Ahead Of The Crowd: Top Things To Do In London In January

January is an ideal time to visit London: the buzz and bustle of Christmas has died down, but many festive attractions are still open, and new events are also starting to pop up. To avoid the stress of driving into the city and paying expensive parking fees, why not organise a hassle-free coach hire and make it a group outing? 

Here are some of the best things to do and see in the capital in January 2025. 

Shop the January sales

Many high street shops and independent retailers run sales from Boxing Day through to mid-January. Public transport may be limited during these times, so a private hire coach journey is an ideal solution. The West End, Covent Garden, and Westfield are all popular London shopping destinations. 

If you are into luxury designer brands, then head for the King’s Road boutiques or the high-end brands to be found on Bond Street. Other good places to seek out luxury labels and favourite high street brands are Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Carnaby Street. For tech aficionados, Tottenham Court Road is the place to be. 

Department stores are another great place for sales shopping, because you’ve got all the goodies under one roof. Harrods, Harvey Nichols, and Selfridges are your holy trinity if luxury labels are your pursuit. Hamleys is a magical treasure trove for children’s toys and games; Fortnum and Mason is foodie heaven, and John Lewis is an all round favourite. 

Catch a West End Show

January is the perfect time to catch a London show: many pantomimes carry on well into January, and the big West End theatres often have discounted tickets for some of the musicals at this time of year. The city is also quieter, so you can make a weekend of it and fit in some sightseeing or shopping.

There’s plenty of classic shows to choose from, such as the ever-popular Lion King at the Lyceum, Mrs Doubtfire at the Shaftesbury Theatre, and Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre to name but just a few. Many of these theatres are beautiful historic buildings that have been lovingly restored and maintained over the years, so the whole night is a really special treat. 

Watch the New Year’s Day Parade

If you’re the type of person who is always up bright and early and looking for a memorable way to welcome the first day of the year, then why not schedule a visit to London’s New Year’s Day Parade. It’s a colourful spectacle with over 10,000 performers from around the globe, and a street audience of over 500,000. 

The Grand Finale of the London International Choral Festival is also performed in internationally acclaimed music venues across London, and many charity fundraising events take place during the day. 

The parade starts at Piccadilly at 12 noon, then moves along Regent Street and St James’s, Pall Mall, Whitehall, and finishes at Trafalgar Square at 3.30pm. It’s free to watch and there’s an accessible viewing area, ticketed grandstands, and big screens. 

Visit the Hogwarts Studio Tour

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter features a special Hogwarts in the Snow attraction until 5 January; a must-see for Potter fans of all ages. It’s a fascinating insight into how the much-loved movies were made, offering access to famous sets that were used and authentic props and costumes. 

You’ll also discover how some of the amazing special effects were created and how some of the iconic scenes such as Quidditch matches were filmed. 

Take a tour

If you are unfamiliar with London, it’s a good opportunity to take a coach tour to see the famous sights, such as Big Ben, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, The Houses of Parliament, and Buckingham Palace. You can also get into many cultural institutions such as the British Museum and the National Gallery for free. 

Arrange an itinerary in advance with the coach company so that you can stop off and explore the places that interest you the most in more depth. It’s ideal at this time of the year, as you will beat the queues before the tourist crowds start to return.