Let’s face it, the period between Christmas and New Year’s Day is a pretty dull time in the festive calendar.

When all the brandy butter, mince pies, Quality Streets and turkey have disappeared from the fridge and you’ve watched pretty much all of ITV’s showings of The Bourne Identity, Harry Potter and every Christmas film known to mankind, all that’s left to do is lie horizontally, while shopping the Net-A-Porter sales for a New Year’s Eve dress.

However, what if we told you there’s an abundance of events happening in London from December 29 – January 1, ranging from a museum filled entirely with gingerbread and film screenings of Fleabag?

The capital is bursting with festive offerings this winter for children and adults which are sure to cheer up even the most grumpiest of Grinches.

Here are the best events in London happening between Christmas and New Year:

1) London's New Year's Day Parade 2020

Forget Hampstead Heath and Regent’s Park because it’s time to get those feet walking at the New Year’s Day Parade.

 London's New Year's Day Parade
TOLGA AKMEN//Getty Images

Taking part along the streets of the capital’s West End on 1 January, more than 8,000 performers (dancers, acrobats, cheerleaders, marching bands and floats) will ring in the New Year with contemporary performances, balloons, music and confetti. Expect to see the sequin-coated Pearly Kings and Queens, the Panash Steel Orchestra UK and tricks from Britain’s top female stunt rider.

The event – which runs from Piccadilly, Piccadilly Circus, Lower Regent Street, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square and Parliament Street and is free - attracts a whopping 600,000 spectators and is broadcasted live across the UK and overseas.

WHEN: 1 January

Find out more about the parade here.

2) Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

If you count Harry Potter among your list of must-see Christmas films, then head on down to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London to witness some witchcraft and mystery.

instagramView full post on Instagram

Whether it’s the sparkly Christmas trees filling the Great Hall or ‘flaming’ Christmas puddings lining the table tops for students from Hufflepuff and Slytherin, children and adults alike will be delighted by this Potter-inspired offering. Besides, who wouldn’t want to grab a selfie at the Yule Ball, where snow and icicles will decorate the front of the hall?

While some of you might have forgotten to ask Mrs Weasley for your handmade knitted Christmas jumper this year, rest assured as you'll undoubtedly find some festive delights in the Gryffindor common room or be filled with cheer after seeing the Hogwarts castle model frosted underneath a blanket of snow.

WHEN: 3 December – 26 January

Buy your tickets for the tour here.

3) Museum of Architecture Gingerbread City

Sugar lovers, listen up. Back for yet another year, the Museum of Architecture’s Gingerbread City invites those with a sweet tooth to Somerset House to gaze in wonder at its impressive models made of dough.

 Museum of Architecture Gingerbread City
Laia Divols Escude//Getty Images

If imaginary cities and urban settings made out of gingerbread tickle the taste buds, you’re in luck as this year the baked good’s theme is based on transport, with over 100 architects, engineers and designers coming together to create a mini, edible city.

There’s also a gingerbread house making workshop during the show (from £35) to get stuck into. Someone pass us the icing bag, pronto!

WHEN: 7 December – 5 January

Purchase tickets for the museum here.

4) Wave at Eccleston Yards

Artist collective Squidsoup are taking over this Belgravia hotspot this season and displaying approximately 500 individual orbs from the ceiling to illuminate visitors.

Chromotherapy Christmas, as it’s known, will involve interactive lights and voice experiences that explore the wonders of colourful illuminations, inspired by the healing concept of Chromotherapy.

‘Wave’ is described on the space’s website as an ‘all-encompassing, immersive experience that will light up Eccleston Yards and contribute to a calming energy balance for the visitor – synonymous with the wellbeing ethos of Eccleston Yards’.

The orbs’ projects are believed to energise the body (orange), stimulate happiness (yellow) and calm the heart rate (blue).

WHEN: 28 November – 11 January

Find out more here.

5) Hip Hop Bingo - London's Biggest Brunch Party

A brunch without booze, singing, dancing and eggs is like Ant without Dec in our books.

London - Brunch
Alexander Spatari//Getty Images

Days before the New Year starts, brunch lovers will be heading down to Dabbers Social Bingo in east London for the mother of all brunch events which will include singalongs, prizes, bingo and Instagram-worthy moments like no other.

Bottomless prosecco is available for just one hour between 12pm-1pm but the event itself will last a staggering six hours so make sure to line your stomachs in preparation with the delectable foodie options on offer.

WHEN: 29 December

Find out more here.

6) The Prince Charles Cinema

Christmas isn’t Christmas without the opportunity to sit down with your loved ones and consume as much TV and classic films as possible. That’s why we suggest popping into the Prince Charles Cinema where films on offer will include The Man With The Golden Gun, The Irishman, The Warriors, When Harry Met Sally, and Phantom Thread.

If that wasn’t all, NT Live: Fleabag will also be showing on 31 December (leave your bad haircuts at home) while The Good, The Bad & The Ugly will be showing on New Year’s Day.

We'll see you on the back row, gin in hand.

Find out more here.

Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.

preview for Emilia Clarke Talks All Things Christmas With ELLE UK



Headshot of Katie O'Malley
Katie O'Malley
Site Director

Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.