London’s Iconic Sites to Explore in January 2027
London in January is a magical experience. With the holiday rush over, the city feels calmer yet no less vibrant. It’s an excellent time for budget-conscious travellers to explore the charm of the capital without breaking the bank. Whether you’re staying at a cosy London hostel, navigating the sights as a London Backpackers, or just looking for unique spots near Hendon Central, there’s something for everyone.
Here’s your guide to enjoying January in London, tailored for youth hostels and backpackers seeking a mix of affordability and adventure.
30+ Things to Do in London in January 2027
January in London offers a unique blend of winter charm and cultural richness. With fewer tourists and a quieter atmosphere, it’s an ideal time to explore the city’s iconic sites and hidden gems. Here’s a curated list of activities and events to make the most of your January visit:
1. New Year’s Day Parade
About: Start the New Year with one of London’s most colourful annual celebrations. The New Year’s Day Parade features thousands of performers, including marching bands, dancers, acrobats, cheerleaders and international groups, creating a lively street spectacle through central London.
Date: 1 January 2027
Venue: Central London parade route – Piccadilly, Regent Street, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall and Westminster.
Price: Free & Paid Options – Free to watch from the streets. Grandstand seating is available with paid tickets.
2. January Sales Shopping
About: January sales are one of the best times to shop in London, with retailers offering seasonal discounts across fashion, beauty, electronics and luxury goods. Visitors can explore famous shopping destinations such as Oxford Street, Regent Street, Covent Garden and Westfield London for end-of-season offers.
Date: 1-31 January 2027
Venue: Major shopping areas across London.
Price: Paid
3. Fleurs de Villes DIANA
About: Fleurs de Villes DIANA is an immersive floral exhibition celebrating the life, style and legacy of Diana, Princess of Wales. The exhibition features creative floral installations inspired by iconic moments, fashion and cultural influences.
Date: 1–11 January 2027
Venue: Somerset House, London
Price: Paid – Tickets are required
4. Donny Osmond
About: Donny Osmond returns to London for live performances, giving fans the opportunity to see the legendary singer perform live at Eventim Apollo.
Date: 5 – 6 January 2027
Venue: Eventim Apollo, London
Price: Paid
5. Inbetween Days: A New All Day Indie Indoor Festival
About: Inbetween Days is an indoor indie music festival featuring live performances from alternative and independent artists. The event brings together music fans for a full day of live sets, creating a festival atmosphere in a central London venue during the winter season.
Date: 9 January 2027
Venue: Electric Ballroom, Camden, London
Time: 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Performance starts at 9:00 PM)
Price: Paid
6. Rockaway Beach Festival
About: Rockaway Beach is an alternative music festival featuring indie, rock and electronic performances in a relaxed seaside setting. The festival combines live music with a weekend getaway experience for music lovers.
Date: 8–11 January 2027
Venue: Butlin’s Resort, Bognor Regis, West Sussex
Price: Paid
7. Luxury Soul Weekender
About: Luxury Soul Weekender is a music festival celebrating soul, Motown and R&B music. The event features live performances, DJ sets and entertainment for fans of classic and contemporary soul music.
Date: 8–10 January 2027
Venue: Blackpool, Lancashire
Price: Paid
8. Queen vs ABBA by Candlelight
About: Queen vs ABBA by Candlelight is a live music experience celebrating two of the world’s most iconic bands. The performance features classical arrangements of famous Queen and ABBA songs in a candlelit concert setting, offering a unique evening for music lovers.
Date: 9 January 2027
Venue: Central Hall Westminster, London
Price: Paid
9. Wassail Day at Dulwich Village Orchard
About: Experience a traditional English orchard celebration at Dulwich Village Orchard. Wassailing is an old countryside tradition where communities gather to bless apple trees for a successful harvest, often featuring seasonal activities, music and local community participation.
Date: 9 January 2027
Venue: Dulwich Village Orchard, London
Price: Free
10. Adventure Travel Show
About: The Adventure Travel Show brings together adventure travel companies, tour operators, explorers and travel experts. Visitors can discover unique destinations, attend inspiring talks, meet travel specialists and find ideas for future adventure holidays.
Date: 9-10 January 2027
Venue: Business Design Centre, London
Price: TBC
11. Johnstone’s Paint Masters Snooker
About: The Johnstone’s Paint Masters is one of snooker’s most prestigious tournaments, bringing together the world’s top players for a week of competitive matches. Held at Alexandra Palace, the event offers visitors the chance to watch professional snooker in one of London’s most iconic sporting venues.
Date: 10-17 January 2027
Venue: Alexandra Palace, London
Price: Paid
12. KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities by Cirque du Soleil
About: KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities brings Cirque du Soleil’s distinctive combination of acrobatics, visual spectacle and theatrical performance to London. The production takes audiences into a fantastical world filled with unusual characters and imaginative performances.
Date: 13 January – 28 February 2027
Venue: Royal Albert Hall, London
Price: Paid
13. Bill Bailey: Vaudervillean
About: Bill Bailey brings Vaudervillean to London, combining stand-up comedy, music and theatrical performance in a show inspired by the traditional variety format.
Date: 13 January – 6 February 2027
Venue: Theatre Royal Haymarket, London
Price: Paid
14. Romeo and Juliet – English National Ballet
About: English National Ballet presents Rudolf Nureyev’s celebrated production of Romeo and Juliet, bringing Shakespeare’s tragic love story to life through classical ballet. Set to Sergei Prokofiev’s powerful score, the performance combines dramatic storytelling, impressive choreography and live orchestral music.
Date: 14–24 January 2027
Venue: London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, London
Price: Paid
15. January Blues Festival
About: Enjoy live blues performances throughout January at this annual London music festival. The event brings together blues musicians and fans for intimate live shows featuring established and emerging artists.
Date: 15–30 January 2027
Venue: 229 London, Great Portland Street, London
Price: Paid
16. Screening the French Riviera: Bonjour Tristesse
About: Step into the glamour of the French Riviera with a special screening of Otto Preminger’s classic Bonjour Tristesse. Adapted from Françoise Sagan’s acclaimed novel, the 1958 film captures the beauty and atmosphere of the Côte d’Azur. The screening is part of the Royal Academy of Arts’ French Riviera programme, making it a great choice for film and art lovers visiting London in January.
Date: 15 January 2027
Venue: Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London
Price: Paid
17. Decorative Winter Fair – Battersea Park
About: Visit one of London’s leading decorative arts fairs, featuring antique furniture, artwork, jewellery, textiles and unique interior design pieces. The fair attracts collectors, designers and visitors looking for distinctive vintage and decorative items.
Date: 19–24 January 2027
Venue: Evolution London, Battersea Park, London
Price: Paid
18. Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival
About: Discover Canary Wharf transformed into an outdoor gallery of illuminated artworks during the Winter Lights Festival. The event features large-scale light installations created by international artists, offering visitors a unique evening experience combining art, technology and photography.
Date: January 19 to January 30, 2027
Venue: Canary Wharf Estate, London
Price: Free
19. London International Mime Festival
About: The London International Mime Festival is one of the world’s leading festivals dedicated to contemporary visual theatre and non-verbal performance. The festival brings together international artists showcasing mime, physical theatre, puppetry, circus and experimental performances, offering audiences a unique alternative to traditional theatre.
Date: January 9 – February 6, 2027
Venue: Various theatres and performance spaces across London
Price: Paid
20. London Art Fair
About: London Art Fair brings together galleries, artists and collectors to showcase modern and contemporary art. Visitors can explore paintings, photography, sculpture and emerging artists while attending exhibitions, talks and curated programmes.
Date: 20–24 January 2027
Venue: Business Design Centre, Islington, London
Price: Paid
21. London Short Film Festival
About: The London Short Film Festival celebrates independent cinema by showcasing short films from emerging and established filmmakers. The festival includes film screenings, special programmes, filmmaker discussions and experimental cinema events across London venues.
Date: 22–31 January 2027
Venue: Various cinemas and cultural venues across London
Price: Paid
22. MegaCon Live London
About: MegaCon Live London is a popular pop culture convention bringing together fans of movies, television, comics, anime, gaming and collectibles. Visitors can enjoy celebrity appearances, cosplay competitions, creator sessions, gaming zones, merchandise stalls and interactive experiences for all ages.
Date: 23–24 January 2027
Venue: ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, London
Price: Paid
23. Burns Night in London
About: Celebrate Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns with traditional Burns Night events across London. Visitors can experience Scottish traditions including haggis dinners, whisky, poetry readings, bagpipe performances and ceilidh dancing at restaurants and venues throughout the city.
Date: 25 January 2027
Venue: Various restaurants, pubs and event venues across London
Price: Paid
24. Up Helly Aa Fire Festival (Shetland)
About: Experience one of Scotland’s most famous heritage festivals, celebrating Shetland’s Viking history through torchlit processions, Viking costumes, music and the dramatic burning of a Viking longship. It offers visitors a unique insight into local traditions and community celebrations.
Date: 26 January 2027
Venue: Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland
Price: TBC
25. The Festival of Genomics & Biodata
About: The Festival of Genomics & Biodata is a leading healthcare and life sciences event bringing together researchers, healthcare professionals, technology experts and industry leaders. The event focuses on genomics, precision medicine, artificial intelligence and the future of healthcare innovation.
Date: 27–28 January 2027
Venue: ExCeL London, London
Price: Paid
26. The Classic Rock Show
About: The Classic Rock Show celebrates some of the greatest rock music from legendary bands and artists. The live performance features powerful vocals, impressive musicianship and classic tracks from iconic rock acts, creating an entertaining experience for music fans.
Date: 28 January – 30 January 2027
Venue: Cadogan Hall, London, London SW1X 9DQ
Price: Paid
27. Kevin Bridges: Here If You Need Me
About: Kevin Bridges returns with his latest stand-up show featuring his trademark storytelling, sharp observations and humour based on everyday experiences. The show offers audiences an evening of live comedy from one of Scotland’s most recognised comedians.
Date: 28–31 January 2027
Venue: London Palladium, London
Price: Paid
28. Two Door Cinema Club – 15th Anniversary Tour
About: Two Door Cinema Club celebrate 15 years of their music career with a special anniversary tour. Fans can enjoy live performances of the band’s popular indie-rock tracks along with songs from their wider catalogue.
Date: 28 January 2027
Venue: The O2 Arena, London
Price: Paid
29. BLOK3
About: BLOK3 is a live music event featuring performances from emerging and established artists in a high-energy concert setting. The event brings together music fans for a night of live performances, entertainment and contemporary music experiences in London.
Date: 29 January 2027
Venue: The O2, London
Price: Paid
30. Jack Whitehall: Bad Influence
About: Jack Whitehall brings his stand-up comedy show Bad Influence to London, combining personal stories, observations and his signature comedic style. The show is part of his UK comedy tour and offers an evening of live entertainment.
Date: 30 January 2027
Venue: The O2 Arena, London
Price: Paid
31. West End Theatre Shows
About: Experience world-class theatre productions in London’s West End. Popular shows include
Billy Elliot The Musical, Romeo & Juliet, The Play That Goes Wrong, The Devil Wears Prada, Breaking the Waves, Cabaret, Legally Blonde, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Phantom of the Opera, Paddington – The Musical, The Traitors – Acts of Betrayal, Miss Saigon, Singin’ In The Rain.
Date: From January (TBC)
Venue: Various Theaters in London
Price: Paid
Make Your January London Trip One to Remember
January is a great time to experience London at a slower pace, with fewer crowds, seasonal events, cultural experiences and plenty of free attractions to enjoy. For backpackers and budget-conscious visitors, January is also an ideal month to enjoy London without the peak-season rush.
Staying at a convenient hostel in Hendon with affordable accommodation options and comfortable rooms, along with quieter attractions and a wide range of free and low-cost activities, allows you to experience the best of the capital while making the most of your travel budget. Pack your winter essentials, plan your itinerary and get ready to experience the capital at its most charming.
