities for its 250th anniversary, although you'll still need to pay to use the ice rink. Go back in time to ancient 'Babylon' at the British Museum. Or take in some evolutionary theory at the Natural History’s 'Darwin' exhibition. Work out how to look your best at the gym at the V&A’s 'Fashion V Sport' show or trade in the Bond double bill on the box for the real thing at the Imperial War Museum’s 'For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond' exhibition.
See more museums open on New Year’s Day

Ice rinks
There’s nothing like landing flat on your arse on wet ice to sober you up. All the major ice rinks are open on January 1, giving you the perfect chance to indulge in a session of detoxing skating followed by some restorative mulled wine and mince pies at the rinkside café. Head to the O2 slopes for a more adventurous experience or add bowling and karaoke into the mix at the Queen’s Ice and Bowl.
See more New Year’s Day ice skating
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January sales
Ok, so many of these started way back on Boxing Day but there’s still time to bag yet another bargain and save our sinking economy by hitting the high street, credit card in hand. It’s your civic duty to shop till you drop.
See more January sales

Walks
Most Londoners prefer to stay in bed on January 1 and sleep off the night before, but if you’re feeling brave there’s always the gentle 'The City and its River' stroll along the Thames Path. If you’re not going to surface till the evening but still want to clear your head take a twinkly tour of London’s best festive lights.
See more New Year’s Day Walks

New Year’s Day dining
Cure your hangover with everything from a recovery brunch to a pick-me-up curry or an exotic Middle Eastern feast. There are plenty of London restaurants open on New Year's Day to save you from having to even entertain the idea of cooking.
Find places open on New Year's Day 

Art exhibitions
Start the new year off on a high-brow note at one of these big art hitters. Feast your eyes on everything from the Hayward’s much-hyped Andy Warhol show, Cildo Meireles’ surreal installations at Tate Modern and the V&A's 'Cold War Modern'. Plus it's your last chance to catch Francis Bacon and Tate Britain.
See more art exhibitions open on New Year’s Day 

Clubs and parties
Forget New Year’s Eve, January 1 is currently the biggest date in London’s party calendar. Why spend a fortune, queue for hours and eventually get an overpriced cab home when you can get a good night’s kip and party the day away at these top-notch New Year’s Day benders. Top of our list is Bugged Out’s All Dayer at the Old Queen’s Head, 'Bastard Batty Bass New Year’s Day Carry On' at the über-cool Star of Bethnal Green and old faithful 'Gaz's Rockin’ Blues'.
See more New Year's Day clubs

Family fun
If you really haven’t had enough of your nearest and dearest by this point then there’s plenty of collective fun to be had. There's heaps of festive shows, the ever-wonderful Kew Gardens is free all day, there are dinosaur sculptures to gaze at at Crystal Palace Park and the London Brass Rubbing Centre is also open.
See more New Year’s Day family fun