Here’s everything happening this year worth knowing about, including the return of Mean Girls to the big screen.
January can be a rough month. The festivities of Christmas are long gone, the tree is down, and we’re left with freezing cold weather, dark nights and the overwhelming urge to curl up in bed and shut the world out (the internet girlies are calling this ‘rot girl winter’). If you’re in need of a pick-me-up, look no further than our curated list of exciting new happenings and openings set to hit the UK (and beyond) this year, from walking routes that are sure to dust the cobwebs off, to exhibitions and hotels.
Explore Manchester’s natural beauty on a new walking route
Manchester has plenty to offer, including amazing nightlife and heaps of culture and history to delve into. It might not, however, be the first place you think of when it comes to being one with nature. A £250,000 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant has helped change that, however, with work on a 200-mile pathway walk, known as the GM Ringway Project, expected to be complete by summer. The route has been designed around existing footpaths and open-access land across all of Greater Manchester’s 10 boroughs and will allow visitors to experience a different side of Manchester and soak up all its natural beauty. gmwalking.co.uk
Get a taste of Ibiza in London
Get ready to roll your eyes— another members’ club is opening in London. Regular Ibiza-goers will be all too familiar with Blue Marlin, one of the island’s — and perhaps the world’s — most famous beach clubs. Now, you won’t have to hop on a Jet2 flight to soak up the Balearic vibes, as it’s coming to east London in the form of a members-only club. Set to be housed in the iconic Mondrian Shoreditch, members will be invited to work, exercise and dine in the day, and party as the sun sets. And while we may not be blessed with Ibiza’s climate, the venue promises members a good time, with a cocktail and sushi bar, rooftop pool and regular DJ nights. Where do we sign up? bluemarlinibiza.london
Head to London’s latest restaurant from a top chef
Acclaimed chef Akira Back will be opening his debut UK restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental in Mayfair. Joining his collection of sites across the likes of Las Vegas, Singapore and Paris, Back will be serving up tasty creations inspired by his childhood in Korea, as well as modern takes on traditional Japanese dishes. Think the likes of AB tuna pizza and wagyu tempura wellington, as well as an exciting cocktail menu at ABar Lounge, a new sky-high bolthole also located within the Mandarin Oriental and with dazzling views of the London skyline. mandarinoriental.com
Dance your socks off at Drumsheds
It might not be entirely new, having opened in October 2023, but we’ve been waiting so long for a new club in London that it definitely warrants a mention. Following the closure of Printworks (though don’t worry, it’s reopening in 2026), London’s nightlife scene was desperately crying out for a new venue, and Drumsheds is exactly that. In fact, Tottenham’s former Ikea has been transformed into a 15,000-capacity club spanning 608,000sq ft — that’s more than double the size of Printworks. The venue will host a number of events for music lovers, with everything from into techno to drum and bass and disco — each complemented by high-quality lighting and visuals in the industrial space. Upcoming events include performances from the likes of Craig David and Eats Everything, with more to be announced throughout the year. drumshedslondon.com
Visit the number-one European city for foodies
According to a study by Solo Female Travelers Tours, Paris has been named the top European city for foodies to visit in 2024. So, if unforgettable cuisine is an important factor for you when looking for inspiration for your next getaway, a trip to the city of love might be just the thing for you. From Michelin-starred restaurants to traditional bistros and natural wine bars, Paris really does have it all. If you’re looking for something traditionally French, we love Joséphine Chez Dumonet, and if you’re looking for exceptional steak frites, Le Relais de l’Entrecôte is truly a must-visit.
Be the first to experience Manchester’s newest music venue
Another thriving addition to Manchester’s thriving nightlife and music scene is set to open in 2024. Co-op live will be a brand new 23,500-capacity, cutting-edge performance stadium with a ‘smart bowl’ design that’s been specifically created to bring fans closer to the action. It’s been backed by Harry Styles and Bruce Springsteen, and announced acts include the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Nicki Minaj and Eric Clapton. Of the project, Harry Styles said “I’m incredibly proud to be partnering with OVG on its plans for Co-op Live. Manchester is an incredible city, filled with incredible people and I couldn’t be happier being involved in this project. It very much feels like coming home.” cooplive.com
Discover the exhibition of the decade
Last year, we all lost our minds when Barbie finally hit the cinemas, and we enjoyed the never-ending list of marketing activities that came with it — we saw a bookable Barbie Dreamhouse on Airbnb, a Barbie-themed boat cruise and even a Barbie X Burger King collab (did anyone ever get round to trying that?). This year, the shortage of pink is set to continue thanks to a new exhibition being held at The Design Museum. Barbie®: The Exhibition will run from 5 July 2024 until 23 February 2025, and will map the Barbie legacy that started in 1959, exploring the story of Barbie through a design lens, with a focus on fashion, architecture, furniture, and popular culture. This Barbie can’t wait. designmuseum.org
Enjoy new airline routes and openings from airports across the UK
Planning your holidays for the year? Discover more destinations with new, more accessible routes from a whole host of UK airports. Those in search of some winter sun can now fly direct to Fuerteventura with British Airways from London Gatwick, with flights available twice weekly. Elsewhere in the capital, Virgin Atlantic has launched a year-round service from Heathrow to Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos, again running twice a week. And good news for Northerners — Virgin Atlantic has launched a summer service to Las Vegas from Manchester Airport, while Jet2 will be launching a weekly service to Crete this summer. For those looking to explore more of Europe, Jet2 will be launching new routes into Rome and Malta from Edinburgh Airport in the early spring.
Read more: Seven products to take on hand luggage-only trips
Discover unrivalled luxury in Thailand
A new year means a new hotel from the Aman group. If you’re a fan of luxury travel, it’s likely you’re already familiar with Aman Luxury Resorts, a chain of hotels and resorts so exclusive and with such a loyal fan base that it’s even been dubbed a cult (if it is, where do we sign up?). No request is too much for the team behind Aman — a guest once requested a white Christmas while staying at Amanjena Marrakech, so, reportedly, staff members travelled to the Atlas Mountains on Christmas Eve to collect snow to make their request possible. Snow might be too much of a stretch for its latest opening in Bangkok, though. Set to open mid 2024, the five-star bolthole will reportedly contain 50 residencies and be home to a number of ‘unparalleled leisure and entertainment facilities’ within its setting in the beautiful and leafy Nai Lert Park. aman.com
Get your applications in for Soho House Scotland
For years, Scots have been deprived of the joy of the picante. All that is about to change. Get ready to pledge your creativity and coolness by applying to join Soho House Glasgow, located just off George Square. The members’ club will be set across four floors, and will have various spaces where members can work (during laptop hours), eat, drink and socialise, including a roof terrace — there’s no mention yet whether the rooftop will house a pool, but one can only hope. Will you be joining? sohohouse.com
Soak up the vibe in Europe’s Capital(s) of Culture
Europe’s designated ‘Capitals of Culture’ for 2024 have been named, and they include Bad Ischl in Austria, Tartu in Estonia and Bodø in Norway. We’re extremely pleased that Norway is being recognised for its ‘cool’ status, as in recent years it’s been outshone by a few of its Scandinavian neighbours — namely Copenhagen and Stockholm. It’s well worth a visit, being home to urban swim spots and saunas, cool shops and plenty of galleries — plus, if you go at the right time, you might even spot the Northern Lights. Bad Ischl and Tartu are equally as exciting, with the former a great place to take to the slopes – and the latter a haven for historical sights and scenic settings.
Mean Girls is returning to the big screen
It’s exactly 20 years since Regina George and Cady Heron became the it-girls of the decade and inspired Halloween costumes for years to come. Now, the hit film is set to return to the big screen in the form of a musical, produced by none other than Tina Fey. While the trailer hasn’t given much away as to what we can expect, it’s of course going to be a must-see for Mean Girls fans, and the launch has already inspired a host of pop-ups and happenings across the capital: SOUND Cafe at The Cumberland Hotel will be celebrating the launch with a free Mean Girls- themed cocktail for anyone who wears pink. And if that wasn’t enough, The Plastics will also be hitting the West End live at the Savoy Theatre from June 2024. That’s so fetch.
The Standard has launched a sister brand
It’s set to be a huge year for hotel openings. If you’re a fan of Standard hotels, we’ve got good news: it’s launched a sister brand, with the first venue set to open Down Under in Melbourne. The StandardX has been dubbed a ‘rebellious’ brand, and the first outpost promises minimalist rooms, cultural programmes and lots of other artsy factors. Located in ultra-hip Fitzroy, StandardX Melbourne will be home to 125 rooms, a rooftop restaurant and stunning features by local artist Sarah Smalltown. There’s set to be further openings in the likes of Brooklyn, Austin and Bangkok, so keep your eyes peeled for further news on those, too. standardx.com
Six Senses is finally launching in London
The UK is finally getting its own Six Senses hotel, set to open mid-2024 at The Whiteley, Bayswater. The wellness- and sustainability-focused brand has promised a huge new spa and wellness space, complete with a high-tech fitness area, 20-metre indoor pool and a relaxation space. It will also introduce “a new kind of social and wellness club, unlike anything we have seen in this great city”, according to Six Senses CEO, Neil Jacobs. sixsenses.com
Read more: Easy ways to look after yourself this flu season
Nobu Portman Square has launched new wellness retreats
Feeling somewhat burnt out? Nobu Portman Square has just the thing. Its brand new Shiawase Overnight Stay Package will include a rejuvenating Pilates class, a detox Bento box paired with Everleaf mocktails, and the chance to explore a new exhibition dedicated to renewal and sustainability. Of course, guests will also be able to take full advantage of the luxurious Nobu rooms, which feature opulent bath tubs and toiletries, as well as huge, plush beds. Be quick, though, as the Shiawase offering is only running until the end of January. london-portman.nobuhotels.com
