January is commonly known as the sh*ttest month of the year. Those who are born at the start of the month know this all too well, but the vast majority of us face at least one of the following in the first few weeks of the year: cobwebs in our bank accounts, miserable f*cking weather, reluctant trips to the gym and limited sunshine. Oh, and breaking resolutions in a matter of days, if not hours. Freebie self care tip: try manifesting for the year ahead rather than locking yourself in to resolutions, hun.
January is all of those horrendous things, but this coming January offers a few sprinklings of hope. Not one, not two, but THREE major events in the calendar could see the 'sh*ttest month of the year' crown being passed to February in just a matter of weeks. Seriously, Valentine's Day can get in the bin.
These events are a second series of Love Island: All Stars, a third series of The Traitors (starting New Year's Day, btw) and the return of RuPaul's DragCon UK – a celebration of drag for all ages, spanning two fabulous, jam-packed days of activities revolving around the cultural reset that is RuPaul's Drag Race – in London.
heat will be there and here's just a few reasons you should get yourself a ticket for Christmas, too. Self care, huns...
No, but January is giving slay. Start your engines, racers.
What is DragCon UK?
RuPaul’s DragCon UK is a family-friendly celebration of drag for all ages, spanning two fabulous, jam packed days of activities, including the iconic pink carpet, signings and meet and greets with some of the biggest drag acts on the planet and over 40 fierce mainstage performances each day.
The heat team go year after year and it's, honestly, a camp fever dream. Fun fact, LOADS of reality stars go to the event too, so it's a fab chance to do some celeb spotting as you buy a giant fan that says 'C**T* on it. In the past we've bumped in to Love Island stars, Big Brother housemates, Traitors icons and even some serious A-listers.
When is DragCon UK?
DragCon UK always takes place in January, and in 2025, the event is taking place on Friday 10 January and Saturday 11 January.
Where is DragCon UK?
The world’s most popular queens from across the Drag Race franchise will once again be sashaying back to meet their adoring fans at the ExCeL London. Which is f*cking huge, btw, so for the love of Ru, if you're planning on wearing heels, do yourself a favour bring some flats too.
What happens at DragCon UK?
What doesn't happen at DragCon UK? Meet and greets with Drag Race icons, endless shopping opps, live performances and even an after party. To open the weekend, Michelle Visage hosts a giant pink carpet event which is basically a two-hour-long runway with all your faves. The legendary Queen's Walk is on the morning of the first day of DragCon and is not to be missed.
Which Ru Girls will be at DragCon UK?
We would genuinely go over our word count if we named them all, but year on year virtually every queen from every franchise turns up to DragCon UK and the vast majority have their own stalls with the CAMPEST themes. This year's HUGE names are Alyssa Edwards, Angeria Paris VanMicheals, Lemon, Morphine Dion Love, Nicky Doll, Pangina Heals, Priyanka, Sasha Velour, Tayce, Vanessa Vanjie, as well as the entire cast of Drag Race UK series 6.
Will RuPaul be at DragCon UK?
YES! Unlike last year, RuPaul will be there both days in 2025. He's unlikely to be in drag, but he will treat fans to an epic DJ set.
Will Michelle Visage be at DragCon UK?
Come on.
Obv.
DragCon: what's new for 2025?
Quite a bit, actually. For starters, some of the most iconic girl groups from Drag Race UK, Canada vs The World and Global All Stars – including The Frock Destroyers, United Kingdolls, The Things and Dracula's Child – will be performing in a main stage takeover and killing it in the ultimate girl-band gig of a lifetime.
We've also got wind that the cast of the upcoming Drag Race series 17 (which airs the week before the event) are all set to be appearing at this year's Con.
heat has also learned that RuPaul's makeup artist and Drag Race icon Raven will be filming an episode of her World of Wonder series Touch-Ups with Raven at this year's event.
How can I get tickets to DragCon UK 2025?
Snatch your tickets at https://uk.rupaulsdragcon.com/.
WATCH: 'We're Gonna Get Cancelled!' RuPaul's Drag Race UK Finalists Play Drag Bags
Ben Pulsford is a digital writer for Bauer Media, writing for both Closer online and heatworld. When he's not getting paid to gossip about Big Brother, Love Island and The Real Housewives of Cheshire, he's storming the London LGBTQ+ scene as drag queen, Beary Poppins. Both Ben and Beary are awaiting an invite to join The Real Housewives of Cheshire for series 18. The budget's not there, but the drama is.