London's New Year's Day Parade 2018
1st January 2018
12noon
Welcome to the What's On section - and never be bored again! Whatever your interests or the size of your budget, you'll find an event that's right up your street... and on your doorstep.
January
Jan
01
This incredible spectacle starts at Piccadilly and sparkles through the capital, finishing at Parliament Street. Expect dancers, acrobats, cheerleaders, marching bands and historic vehicles, all bringing in the New Year with a mix of contemporary pizzazz and a spot of ‘traditional pomp and ceremony’. Over 10,000 performers take part, both from local boroughs and overseas. You can watch it live on TV, but wouldn’t you prefer to be there?
FREE
Piccadilly, London
020 3275 0190
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Jan
06
Enigma Winter Marathon Double
6th & 7th January 2018
8am & 9.30am
Milton Keynes-based running group Enigma play host to popular marathons across the calendar and kick-start the New Year with a double! Both races involve scenic laps of the wonderful Caldecotte Lake, making this sporting event a great day out for spectators. As well as cheering on the runners, there’s watersports, birdwatching and kid’s activities to enjoy against a truly picture-perfect backdrop. Or, you can simply sit beside the tranquil waters and watch out for the resident waterfowl, dragon and damselflies.
FREE
Race starts at: Premier Inn, Lakeside Grove, Bletcham Way, Caldecotte, Milton Keynes MK7 8HP
07763 838194
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Jan
14
Experience: life drawing @ City Lit
14th January 2018
10am to 5pm
Ever wanted to try out life drawing but didn’t know where to start or if it was for you? City Lit is offering beginners the opportunity to try out drawing the nude figure from observation, under the guidance of an experienced tutor. As simple exercises show you how to get proportions right and you experiment with different materials, your confidence will soar, and we’re certain you’ll be back to complete another course. Classes are friendly, supportive and packed full of advice and encouragement.
£69 (£42 concessions)
1-10 Keeley Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 4BA
020 7492 2700/2703
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Jan
16
Winter Lights Festival
16th to 27th January
5pm-10pm
The close of the festive season needn’t mean farewell to fabulously sparkly stuff. Here you can see the January sky lit with angels, graffiti and poetry. This is the free festival’s third year and it just keeps getting better – enabling visitors to see the work of global ‘Light Art’ artists up close. There are over 30 illuminated and magical pieces on view, including Lillian Lijn’s breath-taking sculptures fashioned out of only light.
FREE
Canary Wharf, London E14
020 7418 2000
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Jan
17
Ride in Movie
17th January 2018
7pm
Shake off those post-festivity cobwebs by working out… whilst watching a movie! Yes, you heard us right. Jump aboard an indoor cycle inside the world-famous venue and, whilst exerting some pedal power, catch an iconic film. Follow @LeeValleyVP on Twitter and wait for four famous Brit flicks to be announced. You vote for your fave, and hopefully it will be selected for screening whilst New Year fitness seekers cycle cinematic-style inside the VeloStudio. Age 14+ Peddle fast, peddle slow, anything goes. Bring your own water and towel… but no popcorn please!
£7
Lee Valley Velo Park, Abercrombie Road, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London E20 3AB
03000 030 610
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Jan
18
Lumiere London
18th-21st January 2018
Various times
The second edition of this Mayor of London-commissioned light festival returns to the capital in January, and promises to be bigger, brighter and bolder. The city’s iconic architecture and famous streets will be transformed with installations by over 40 artists, some from these shores, others are international. It’s free to take in this ‘dazzling nocturnal art gallery’ as it stretches city-wide from north to south, across both sides of the river Thames. Key festival areas include King's Cross, Fitzrovia, the West End, Trafalgar Square to Victoria, and South Bank and Waterloo. Visit website to sign up for the newsletter, and be first to hear the latest Lumiere news.
FREE
Various locations
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Jan
20
Adventure Travel Show
20th & 21st January
check website for times
If off-grid adventures are your thing, the Olympia London is the essential destination this January. The Adventure Travel Show offers you everything you need to know about must-go destinations for 2018 and insider tips from adventure experts. There are over 100 free talks to listen into and, additionally, there’s the chance to attend a travel photography or writing seminar, or even kick back at the Adventure Travel Film Festival.
Day ticket £8, weekend ticket £12
Olympia London, Hammersmith Road W14 8UX
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Jan
20
London Indoor Games 2018 – U17
20th January 2018
1.30pm-8pm
The impressive Lee Valley Athletics Centre plays host yet again to the Under-17s individual championships – a chance to see the stars of the future compete in a host of disciplines (everything from shot put to pole vault) or, if you know a young person with a talent for track or field, they’ve got until Sunday 14th January 2018 to submit their entry. So, whether you’re watching your loved one shine, or you attend simply for the spectacle… it’s guaranteed to be a high-octane and super-fun day.
£8 to enter, free to spectate
Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton, London N9 0AR
03000 030 610
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Jan
23
Antiques & Textiles Fair
23rd-28th January
check website for times
Looking to revamp your home in 2018? This wonderful fair has all the inspiration you’ll ever need and you’ll be surrounded not only by the amazing stuff for the home but design professionals in the know too. Whether you just want to look or fancy splashing your savings, this is a great day out for those about to release their inner decorator.
£10 on the door
Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ
020 7616 9327
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Jan
26
British Diving Championships 2018
26th-28th January
check website for times
The very best of British diving will be making a splash at the Plymouth Life Centre this month, and you’ll be able to see for yourself who is looking on top form for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. This is the country’s biggest domestic diving competition and the location is amazing (Olympic-sized no less) – who knows, you might be inspired to take a lesson yourself?
From £10
Plymouth Life Centre, 40 Mayflower Drive, Plymouth PL2 3DG
01752 606900
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Jan
26
Diana: Her Fashion Story, Kensington Pal
Daily throughout 2018
10am-4pm
She was perhaps the greatest global fashion icon ever, and no-one since has attracted the incredible levels of what’s-she-wearing-today attention. This is an unmissable opportunity to see some of Diana’s iconic clothes up close – from her dazzling 80s ball gowns to the more mature suits and tailored shifts she wore so elegantly in the 90s. This exhibition is a necessity for Diana fans, fashion addicts and history buffs alike. The location is incredible too – don’t miss out, book early!
Free for members & children, £15.50 (adults), £12.30 (concessions)
Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens W8 4PX
020 3166 6000
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Jan
27
Big Garden Birdwatch
27th-29th January
check website for times
This annual shout out nature lovers is a great way to appreciate the winter season and support the work of the wonderful RSPB. The country’s famous bird protection organisation is asking folks of all ages across the country to take a little time out to wait and watch for birds visiting their gardens and to scribble down what species they spy. The RSPB will use the information in their invaluable research. They provide you with all the info and documents you’ll need in a free pack (see website).
FREE
Nationwide
01767 680551
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Jan
28
Hogwarts in the Snow
28th January 2018
Check website for times
Step inside the wonderful world of Harry Potter and brush away the January blues. The Great Hall welcomes you and is festively dressed to impress – best of all, the top table is the Yule Ball, complete with snow, icicles and an orchestra of magical instruments! This magical escape is based at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, and in addition to taking in the studio’s glittering winter ‘coat’, you can check out props, costumes and models used in the actual franchise. An unmissable and enchanted treat for Hogwarts fans.
£69 (adult with transportation), £64 (child with transportation), £256 (family with transportation)
Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, WD25 7LR
0845 084 0900
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