Things To Do On In London On New Year's Day 2026

• Location: Arches 14-15, Deptford, SE8 4BX
• Price: from £33 per person
• Why we recommend: this kitsch cocktail and afternoon tea spot is pure nostalgia, bursting with charm, glitter, and Pat Butcher-level fabulousness

If you fancy kicking off the New Year with a proper knees-up, Little Nan's in Deptford is the place to do it. Launched in honour of the founder's late grandmother, this multi-award-winning bar is a riot of colour and character, serving up cocktails in teapots and vases amidst a gloriously over-the-top mix of vintage treasures and 90s memorabilia.

Whether you go for their bottomless boozy brunch, the Pat Butcher version (yes, it's as iconic as it sounds), or the afternoon tea - sober or tipsy, you'll be spoiled rotten by Little Nan's 'grandkids' in surroundings that feel like your nan's living room crossed with an EastEnders fever dream.

• Locations: Pizza Pilgrims, Brasserie Of Light, Clos Maggiore, and more
• Price: varies
• Why we recommend: London's culinary scene is pretty epic, so start the year as you mean to go on with a delicious meal at one of its best restaurants (and fortunately, we have a guide for that)

Celebrate New Year's Day in London by dining at one of its fabulous restaurants. These hearty meals will have you feeling refreshed after last night's antics, and are a great way to start 2026 as you mean to go on. 

Go all out with a fabulous four-course spread at The Ritz, or keep it more subtle with the New Year's Day brunch menu (£35.95 per person) at one of The Ivy locations across the capital. We're excited for a roast at The Ned, or a couple of oysters at J Sheekey Oyster Bar.

• Location: Coal Drops Yard, Stable Street, King's Cross, N1C 4DQ
• Price: from £9 per person
• Why we recommend: this is a super cosy activity to do with friends, family or even on a date. It keeps the spirits high by being affordable and gorgeous, thanks to its Italian-themed lounge

Start the year off with a bang (or rather, a slide) at Club Curling in Coal Drops Yard. Open throughout the festive season and into 2026, it's the perfect post-party pick-me-up.

Shake off the night before with some friendly competition on the curling lanes, then retreat to the cosy Club Curling Lounge for a sensory reset. Expect creative experiments, warming drinks, and a nostalgic Alpine atmosphere. 

• Location: Gunpowder Square, Blackfriars, EC4A 3DG
• Price: from £18.15 per game
• Why we recommend: for two to three hours, you'll be bounding around the city solving clues and uncovering the truth - a brilliant mind-bending way to spend the 1st of January, all before winding down in a pub afterwards 

What better way to freshen up on New Year's Day than with a fun outdoor activity? StreetHunt Games will set you up on a self-guided mystery tour of the city, featuring some iconic landmarks, with an interactive map and virtual contacts to help you out.

Wander down the famous streets that were once flocked by the likes of Dickens and Dr Johnson, and build your team wisely, with players of up to six. 

• Location: 35 Charles Street, Mayfair, W1J 5EB
• Price: starts from £15, mains from £29
• Why we recommend: the festivities don't have to end just quite yet, and The Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel does a great job of showing this with its New Year's Day feast 

Head out for a classy meal this New Year's Day to reminisce on the recent festivities at The Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel. Their elegant British menu, with a few international twists, perfectly complements the beautiful and sophisticated venue. 

Select dishes from the elegant a la carte menu, showcasing the finest British cuisine. Our favourites include the native lobster and crayfish cocktail to start, followed by the restaurant's famous Dover sole.

• Location: Piccadilly, Regent Street St James's, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, finishing at Westminster
• Price: free to watch
• Why we recommend: it's London's biggest street celebration - a dazzling, feel-good way to start the year surrounded by music, colour and community spirit

There's no better way to kick off 2026 than by joining the crowds for London's New Year's Day Parade. This world-famous spectacle sees over 10,000 performers from across the globe bring central London to life with an explosion of sound and colour. The two-mile route is filled with marching bands from the USA, samba dancers, acrobats, cheerleaders, and home-grown talents like the Medina Marching Band and the hilarious viral troupe Bad Moms That Dance.

Eurovision star Sam Ryder is also set to headline, adding even more sparkle to the celebrations. Expect spectacular floats, classic cars, and larger-than-life inflatables as the parade winds its way from Piccadilly to Westminster. Arrive early to grab a prime spot along the route (Trafalgar Square is always a favourite), wrap up warm, and prepare for a lively start to the year that's guaranteed to leave you smiling.

• Locations: Alexandra Palace, Skate Leicester Square, Somerset House, and more
• Price: from £12 per adult, £9 per child 
• Why we recommend: while you can still skate in London at one of its fab rinks, this will be your last chance to glide around its festive pop-ups until winter 2026 comes around 

Kick off New Year's Day in London with tickets to one of these glorious ice rinks. From the impressive surroundings of ICE Sky-High Skating at Bussey Rooftop Bar and Somerset House to Winter Wonderland, all offer the chance to show off your skills and get some festive content for Instagram while you're at it.

Tickets start from £12 per adult and upwards, and £9 per child, with some even offering family packages if you decide to go as a group on the 1st of January.

• Locations: South Bank, Mayfair, Buckingham Palace Christmas Shop, and more
• Price: mostly free entry 
• Why we recommend: London's Christmas markets stay open into the new year, making them the perfect way to ease into January with cosy vibes, festive flavours, and a final taste of Christmas magic

If you're not quite ready to say goodbye to the festive season, spend New Year's Day exploring London's Christmas markets while the city still twinkles with holiday cheer. Along the Thames, the Southbank Centre Winter Market is a dreamy spot for a gentle stroll with fairy lights, hot chocolates, and artisan stalls filled with handmade gifts and winter treats.

Over by London Bridge City, Winter by the River offers unbeatable views of Tower Bridge, cosy cabins serving glühwein, and a snug, romantic atmosphere that makes January feel a little warmer. Whether you're nursing a sore head or simply stretching out the season, London's festive markets offer the ultimate cosy start to the new year.

• Location: Oxford Street, Carnaby Street, Kew Gardens and more
• Price: from free
• Why we recommend: London truly sparkles on New Year's Day, with many of its dazzling Christmas light displays still glowing bright

Ease into New Year's Day with a walk under London's world-famous Christmas lights, as the city glimmers with festive brilliance long after the clock strikes midnight. Wander beneath the glittering canopy of Oxford Street, where 5,000 recyclable stars twinkle above shoppers, or head to Covent Garden, whose 40-foot tree, giant baubles and bells create a postcard-perfect scene in the heart of the West End.

Those in search of something more serene can make for Kew Gardens, whose immersive light trail transforms the historic gardens into a glowing wonderland of tunnels, pavilions and illuminated trees, complete with mulled wine and street food to keep the chill at bay.

• Locations: Highgate to Hampstead Heath, Greenwich Park, Richmond Park, and more 
• Price: free
• Why we recommend: nothing feels better than kicking off the year with a brisk stroll and fresh air, pondering what's in store for 2026

Stretch your legs while discovering some of London's most picturesque walking spots on New Year's Day. There's plenty to choose from in the city that's 20% made up of public parks. Check out some nature in Walthamstow Wetlands or get a peek at the deer in Richmond Park.

If succulents are more your thing, Kew Gardens is the place for you. And when you're done feeling all smug and wholesome? Head to the pub and warm yourself by the fire, with a glass of something tasty. Oh, yes.

• Location: Novello Theatre, Aldwych, Covent Garden, WC2B 4LD
• Price: from £39 per person 
• Why we recommend: this is one of the best musicals in the capital, and it will fill your start to the year with absolute joy and sunshine 

One of the best things to do on New Year's Day in London is to go to the theatre in the West End. There are plenty of shows to see, but this long-running gem is one of our favourites. Get transported to sunny Greece with MAMMA MIA! as you go on a journey via heaps of ABBA hits to help Sophie find her father, just in time for her wedding day.

You'll be singing 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!' at the top of your lungs, begging everyone to 'Take A Chance On Me', and throwing shapes to be the ultimate 'Dancing Queen'.