10 Fun Things To Do This Weekend
Welcome to the first weekend of 2024. Yes, we’re all struggling with the readjustment after the hedonism of Christmas, and nothing might seem fun now we’re in January, but we’ve got a range of activities, events and exhibitions that will cure you of the January blues.
From exciting Veganuary pop-ups and brand new exhibitions to the last of the festive celebrations, here are ten fun things you can do this weekend.
10 Things To Book This Weekend
Explore London’s newest installation
Why not kick-off the new year with one of the most unique of London’s new art exhibits at the Balloon Museum. This fully interactive experience allows visitors to go on a journey through over the top, oversized, and emotive immersive installations with unexpected shapes.
Billed as ‘art you can feel’, head here to get a burst of static electricity to blow the January cobwebs off.
when: open now
where: 1 Old Billingsgate Walk, London EC3R 6DX
website: balloonmuseum.world
Have some alcohol-free cocktails at this pop-up
After almost two weeks of heavy eating and drinking, many of us don’t want to set foot within a mile of an alcoholic drink. Thankfully, this doesn’t mean our drinking options are limited.
Brighton bar Torstig are opening a new pop-up in Hoxton, where they will be selling hundreds of low and non-alcoholic drinks that are sure to make Dry January a piece of cake.
when: from 05.01.2024
Website: torstigbar.com
Get in Dreamland with Russell Young
New exhibit ‘Dreamland’ at Maddox Gallery’s new outlet on Berkeley Street is one to add to your 2024 cultural list. Exploring the next chapter in Young’s exploration of celebrity as a cultural phenomenon, the exhibition showcases a new body of work by Young, featuring images taken by legendary photographers Terry O’Neill and Gered Mankowitz.
Expect explorations of themes like seduction, desire and beauty, and a dissection of the American Dream.
when: Until 7th February
where: 12 Berkeley St, London W1J 8DT
website: maddoxgallery.com
Enjoy your last chance to skate
Not ready to let go of Christmas just yet? Skate at Somerset are still open for the first few days of January. You can still put back on those skates and pretend your back in that joyful December period.
Skate comes to an end on January 14th, however, after which your have to join the rest of us in the harsh post-festive season.
WHEN: UNTIL 14TH JANUARY
WHERE: SOMERSET HOUSE, STRAND, WC2R 1LA
WEBSITE: WWW.SOMERSETHOUSE.ORG.UK
Take your final chance to see Hiroshi Sugimoto at Southbank
One of the best exhibitions of last year comes to an end this weekend, which means this is your last chance to see Hiroshi Sugimoto’s work at the Southbank Centre’s Hayward Gallery.
Featuring key works from all of the Japanese artist’s major photographic series, this survey highlights Sugimoto’s philosophical yet playful inquiry into our understanding of time and memory, and photography’s ability to both document and invent.
when: until 7th January
where: Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre
Website: southbankcentre.co.uk
Visit Bankside’s Twelfth Night celebrations
Twelfth Night is an annual collective celebration of the New Year held in the Bankside area of London. Twelfth Night mixes ancient Midwinter seasonal customs and contemporary festivity.
It is free, accessible to all and happens whatever the weather (even if we are hit by yet another storm).
when: 7th january
where: Bankside London SE1
website: thelionspart.co.uk
Start off your new year’s cinematic journey
There’s a lot of great films being released in 2024, but not all are out just yet – thankfully the BFI have the perfect film to keep you satisfied until Poor Things comes out.
Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s masterpiece The Red Shoes is on in a special screening to celebrate the films 75th anniversary – the perfect activity during a grey Sunday
when: 6th and 7th January
where: BFI Southbank, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XT
website: BFI.org.uk
Enjoy Veganuary with new recipes and restaurant pop-ups
Another January, another Veganuary. As always, the best way to tackle this new year trend is to embrace all the best aspect including exciting restaurant pop-ups and delicious recipes, without feeling under pressure to be too strict with yourself.
Check out some great recipes here, or try out Pastaio’s new month-long collaboration with vegan chef and food writer Meera Sodha.
website: veganuary.com
website: pastiao.co.uk
And 2 events Worth travelling for…
Get back to nature with this Edinburgh exhibit
Deep Rooted is a group exhibition featuring work by eight contemporary artists exploring the relationship between people and the natural environment.
Using a variety of media and approaches, some of the works reflect on current ecological issues, others explore our fragile coexistence with nature and capture its beauty. This is also perfect for the whole family, and they are hosting a family craft workshop on Saturday.
when: 18th November -25th February 2024
where: City art centre, 2 Market St, Edinburgh EH1 1DE
website: edinburghmusuems.org.uk
See rare art from David Hockney at Charleston
Discover a range of rarely-seen early drawings by one of the most popular and recognisable artists of modern times, David Hockney, at this exhibition in Charleston, East Sussex.
From a box of matches on a table to bunches of spring onions and leeks, This exhibition provides an opportunity to sample the power of observation and artistic finesse that characterises Hockney’s early works — some well known, and others rarely shown in public.
when: Until 14th April
where: Firle, West Firle, Lewes BN8 6LL
website: Charleston.org.uk
