Things To Do
Things to do in London This Week
Looking for things to do in London this week? We've got you covered
Highlights from this week (26 January – 1 February) include midweek gigs, vibey weekend brunches, sidesplitting comedy nights, the very best of West End theatre and some London museums that you probably haven’t heard of, plus some of London’s best seasonal events to get you in the festive spirit.
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Seasonal Events | Music & Nightlife | Comedy & Theatre | Immersive Experiences | Sports | Family & Kids | Museums | Food & Drink | Community & Culture
Music & Nightlife
Dance to BOPS’ vibrant indie from Brittany
Where? New Cross Inn, 323 New Cross Road, London, SE14 6AS
When: Tuesday 27 January
Ηailing from Rennes in neighbouring Brittany, France, BOPS are back in the UK for a hefty dose of spirited, English-speaking indie pop you can experience ‘On the Sofa’ or, better yet, live at the dependably raucous New Cross Inn this Tuesday. London guests Khepera and Bulmaera add an extra alt-grunge and post-punk edge for the warm-up.
Get tickets to BOPS at New Cross Inn
Catch a wave of emerging talent, courtesy of InPop
Where? O2 Academy Islington, N1 Centre, 16 Parkfield Street, London, N1 0PS
When: 29 & 30 January
A platform for emerging artists with regular showcases around London, InPop presents two solid line-ups this week: head to O2 Academy Islington this Thursday for a barrage of electrifying hooks and introspective, acoustic songwriting from headliner Thiago Trosso and Steel Frog. ODII, The Cellar Doors, Stone Compasse, while Henry Boston, Gonul, Pecadito and Miyah take turns on stage this Friday.
Get tickets to InPop at O2 Academy Islington
Grab a table for Chrisette Michele’s Soul Mama debut
Where? Soul Mama, Gantry Hotel (Curio Collection by Hilton), London, E201DB
When: Friday 30 January
With a Grammy Award win for Best Urban/Alternative Performance (‘Be OK’) and starry rap collabs with the likes of JAY-Z, Nas, Rick Ross and Drake under her belt, Chrisette Michele comes with some serious credentials. Following a long hiatus, she takes the stage this Friday at the intimate Soul Mama for a glimpse of new material coming in 2026. Expect both the music and the menu’s African, Caribbean and South American flavours to be sizzling and deliciously diverse.
Get tickets to Chrisette Michele at Soul Mama
Celebrate the late J Dilla’s hip-hop mastery
Where? Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Road, London, SW9 8PQ
When: 30 January
It’s been nearly 20 years since J Dilla’s untimely passing, when hip-hop lost a supremely influential rapper-producer and one of the Detroit scene’s greatest exports. So Pop Brixton is duly celebrating his groove-infested prowess and winding instrumentals with a free party (with RSVP) this Friday: J Dilla Vibez… by DOPE VIBEZ will be featuring selections from Shortee Blitz, DJ Mr THing, Sarah Love and hosted by Trinigladiata, stretching all the way to midnight.
Get tickets to DOPE VIBEZ at Pop Brixton
Comedy & Theatre
Get Up Close and Magical with illusionist Stephen Frayne
Where? Underbelly Boulevard Soho, 6 Walker’s Court, Soho, London, W1F 0BT.
When: 30 January – 28 February
Once a kid with big dreams from a council estate in Bradford, Stephen Frayne, formerly known as Dynamo, has risen to become one of the world’s greatest illusionists with a repertory spanning head-scratching card tricks and his personal take on Houdini’s death-defying classics. From this Friday, he gets Up Close and Magical with fans during a limited run of 34 shows in Soho, showcasing classics from across his career and brand-new magic. Prepare for the impossible.
Get tickets to Stephen Frayne at Underbelly Boulevard Soho
Catch some bonkers comedy with Sam Campbell
Where? Up the Creek Comedy Club, 302 Creek Road, London, SE10 9SW
When: Sunday 1 February
Up the Creek’s mood-setting Sundays are candlelit, and comedy’s served with Happy Hour cocktails, so come end your week on a perfectly calibrated high: headlining A Night at Up the Creek this month is Australian comedian Sam Campbell, an Edinburgh Comedy Festival award winner and Taskmaster champion. Rib-tickling support is readily provided by podcaster Elis James and emerging talents Evaldos Karosas and Wes Defoe.
Get tickets to Sam Campbell at Up The Creek Comedy Club
Get nerdy at an ingeniously comical Evening Of Unnecessary Detail
Where? Up The Creek Comedy Club, 302 Creek Road, London, SE10 9SW
When: Monday 26 January
Festival of the Spoken Nerd, aka the trio of stand-up mathematician Matt Parker, YouTube experiments maestro Steve Mould and geek songstress Helen Arney, have new material and they’re fittingly testing it in Greenwich, of Prime Meridian fame. Come flex your brain and laughter muscles at An Evening Of Unnecessary Detail, a delightful deluge of comedy, maths and science this Monday, and leave wiser and wonderfully uplifted for the weekly grind to come.
Get tickets to an Evening Of Unnecessary Detail at Up The Creek Comedy Club
Catch the West End adaptation of classic western High Noon
Where? Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, London, United Kingdom, SW1Y 4DN
When: 12 January – 6 March
With four Oscars under its belt, the Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly-starring 1952 classic High Noon is considered one of the finest westerns ever made. And this week, it’s making its world premiere in the West End in a stage adaptation by Oscar-winning writer Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, Dune), with Olivier Award-winner Thea Sharrock (The Bodyguard) directing Tony and Emmy award-winner Billy Crudup (The Morning Show) and Olivier award-winner Denise Gough (Andor) in the leading roles. In a few words, a stellar team all round. It might be set in the the 1800s, but its themes of courage vs. cowardice and justice vs. peace feel as urgent as ever.
Get tickets to High Noon at Harold Pinter Theatre
Get spooked by Paranormal Activity — live on stage
Where? Ambassadors Theatre, West St, London, WC2H 9ND
When: 12 January – 25 April
If you think the films were scary, wait until you see the real thing! Paranormal Activity follows James and Lou, who have just moved from Chicago to London to escape their past. But it’s not the places that are haunted; it’s the people. Written by Levi Holloway, directed by Artistic Director of Punchdrunk and international hit Sleep No More Felix Barrett, and featuring expert twists by theatre illusion designer Chris Fisher, it pretty much guarantees jump scares galore. Get ready to feel the chill.
Get tickets to Paranormal Activity at Ambassadors Theatre
Catch Sheridan Smith’s new play Woman in Mind
Where? Duke of York’s Theatre, St. Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4BG
When: 9 December 2025 – 28 February 2026
Susan’s family is far from perfect — but when the neglected vicar’s wife bumps her head, the lines between sad reality and ideal fantasy begin to blur. Olivier Award winner Sheridan Smith takes the lead in Alan Ayckbourn’s darkly comic psychological drama Woman in Mind, with award-winning comedian Ranganathan making his West End debut as her psychiatrist. Directed by Michael Longhurst (former Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse, Constellations), the acclaimed play wittily grapples with themes of family dynamics, identity and mental health — another tour de force for Smith, who returns to Duke of York’s after one-woman hit Shirley Valentine.
Get tickets to Woman in Mind at Duke of York’s Theatre
Immersive Experiences
Salute the platypus at Phantom Peak
Where? Phantom Peak London, Surrey Quays Rd, Canada Water, London SE16 7PJ
When: Until 28 February 2026
No that’s not a euphemism. Trying to explain the platypus connection to Phantom Peak is like trying to explain everything else to do with London’s oddest immersive experience: you probably shouldn’t, and you probably can’t. A steampunk Wild West cosplay adventure, interactive live role-playing experience, retro arcade, swanky bar, great restaurant and indefinable mystery games night all in one, Phantom Peak has won multiple awards, including the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2024 & 2025. So come down with family and friends or just get merry with new townsfolk, frame guys and solve murders this Christmas for a Peak-perfect holiday adventure you won’t be forgetting any time soon.
Step into a multi-sensory art experience at FRAMELESS
Where? FRAMELESS, 6 Marble Arch, London W1H 7AP
When: Open daily
When you really love a painting, you don’t want to just look at it — you want to live in it. An immersive experience redefining the concept of art exhibition as we know it, FRAMELESS assembles 42 famous artworks by great masters like Cezanne, Kandinsky, Dali, Klimt, Van Gogh and many more, turning each classic into a full-blown, multi-sensory spectacle. Across four distinct galleries, you can now step into a world Beyond Reality, see Colour in Motion, learn The Art of Abstraction and see stunning new perspectives of The World Around Us in a series of eye-popping displays that take each artwork to a whole new level.
Let the backstabbing begin at The Traitors: Live Experience
Where? 60 Short’s Gardens, Covent Garden, WC2H
When: Until February 2026
While The Celebrity Traitors are mercilessly keeping us in suspense this season, it’s time to get yourself a proper seat at The Round Table. Let the mind games begin, not quite in an imposing Scottish castle, but in the heart of historic Covent Garden where the two-hour The Traitors: Live Experience sinisterly twists the truth and blurs the lines between friends and foes. Designed to be played with strangers in addition to your own group, the game ups the ante of trickery, making it harder to spot the liars among the Faithfuls as you compete for the grand prize. Trust no one.
Get tickets to The Traitors: Live Experience
Understand physics through art at Quantum Untangled
Where? Science Gallery London, King’s College London, Guy’s Campus, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9GU
When: Until 28 February
Whether you’re a quantum physics geek or the closest you’ve got to the theory was James Bond’s Quantum of Solace, drop by King’s College this week for the free exhibition Quantum Untangled, part of a global initiative celebrating 100 years of quantum mechanics.
Think interactive artworks, immersive sculptural installations and a mix of film, photography, philosophy and poetry exploring how the quantum has the power to transform our futures. And who knows, you might even decide to take a quantum leap of faith further into the free season and join the Friday Lates and panel discussion.
Find out more about Quantum Untangled at Science Gallery London
Sports
Gear up for a blistering fight night with Adam Azim vs. Gustavo Lemos
Where? Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E203HB
When: Saturday 31 January
A 23-year-old British-Pakistani boxing talent with a perfect professional record of 14 wins, including 11 by knockout, Adam Azim has his eyes firmly set on the world title. This Saturday at the Copper Box Arena, he will be facing the Argentine Gustavo Lemos (30–2, 20 KOs), a formidable opponent who’s only been defeated by current world champions. Gear up for a forceful display of relentless speed and skill — the countdown is on.
Get tickets to Adam Azim vs. Gustavo Lemos at Copper Box Arena
Watch gravity-defying “insects” at Cirque du Soleil’s OVO
Where? Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP
When: 9 January – 1 March
Leaping crickets, juggling ants and soaring butterflies will have you buzzing with excitement: inspired by real and imaginary creatures, Cirque du Soleil’s OVO is back in London for a series of colour-popping, gravity-defying performances, driven by a biodiverse love story and a Brazilian-influenced score that will immerse you in a world of joy and wonder.
Get tickets to Cirque du Soleil’s OVO at Royal Albert Hall
Family & Kids
Get creative with the kids at Saatchi
Where? Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, London, SW3 4RY
When: 31 January, 7 & 14 February
Inspired by their current exhibition The Long Now, celebrating 40 years of Saatchi, The Long Now Family Days offer a series of all-ages sessions for art and activities led by the gallery’s Learning team. Register on their website for your free 30-minute slot (suggested donation £5) this Saturday — you don’t need a ticket to visit the exhibition to attend!
Food & Drink
Try new flavours this Veganuary
Where? All over London.
When: January 2026
With special plant-based menus and brand-new products typically released each year, Veganuary urges more people to join the global movement of turning vegan for a month. Meat lover or not, it’s a fantastic chance to try delicious new recipes and visit talked-about London restaurants, including the light-filled Mallow, which serves some of Borough Market’s most delicious brunch dishes, and Amrutha in Earlsfield, a tasty favourite on a mission to feed your soul with home-made curries and pekoras.
Find out where you can try vegan food
Sample London’s culinary culture at Borough Market
Where? 8 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TL
When: Open daily
Just a few minutes’ walk from London Bridge train station, you’ll find one of London’s most historic areas. Although it once existed to supply greengrocers and restaurants, today Borough Market mostly consists of stalls selling nothing but mouthwatering delicacies.
From the legendary Black Pig – which has recently been setting social media ablaze with its gargantuan sandwiches – to Richard Haward’s, which has been serving fresh oysters for seven generations, Borough Market has something for everyone.
Get directions to Borough Market
Grab some ACE Pizza by Victoria Park
Where? Ace Pizza, 126-128 Lauriston Road, Victoria Park, London, E9 7LH
When: Open six days a week
The Pembury Tavern regulars in Hackney have been familiar with the cheesy delights of female-owned, independent ACE Pizza for years now; but one can try now these truly ace, stonebaked London-style pizzas (think a fresh Neapolitan-via-New York mix) along a selection of lip-smacking appetizers, Parm-tinis, Italo Discos and other cocktails at their deliciously casual first proper restaurant at Victoria Park Village. Torn between a Hackney Hellboy and a Vodka Marg? Ace the pizza test by scarfing down several 12-inch options right here.
Check out ACE Pizza’s full menu
Museums
Get inspired by the everyday at the Design Museum
Where? Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High St, London W8 6AG
When: Open daily
Beyond a rotating selection of ticketed exhibitions spotlighting from contemporary architects to filmmakers like Tim Burton, London’s Design Museum opens a window into ideas, shapes and colours that bring inspiration into our everyday lives. Featuring nearly a 1000 standout items of the 20th-21th-century design, its free permanent exhibition Designer Maker User looks into the development of modern practices, from architecture and engineering to the fashion and digital worlds. From 20 October-1 November, don’t forget to also check out the free Halloween events at the museum where spooky arts and crafts for young designers, yummy treats and “eccentric” shop offers mix in new and peculiar ways.
Check out current exhibitions at the Design Museum
Celebrate 40 Years of EastEnders
Where? Elstree & Borehamwood Museum, 96 Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertsfordshire, WD6 1EB
When: Until 9 May 2026
It’s a tiny museum at the top of the local library, just a few metres away from where the actual behemoth of British television is being filmed. But the volunteer-run Elstree & Borehamwood Museum dreams big and, above all, knows how to have a good time. So, if you’re a fan, come celebrate 40 years of EastEnders with a quirky collection of displays and props: get behind the Queen Vic bar for a selfie with a Kat or Alfie face mask; buy some fruit and veg; check out Pat Butcher’s earrings and study a map of the fictional borough of Walford. And even better? You can grab a free EastEnders beer mat on your way out!
Explore the city’s history at the London Museum Docklands
Where? London Museum Docklands, No 1, West India Quay, Hertsmere Rd, London E14 4AL
When: Open daily
With nine galleries narrating eye-opening tales from the city’s past and a riverside setting, London Museum is more than worth a visit, inviting the whole family to discover 400 years of history, for free. The museum recommends a walk through its galleries in chronological order, starting from the intro gallery at the No. 1 Warehouse, “a rare survivor of the old docks”. Each room will guide you from the 1600-1800’s Trade Expansion through to the capital’s role in the slave trade, the sounds, sights and smells of Victorian London, WWII and The Blitz — when the docks were bombed for 13 weeks in a row — and all the way to the Reflections Room featuring a rotating display of contemporary artists. It’s a fascinating journey from the hard realities of the past to the new century’s startling reinvention.
Find out what’s on at London Museum Docklands
Community & Culture
Join a free session of Chess n Chill at Spitalfields Market
Where? KERB Social Club, Old Spitalfields Market, 4 Horner Square, London, E1 6EW
When: Every Monday until end of April
KERB Social Club opened at the Old Spitalfields Market last summer, offering a big new space for all things sports, darts and karaoke. But you can also share long, quiet moments of concentration at their free Chess and Chill events each Monday 6-8pm, run in collaboration with charity Chess In Schools. The £5 pints are an added bonus.
Find out more about Chess n Chill at Spitalfields Market
Discover Nan Goldin’s generation-defining photography
Where? Gagosian Gallery, 17–19 Davies Street, London W1K 3DE
When: 13 January – 21 March
Described by Nan Goldin as “the diary I let people read”, The Ballad of Sexual Dependency is a photobook of 126 era-defining photographs, fearlessly candid observations exploring gender, intimacy and power in ‘70s-’80s New York. The collection is displayed for the first time in its entirety in the UK — 40 years after the book got published, Goldin’s masterful work remains as raw and striking as ever.
Find out more about Nan Goldin’s exhibition at Gagosian Gallery
Wonder the graffiti-filled Leake Street Arches
Where? Leake Street Arches, Leake St, London SE1 7NN
When: Ongoing
Tucked underneath Waterloo Station, Leake Street, aka The Graffiti Tunnel, is an ever-evolving work of art displaying the talents of local street artists and guests — and yes, you can leave your own mark in it by joining one of the regular graffiti workshops held here. Spotting new artworks along the tunnel is a fascinating exercise for eagle-eyed visitors of all ages, with plenty of food and entertainment options in the railway arches to keep everyone happy. It’s open 24 hours and completely free to visit.
Find out more about the graffiti at Leake Street Arches
Chase Canary Wharf’s dreamy Winter Lights
Where? Throughout Canary Wharf
When: 20-31 January
Celebrating its 10th edition in 2026, Winter Lights returns to Canary Wharf for a breathtaking display of 16 light installations created by international artists, from the UK to Canada via Australia, united under this year’s theme, DREAMSCAPE. From an eye-catchingly kinetic Hulahoop to an immersive Trispheric Garden, the artworks aim to spark inspiration and connection under their otherworldly, feel-good glow.
Find out more about Canary Wharf’s Winter Lights
Explore the neon wonders of God’s Own Junkyard
Where? God’s Own Junkyard, Unit 12 Ravenswood Ind Estate, Shernhall Street, London, E17 9HQ
When: Every Friday-Sunday
“Neon never dies” in God’s Own Junkyard, a Walthamstow wonderland of creativity: Chris Bracey, aka Neon Man, has worked with the likes of David LaChapelle and Martin Creed and, over the years, he has made, installed and collected signs that you may have spotted, among others, behind Tom Cruise in Eyes Wide Shut, Johnny Depp in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, or Jack Nicholson in Batman. Discover a glowing set of salvaged treasures, circus lighting, architectural signs and new neon art in this E17 hidden gem with free entry. Food and drinks are served all weekend at the rocking Rolling Stones café-bar until 10 pm.
Make new furry friends at a free London city farm
Where? All around London
When: Ongoing
As the saying goes, the best things in life — including petting lambs and watching pigs eating watermelon — are free. And London offers more than a handful of city farms to enjoy just that. Just a short walk from Brick Lane, Spitalfields City Farm has been gifting Tower Hamlets, the most densely populated area in the UK, with the friendly presence of cacophonous mini-donkey duo Gilbert and Sullivan alongside peaceful gardens where one can learn the secrets of seasonal veggies. Open since 1972, Kentish Town City Farm was London’s first, and now it offers free sustainability workshops for young people among goats, pigs and Indonesian black chickens. Somewhere between Vauxhall, Hackney and Surrey Docks, an urban oasis and a happy frog await. Find yours.
