Lizzie Thornton, Food & Drink Writer

Lily Thornton, Food & Drink Writer 

By Lizzie Armstrong, Transport Correspondent

From alcohol-free pairings to vegetable-forward tasting menus, London restaurants are quietly reshaping how the capital eats in January.

Transport for London has temporarily rebranded the Bakerloo line and two major stations under a marketing partnership with Heineken — a move that has drawn strong responses from accessibility advocates and regular commuters.

The London Coliseum’s 2025/26 production of The Nutcracker delivers grandeur, warmth and seasonal magic in a way few London stages can match.

London’s long-gestating Earls Court redevelopment has advanced with planning approval confirmed for major new cultural venues, promising a fresh chapter for arts, performance and community engagement in west London.

Millions of journeys across roads, railways and airports are expected today as Christmas Eve travel reaches its busiest levels since the pandemic — with significant impacts for Londoners planning seasonal trips.

Colindale station on the Northern Line has reopened following a £35 million renovation, bringing step-free access and a redesigned station to north-west London just days before Christmas.

After ten years of pioneering cuisine, London’s acclaimed FKABAM has shut its doors permanently — a reminder of the financial pressures facing independent restaurants in the capital.

London’s most reliable last-minute cinema option is leaning hard into the season, with a rolling programme of Christmas favourites and cult staples aimed at people staying in the city this week.

Transport for London has provisionally awarded a major revenue-collection contract to Spain-based Indra, prompting political criticism and a legal challenge — with long-term implications for how Londoners pay to travel.