January in London isn’t quiet — it’s just more discerning. This week brings a landmark museum exhibition steeped in diplomacy and tragedy, a glossy new Mayfair restaurant tapping into the Georgian food boom, and a slate of culture worth leaving the house for. From big-ticket art and unmissable live sport to prestige television and a much-anticipated album release, here’s how to spend your weekend in London. Just don’t forget an umbrella.
Things to do in London this weekend
The absolute must-see: Hawai’i, A Kingdom Crossing Oceans
British Museum, until May 25, britishmuseum.org
The first major exhibition at the British Museum for 2026 charts Britain’s long relationship with Hawai’i since King Liholiho and Queen Kamāmalu’s visit to London in 1824 and, for the first time since 1900, makes public significant artefacts such as the king’s rare feathered cloak, yellow and as bright as the sun. The show is one of diplomacy and tragedy: the Hawaiian royals sailed for Britain to seek protection, but both contracted measles while travelling and later died.
The can’t miss album: Locket by Madison Beer
Out January 16
Dry January or not, Madison Beer is back with her latest record, Locket. Initially pegged for December, the album was moved ahead of an upcoming UK tour, penned for May. The pop star has built an enormous fan base in recent years thanks to her soulful blend of pop and R&B, and a near ubiquitous TikTok presence. Her latest single, Yes Baby, has been hailed as “sultry, confident, and hypnotic” by critics — expect the album to be of equal merit.
The culture fix: London Art Fair
Business Design Centre, January 21–25
The London Art Fair returns to Islington, showcasing the best modern art with a fervent focus on British works. This year will pay particular notice to the country’s most intriguing emerging artists — many of whom have been reviewed on these pages — pooling together a mix of affordable and higher-end pieces. This year is likely to be a busy one for the art world and this is a good way to ease into it.
The restaurant everyone’s talking about: DakaDaka
10 Heddon Street, W1B 4BX, opens January 17, @dakadaka.london
As you’ve probably heard, it’s all about Georgian food and wine this year, and DakaDaka is testament to the trend. While London has been home to Georgian restaurants for decades, DakaDaka is a hugely glamorous new destination in Mayfair. The menu still features Georgian classics, khinkali (twisted dumplings) being the most famous, but also includes Cornish bream crudo and lamb stew with green plums and rkatsiteli, a native wine.
The biggest thing in film: The Bone Temple
In cinemas from January 16
The fourth film in the 28 Days Later franchise, the Bone Temple was shot back-to-back with its predecessor and stars Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams, Erin Kellyman and Chi Lewis-Parry. Here Spike is inducted into Sir Jimmy Crystal’s gang of acrobatic killers in a post-apocalyptic Britain ravaged by the Rage virus. Lots of blood and death again. Popular, much? A fifth film is already in development.
The unmissable telly: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Sky Atlantic & Now, from January 19
“Thronies”, countless as they are, will be hotly anticipating this fantasy series from Ira Parker and George RR Martin. A prequel to Game of Thrones, this is an adaptation of the Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas. More interesting than anything might be the lead, Peter Claffey, a 6ft 5 former rugby player from the west coast of Ireland. He stars as Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk), a knight, while 11-year-old Dexter Sol Ansell plays his young squire Egg.
The must-read: The Ten Year Affair by Erin Somers
An account of contemporary adultery between discontented New Yorkers who have moved upstate from Brooklyn with their children. Our heroine pines for a decade for a passionate affair of a 19th-century French sort, only to find that when it happens, it is not erotic because she is neurotic in a very 21st-century way. It’s sharply observed, funny and unsparing. Fantasy, it seems, trumps reality in a dispiriting way.
The one not to miss: Masters Snooker
Alexandra Palace, until January 18
The Masters is snooker’s greatest invitation event. Together with the World Championship and the UK Championship, the tournament forms the sport’s triple crown. Only the top 16 players in the world rankings qualify, so it’s an elite field and always promises the highest level of snooker. Alongside darts, snooker is surging in popularity, and this promises to be a marvellous spectacle.
The one to book for: A Burns Night blowout
Ria’s Pizza, January 25
There are Burns Night dinners taking place all over London but few are as ridiculous as the one at Ria’s, at both its Soho and Notting Hill restaurants. The menu begins with haggis pops before moving on to a “deliciously filthy” haggis, neeps and tatties pizza pie, served in the restaurant’s Detroit style. And pudding? A deep-fried Mars bar with Irn-Bru ice cream from soft serve maker Big Kid. £35 per head is a January-friendly price, though.
