Find out what events, festivals and exhibitions are on in the capital as the new year kicks off.

Happy New Year! Let’s hope 2022 is way better than 2021 and 2020 (although, let’s face it, that won’t be hard, will it?!). Although January is one of London’s quieter months for special events and festivals, there’s still plenty on to keep you occupied during your free time.

As well as the last few days and weeks of festive events like Winter Wonderland and Winterfest at Wembley, there is also plenty of arts events. The Vault fringe festival is making its long-awaited return, along with the London International Mime Festival and the London Short Film Festival. In the early part of January, there’s still opportunities to catch some of the festive entertainment, including pantomimes, ballets and other theatre productions.

Find out what special events, exhibitions and festivals are on around the capital this January 2022. However, it’s recommended to check the events’ social media or websites before heading out as some may be impact by Covid-19 rules or cancellations.

Look out for the 🐻 for family-friendly activities.

• 1 January 2022 : New Year’s Day Parade

Hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to gather to watch 10,000 performers from around the world. Starts from Piccadilly’s Berkeley Street at 12pm, ending at Parliament Square at 3.30pm. Free. Nearest station: Piccadilly Circus, Westminster or Charing Cross. For more information, visit the Parade website. 

• Now until 2 January 2022 : Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition

Explore the Vatican’s majestic chapel in an immersive experience, featuring the iconic ceiling paintings, which have been reproduced with HD photography. Open Wed-Sun 10am-6pm. Tickets: Adults from £11, Children from £8. Cannon Factory. Ashley Road, Tottenham, N17 9LH. Nearest station: Tottenham Hale. For tickets, visit the exhibition website. 🐻

• Now until 2 January 2022 : Summer Exhibition 2021 @ Royal Academy of Arts

The delayed summer 2021 exhibition features over 1,300 works from new and established artists. Open Tues–Sun: 10am-6pm. Tickets: £20–£22. Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD. Nearest station: Green Park or Piccadilly Circus. For more information, visit the RA website. Check out Metro Girl’s blog post on the exhibition.

• Now until 3 January 2022 : Winter Wonderland

The south east corner of Hyde Park is transformed into a festive fair with rides, food and drink stalls, ice rink, the Magical Ice Kingdom, Cirque Berserk, Zippos Christmas Circus, Bar Ice, Ice Sculpting Workshops, Santa Land, Real Ice Slide, and more. Open 10am-10pm daily. Tickets (must be pre-booked): Peak £5-£7.50, Off-peak free. Entrance fee waived if you spend over £20 on attractions, rides or games in advance. Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner, Victoria, Knightsbridge or Marble Arch. For more information, visit the Winter Wonderland website. 🐻

• Now until 3 January 2022 : Winter Night Garden @ Backyard Cinema

Backyard Cinema’s permanent home has been transformed into a magical festive garden for one of its two winter cinematic experiences (the other being the Snow Kingdom). Walk through a magical wardrobe and travel through an enchanted forest to reach the big screen, which will be showing festive favourites and new releases. Tickets range from £10.50-£29.99. Backyard Cinema’s Capital Studios, Ram Quarter, 13 Wandsworth Plain, Wandsworth, SW18 1ET. Nearest station: Wandsworth Town or East Putney. For more information and booking, visit Backyard Cinema’s website. 🐻

• Now until 3 January 2022 : Palace of Stardust @ Hampton Court Palace

A spectacular new light trail illuminates the historic Hampton Court Palace, as it winds around the gardens. Expect illuminations, projects and festive food and drink. Open daily 4pm-8pm (closed 11, 24-26 Dec). Tickets: Adults £12.50, Children £8, under 5s free. Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU. Nearest station: Hampton Court (36 minutes from Waterloo). To book, visit the Hampton Court Palace website. 🐻

• Now until 3 January 2022 : The Magic of Christmas @ London Zoo

London Zoo are hosting a series of festive events alongside the usual animal enclosures. Meet Santa, follow the family festive trail, visit the sensory sweet shop and more. Open 10am-4pm. General entry: Adults £32.50 (standard), £30 (off-peak), Children 3-15yrs £18.19 (standard), £16.90 (off-peak). Additional charges apply for some activities. London Zoo, Regent’s Park, Marylebone, NW1 4RY. Nearest station: Regent’s Park or Camden Town. For booking, visit the ZSL website. 🐻

• Now until 9 January 2022 : Christmas at Kew

Follow a magical trail around Kew Gardens, through tunnels of light, past dancing waterfalls, illuminations and the Fire Garden, and a light display at the Palm House. 4pm-10pm. Tickets: Standard advance adult: Off peak £21.50/Peak £26.50, Children: Off peak £14/peak £16.50. Kew Gardens (Royal Botanic Gardens), Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AB. Nearest station: Kew Gardens. For more information, visit the Kew Gardens website. 🐻

• Now until 9 January 2022 : The Gingerbread City 2021

The Museum of Architecture returns with another Gingerbread City. Over 100 architects, artists and engineers create a mini city made entirely of gingerbread and icing. In addition to the exhibition of the final creation, there is also the opportunity to take part in gingerbread house-making workshops. Open daily 9am-9pm. Tickets (45 min sessions): Adults and over 12 yrs: £14, Children 3-12yrs: £8.50. 6-7 Motcomb Street, Belgravia, SW1X 8JU. Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner or Knightsbridge. For more information, visit the Gingerbread City website. 🐻

• Now until 9 January 2022 : Winterfest

The immersive light festival returns to Wembley Park, with this year’s theme being ‘Reunited in Light’. Featuring huge light and sound installations, London’s largest LED Christmas tree, and photo gallery. Free admission. At Wembley Park, Wembley, HA9 0FD. Nearest stations: Wembley Park or Wembley Stadium. For more information, visit the Wembley Park website. Check out Metro Girl’s post for details. 🐻

• Now until 9 January 2022 : Illuminature @ WWT London

Explore nature after dark in this unique illuminated trail around the London Wetland Centre. 4pm-9pm. Tickets: Adults £17.50, Children £12.50, under 4s free. WWT London, Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes, SW13 9WT. Nearest station: Barnes Bridge. For more information and booking, visit the WWT website. Check out Metro Girl’s post for details. 🐻

• Now until 9 January 2022 : Christmas at Kenwood

The splendid gardens of historic Kenwood House play host to an illuminated trail of a sensory journey of light, fire and sound. From 5pm-9pm. Tickets: Adults £24.75 (peak), £21.50 (off-peak), Children 3-16yrs £17 (peak), £14 (off-peak). Kenwood House, Hampstead Lane, Hampstead, NW3 7JR. Nearest station: Hampstead or Highgate. For more information, visit the Christmas at Kenwood website. 🐻

• Now until 9 January 2022 : Wave @ Greenwich Peninsula

Squidsoup presents an interactive sculptural light installation, offering an audio-visual experience. Open 7pm-10pm. Free entry, but queues expected at busy times. Peninsula Square, Greenwich Peninsula, SE10 0SQ. Nearest station: North Greenwich. For more information, visit the Greenwich Peninsula website. 🐻

• Now until 9 January 2022 : Marble Arch Mound

An 25-metre artificial hill has been erected by Marble Arch, offering visitors views down Oxford Street and over Hyde Park. There will also be a light exhibition, ‘Lightfield’, led by British/American artist Anthony James. Opening hours vary. Free entry (Advance booking recommended). Marble Arch, Westminster, W1H 7EL. Nearest station: Marble Arch. For more information and booking, visit the Marble Arch Mound website. 🐻

• 12 January – 6 February 2022 : London International Mime Festival

Festival at various events across London including performances of physical theatre, dance, circus, puppetry and live art. Workshops also available. Tickets range from £13-£45. Venues include the Barbican, Jacksons Lane, Sadler’s Wells, Puppet Theatre Barge, Shoreditch Town Hall, The Peacock and The Place. For more information, visit the Mime London website. 🐻

• 12 January – 13 February 2022 : Luzia by Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil bring their show Luzia back to London. The show is inspired by Mexico, with a mix of the traditional and modern acrobatics. Times vary. Tickets range from £37-£136. Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP. Nearest stations: South Kensington, Knightsbridge or High Street Kensington. For more information and booking, visit the Cirque Du Soleil website. 

• 14 – 23 January 2022 : London Short Film Festival 2022

Ten day festival celebrating the best in short film-making at venues across the capital, including the Curzon Soho, Genesis, the ICA, Rich Mix, Four Corners, BFI Southbank, Rio Dalston, Peckham Levels, and Catford Mews. For more information, visit the London Short Film Festival website.

• Now until 16 January 2022 : Hogwarts in the Snow

Visit your favourite Harry Potter sets, such as the Forbidden Forest, Diagon Alley, Hagrid’s Hut and the Hogwarts castle, which have been transformed with snow for the festive season. Tickets from £47. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7LR. Nearest station: Watford (then a shuttle bus to studios). For more information and tickets, visit the WB Studio Tour website. 🐻

• Now until 16 January 2022 : The Beatles exhibition @ Shapero Modern

Exhibition of newly-discovered photographs of The Beatles filming A Hard Day’s Night in 1964. Open Mon-Fri: 10am-6pm. Free entry. Shapero Modern, 41-43 Maddox Street, Mayfair, W1S 2PD. Nearest station: Oxford Circus. For more information, visit the Shapero Modern website. Check out Metro Girl’s post for details.

• 19 – 23 January 2022 : London Art Fair

Contemporary and modern British art fair in Islington, featuring talks, tour, performances and showcases. Opening hours vary. Tickets: £18 (day pass). Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, Islington, N1 0QH. Nearest station: Angel. For tickets and more information, visit the London Art Fair website.

• 19 – 29 January 2022 : Winter Lights

Over 20 light installations and interactive art have been dotted around Canary Wharf for two weeks. 5pm-10pm. Free. Canary Wharf and Canada Square, Docklands, E14. Nearest station: Canary Wharf. For more information, visit the Canary Wharf website. 🐻 Check out Metro Girl’s blog post on a previous Winter Lights display.

• 21 January 2022 – TBA : The 1920s – Beyond the Roar

A series of events and an exhibition marks the release of the 1921 Census of England and Wales. Including an immersive exhibition exploring the archives, audio dramas, webinars and online talks. The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, TW9 4DU. Nearest station: Kew. For more information, visit the National Archives website. Check out Metro Girl’s blog post on the exhibition

• Now until 23 January 2022 : Mulan Rouge

An immersive, foodie, theatrical mash-up of Disney’s Mulan and Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! Overs 18s only. Dress Code: ‘A hot Paris night in the Mulan Rouge’. Times vary. Tickets: £45-£60. The Vaults, Leake Street, Waterloo, SE1 7NN. Nearest stations: Waterloo, Lambeth North or Waterloo East. For more information, visit The Vaults website.

• 25 January – 20 March 2022 : Vault Festival

Eight week fringe arts festival returns to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Head to the tunnels beneath Waterloo. Entertainment includes live music, theatre, film, dance, comedy, immersive experiences and late-night parties. Ticket prices vary. The Vaults, 10 Leake Street, Waterloo, SE1 7NN. Nearest station: Waterloo and Lambeth North. For booking, visit the Vault Festival website.

• 29 January 2022 : Silent Disco @ View from the Shard

Dance to your favourite tunes while enjoying the view from the 72nd floor at London’s highest disco. Over 18s only. Open 10am-2pm. Tickets: £37.50. The View From The Shard, Joiner Street, SE1 9SP. Nearest station: London Bridge. For more information and booking, visit the View from the Shard website. Check out Metro Girl’s review.

• 29 January – 17 April 2022 : Francis Bacon – Man and Beast

New exhibition focuses on artist Francis Bacon’s fascination with animals. Open 10am-6pm. Tickets: £22-£24.50. Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD. Nearest station: Green Park or Piccadilly Circus. For more information, visit the RA website.

• 29 January – 24 April 2022 : Body Vessel Clay exhibition

Explore 70 years of ceramics. Open daily 10am-4.30pm. Free entry. Two Temple Place, 2 Temple Place, Temple, WC2R 3BD. Nearest station: Temple. For more information, visit the Two Temple Place website.

• Now until 27 February 2022 : The Murder Express

Enjoy an immersive fine dining experience on board a 19th century train carriage. Enjoy a four-course meal cooked by a Masterchef finalist, while sipping on cocktails and watching a murder mystery unfold. Times vary. Tickets from £60. Located at 63 Pedley Street, E1 5FB. Nearest stations: Bethnal Green, Shoreditch High Street or Whitechapel. For more information, visit Funicular Productions. Check out Metro Girl’s post for details.

• Now until 6 March 2022 : Beano – The Art of Breaking the Rules

Exhibition of Britain’s naughtiest kid and the comic’s history. Explore original artwork and artefacts. Open Sat, Sun & Tue 10am-6pm, Wed-Fri 11am-8pm. Tickets: Adults £16, conc £12.50, Under 6s free. Embankment Galleries (South Wing), Somerset House, Strand, Westminster, WC2R 1LA. Nearest station: Temple. For more information and booking, visit the Somerset House website. 🐻

• Now until 20 March 2022 : Titanic – The Exhibition

An immersive exhibition exploring the history and the wreck of the Titanic, featuring over 200 artefacts and life-sized recreations of the tragic ship’s interior. Open: Mon, Wed, Thur: 10am-7pm, Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 9am-8.30pm, Sun 9am-8pm. Tickets: Adults from £27.90, Children from £15.90, Under 4s free. Dock X London, Retail Park, Unit 1 Canada Water, Surrey Quays Road, SE16 2XU. Nearest station: Canada Water. For more information and booking, visit the Titanic: The Exhibition website. 🐻

• Now until 22 April 2022 : Sculpture In The City 2021/2022

Free public art exhibition, bringing 18 contemporary pieces to the streets and spaces of the City of London. Free. At various sites around the Square Mile. Nearest stations: Fenchurch Street, Monument or Liverpool Street. For more information and a map of the artworks, visit the Sculpture in the City website. Check out Metro Girl’s gallery of the exhibition.

• Now until 30 April 2022 : Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds – The Immersive Experience

An immersive experience inspired by the classic story. Travel back in time to Victorian London and the Martian invasion of 1898. Experience immersive theatre, virtual reality, augmented reality, holograms and other cutting-edge technology. Overs 12 only. Times vary. Tickets: £40-£130. The Old Metal Exchange, 56 Leadenhall Street, City of London, EC3A 2BJ. Nearest station: Aldgate or Fenchurch Street. For booking, visit the War of the World’s website. Check out Metro Girl’s review of the show.

• Now until 22 May 2022 : The Art of Banksy

Exhibition of Banksy’s art made up of pieces from private collections (although not curated or authorized by the artist himself). Expect prints, canvasses, screen prints, sculptures and other unique works. Open Mon-Wed & Sun 10am-6pm, Thu-Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 9.30am-7pm. Tickets: £14.50-£29.50, under 6s free. 50 Earlham Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9LJ. Nearest stations: Leicester Square or Covent Garden. For tickets, visit the Art of Banksy website. Check out Metro Girl’s blog post on the exhibition. 🐻

• Now until summer 2022 : Superblue London

AA Murakami, the artist duo behind Studio Swine, present a multi-sensory, immersive experience which explores the relationship between humans and nature. Open Tues-Thur: 10am-7pm, Fri-Sun: 10am-8pm. Tickets from £11-£13 (online), £13-£15 (walk-in). Superblue London, 6 Burlington Gardens, Mayfair. W1S 3ET. Nearest station: Green Park or Bond Street. For more information and tickets, visit the Superblue website.

• Now until July 2023 : Scenes in the Square

Check out bronze sculptures of iconic film characters around Leicester Square. Eight interactive characters, such as Laurel & Hardy to Wonder Woman will be placed in the square for four months. Free. Leicester Square, Westminster, WC2H 7DE. Nearest stations: Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus. For more information, visit the Leicester Square website. Check out Metro Girl’s gallery of the exhibition. 🐻

Follow my blog with Bloglovin