LIFE UPDATES, LONDON

Kicking Off 2026 in London: New Year Rituals, Winter Walks, and a Few Favorite Things

Happy New Year, and welcome to 2026.

I always love the start of a new year. It feels like a reset in a “fresh page, same me” kind of way. This year, I kicked things off with a mix of my favorite London rituals: a cozy New Year’s Eve with friends, a long New Year’s Day walk, a museum moment, a very cold London surprise, and a night at the theatre that reminded me why live storytelling hits differently.

If you are curious what London feels like right now, or you want a few ideas for January in the city, here’s how my first days of 2026 unfolded.

New Year’s Eve in London: older me loves a house party

New Year’s Eve started off in the best possible way. I was invited to a small house party and dinner with close friends, and it was exactly what I wanted. Delicious home-cooked food, champagne, and that relaxed kind of laughter that only happens when you are with people you know well.

I used to do bigger New Year’s nights out in London, but this year, low-key felt like the luxury. There is something so comforting about starting the year feeling grounded, full, and surrounded by people who make you feel at home.

For those curious what I am wearing to celebrate the new year, this is a Karen Millen sequined top from many years ago (similar option 1, similar option 2), 7 For All Mankind black bootcut jeans that I purchased more recently at Selfridges (I wear a size 27), and Ralph Lauren ankle boots (similar option).

My New Year’s Day tradition: a long walk and a London skyline moment

One of my favorite little rituals in London is a New Year’s Day walk. I try to pick a different park or walk each year and just wander, get some fresh air, and let my brain catch up with my body.

This year I went to Primrose Hill, and it was beautiful. The sunset was one of those cotton-candy skies that makes you stop mid-walk and just stare for a minute. It felt like London was giving 2026 a very pretty welcome.

If you are visiting London, Primrose Hill is always a good idea, and it pairs perfectly with Regent’s Park since they are so close.

The Wolf Moon over Regent’s Park

On January 2, London got treated to something special: a Wolf Moon. I was genuinely stopped in my tracks when I stepped outside and saw how huge it was. I was already heading to Regent’s Park for a walk (my happy place), so it turned into one of those little London moments that feels oddly cinematic.

I ended up looking up what the Wolf Moon symbolizes and found a theme I loved: resilience, intuition, inner strength, and community. The idea of trusting yourself while still staying connected to your people feels like a pretty good mantra for the start of a new year.

The Neo-Impressionists at The National Gallery

One of the highlights of my early 2026 was visiting The National Gallery to see the Neo-Impressionists exhibition, and I really recommend it if you are in London.

If you have ever seen those paintings that look like they are made of tiny dots of color, that is the style. Up close, it feels almost abstract. Step back, and suddenly the landscape and light snap into place. It is such a cool reminder that perspective matters, and also that patience pays off.

The exhibition does a great job explaining what Neo-Impressionism was, how it followed the Impressionists, and why that “dots of pure color” technique was so radical at the time. Even if you are not an art historian, it is one of those exhibits that makes you want to slow down and really look.

I will leave the official exhibition link here: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/exhibitions/radical-harmony-neo-impressionists

A very frozen London moment in Trafalgar Square

London has been so cold lately, the Trafalgar Square fountains actually froze. No joke. I watched kids skimming little pieces of ice across the top like it was a frozen pond, which is not something you expect in central London.

We always get a cold stretch in January, but this one felt particularly sharp. I am crossing my fingers it warms up soon, because I want to get back into my normal outdoor tennis routine.

A night at The Bridge Theatre: Into the Woods

I also did something a little different and went to Into the Woods at The Bridge Theatre near London Bridge. I do not go to the theatre constantly, but whenever I have the chance, I almost always say yes. It is one of those experiences that pulls you out of your week and drops you into a completely different world.

This production was so well done. It weaves together classic fairy tales (Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk) and connects them in a really clever way. The first half is warm, funny, and storybook-satisfying. The second half goes deeper and pushes the characters into real consequences and tougher turns.

The singing was fantastic, and the set design was genuinely immersive. You feel like you are in the woods. They use lighting, sound, and atmosphere in a way that makes it more than just a show. It is a full experience.

If you are interested, here is the link to the show: https://www.bridgetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/into-the-woods/

One practical tip: there is The Ivy Tower Bridge right next to the theatre. We went after the show for a late dinner (steak and chips and a glass of wine, which honestly hit the spot). If you do this, make a booking if you can, because they are often wrapping final orders not long after the show ends.

Saturday catch-up: errands, tennis, and my ten-minute makeup

The next morning was one of those classic London Saturdays: a few errands, then tennis.

And yes, I did my makeup before tennis.

I know, I know. But I always feel better when I look a little more put together. It is not about being fancy. It is about showing up feeling like myself. If a bit of foundation and mascara helps me feel more awake and confident, I am not going to apologize for it.

If you are curious, I will link everything below, but here’s what I used:

My everyday makeup routine:

How I play tennis outside in a London January

It was about 38°F (proper winter energy), and I still played. I have become slightly obsessive about winter tennis layers, and I feel like I have genuinely hacked the system.

My winter tennis essentials:

If you want, I can do a full separate post on winter tennis gear, because I have opinions now.

One last thing: I’m trying a different kind of vlog

This video was a little different for me. More behind-the-scenes. More chatty London life. Less perfectly packaged highlights.

If you watch it, I would genuinely love your feedback. Do you want more of this kind of content? More real-life London days? More museum and theatre moments? More long walks and small rituals?

You can watch the vlog below!

And as always, if you are planning a trip to London, check out my London Guide here (it’s free!): https://thesavvybostonian.com/london-guide/

Jessica Gioglio is the co-author of The Laws of Brand Storytelling and The Power of Visual Storytelling. Professionally, Jessica has led innovative marketing and public relations programs for Dunkin’, TripAdvisor, Sprinklr, and more. Today, Jessica is a keynote speaker (book her here) and founder of With Savvy Media & Marketing, a strategic branding, storytelling, and content strategy consultancy.

Affiliate Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend places, products or services I genuinely love and think you’ll find useful. If you’d rather not use my links, you can always search for the places, products or services directly.

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