How to Celebrate New Year’s Day in London 

How to Celebrate New Year’s Day in London

Are you spending the beginning of the year in London? If you’re lucky enough to celebrate the most exciting day of the year in the British capital, I’ve got some amazing plans for you. Whether you’re feeling fresh and full of energy or are trying to recover from NYE (hopefully you had a blast), there’s something on for you for today. From wintery activities such as ice skating or Christmas Markets (with juicy discounts), to art exhibitions and museums.

I’ve rounded up the best ways to spend the first bank holiday of 2020, and none of them involves getting very sweaty (ice skating doesn’t count). If you’re reading this with a bit of a headache and are thinking of giving it up, think twice, there’s plenty of time to recover when you get back to work.

Without further ado, get off to an excellent start with these events happening on the 1st of January.

1. New Year’s Day Parade

New Years Day Parade – Image sourced from their website

For the past 33 years, London’s New Year’s Day Parade (fondly known by Londoners as LNYDP) marches through the streets of the West End of London. The parade first took place in 1987, as the Lord Mayor of Westminster’s Big Parade and began with 2,000 performers. This year, more than 10,000 dancers, acrobats, musicians and performers fill the parade route and hundreds of thousands of spectators line the streets to witness the event. You can watch the parade for free along the streets, or book grandstand tickets to guarantee a good view. The parade begins on Piccadilly, before making its way down to Whitehall.

Where: Piccadilly Circus (Google)
Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus
When: 1 January, From 12 noon
Price: Free

2. Winter Wonderland Final Days

Winter Wonderland – Image sourced from their website

Enjoy the last few days of Winter Wonderland’s huge ice rink, observation wheel and the Magical Ice Kingdom, plus themed bars for the grown-ups (in case you still want more party). Admission to Winter Wonderland is free but for access to the other festive activities, attractions and themed bars you’ll need to book tickets. Planning what you’re going to do will help, as it can turn to be an expensive evening out. Also, expect large crowds today.

WHEN: Until 5 JANUARY 2020
WHERE: LONDON W2 2AR (GOOGLE)
NEAREST TUBE: MARBLE ARCH, HYDE PARK CORNER
OPENING HOURS: MONDAY TO SUNDAY (10AM-10PM)

3. V&A Museum

Image sourced from Unsplash

Visiting museums is the last thing on most people’s minds on new year’s day. In fact, most people probably assume that they are closed that day. The V&A, being more of an adult museum, is very unlikely to be busy. There are three museums around this area of South Kensington: The Victoria and Albert Museum, The Science Museum and The Natural History Museum. If you have more time, I’d recommend visiting the three of them. Note that all three museums are open on 1 January, so it would be a good day to cover them all.

OPENING TIMES: MON-SUN (10AM-5.45PM) FRI (10AM-10PM)
ADMISSION: FREE ADMISSION
ADDRESS: CROMWELL RD, SW7 2RL (GOOGLE)
Nearest Tube: South Kensington

4. Skate at Somerset House

Somerset House Ice Rink – Image sourced from their website

Somerset House’s winter ice rink turns 20 this year — and it’s celebrating by staying open all night (even if you’re not planning to take the wonderful opportunity). Skate at Somerset House will be open to keen skaters for 24 hours, tying in with the venue’s major winter exhibition 24/7.

As with the Natural History Museum, Somerset House, offers an entire cultural program of its own. Don’t miss its current exhibition and – my favourite – the Nelson staircase. The main building an exhibits will be open until 6pm on the 1st.

WHEN: 13 NOVEMBER TO 12 JANUARY
Opening Times: 9am-10pm
WHERE: LONDON WC2R 1LA (GOOGLE)
NEAREST TUBE: TEMPLE
PRICE: FROM £11

5. New Year’s Day Prom at Barbican

Barbican Christmas Carols – Image sourced from their website

Begin the new year with the London Concert Orchestra and some of classical music’s most popular works including Puccini’s ‘Nessun Dorma’, alongside traditional British anthems. Celebrate the New Year with a complimentary drink and a concert of classical favourites. Produced by Raymond Gubbay Ltd. This performance will end at approximately 4.45pm, including a 20 minute interval.

For a gentler introduction to 2020, take an afternoon stroll around the City of London’s tropical conservatory. Among the Barbican’s brutalist architecture lies something of a green paradise, with trees, plants, cacti, fish, and even a few terrapins (12pm-5pm).

WHEN: 1 January
WHERE: BARBICAN CENTRE, SILK STREET, EC2Y 8DS (GOOGLE)
NEAREST TUBE: BARBICAN
PRICE: FROM £19.50

6. New Year’s Day Extravaganza by Candlelight

St Martin-in-the-Fields Christmas Carols – Image sourced from their website

New Year’s Day Extravaganza is the culmination of a Christmas programme full of carols, special services and other events. Enjoy today an evening of Baroque music with the New Year’s Day Extravaganza at St Martin-in-the-Fields church as it’s beautifully lit by candlelight.

The church is known for its regular lunchtime and evening concerts and support to homeless and vulnerably housed people. In fact, St Martin-in-the-Fields has raised money for vulnerable people in its annual Christmas Appeal since 1920. You can be sure that your money will go to good causes.

WHEN: 1 JANUARY
WHERE: TRAFALGAR SQUARE, WC2N 4JJ (GOOGLE)
NEAREST TUBE: CHARING CROSS
PRICE: FROM £10

7. Go for a nice walk around a leafy park

Richmond Park – Image via Unsplash

Explore one of London’s most beautiful Royal Parks in an attempt to walk off those Christmas calories. Besides the city’s stunning architecture and street art (which is always there), London’s Royal Parks remain open on key dates such as the 25th of December and the 1st of January. My top picks would be:

• Richmond Park: The largest of London’s Royal Parks, ideal for a long bucolic wall surrounded by deer.
• Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens: Once part of Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens offers a mix of old and new park pastimes and green space.
• St James’s Park: The oldest Royal Park in London and is located in the heart of the city and provides amazing views of Buckingham Palace.
• Regent’s Park & Primrose Hill: An entertaining walk (you’ll find ponds, gardens, views…) that will finish at the summit of Primrose Hill with some spectacular views across London.

8. Southbank Centre’s New Year’s Day Ceilidh

New Year’s Day Ceilidh – Image sourced from their website

What’s Ceilidh? A traditional Scottish or Irish social gathering that involves dancing and playing Gaelic folk music. Expect lots of fun (and booze to keep the party going) so maybe skip this one if you’re a bit hungover. While the banjo and the fiddle set the tone, the callers instruct you through do-si-dos and strip the willows until everyone’s on the floor! From Hoxton to Humberside, Cut A Shine are putting ceilidh dance back on the map. Don’t miss the Christmas Market just outside, it’s on until January 5.

WHERE: ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL, THE CLORE BALLROOM, LEVEL 2 (GOOGLE)
WHEN: 1 January at 1pm
PRICE: FREE

9. Classic Cars in Greenwich

Classic Cars in Greenwich – Image sourced from their website

London’s classic car drivers roar into the year with the first Park It in the Market of 2020 in Greenwich. Vintage cars and motorbikes pull up for the public to coo over them, while the market stalls are open for business as usual. Hundreds of people show up to listen to some great live music, wander round the food stalls or simply relax in the Coach and Horses or the Admiral Hardy. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming as visitors wander around the classic cars and chat to their owners.

Don’t miss the stunning ice rink at the nearby the Queen’s House, it will be open until the 12th of January.

WHERE: 5B Greenwich Market, Greenwich Peninsula, London SE10 9HZ (GOOGLE)
WHEN: 1 January, 2pm-6pm
PRICE: FREE

10. Shop a bargain at London’s Christmas Markets

Southbank Centre – Image sourced from their website

Sales! Sales! Sales! With the winter season finishing, most markets close up the season with juicy discounts. Whether you’re looking for festive food such as mince pies, mulled wine or classic decorations for next year, you can find all you need for Christmas at these superb markets in London:

• Winter Market at Southbank Centre: Until 5 January, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London, SE1 8XX (Google)
• Christmas in Leicester Square: Until 5 January, Leicester Square, London WC2H 7DE (Google)
• Trafalgar Square Market: Until 5 January, Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, London WC2N 5DN (Google)
• Hyde Park Winter Wonderland: Until 5 January, London W2 2AR (Google)
• Christmas by the River at London Bridge City: Until 5 January, The Scoop at More, London SE1 2AA (Google)

More public transport information here.

I hope you enjoyed this list and are able to visit some of these wonderful Christmas Day plans across London. Make sure you check other Christmas events, shows and activities in London:

• Top 7 Christmas Markets in London
• Where to see the best Christmas lights in London
• Where To Go Ice Skating In London This Winter
• 10 Christmas Carols Not To Miss In London This December
• The 7 Best Shopping Areas in London for Christmas
• Top 10 Shows to Watch This Christmas in London
• 10 Best Christmas Trees to Visit in London
• Top 10 Themed Afternoon Teas to Try This Christmas in London
• 10 Things To Do in London for Christmas
• 10 Things to do in London on Christmas Eve
• What to do on Christmas Day in London