Majority of tourists visit London during summer months (June, July, August)…
…and during winter festive season (November, December).
However, visiting London in January can also be enjoyable.
In January, with fewer people around, you can find better deals on flight tickets and hotels as well!
Below, you will find six great events that take place in London throughout the first month of the year.
You can see them all for free!
Enjoy the read!
6 Great Free Events in London in January
1. London New Year’s Day Parade
Most people choose to stay home on the 1st of January after celebrating New Year’s Eve.
However, I encourage you to start your year by seeing the London New Year’s Day Parade.
The London New Year’s Parade is a free event that features a spectacular procession of vibrant floats, marching bands, dancers, and performers from various countries and cultures.
This colorful and lively parade travels through central London, passing by iconic landmarks such as Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall.
The event is free, although you can buy tickets for special stands to secure the best view of the show.
You can find more details here.
See also: London New Year’s Day Parade 2023 in 75 photos.
2. London’s Christmas Lights and Decorations!
London dresses up for the festive season like no other city, and most decorations stay in place through the first week of January.
You can see most of them for free!
See 16 beautiful Christmas lights in London in less than 2 hours!
3. Chinese New Year
The date of Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year) falls sometime between January 21 and February 20 (it depends on the Moon!).
It is another spectacular, family-friendly, and free event in London definitely worth experiencing!
Soho and Trafalgar Square are at the heart of London’s Chinese New Year celebrations.
You can find more details about this event in this link.
4. Canary Wharf Lights Festival
Winter Lights at Canary Wharf is a great and totally free event that brightens London in January.
It offers various stunning light installations spread all over Canary Wharf.
A wonderful winter evening walk not to be missed!
Check this website for more details.
5. March in commemoration of the beheaded King
Charles I is known as the only English monarch to be executed by beheading during the 17th century English Civil War.
On the last Sunday of January, a special march takes place, commemorating this significant moment in English history.
Location: The Mall, Horse Guard Parade, and the Banqueting House at Whitehall (the place where the execution took place at 2 pm on the 30th of January 1649!).
It is a great history lesson and fantastic spectacle to watch for the whole family!
Anyone can watch this event for free.
Here you can read more about this event.
6. The Changing of The Guard at Buckingham Palace
The Changing of the Guard is a traditional ceremony that takes place at several locations in London, most famously at Buckingham Palace.
It’s a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of British pomp and pageantry.
Here, you can check the dates and times (in January, it usually takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays).
These are all the free events in London happening in January that I wanted to share with you in this post.
If you are looking for more inspiration on what to see in London, check out my