Grooming -- 6 days ago
With the New Year upon us and the promise of resolutions and good habits, we are keen to break the mentality of January being a month of tighter purse strings and hiding away from the chill. In a city as cosmopolitan as London, there is something for everyone, no matter your resolution, and we believe it is important to wrap up and get out to experience it all. Whether that means enjoying darker nights lit up by installations across Canary Wharf, gaining insight into the movie magic of the Wes Anderson world, or raising a glass to Robert Burns with either a traditional dram or a generous serving of Irn-Bru ice cream, start 2026 off right and discover our pick of the best things to do in London this month...
Winter Lights, Canary Wharf
January might bring with it dark nights, but there is a way to take advantage of the shorter daylight hours with the return of Winter Lights at Canary Wharf for its tenth edition, beginning on 20 January. The festival brings together 16 extraordinary light installations from acclaimed artists and studios from around the globe. To mark this milestone anniversary, the 2026 theme is Dreamscape, which aims to take visitors on a journey through surreal, ethereal and uniquely human experiences. For an evening of whimsy and escapism, Winter Lights casts a glow of brightness to banish the January blues, so take a stroll and see where you end up.
When? 20th to 31st of January, 5pm to 10pm daily
How much? Free
The Lavery
Since its March opening, The Lavery has been celebrating Mediterranean seasonality infused with the finest ingredients from across the British Isles. At the helm is acclaimed chef Yohei Furuhashi, formerly of The River Café and Toklas. They have created a vibrant, ever-changing menu that showcases exceptional produce and brings the promise of spring to even the dreariest of Januaries. With its vaulted ceilings and the feeling of dining in your own home, the design centres on furniture artefacts sourced from iconic 20th-century hospitality venues, including the Hotel Excelsior in Venice and the Groucho Club, London. Begin with a delicate aperitivo at the striking zinc bar before settling in for your meal, perhaps enjoying the Portland crab salad with shaved fennel or the pappardelle with Venetian duck ragù, followed by a Sicilian Verdello lemon tart. Capturing the essence of the Mediterranean in the heart of South Kensington, The Lavery leaves you itching to return, or to visit their café on the ground floor, and wondering why you would ever leave.
Where? First Floor, 4 Cromwell Pl, South Kensington, London SW7 2JE
The London Art Fair
Taking place from 21 to 25 January, one of the city’s most established art fairs returns, celebrating both modern and contemporary art. For a day of culture, the London Art Fair is an excellent way to discover and buy from an exceptional line-up of galleries from across the globe. Visitors can enjoy a curated display through the annual Museum Partnership, peruse works from 120 leading galleries, and engage with an inspiring programme of talks and tours. The fair presents everything from monumental installations to exciting, innovative works by artists such as Tracey Emin, while exploring new themes through its Encounters and Platform sections.
When? 21–25 January 2026
Where? Business Design Centre, Islington, N1 0QH
How much? General admission from £22.50
Nourished by Los Mochis
For the month of health and reset, following the unavoidable Christmas indulgence, Los Mochis seeks to offer a dining experience that caters to a health-conscious mindset, benefiting the body without compromising on flavour. This January, the restaurant has collaborated with renowned food author and health advocate Melissa Hemsley to create a curated menu focused on nourishment, balance, and flavour. The menu features a selection of signature dishes from the Mexican–Japanese fusion restaurant, expertly chosen to support gut health, boost immunity, and help reduce inflammation. The experience is complemented by Melissa’s new limited-edition Pomegranate and Hibiscus Refresher, created to promote healthy hydration and support detoxification. The menu aims to educate diners on making healthier choices with ease, while highlighting the restorative qualities of thoughtfully sourced ingredients. Ultimately, it shows that you can nourish both body and mind without sacrificing the pleasure of a dinner out.
When? Until the end of January
Wes Anderson: The Archives
The widely admired and unmistakable world-building of Wes Anderson is explored on a whole new level in the first retrospective exhibition devoted to his distinctive cinematic output, allowing visitors to delve into his archives. In collaboration with La Cinémathèque française, the Design Museum has been granted unprecedented access to three decades of Anderson’s personal collection, with many of the objects making their first appearance in the UK. Immerse yourself in his distinctive, nostalgic world and unpack the design choices behind iconic cinema favourites such as The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Royal Tenenbaums and Fantastic Mr. Fox. Witness the process of filmmaking come to life and the director’s meticulous craft through more than 700 objects, including original storyboards, Polaroids, sketches, handwritten notebooks, miniature models and dozens of distinctive costumes worn by much-loved characters.
Where? 224-238 Kensington High St, London W8 6AG
How much? Adult tickets from £19.69
Burns Night with Bruichladdich at Brasserie Max
If you're in search for a traditional way to pay tribute to Scotland’s national bard Robert Burns, then gather at Brasserie Max’s private dining room for a memorable night celebrating like a true Scot with rare whisky pairings from Bruichladdich Distillery and live spoken word from Scottish poet Kevin McLean. Kick off the night will begin with a Penicillin cocktail, before the main feast starts with servings of Poached smoked haddock before moving onto timeless staple of haggis with neeps and tatties, served of course with a dram, then comes the Roast Highland venison accompanied by a whisky sauce. All courses will be expertly matched with single malt whiskies, so you might have to stumble home but how else do you toast Robert Burns.
When? Friday 23rd January 2026, 6.30pm
Where? Covent Garden Hotel, 10 Monmouth St, London WC2H 9HB
How much? £100 per person
Ria's x Big Kid Ice Cream
If you’re looking to celebrate Burns Night with a little Scottish fun, head to Ria’s in Notting Hill or Soho for Irn-Bru on tap or a deep-fried Mars bar or two, a cheeky nod to co-founder Ria’s Scottish roots. For this year’s celebration, they’re teaming up with cult ice-cream makers Big Kid Ice Cream for a one-night-only Burns Night blow-out, where haggis pops, a haggis, neeps and tatties pizza pie, and Irn-Bru ice cream will all feature on the menu. Wash it all down with a special whisky cocktail and honour Robert Burns with a bit of Scottish frivolity.
When? Sunday 25th of January
Burns Night at Oblix with The Macallan
If there were an evening to be omnipresent, Burns Night could be it. But, with a plethora of fine options to choose from, one that combines unbeatable skyline views with exceptional whisky should be high on the list. Hosted on Level 32 of The Shard, Burns Night at Oblix features a whisky-led menu, with highlights including Whisky-Smoked Black Cod with Jalapeño & Lime and Aurox Bone-In Sirloin with Whisky Ash & Beef Fat, paired with The Macallan Double Cask 15 Years Old and The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years Old. A seamless blend of culinary excellence and whisky craftsmanship, it’s a must for the avid scotophile.
When? 25th January, 7pm
Where? Level 32, The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London, SE1 9RY
How much? £95
Emily English X Dinings SW3 JIYO menu
For a month so heavily focused on restriction, we have found an alternative for those seeking comfort and satisfaction, with a genuine emphasis on nutrition and dishes that support skin, energy, and mood. Our answer is the Emily English x Dinings SW3 collaboration and their limited JIYO menu, which translates to “renourish” in Japanese. The renowned nutritionist has joined forces with Chelsea restaurant Dinings SW3 to create a nutrient-rich three-course menu designed to refuel and reinvigorate guests during the inevitable January reset. The collaboration is a hybrid of Masaki Sugisaki’s signature style, adding a Western twist to Japanese classics while utilising Emily’s expansive understanding of body nourishment. Together, these concepts introduce dishes such as Super Collagen Broth Miso Soup and a superfood chirashi poke bowl. The menu aims to dispel common nutritional misconceptions by gently sharing practical advice and vibrant recipes that never take away from the joy of eating.
When? January 7th to 31st
Where? Walton House, Lennox Gardens Mews, Walton St, London SW3 2JH
The Singleton Chalet at The Rosewood
Until February 2026, Rosewood London invites guests to step into an alpine escape with the return of The Chalet, an intimate winter dining experience inspired by traditional Alpine lodges and refined mountain hospitality, in partnership with luxury ski brand Goldbergh and The Singleton Single Malt Whisky. Settle into the cosy elegance inspired by the Goldbergh aesthetic while enjoying a crafted cocktail programme from The Singleton. For whisky connoisseurs, The Chalet also offers an exclusive and rare Singleton 21-year serve ritual. It is the perfect spot to enjoy a tartiflette or a chestnut Mont Blanc while perhaps planning a trip to the newly opened Rosewood Courchevel Le Jardin Alpin.
When? Until February 2026
Where? 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN
Veganuary at Kanishka Mayfair
January is the month of new resolutions, often diet-related, but committing to Veganuary does not mean giving up dining out. Kanishka in Mayfair will be serving a dedicated vegan tasting menu that focuses on classic Indian flavours, using seasonal, plant-based ingredients. Curated to highlight the depth and diversity of Indian plant-based cooking, each course showcases bold flavours, balance and technique, proving that a vegan way of eating need not sacrifice flavour. Expect warming yet inventive dishes such as nadru ki chaat, Punjabi vegetable samosas, hariyali tandoori broccoli, and a coconut panna cotta accompanied by passion fruit sorbet. Use this month to venture beyond your gastronomic comfort zone and discover a new take on cuisine, all while staying true to those New Year promises.
Where? 7-19 Maddox Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 2QH
When? Until the end of January
How much? £105 per person
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