heat’s Monthly Report: all the best things to do in January

Let’s be honest, January is BY FAR the worst month of the year. Okay, Love Island: All Stars is back on TV (yay), but it’s freezing cold outside, there are approximately 6592 weeks until the next pay day and you have to put up with that awks ‘how was your Christmas?’ small talk with every single person you bump into in the office. Not the one, huns.

But, if you need a bit of a boost this month then you’re in luck as there’s plenty of fun events to make your January just that little bit better.

We’re talking drag queens, we’re talking brunch and we’re talking MONSTER TRUCKS. Here are all the cool things you can get up to…

RuPaul's DragCon UK

Friday 10 and Saturday 11 January

ExCel London

Tickets from £60

RuPaul’s DragCon is returning to the UK for two jam-packed days of performances, meet and greets, signing and more. RuPaul himself will be there, as well as his right-hand woman Michelle Visage and more queens than we can include in this word count.  Big names include Bimini Bon Boulash, Cheryl Hole, Baga Chipz, Blu Hydrangea, Lawrence Chaney and Tayce, as well as US queens like Alyssa Edwards and Sasha Velour.

Snatch your tickets at https://uk.rupaulsdragcon.com/.

#MoveForYourMind Festival

Friday 17 and Saturday 18 January

Big Penny Social, Walthamstow, London

Tickets from £55

Actress, presenter and activist Jameela Jamil is bringing her #MoveYourMind Festival, which celebrates body positivity and self-worth, back to London for the second year in a row. In a month where so many of us are getting back into the gym, Jameela’s event will be focusing on the positive mental health benefits of movement, not just the aesthetics. There will be panel discussions, fireside chats, and a variety of movement sessions, ranging from disco dance classes and ‘twerkshops’ to yin yoga.

Tickets available now.

Veganuary

Why not try changing up your eating habits this January? We don’t mean cutting out takeaways and skipping a coffee because, sorry, it’s the little things that keep us sane. We mean why not dabble in a plant-based diet? Every year thousands of people take part in Veganuary with nearly percent sticking to a vegan lifestyle once the month is up so it can’t all be bad. Plus, it’s not like it was in the noughties when all that was on offer was humous and carrots, now there are vegan alternatives to almost everything including mozzarella sticks, milkshakes and even chicken wings.

Hunsnet's Hun Brunch

Saturday 25 January

BOXPARK Shoreditch, London

£38.38

BOXPARK is teaming up with Instagram icons Hunsnet to put funniest, hunniest party in town. Not only does their bottomless brunch include bottomless cocktails and food from the finest street food outlets in London, but there will also be fierce drag performers, competitions, prizes and giveaways and DJs playing the best throwback hits.

Tickets are available for £38.38, which is a bargain if you ask us.

The Observatory

6 - 31 January

City of London

Free

A free digital art and virtual reality experience that’s designed to soothe the January blues is popping up in the City of London - and best of all, it's free. The Observatory is a unique pop-up that reimagines art outside traditional gallery spaces, providing a much-needed sanctuary in the heart of the city. Designed to help city workers and visitors to the area navigate the challenges of January, it offers a calming environment, which we could all do with this month.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live

Throughout January

London, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Glasgow

Tickets from £41.50

Treat the big truck lover in your life to this thrilling new show from Hot Wheels, Glow-N-Fire. There’ll be fiery fun and excitement at two shows a day, a little ‘uns friendly 11:30am, and a later 6:30pm performance. Features fan-favourites including Bone Shaker and Gunkster, and brand new beast Skelesaurus.

Visit Live Nation for tickets and more information, with discounted tickets available for children under 13.

Dry January

Look, we know, we KNOW, January is the most depressing month but alcohol is a depressant so actually January is the perfect time to try a month of the sauce. Things that will thank you: your skin, which will unveil a whole new glow; the whites of your eyes, which will become whiter; your sleep, which will be more refreshing; your bank balance, although since giving up grog we justify all spenny treats by saying ‘well, I don’t anymore so…’.  And there are some great tasting AF options out there, but if anyone has found a good wine substitute please let us know…

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