London events in January
January 2020 in London is going to be a belter. Though the festive season is coming to a close and the days are still as dark and chilly as ever, there's tons of fun stuff happening in London throughout the New Year to enjoy. Whether you want to keep warm by a pub fire, dine out at the best new restaurants, take in the best theatre openings this month, start a new hobby or embrace a healthier lifestyle (bye, mince pies) or welcome in the ‘Year of the Rat’ at London's Chinese New Year celebration, which take place in January, we've got you covered for London in January. January is also the month of the New Year's Day Parade through central London, the London Short Film Festival, the London Art Fair, Winter Lights at Canary Wharf and Burns Night. So what are you waiting for?
Hey, and while you’ve got your diary out, remember that it's never too early to start planning for February either.
RECOMMENDED: The definitive London events calendar
Our January 2020 highlights
Burns Night in London
Raise a wee dram to Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns! From foot-stomping ceilidhs to haggis-fuelled feasts, London's got Burns Night celebrations covered. Take a look at our pick of the best Burns bashes.
Flea at Flat Iron Square
A weekly vintage and makers market with heaps of antiques, clothing, homeware, books, bikes and cameras to search through.
Nam June Paik: The Future is Now
Nam June Paik predicts how technology influences our lives. This Tate show brings together works made across five-decades by the artist credited with inventing video art.
Mary Quant
Go big and go bold at this Mary Quant V&A exhibition. See what fast fashion was like back in the day.
Vault Festival
See live performance, theatre and dozens of comedy shows - from the like of Dane Baptiste, Lazy Susan, Jessica Fostekew, and Desiree Burch - under the arches of Waterloo.
The Pub Choir
Got something to get off your chest? Try belting it out at The Pub Choir. They're looking for new voices and no previous singing experience required. Each session is £5.
‘Company’
Marianne Elliott’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s 1970 musical comedy ‘Company’ finds hidden depths in what was already a stone-cold classic.
‘Genetic Automata: Larry Achiampong and David Blandy’
Check out this collaboration between artists Larry Achiampong and David Blandy looking at race and identity in the era of advanced video games and DNA profiling.
Collective Cinema
Check out this new pop-up in Lewisham, screening films in the beautiful St Margaret's Church. As well as showings of blockbusters, family favourites, and cinematic classics, screenings here will also include live music from local musicians, and drinks and snacks from local suppliers.
Beatrice Gibson: ‘Crone Music’
See two new films by Beatrice Gibson, 'I Hope I'm Loud When I'm Dead' and 'Deux Soeurs Qui Ne Sont Pas Soeurs' (Two Sisters who aren't Sisters). Camden Arts Centre is also hosting a series of events connected to the films and the large collection of people involved in their creation.
Bill Viola / Michelangelo
What do a contemporary video artist and a Rennaissance master have in common? Find out with Bill Viola/Michelangelo, the opening exhibition of 2019 at the Royal Academy.
Hyon Gyon
Korean shamanism and intense emotions of rage, sorrow and anguish inspire the artworks of Hyon Gyon. This is the first time a European gallery has staged a solo exhibition of her art.
Hendrix Talks
Hey, voodoo chile. If you love a bit of Jimi, hit up these talks, led by musician Nigel Jones, exploring how the great guitarist changed the way we think about music.
Pierre Bonnard: ‘The Colour of Memory’
It's been 20 years since UK art fans last got a chance to enjoy a major exhibition of Pierre Bonnard's delectably, delicately coloured artworks. This blockbuster exhibition focuses on the French artist's preferred practice of working from memory.
The Chocolate Cocktail Club
Expect a serious sugar rush at this bar serving chocolatey twists on classic cocktails. Sink a chocotini, before glugging on a glass of chocolate wine.
The Big January Giveaway
Head to Carnaby Street to freebies throughout the month. This week, there are High Brow kits from Benefit up for grabs on Thursday and free chicken burgers at Whyte & Brown. Follow @CarnabyLondon for more info.
Find great things to do all year round
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