Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is closed, Christmas at Kew Gardens has finished for another year, the Christmas markets have shut up shop, and London’s Christmas lights have been switched off. If you too are feeling the back to school blues then don’t worry, there’s still lots of things to do in London in January.
Although traditionally considered the quietest time of the year, I enjoy January in London. The Christmas crowds have gone, the queues have vanished and the city feels relatively calm.
If you’re planning to visit London in January – or if you live here – then now is a good time to see some of the city’s most popular attractions and famous London landmarks such as Buckingham Palace or the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels without the crowds.
If the weather plays ball and your visit coincides with a clear day then January is also a great time to take a spin around the London Eye.
Museums are always a good idea, particularly if you’re faced with rainy days and cold weather.
We’re always big fans of London’s free museums such as the British Museum and the Tate Modern but smaller museums such as the Museum of Brands and the Postal Museum are also good options. Now is also a good time to see some of the popular exhibitions such as Marie Antoinette Style at the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington without the crowds.
In central London, Covent Garden is always fun to visit with children and Borough Market is a great place to spend an afternoon.
If you’re looking for things to do in London that don’t cost much money then take a look at our guide to the best free things to do in London with kids.
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January 2026 dates for your diary
- The New Year’s Day Parade takes place in central London on January 1st.
- The London Art Fair takes place 17 – 21 January.
- The London International Mime Festival is back from 21 January with a packed calendar of workshops and shows featuring everything from dance to puppetry.
- Start planning your next adventures (outside of London) at the Adventure Travel Show taking place 10 -11 January
- Be aware that the annual No Trousers Tube Ride takes place on 11 January with members of the public navigating the London Underground minus their trousers. Want to take part? Simply meet at the meeting point in Chinatown and follow the crowds. Trousers should be kept on until you enter the tube and underwear is a non-negotiable!
- The London Short Film Festival takes place from 23 January to 1 February.
Our highlights for January in London (2026)
Can’t decide what to do? The following are our top picks for things to do in the month of January in London.
The best things to do in London in January
From an old Cirque du Soleil favourite and a new exhibition at the Postal Museum to a new creative outpost in east London, there’s plenty to keep families busy this month in London.
The Cirque du Soleil at The Royal Albert Hall
It’s not January without the Cirque du Soleil and this year the Canadian circus group returns to wow audiences at the Royal Albert Hall with their show, OVO. Inspired by the magical world of bugs and insects (both real and imagined), the show sees acrobatics leap, soar, juggle, contort, bend and twist in ways you never thought possible.
OVO opens on 9 January.
Hot Wheels Monster Truck Live: Glow-N-Fire
What happens when monster trucks meet some of the most famous Hot Wheels toys in the world including Mega Wrex™, Tiger Shark™, HW 5-Alarm™, Bone Shaker™ and the all-new Rhinomite™? A raucous monster truck rally like no other.
The Glow-N-Fire rally takes place on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 January at the The O2.
Winter Lights at Canary Wharf
The free Winter Lights Festival at Canary Wharf is the perfect antidote to the colder months. Enjoy glowing installations, lively illuminations and some much needed colour from 20 – 31 January.
The festival takes place around the streets, docks, squares and malls of Canary Wharf. A free map of the installations will be available to download. Register for updates here. The light trail is open from 5pm – 10pm daily.
Ice skate at Canary Wharf
One of the best places to brush away the January blues is at Canary Wharf. Not only is the neighbourhood decorated with dozens of colourful light installations, its ice rink is open until February 22 so you have plenty of time to get your skates on. The park is located in Canada Square Park.
Twelfth Night Celebrations
Head to the Bankside near Shakespeare’s Globe to witness one of London’s more unusual festivals. The annual Twelfth Night celebrations mix old and new with wassailing (a collection of folk traditions that includes singing and dancing), the Holly Man (or Green Man) being paraded across the river, and performances – not forgetting being crowned King or Queen for teh day if you find a bean or a pea in a cake.
The Twelfth Night celebrations take place on 4 January.
Ballet Shoes at the National Theatre
You’ve still got time to see this adaptation of Noel Streatfield’s 1936 classic Ballet Shoes about three adopted sisters who go to stage school. Showing at the National Theatre, this story of friendship, growing up and being true to yourself runs until 21 February.
Wassail Day
Another curious tradition, Wassail Day, will be celebrated at Dulwich Village Orchard on 17 January. The London Wildlife Trust will be hosting a Wassail Day that includes singing to apple-producing trees in cider orchards. This particular event includes an orchard tour, live folk music, crafts and more.
REPLAY: A Limitless Recycled Playground at the Southbank Centre
This hugely popular free popular returns to the Southbank Centre and invites kids and their grown-ups to build your own worlds, invent your own games and play with repurposed materials.
REPLAY opens on 14 January and runs until 12 April.
FIFA Women’s Champions Cup
The final of the first-ever FIFA Women’s World Champions Cup takes place in London this month and into February. Also taking place in the capital are the semi-finals and a third-place play off with matches at both Arsenal’s and Brentford’s stadiums.
The semi-final matches have already been confirmed as Arsenal vs AS FAR and Gotham FC vs Corinthians.
Matches takes place between 28 January – 1 February. Tickets are available here.
Buses and Bells at Tower Bridge
Inspired by the true story of the Number 78 bus and the day it jumped over Tower Bridge – and why a bell was so important – this family activity invites kids to make their own bell to take home. Buses and Bells is a free, drop-in vent (included with your ticket) that takes place on Saturday 10 January between 10am and 4pm.
Hogwarts in the Snow
Harry Potter fans still have time to visit Hogwarts in all its winter wonderland glory. Hogwarts has been decorated for the festive season with Christmas trees in the Great Hall, wreaths and a dusting of snow. The last day for Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Bros studio is January 18.
Skate at Somerset House
It’s not quite time to hang up your skates, Somerset House (arguably one of the best ice skating rinks in London at Christmas) is open until 11 January.
Wes Anderson: The Archives at the Design Museum
Fans of Wes Anderson films won’t want to miss this retrospective exhibition devoted to the filmmakers distinctive cinematic output. Produced in collaboration with la Cinémathèque française, the Design Museum has been granted unprecedented access to Wes Anderson’s personal archives from the last three decades.
The exhibition runs until 26 July 2026.
Story Explorers: A journey through imaginary worlds at The British Library
Designed for children aged 2 – 7, this free family event invites young guests to journey through the collection at The British Library and discover the stories behind objects. Step out into space, explore deep in the jungle and dive under the ocean with interactive elements for children to play with and a fun activity trail.
Until Sunday 18 January.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Ongoing at the Natural History Museum is the annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition showcasing some of the world’s best wildlife photographers as they capture “the natural world in all its fragility and diversity”. The 100 photographs on display are always amazing.
Although the NHM itself enjoys free entry, you do need to purchase tickets for the exhibition. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year runs until 12 July 2026.
Frost Fair
Although the River Thames no longer freezes over you can still enjoy the pop-up Frost Fair taking place at Borough Yards this month. Taking place on 31 January, this free event includes Victorian games, outdoor performances, puppeteers, roaming actors, music, interactive sessions and workshops.
Events take place between 11am – 3pm and then 7pm until late. More details will be posted closer to the time.
Winter Light at the Southbank Centre
In addition to the Winter Lights at Canary Wharf there’s the free Winter Light trail at Southbank Centre to help banish the January blues. This colourful light rail continues until the middle of the month and its six installations bring much needed light and colour to the dark winter nights. The trail runs until 18 January
Hawai’i at The British Museum
One for older kids is this fascinating exhibition opening at the British Museum celebrating the history and art of the island of Hawai’i. Expect feathered cloaks worn by chiefs, weapons made with shark’s teeth and works by Native Hawaiian artists.
The exhibition marks more than 200 years since King Liholiho and Queen Kamāmalu travelled across vast oceans on a journey that would mark a turning point in the history of their kingdom, Hawaiʻi. Sadly, they contracted a fatal illness during a visit to the Royal Military Asylum in Chelsea.
The exhibition opens on 15 January and runs until 25 May.
Astronomy Photographer of the Year
Get lost in space at the National Maritime Museum this month with the Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition, showcasing the world’s greatest space photography of glittering stars, shimmering galaxies, fiery suns, sliver moons and more awesome astronomical events.
