Struggling to find things to do in the capital this month? Distract yourself from the gloomy mornings and dark evenings with fun activities, from immersive theatre to pop-up saunas.
January in London has a bad reputation. Dark mornings, post-Christmas bank accounts and some New Year’s resolutions perhaps already abandoned. But as a seasoned Londoner, I believe that January is actually one of the best months to be in the city.
The tourist crowds have vanished; there are post-Christmas deals in shops and restaurants and plenty of pop-ups to get you out and about.
London in January is packed with experiences that will make you forget about the frosty weather and 4pm sunsets, from saunas to immersive experiences. Here’s our guide to making the most of the month in the city.
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Slomo at King’s Cross
15 January to 22 February 2026
Slomo Sauna is back this year as part of the wider Equanimity Festival, and it might be the most quintessentially ‘new year, new me’ experience you can take part in.
Work up a sweat in one of the wood-fired saunas before plunging into an ice bath, all in the middle of King’s Cross.
It’s affordable at £12 per session and will leave you feeling invigorated.
Book at slomo.me
London Short Film Festival
23 January to 1 February 2026
The London Short Film Festival brings together an impressive range of short films from independent producers worldwide. Screenings take place across the capital and feature everything from drama and comedy to documentary, animation, horror and experimental work.
Highlights include industry Q&As, workshops and networking events, making it perfect for anyone with a keen interest in film. The programme champions emerging filmmakers, so you’ll be seeing work that might not get mainstream distribution but absolutely deserves your attention.
Book tickets at shortiflms.org.uk
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London Art Fair
20 to 25 January 2026
Bringing together work from leading British and international artists, the London Art Fair organises talks focusing on both the artwork itself and discussions about the modern art market. It’s more accessible than it sounds — you don’t need to be an art expert or have money to spend.
What makes it worthwhile is the sheer variety of work on display and the opportunity to see what’s currently happening in the contemporary art world. Plus, it’s held indoors, which is always a selling point in January.
Book tickets at londonartfair.co.uk
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Burns Night at Ria’s Pizza
25 January 2026
London’s Scottish community shows the city how it’s done every year on Burns Night, celebrating their national bard Robert Burns with ceilidhs, haggis suppers, poetry readings and more whisky than is probably sensible.
These events are welcoming, lively and a brilliant antidote to January bleakness. Modern Scottish classics abound, including haggis pops and deep-fried Mars bars with Irn Bru ice cream.
Find out more at rias.world
The Burnt City by Punchdrunk
Throughout January
Immersive theatre legend Punchdrunk is closing out its extraordinary production next month, so January is your last chance to experience this stealth-based exploration game, inspired by videogame mechanics. Audiences deploy in teams of four to discover the fate of a disappeared landing vehicle.
It’s genuinely unlike anything else in London theatre scene. You’re not watching a performance; you’re inside it, making choices, solving puzzles and creating your own narrative path. If you’ve never experienced Punchdrunk’s work, this is your last opportunity for a while.
Book tickets at punchdrunk.com
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Free Tea Fridays at the Museum of the Home
Every Friday
Every week, the Museum of the Home hosts drop-in Free Tea Fridays where you can taste locally made tea brands. It’s a small, simple pleasure, but there’s something lovely about taking a pause mid-Friday afternoon to try different teas and chat with other visitors.
The museum itself is worth exploring, hosting exhibitions about how homes and domestic life have changed over the centuries. Admission to the museum is free, so combine your tea tasting with an historical browse.
Discover more at museumofthehome.org.uk
Feature image: London Art Fair
