What’s on guide: January
With life getting busier every week and new bars, restaurants and events opening every month, staying on top can be tricky. So here’s a round up of this month’s hottest happenings in and around the local area…
What? Winter Lights at Canary Wharf
Where? Winter Lights at Canary Wharf
When? Thursday January 16th 2020 - Saturday January 25th 2020
The bright lights of Canary Wharf's towers are quite the spectacle after dark, but the business district glows brighter than usual throughout January thanks to the addition of sparkling installations from international artists. Winter Lights returns in 2020 with a new set of dazzling artworks, installations and interactive experiences.
What? Winter at Skylight Rooftop
Where? Skylight London, Wapping
When? Until Saturday January 25th 2020
Winter is returning to East London, more specifically the Tobacco Dock in Wapping. Alongside your usual festive festivies, including a rooftop ice rink (the only natural one in the whole of Europe, as well), you can find the frozen stretch by a row of cosy igloos and huts where you can knock back mugs of mulled wine and feast on roasted chestnuts.
What? Museum of Architecture Gingerbread City
Where? Somerset House, Aldwych
When? Until Sunday January 5th 2020
The Museum of Architecture’s Gingerbread City is back and this year it's filling the mighty Somerset House with impressive models made of dough. Feast your eyes on an imaginary city made by architecture firms, who were invited to pick a plot on the masterplan and respond to a brief set by Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design. This time around the theme is ‘transport’ so look out for biscuity new ways of moving around our packed city. There’ll also be gingerbread house making workshops throughout the duration of the show (from £35) and don’t be tempted to nibble on your creation.
What? Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh review
Where? Saatchi Gallery, Chelsea
When? Until Sunday May 3rd 2020
From its Discovery Channel-style intro to its blingy sort-of catalogue, this show of 150 artefacts from the tomb of Tutankhamun feels like it would be more at home in the Bellagio in Vegas than in the venerable British Museum. And that’s okay. There’s not a whole lot of new scholarship here: this is the greatest hits. A century after the discovery of these extraordinary objects by archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922, this world tour will be the last time they will be seen outside Egypt. Time to get booking and gawping.
What? Beethoven Mass in C - all day workshop
Where? St Mary’s Church High Road South Woodford
When? Saturday 18th January 2020
A chance to celebrate Beethoven's 250th anniversary by singing this masterly setting of the mass alongside the Valentine Singers. Spend a day working on the piece and, if you enjoy yourself, think about joining us for the rest of term and being part of our concert on 21st March.
What? Dick Whittington
Where? Theatre Royal Stratford East Gerry Raffles Square
When? Thursday 2nd January 2020 to Saturday 4th January 2020, Tuesday 7th January 2020 to Friday 10th January 2020
Pack your bags! It’s time to hit the road and follow your dreams… Join Dick Whittington on his quest to find adventure, fame and fortune in London, at Stratford East's annual must-see pantomime. Will he defeat the villainous rodent who’s taken control of the city? Expect our much-loved mix of original show-stopping songs, belly-tickling laughs and sprinkle of magic (and perhaps a bit of snow) in this year’s festive treat for all ages.
What? Petite Pantos Presents ’Little Red Riding Hood’
Where? 381 Barking Rd, East Ham
When? Friday 10th January 2020 to Sunday 12th January 2020
Get ready to hiss, boo, cheer and laugh at Petite Pantos' modern spin on this traditional tale! Red Riding Hood is splitting her time between her three Grannies (all for the sake of a great joke in the second act) when she is pitted against the Big Bad Wolf (an ex politician with a dream to be in the Cats movie!) Will she save the day? Will her best friend Woody let her see his chopper? Will there be a rendition of Memory? There's only one way to find out! Bring the whole family for a laugh out loud panto with a heart of gold!
What? Burns Night Ceilidh
Where? St Mark’s Church, St Marks Rise Colvestone Crescent, Dalston
When? Friday 24th January 2020
On Friday 24th or Saturday 25th January, join the Nest Collective for a night bedecked in tartan and tam o’shanters, where whisky flows and floorboards shake, all in celebration of Scotland’s favourite son, Robert Burns. The Ceilidh Liberation Front is London’s most radical & colourful live band, subverting the lore of Ceilidh with their energetic folk dance regime. They breathe vigour and vitality into the traditional ceilidh, whilst honouring its roots and traditions.