25 free events to attend in January 2025

With the excitement of the festive season behind us, January can often feel a little lacklustre. But not to worry, here are some diverting – and free – events to help you fill up your diary in the new year.

Simply click on a link below to jump straight to:

• Free nationwide events 
• Free events in London and the South East
• Free events in the South West and Wales
• Free events in the Midlands and East
• Free events in the North of England
• Free events in Scotland and Northern Ireland
• Free online events

Already a Boundless member? Simply log in to gain full access to all the offers and benefits included in your membership. 

Not yet a member? If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus. Enjoy unlimited access or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions, as well as year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more.   

Free nationwide events

Host a present-swapping party

Anywhere, anytime

Now the festive dust has settled, you’ve likely been left with a few well-meaning but slightly off-the-mark gifts. But before you banish them to the back of a cupboard, why not try hosting your own gift-swapping soirée? Not only will you be giving these misfit gifts a second chance, you might even snag some exciting new goodies for yourself. So gather your friends, let the drinks flow and the swapping begin – it might just become your new favourite January tradition.

Walk your way to wellness

Ramblers walks, various times and dates

Building new habits tends to be easier when you’ve got company, and if you’re a Boundless Plus member looking to be more active in 2025, you’re in luck. Your member benefits unlock thousands of guided group walks with the Ramblers, Britain’s leading walking community – there’ll be no excuses for staying in!

Boundless Plus members have unlimited access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks, and a library of over 4,000 tried-and-tested walks. Find out more about Boundless membership and how to join.

Help our feathered friends

Big Garden Birdwatch 2025, 24 – 26 January

This beloved tradition has united fully fledged avian enthusiasts and birding beginners since 1979, helping conservationists build a snapshot of the UK’s birdlife. Why not join the flock and help make this year’s event the biggest yet? It’s easy to take part, too: simply dedicate an hour to watching and recording birds – whether it’s from your local park or the comfort of your own garden – then submit your tally online (even if you see nothing at all).

Free events in London and the South East

Wakehurst’s Winter Garden is stunning at this time of year. Boundless members go free. Credit: Jim Holden © RBG Kew

Explore a winter wonderland

Winter Garden at Wakehurst, Sussex, anytime

You don’t need to wait until spring to see nature at its finest: the Winter Garden at Wakehurst, Sussex is ready for you to explore right now. Teeming with hardy plants from mature Himalayan silver birch trees to purple and white snowdrops, this stunning landscape is a real feast for the senses. It’s bound to brighten up that post-Christmas gloom. 

Boundless members get access to year-round savings, including unlimited entry to Wakehurst and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Find out more about membership and how to join.

Ring in 2025

London New Year’s Day Parade, London, 1 January

If you’re not feeling too delicate after your own celebrations, head into central London for one of the world’s biggest New Year’s Day parades. It’s always an incredible spectacle, with everyone from marching bands to magicians taking to the capital’s streets in a riot of music, carnival and glitter – fundraising for London charities along the way. The parade leaves Piccadilly Circus at midday, snaking its way to Westminster where it wraps up by around 3.30pm.

Rev your engines

Vintage Stony, Stony Stratford, 1 January

The annual Vintage Stony show is the perfect way to kick off the new year for those who love classic cars and bikes. The Market Square in Stony Stratford, near Milton Keynes, will be humming with the sound of pre-1940s vehicles; don't miss the 'minute of noise' at midday, when everyone revs their engines at once. Though the event is free to both exhibitors and visitors, donations to Willen Hospice will be greatly appreciated. 

If this event is right up your street, why not check out the Boundless Classic Vehicle Group? Open to all enthusiasts, it offers scenic drives, social events and more – and you’re welcome to join even if you don’t own one of your own. 

Dance into the new year

New Year’s Day Ceilidh, London, 1 January

Send off the festive season with one last hurrah at this lively ceilidh, held at the Royal Festival Hall. No experience or partner is needed, and everybody’s welcome to join in – the more the merrier! The best part? It’s at lunchtime, meaning you can enjoy an early night before you step back into normal life.

Nurture your mind and body

Free Hatha Yoga, London

Are you keen to clear your mind and boost your energy after the festive season? At these complimentary sessions, you can discover the power of 'hatha' yoga, which emphasises posture and breathwork. These half-hour classes run every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening at the Tara Yoga Centre, a 10-minute walk from Old Street. Take a deep breath…

Peek inside a royal playground

Royal Pavilion & Garden free day, Brighton, 19 January

It normally costs £19 to have a nosy around Brighton’s iconic landmark, but visit this Sunday and you won’t have to pay a penny.  To celebrate its purchase by Brighton in 1850, the Pavilion offers free admission for one day every year. Once you’re done marvelling at the magnificently restored rooms of this former pleasure palace, you can pop into Brighton Museum & Art Gallery for free, too.

Light up the night

Winter Lights 2025, Canary Wharf, London, 21 January – 1 February

Who says illuminations are just for the festive season? Canary Wharf keeps the glow going with a host of mesmerising installations across the district – perfect for brightening up those dark winter nights. This year’s highlights (pun fully intended) include a pulsating stack of bathtubs, a tornado of light and a 20-metre-wide sink hole surrounded by light.

Free events in the South West and Wales

The whole family can scour for feathered residents at WWT Llanelli’s annual birdspotting bonanza. Credit: Getty Images

Go birdwatching

Tick & Twitch, Llanelli, 1 January

Get your new year off to a flying start at WWT Llanelli’s annual birdspotting event –  the perfect antidote to festive overindulgence. Simply pick up a checklist, then head out into the wonderful wetlands to spot as many species of wild birds as you can in one day. Boundless members go free.

The many benefits of Boundless membership include unlimited entry to all nine WWT centres throughout the UK. Find out more about Boundless membership and how to join.

Cheer on a quirky race

New Year’s Day Bath Race & Classic Cars on the Quay, Poole, 1 January

Every New Year’s Day, the charity Bath Tub Race sees teams take to Poole Harbour in all kinds of homemade, wacky watercraft. You can cheer these plucky sailors as they race along the quay from The Customs House Steps to the Lord Nelson pub, while dozens of vintage vehicles line the Lower High Street. 

Ride through the history of trams

A Celebration of Trams Around the World with Brian Margetson, Dorchester, 9 January

Why did Britain fall out of love with trams when continental Europe embraced them? Find out at this afternoon talk on all things trams, taking you on a fascinating journey through their history at home and abroad. Hosted by Boundless’s Dorset Group at the Dorford Centre, Dorchester.

This event is exclusive to Boundless members, who also get free entry to top attractions, exclusive events, and year-round savings. Interested, but not yet a Boundless member? Find out more about Boundless membership and how to join.

Free events in the Midlands & East

Winter's short grasses mean it’s prime time to spot the Fens' charismatic hares. Credit: Getty Images

Champion local talents

Open: The People’s Exhibition, Leicester, until 31 January

This annual art exhibition at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery celebrates creativity from across the East Midlands, accepting entries from artists of all ages, abilities and walks of life. With paintings, sculptures and textiles all on display – some for sale – it’s always an inspiring, exciting show.

Meet some hoppy residents

Hare walks, Norfolk, select dates until 27 February

The vast, open landscapes of the Fens are the perfect home for hares, and the winter's short grasses make these charismatic mammals easier to spot. That’s why WWT Welney is running hare-spotting walks every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday lunchtime over the season, taking you into a prime area usually off-limits. If it’s sunny, you might even catch some ‘boxing’ courtship displays – and who knows what other wildlife you might glimpse? Boundless members go free.

The many benefits of Boundless membership include unlimited entry to all nine WWT centres throughout the UK. Find out more about Boundless membership and how to join.

Free events in the North of England

Join the Albert Club’s open mic night in Manchester this January. Credit: Getty Images

Step into the spotlight

The Fabulous Albert Club Open Mic Night, Manchester, 2 January

Every first Thursday of the month, The Albert Club invites budding musicians, poets and comedians to take to the stage for its open mic night. And if you're not keen on performing yourself, you can sink into the club’s cosy sofas and enjoy a night of free entertainment. You never know – you might just stumble across the next big thing…

Spot winter’s wild wonders

Guided walks, near Sunderland, 1 & 26 January

This month, WWT Washington is running not one, but two expert-guided walks included with entry to their wetland reserve (free for Boundless members). A New Year’s Day walk looks out for woodland birds, while another highlights the delightful sights and sounds of mid-winter. Everyone’s welcome, whether you’re a total beginner, wildlife fanatic or avid photographer.

The many benefits of Boundless membership include unlimited entry to all nine WWT centres throughout the UK. Find out more about Boundless membership and how to join.

Free events in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Dumfries lights up for Big Burns Supper, the ultimate Burns Night bash. Credit: Big Burns Supper

Stride into Scotland’s splendour

Winter walks, National Trust for Scotland places, anytime

There’s nothing quite like a crisp winter walk to blow away the cobwebs. If you’re a Boundless Plus member, you can unlock some of Scotland's most spectacular walking routes with free unlimited entry to National Trust for Scotland places– whether you’re after a gentle family stroll or something more exhilarating.

These walks are free for Boundless Plus members, who have unlimited access to all National Trust for Scotland places. Find out more about membership and how to join. 

Kickstart your wellness journey

Aberdeen Health & Wellbeing Festival, Aberdeen, 11 January

‘New Year, New You’ may feel cliché, but post-Christmas is undeniably a fantastic time for a personal reboot. If you want to make 2025 your healthiest, happiest year yet, this feel-good festival is your chance to meet experts, listen to speakers and get stuck into workshops on all things wellness. From nutrition know-how to mental wellness wisdom, you'll leave with fresh ideas that last well beyond that January motivation.

Celebrate Scotland’s favourite son

Big Burns Supper, Dumfries, 17 January – 2 February

This fringe festival raises a dram to Robert Burns in his final resting place. Many events are ticketed, but two of the showstoppers will cost you nothing at all: a carnival weekend brings a whole host of free family fun – including light shows and performances – and, for the first time ever, the festival’s Burns Night Live party will be streamed globally for virtual revellers to join the celebrations.

Time travel through Belfast

AR Experience Belfast City Hall Exhibition, until 31 March

Belfast City Hall's popular visitor exhibition has been given a magical makeover.  This augmented reality experience transforms the city's past, present and future into an immersive playground, where you'll meet colourful characters, play interactive street games and uncover hidden histories. Free entry, but booking required. 

Free online events

Boundless members can take a virtual voyage through the universe in an exclusive online talk. Credit: Getty images

Adventure across the world

Solo 2 Darwin with Amanda Harrison, 14 January

Talk about the ultimate comeback: after beating cancer, pilot Amanda Harrison took to the skies in a vintage, open cockpit biplane for an epic adventure across the world. In this inspiring member-exclusive online talk, she'll share her turbulent journey through engine failures, international bureaucracy and even the threat of being shot down. Proof that there's something extraordinary within us all. 

Boundless members can enjoy this talk for free. If you’re not yet a Boundless member and you’re interested in this talk you can find out more about membership and how to join. 

Stargaze from your sofa

Star gazing – a look around the night sky, 21 January

Journey through space – without leaving your living room! In this member-exclusive online talk, astronomer Steve Warbis will guide you through the wonders of our night sky, from constellations you can spot from your garden to far-flung nebulae in the very depths of the universe. Stick around for a Q&A at the end, where Steve will be answering all your astronomical questions.

Boundless members can enjoy this talk for free. If you’re not yet a Boundless member and you’re interested in this talk you can find out more about membership and how to join. 

Master the art of less

Declutter your home, stress free! An easy step-by-step approach, 21 January 

With the Christmas decorations packed up and a fresh year ahead, now’s prime time to start reclaiming your space (and mind). This free online webinar is your roadmap to decluttering success with none of the stress, breaking this often overwhelming task into manageable steps. You’ll learn everything from clever storage solutions to how to tackle those tricky emotional attachments to your stuff. 

Get inside the mind of a psychiatrist

A Psychiatrist’s life with Dr Benji Waterhouse, 28 January

Award-winning comedian and psychiatrist Dr Benji Waterhouse will be lifting the lid on medicine's most mysterious speciality in this online talk, an exclusive for Boundless members. Through amusing anecdotes and honest insights, you’ll discover what draws people to this fascinating profession and what really makes psychiatrists tick. 

Boundless members can enjoy this talk for free. If you’re not yet a Boundless member and you’re interested in this talk you can find out more about membership and how to join. 

Do more with Boundless

If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus.

With Boundless, you get unlimited access or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions including Kew Gardens and Wakehurst and WWT centres across the UK, as well as year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more. With Boundless Plus, you can enjoy additional benefits including unlimited access to Historic Royal Palaces sites, National Trust for Scotland places, access to the Ramblers' extensive group walks and routes, and peace of mind with roadside assistance and local recovery by LV= Britannia Rescue.