Shake off the January blues with these fun activities

January in London can feel a little gloomy with short daylight hours and chilly weather, but the city has plenty of ways to brighten your mood. Combine the glowing displays of winter lights with free cultural events, walks, and exhibitions, and you’ll find the perfect antidote to the January blues.

Art & Culture

• PLATFORM: Bethan Laura Wood at the Design Museum is a vibrant, free display running until 25 January 2026. Featuring over 70 playful, bold creations this exhibition highlights Bethan’s passion for colour, texture, and cultural references. It’s part of the museum’s annual PLATFORM series, showcasing trailblazing contemporary design with no tickets or booking needed.
• Quantum Untangled at Science Gallery London is a free exhibition running until 28 February 2026, open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 11 am to 6 pm. It merges art and science to demystify the strange world of quantum physics through interactive installations, immersive sculptures, poetry, photography, and film.
• Thirst: In Search of Freshwater at Wellcome Collection runs until 1 February 2026, open Tuesday–Sunday with late evenings Thursday until 8 pm. Thirst is a universal human experience shared with most living beings. The exhibition highlights the vital role of freshwater in shaping health and ecosystems; the consequences of mismanagement, like the spread of infectious disease; and community-led solutions to the global water crisis.

Winter Lights – Don't forget to wrap up warm!

• Discover Southbank Centre’s Winter Light trail, from 13 to 18 January 2026. Take a tour of all the public art, each artist uses light and colour in playful ways, at the same time exploring topics at the forefront of society, such as individual and collective identity, the environment and technology. Grab a digital map and don’t forget to wrap up warm!
• Canary Wharf Winter Lights returns from 20 to 31 January with its 10th-anniversary “Dreamscape” theme. The free outdoor trail of around 16 illuminated installations transforms the docks and skyscrapers into a playful, colourful escape. Just drop by, download a digital map or request a physical map from one of the stewards across the trail.
• Vibrance: Festival of Light & Sound lights up the City of London on 29 and 30 January 2026, from 5:30 to 8:30pm, will transform the City of London, creating unforgettable encounters with light, sound and live performance. Historic landmarks, hidden gardens and striking façades are reimagined with colour, music and storytelling. ‘Vibrance’ will feature more than a dozen artworks across five iconic locations, uniting historic monuments with cutting-edge technology.

Special Events

• Royal Ballet and Opera: Live at Lunch events a free Friday lunchtime performance from 16 January to 10 July 2026. Experience an exciting programme of free lunchtime performances inspired by the heritage of the Royal Ballet and Opera. Artists from The Royal Opera, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, The Royal Ballet and a range of guest artists perform at the Royal Opera House. Entry tokens will be available upon arrival from our Main Entrance on Bow Street or our Piazza entrance. Tokens will be issued on a first come first served basis.
• Hampton Court Palace Gardens are open for free on 17-18 January no ticket needed! Stroll through the Great Fountain Garden and other historic spaces from 10 am to 5:30 pm. Just keep in mind you’ll need to cover your travel costs to get there, as the palace is outside central London.
• Souvenir at Fitzrovia Chapel runs from 9 January to 8 February 2026, with free admission. Curated by BAFTA-nominated filmmakers Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard, this immersive exhibition brings Michael Bracewell’s evocative novella to life through a recorded audio piece narrated by actor Paul Kaye, an inventive installation by composer Sarah Nicolls on her “Inside-Out Piano,” and Matthew Healey’s delicate model of the chapel encased in a snow globe. Located in the chapel’s ornate interior this beautifully atmospheric show lets you experience storytelling, music, sculpture, and sound design in a hidden architectural gem of London.

Whether you’re exploring the city’s streets or discovering hidden cultural gems, there’s plenty to enjoy without spending a penny (except for the travel!). So wrap up warm, make the most of these experiences, and start the year on a positive note. Here’s to a fantastic 2026 filled with more free fun in London!