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What's on in London, January 2021

Our guide to what’s on in London this January. Welcome the new year with our pick of the best things going on in the capital. This January will look a little different due to COVID restrictions, with social distancing the new norm. Highlights of January 2021 include the final days of Christmas theatre. Don’t miss performances of A Christmas Carol and Nutcracker Delights.

Update 2021: You can find information about events taking place during January 2021 on our January 2021 Events page.

January in London

Shows in London, January 2021

Our pick of socially distanced shows and theatre productions showing in London’s West End this January 2021. This year, shows will look a little different with socially distanced seating the new norm. See our complete January theatre listing for all shows on in London this month.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

See the show that everyone’s talking about! This award winning musical is sure to put you in good spirits. Inspired by a true story, with songs that will blow you away, don’t miss it! On show at London’s Apollo Theatre following COVID secure guidelines.

Available Tuesday to Sunday during January 2021

Here Come the Boys

Get ready for a dazzling show as Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers head to Garrick Theatre. Opening on 27 January 2021 for a limited 16-week season, get ready for some sensational dancing! This year’s dancers include Aljaž Škorjanec, Pasha Kovalev, Graziano di Prima and Robin Windsor. And they will be joined by Strictly 2019 Top 3 Finalist Karim Zeroual!

Available from 27 January 2021

Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny Things

See Jimmy Carr in Terribly Funny Things! This roaring comedy show will have you laughing silly with brand new jokes from the iconic comedian. On for a limited run this January 2021 at London’s Palace Theatre in line with COVID secure guidelines.

On show 5-16 January 2021

More January Shows

• The Play that Goes Wrong is on at Duchess Theatre. A hilarious comedy that is sure to get you laughing silly and brighten up your January!
• Love Letters is on at Theatre Royal Haymarket during January 2021. A hugely popular romantic love story
• SIX: The Musical is showing at London’s Lyric Theatre.  The six wives of Henry VIII finally take the mic to tell their tales. Don’t miss it!
• See Death Drops, a Dragatha Christie murder-mystery at London’s Garrick Theatre, with performances until 17th January 2021.
• Starring them, directed by you, Mischief Movie Night is a guaranteed comedy blockbuster! On show until 31st January 2021.

Your Last Chance to See…

Your last chance to see some of the best Christmas theatre. Lots of festive shows end their Christmas performances at the beginning of January 2021. Don’t miss Nutcracker Delights (until 3 January 2021); The Comeback Kids (until 3 January 2021); A Christmas Carol (until 7 January 2021); Potted Panto (until 10 January 2021).

Events in London, January 2021

Hogwarts in the Snow

Catch Hogwarts in the Snow, the Christmas themed installations at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour- the Making of Harry Potter. See the Great Hall dressed up in festive decorations and more! This hugely popular display is running until 17 January 2021 and advanced booking is highly recommended!

A Celebration of Slytherin

A Celebration of Slytherin comes to the Warner Bros Studio Tour from 23 January 2021. Discover the most sinister of Hogwarts houses with amazing displays of all things Slytherin including special decoration in the Great Hall and original banners from the film series. Entrance is included as part of a standard Studio Tour ticket but you must book in advance.

Online Events January

Lots of London events are going online this year due to COVID restrictions. Tune into some virtual festivals this January screened straight from your living room!

• 18-31 Jan – the International Mime Festival heads online this year, celebrating the best of contemporary visual theatre
• 15-24 Jan – this year, the London Short Film Festival will be presented as a hybrid edition showcasing the best short films from around the world. Most events will be screened online, with a few socially distanced events
• Jan 18-?- The annual London art fair will be a digital Fair for 2021.
• 25 Jan – It’s Burns Night, where Scots would normally come together to celebrate. However, this year will be very different due to COVID
• Jan 2021 – VAULT Festival is cancelled this year in a live format. However, there are expected to be digital performances to watch online.

Christmas Events on in January 2021

Catch the end of London’s Christmas events during the first few days of January. Some of the most popular events of the season come to an end, including:

• Update: Cancelled due to COVID – Ice Skating in London: The last few days of ice skating at the Natural History Museum (until 12 Jan); Somerset House (until 12 Jan); The Tower of London (until 5 Jan); Hyde Park Winter Wonderland (until 5 Jan).
• Update: Cancelled due to COVID – Winter Wonderland’s offering festive Christmas destinations filled with food stalls, family events, shows, concerts and more! Don’t miss Hyde Park Winter Wonderland (until 5 Jan); Leicester Square (until 5 Jan); Winter Market at Southbank Centre (until 5 Jan)

New Year’s Day

Welcome 1st January 2021 in style with lots of things to do in London

• New Years Day Tours – take a trip out of the city on New Year’s Day with visits to Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, Oxford and more!
• Update – cancelled due to COVID: New Years Day Parade – thousands of spectators turn out to watch this spectacular event in the heart of Central London

Exhibition on in London, January 2021

Your last chance to see some of the major London exhibitions of last year’s season, as well as some exciting new exhibitions opening in London this January 2021.

• Until 17 Jan 2021: Last chance to see the Titian Exhibition at the National Gallery, showcasing some of the greatest paintings in European art
• Every day: Masterpieces from Buckingham Palace brings to light some of the most important works in the Royal Collection
• Every day: See Fantastic Beasts at the Natural History Museum, where the real and wizarding worlds intertwine!
• Every day: Bags: Inside Out is on at the V&A, exploring the style, function, design and craftsmanship of the ultimate accessory.
• Until 24 Jan 2021: The Artemisia Exhibition showcases 35 works of this extraordinary artist at The National Gallery
• Until 24 Jan 2021: The Tantra Exhibition at the British Museum explores the radical force that transformed the religious, cultural and political landscape of India and beyond
• Every day: Dóra Maurer exhibition at the Tate Modern, the largest UK exhibition of this influential artist, teacher and curator
• Every day: The Turner Exhibition at Tate Britain explores one of Britain’s greatest artists who worked at the peak of the industrial revolution
• Other ongoing exhibitions include – Renaissance Watercolours exhibition at the V&A; Brass, Steel & Fire exhibition at the Science Museum; Arctic: Culture & Climate exhibition at The British Museum

Football Matches in London, January 2021

Update: Football matches are likely to take place behind closed doors due to COVID. Major football matches taking place in London this January 2021, including Premier League, Champions League and Europa League.

What’s Closed in London, January 2021

Please follow the latest government guidelines regarding what is open in London during January 2021. Due to constantly changing COVID restrictions, it is important to check directly with the individual event website to find out the most up to date information.

• Transport is limited on New Year’s Day, with lots of roads closed because of the New Year’s day parade. There will also be reduced service on the tube. It’s recommended to check the Transport for London website for updates.

Find out what’s on in London in February, March & April with our monthly guides.