London's Lively Start to 2026: Cirque, Comedy, and City Sights

Welcome, listeners, to Things to Do in London with your roving sports nut Oly Bennet, zooming in from the capital on Friday 9 January 2026. London’s in full “new year, who dis?” mode: chilly but bright, scarves on, flat whites steaming, and everyone pretending they’re still sticking to their resolutions. Today’s vibe? Big. According to The London Minute newsletter, it’s a stacked weekend: Cirque du Soleil’s latest extravaganza OVO is buzzing away at the Royal Albert Hall, turning acrobatics into an Olympic-level bug Olympics. Londonist’s weekend guide also flags the legendary No Trousers Tube Ride, so if your Central line carriage looks a bit drafty later… that’s why. Let’s hit some headline events for today. DesignMyNight highlights the Covent Garden Comedy Club at The Bull & Egret, serving up international comics and big-name headliners – perfect if you want to laugh your way out of Dry January. FamiliesOnline points you toward Jurassic World: The Experience at Battersea Power Station, where the T. rex is basically London’s scariest bouncer. Over at County Hall, The Paddington Bear Experience invites you to help prep for a Marmalade Day Festival – pure wholesome chaos. And if you fancy something artsy after dark, the Winter Light Art Trail on the South Bank, listed by FamiliesOnline, is still glowing along the river with futuristic installations. On the culture front, Secret London reports that London’s January is stacked with theatre: from West End heavyweights to quirky smaller shows all over town. Resident magazine points to big winter exhibitions and immersive experiences like Bubble Planet in Wembley and contemporary art at the Moco Museum near Marble Arch, both perfect for a weather-safe wander. Now, a few city updates for you urban athletes. According to Citizen Femme, London is kicking off the year with new restaurant and bar openings, including a soulful jazz-influenced cocktail spot in Covent Garden, so your post-show drinks game is strong. Transport-wise, it’s January, so always check TfL before you travel – weekend engineering works love to turn a quick hop into a marathon. Here are my must-do plays of the day. Start with a brisk walk along the South Bank: hit the Winter Light Art Trail, then duck into the National Theatre or the BFI for a film or play. Zip over to Battersea Power Station for Jurassic World or Lift 109, which FamiliesOnline notes gives you insane 360-degree skyline views from inside the old power station chimney. Tonight, pick your finale: Covent Garden Comedy Club for laughs, or Cirque du Soleil at the Royal Albert Hall for high-flying spectacle. Local tip from Oly’s sideline notebook: Londoners treat the bus like a secret VIP tour. Sit upstairs at the front of a classic red double-decker – routes like the 11 or 24 turn everyday journeys into budget sightseeing, past icons like Trafalgar Square and Westminster, for the price of a single fare. And keep your eyes on tomorrow: Londonist and The London Minute ar This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.