Unmissable Things to Do in London in 2022
So, it’s another new year, and another list of Unmissable Things To Do in London (and beyond) – let’s just hope we get to do them all this time around!
We kick off with a bunch of fun and fabulous things to do this January, and then preview some of the other diversions 2022 has to offer – and, of course, we’ll have a dedicated February list for you, next month…
Banish those January blues!
Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World | Chichester Festival Theatre | 12-16 January | From £10
A pop musical celebrating the lives of Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Marie Curie and Emmeline Pankhurst to name a few to life.
London Short Film Festival | Multiple Venues | 14-23 January
London’s festival of up and coming film talent is back with an impressive programme that you should leap into.
Jean-Daniel Broussé – (le) PAIN | The Place | 18 & 19 January | £18
A circus voyage of bread-making, physical heroics and growing up queer in provincial France.
Winter Lights | Canary Wharf | 19-29 January | FREE
Light breathes life into the corporate jungle that is Canary Wharf. Drink in the light in the darkest part of the year.
Christine Bovill’s Tonight You Belong to Me | Wilton’s Music Hall | 25-29 January | From £8
The gorgeous gregarious Glaswegian chanteuse takes on the roaring twenties.
Sadly VAULT Festival 2022 has been cancelled as of 4 January 2022
VAULT Festival | The Vaults | From 25 January
The annual melting pot of future talent in writing, performance and show business returns with some epic shows in the murky vaults under Waterloo.
KingDom Launch | The Glory | 26 January @ 8pm | £10
Drag king circus film launch, followed by an evening of suitably outré cabaret drag performance.
Lewisham Borough of Culture: Day One | Multiple Venues | 28 January
Our local borough Lewisham is finally recognised for its cultural significance to London. The programme is pretty scant at the moment, but includes opera in Deptford and this launch event with Irie Dance Theatre.
February & Beyond!
Syrian Cassette Archives | Cafe OTO | 3 February @ 8pm | From £10
A live celebration of Syria’s abundant cassette era (1970s to 2010).
One Night Records: The Lovers Edit | Wardens Grove (SE1) | 3-26 February | From £35
An immersive festival experience, just a stone’s throw from Tower of London.
The Chosen Haram | Jacksons Lane | 4-6 February | £18
A circus show on two Chinese poles, that deals with queer connection, faith and addiction.
Docks After Dark | Museum of London Docklands | 4-25 February | £20
Hear chilling tales of the docks in this spooky night at one of London’s under appreciated museums.
Akala in Conversation | Royal Festival Hall | 6 February @ 7:30pm | From £10
World-renowned thinker, author of ‘Natives’ and musician Akala launches the paperback edition of The Dark Lady with special guests and performances from his Hip Hop Shakespeare Company.
An Unfinished Man | The Yard Theatre | 12 February – 12 March | £15
Dipo Baruwa-Etti takes over The Yard warehouse theatre in Hackney Wick, for a tale where ‘Juju exists, spirits battle, and the witches and wizards of Lagos chant loudly in East London’.
New Opening: Brixton House | 15 February
The long awaited reincarnation of Ovalhouse comes to life this February.
Decriminalised Futures | ICA | 15 February – 22 May | £5
This exhibition looks at the experiences of contemporary sex workers and imagines the future of decriminalisation of sex work.
Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Hearts | Stanley Hall | 28 February @ 7:30pm | FREE
The first in a series of films at Stanley Hall exploring incredible Black queer cinema by BGA Cinema, in collaboration with The Batty Mama. This film tells the story of Lorraine Hansberry, the visionary playwright who authored the groundbreaking A Raisin in the Sun.
David Hoyle: Ten Commandments | Soho Theatre | 28 March – 2 April | From £11
The 21st century we live in is blown apart with ten ways to rebalance all the inequities and injustices that surround us by the anti-drag apocalyptic icon David Hoyle.
Re-opening: KOKO | Spring
Camden’s iconic gig venue re-opens with some luxe (if not slightly yuppy) additions including a restaurant and an intimate concert space in the roof.
Dead Poets Live: Marie Lloyd and T. S. Eliot | Wilton’s Music Hall | 11 & 12 April | From £12.50
A whole host of star names will hopefully come together to celebrate the connections between East London’s music hall queen Marie Lloyd and poet T.S.Eliot of Cats and The Wasteland fame.
MARYS SEACOLE | Donmar Warehouse | 15 April – 4 June | From £10
It’s long past time that Florence Nightingale made space on the nursing pedestal for Jamaican nurse Mary Seacole – this play should nudge things along.
Breaking the News | The British Library | 22 April – 21 August | From £16
The news has the power to change our minds, make us panic and form opinions. This exhibition at the British Library aims to delve deeper into the overwhelming power of the newsroom in the world today.
The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs | Soho Theatre | 5 May – 11 June | From £11
Move over Sister Act, 2022 is all about ‘The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs’ – ‘a lesbian choir on a mission to unite a disparate and dwindling community’.
Brighton Fringe | Multiple Venues | 6 May – 5 June
Dip your toe into the ocean of fringe which will hopefully return this year. Head to Brighton for a weird and wonderful pick n mix.
Animal Farm | Richmond Theatre | 10-14 May | From £13
Skilled puppetry takes centre stage in this adaptation of George Orwell’s allegorical dystopia based on a farm.
Electric Japan 2022 | The Coronet Theatre | 14–29 May
Dance, theatre, photography, fashion and irezumi – the ancient art of tattooing come together in Notting Hill.
Mighty Hoopla | Brockwell Park | 3 & 4 June | From £59.50
Sugababes (original line up), Cleopatra (comin atcha!), Charity Shop Sue (no discounts), Kim Wilde and Samantha Fox all join forces for the ultimate feel-good pop party in the park.
Greenwich + Docklands International Festival | 26 August – 10 September
London’s best festival, which premiered works like Borealis (the Northern lights that rocked London in 2021), is sure to impress with their 2022 line up of visual spectacle, collective performance and playful storytelling.
