Heads up! We’re working hard to be accurate – but these are unusual times, so please always check before heading out.
21 ways London changed in 2018
Our city doesn’t sit still. To mark the end of 2018, Time Out writers look back on how London has transformed this year...
What will we remember 2018 for? It was a year of scorching highs and freezing lows – and that was just the weather. Over the past 12 months we've seen a baby Trump balloon soar over London, we've crowdfunded an LGBTQ+ community centre, we've drunk less, eaten more vegan food, ditched straws and more. For our last issue of the year Time Out writers reflected on the ways London changed in 2018 via data and interviews with insiders and experts. Find out more via the links below...
1. Veganism went mainstream
From plant-based pub fare to veggie treats so virtuous they’ll absolve you of all sin, veganism took root in London this year. This timeline shows how it happened...
2. We drank less
Summer 2018 featured both a heatwave and the World Cup, so it would be easy to assume it was a boozy one. Turns out Brits were getting loads of pints in – of non-alcoholic beer that is. These stats show that Londoners were boozing less than ever...
3. We ditched straws and demanded places went greener
In January, the government announced plans to eliminate all plastic waste in Britain within the next 25 years, from banning plastic microbeads to ditching plastic straws. It couldn’t have come sooner. Emma Priestland from Friends of the Earth explains why...
4. It was all change for London’s festivals – and we spent a lot of time in Gunnersbury Park
Londoners who’d never once been to Gunnersbury Park found themselves flocking to the 186-acre green space repeatedly in 2018. The park became home to two of London’s biggest festivals, Lovebox and Citadel, which made the move from Victoria Park to Acton in July. But how many people visited in total? Find out here...
5. You got in touch with your spiritual side
Tamara Driessen – also known as ‘Wolf Sister’, healer and author of ‘The Crystal Code’ – explains why she thinks things like moon rituals, crystal healing and astral projection gained mainstream popularity in 2018...
6. Art got super political
Despite all the hate that gets chucked its way by the red tops, the Turner Prize is a good bellwether for where contemporary art is at. And this year’s shortlist was the most political one ever. Art Editor Eddy Frankel explains...
7. You crowdfunded an LGBTQ+ Community Centre
Our city’s community spirit was exemplified when generous Londoners rallied together to open an LGBTQ+ community centre – the first in London since the early ’90s. Sarah Moore, from the centre's proposed communication's team, explains why it's so important...
8. Drag was more popular than ever
Drag in London has changed immensely in the last few years. This year, especially, has seen the proliferation of drag-themed brunches, drag bingo nights and even a drag karaoke venue. But with the artform more popular than ever, what impact is this having on the capital’s scene itself? Four queens sound off…
9. Loads of new stuff opened
London gained a load of new places to hang out in 2019 – from galleries to theatres to food and shopping hubs. Here we run through a few of the biggest new launches...
10. London gave birth to a baby Trump
#TrumpBaby floated into the headlines in June when it was confirmed that its creator, Leo Murray, had crowdsourced £18,000 to put it into production and float it during Donald Trump’s July visit to the UK. Here's a recap...