Events to enjoy in London this New Year
With exhibitions, new launches and pop-ups there is a lot to keep you busy while in the city.
If you are undecided about which location to stay while in London, the hotels near Ravenscourt Park in west London are a good choice.
One of the best hotels in the area is the Adria Hotel Hammersmith in London. It offers premium facilities and is a family-friendly property very affordable in price.
Some of the best activities and events to enjoy this New Year in London are:
Enjoy a classic exhibition: If you are an art lover then do not miss the original drawings of Winnie the Pooh, which will be on display at the Victoria & Albert Museum, with the event dedicated to the lovable bear, EH Shepard and AA Milne. It is a fine mix of illustration and text, which serves as a narrative for the exhibition and focuses on the collaborative efforts of Shepard and Milne. Along with Winnie, her pals will also feature like Christopher Robin, Tigger, Eeyore and piglet along with other gang members appearing in sketches, cartoons, manuscripts and illustrations. In the world of creativity seldom has a creative relationship left such an enduring impact on generations and readers like seen between Milne and Shephard. The museum will also delve into its own collection of photographs, drawings, manuscripts etc. to narrate the success of the most famous resident of Hundred Acre.
Visit Peckham Levels: One of the newest developments in Peckham a massive former car park has undergone an extensive makeover with seven storeys dedicated to culture. Two famous residents of the area are Frank’s Cafe and Peckham Gallery that has already moved into the area. The first five floors are for media folks, artists and screen printers. The top two floors have an excellent choice of food joints and eateries like chicken wing specialists Drums & Flats and Chinese street food HAo Ho Chi. Son to join them will be Near & Far ( a venture by the team of the Magic Roundabout), a swanky new music venue Ghost Notes and a Miami styled cocktail bar. A fun place to soak in some culture and enjoy a great meal as well!
Relive the ABBA magic: If you are a fan of ABBA and enjoy their music then a visit to the ABBA Super troopers is definitely a must. An engrossing immersive exhibition it charts the career of the Swedish foursome and features their music, influence and lyrics etc. The show is at the Southbank Centre and is part of the Nordic Matter events. The exhibition showcases a variety of items including objects from the Museum in Stockholm (dedicated to ABBA), private archives, handwritten notes, personal photos, instruments, sketches, original costumes, film, album artwork etc. ABBA’s influence on Britain in the seventies is substantial, despite it being a period of economic difficulties and social unrest.
Canary Wharf Ice Rink: If you want to hone your skating skills in the New Year head over to Canary Wharf. Its soaring skyscrapers offer a stunning backdrop to the rink with other exciting features adding to the charm. A bar will offer seasonal drinks and if you are not too keen on trying the rink, you could nurse a drink and admire those showcasing their talents on the ice, instead.
Hamilton: One of the most famous and anticipated shows from Broadway has arrived at the West End, Hamilton. It is something that theatre lovers in London have been waiting for with bated breath and with good reason too. A hip-hop musical is about an interesting character Alexander Hamilton, who was the first US Treasury Secretary. Written by the brilliant Lin-Manuel Miranda it is one heck of a show and a must see when in London. With brilliant acting and a thrilling narrative, it is one of the finest shows of the decade. For tickets, you could either participate in on an online ballot (weekly) for the coming week or land up at the venue to buy tickets for the show.
Resolutions Festival: The month of January is the time to make resolutions although; we know it can be a challenge to keep up to. A good place to head to in Shoreditch when you feel your resolve weakening is Re: solutions at Jujus. It is a month full of dance classes, health and wellness programs. There are the very popular Chroma yoga sessions that are a combination of colour therapy and light, with dynamic pilates and Disco Barre. With workshops conducting meditations and talk-sessions expect to be motivated and revitalised to the core.
Feast Canteen: If you are a foodie then this is just the place to visit in the New Year. Head to Feast Canteen in West London, which is a swanky new 350 seat restaurant at Kings Mall in Hammersmith. Do not be fooled by the name as the place is classy with a wide choice of eateries which include Vietnamese Salvation in Noodles, British pizza maestros Born & Raised, Taco specialists Breddos and burger kings Patty & Bun etc. The same brilliant team that set up Pergola on the Roof created the establishment!
Lady Windermere’s Fan: Theatre aficionados can enjoy the adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s comedy, directed by Kathy Burke and featuring Jennifer Saunders. The saucy character played artfully by Saunders is a noblewoman who eagerly searches for scandalous goings-on. She plays the role of the Duchess of Berwick and for company has actors Kevin Bishop and Samantha Spiro. Replete with ripostes, it is an amusing and entertaining trip into the bygone times of the Victorian era.
