What’s On This Week Islington (5 Jan –11 Jan 2026)

Areas covered: Islington, Highbury, Finsbury Park, Dalston, Hackney, Stoke Newington, Shoreditch, Clerkenwell, Farringdon, King’s Cross, Holloway, Archway, Hoxton.

What’s On This Week Islington

Don’t-miss picks

• Sadler’s Wells: Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes (multiple performances incl. Thu–Sun)

• Barbican: Alfred Brendel in concert (Mon) + RSC Twelfth Night run

• XOYO: PARADOX (Wed late)

• Electrowerkz: MINDTHEGAP: REBORN (Sat)

• Egg → Scala → fabric: big weekend club circuit (Fri–Sat)

Monday 5 January

 Theatre & Performing Arts

Christmas Day (Almeida Theatre, Islington)

• Time: 19:30
• Price: ~£27.50–£55 (returns may appear)
• What it is: A sharp, darkly funny family gathering-from-hell play—last week of the run.
• Notes: Content warnings apply; booking essential.

Almeida For Free: Christmas Day (Almeida, Islington)

• Time: 19:30
• Price: Free (16–25 / under-25s programme)
• What it is: A special free performance + festival-style add-ons for younger audiences.
• Notes: Age restriction (25 & under), tickets release/limited.
• ALMEIDA

 Live Music

Alfred Brendel (Barbican Centre, City/Barbican)

• Time: (Evening concert listing)
• Price: Ticketed
• What it is: A major classical event for pianophiles—rare chance to catch a legend-level programme.
• BARBICAN

 Community / Culture

Sadler’s Wells Digital: Salsa workshop (Online, launches today)

• Time: On-demand short films (starts Mon 5)
• Price: Often free/low-cost access via Digital Stage partners
• What it is: Beginner-friendly salsa basics taught in short episodes—great “new year, new rhythm” reset.
• Sadlers Wells

Tuesday 6 January

 Comedy

Anna Leong Brophy: Born Sexy Yesterday (WIP) — The Bill Murray, Islington

• Time: Tue 6 Jan
• Price: ~£8.50
• What it is: Work-in-progress hour—ideal if you like smart, personal stand-up with edge.

 Theatre & Performing Arts

Christmas Day (Almeida Theatre, Islington)

• Time: 19:30 performance listed for Tue 6
• Price: Ticketed
• Notes: Late-run seats can be limited; check returns.

Wednesday 7 January

 Community / Culture

Union Chapel Guided Tour (Islington/Canonbury-ish)

• Time: 13:30–15:00
• Price: Ticketed
• What it is: Architecture + history inside one of North London’s most beautiful venues.
• Notes: Accessibility varies by route; booking recommended.
• Union Chapel

 Theatre & Performing Arts

Christmas Day (Almeida Theatre, Islington)

• Time: Evening performance + post-show talkback after Wed 7 evening show
• Price: Ticketed; talkback free to same-day ticket holders

 Nightlife & Clubs

PARADOX (XOYO, Shoreditch)

• Time: 23:00–03:00
• Price: £2–£10 + fees
• What it is: Midweek underground session—deep house/tech flavours, late-entry energy.
• Notes: 18+, last entry time applies.
• XOYO

 Comedy

Courtney +1 (The Bill Murray, Islington)

• Time: Wed 7 Jan
• Price: ~£12.50

Angel Comedy Social Club (The Bill Murray, Islington)

• Time: Wed 7 Jan
• Price: ~£8

Thursday 8 January

 Theatre & Performing Arts

Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes (Sadler’s Wells, Islington)

• Time: 19:30
• Price: Ticketed
• What it is: Big, cinematic dance-theatre—romance, ambition, tragedy; Bourne at full storytelling power.

Christmas Day (Almeida Theatre, Islington) — final performances imminent

• Time: 19:30 listed through Thu 8
• Notes: Often sold out—returns are your best bet.
• ALMEIDA

 Comedy

Jessica Fostekew: look at her bits, please. (The Bill Murray, Islington)

• Time: Thu 8 Jan
• Price: ~£8.50

Angel Comedy Thursdays @ 8pm (The Bill Murray, Islington)

• Time: Thu 8 Jan, 20:00
• Price: from ~£10

Friday 9 January

 Theatre & Performing Arts

Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes (Sadler’s Wells, Islington)

• Time: 19:30

Already Perfect (King’s Head Theatre, Islington/Angel)

• Time: (Evening show)
• Price: (Ticketed)
• What it is: New play opening week—strong “first-run buzz” energy.

 Live Music

Metalheadz Residency: Grooverider, Loxy, Digital, Chinese Daughter + more (Night Tales, Hackney)

• Time: 18:00
• Price: from £9.50
• What it is: Drum & bass royalty in an East London warehouse-y setting—proper Friday lift-off.

 Nightlife & Clubs

Egg LDN Pres: All About House (Egg, King’s Cross/Holloway edge)

• Time: 22:00–06:00
• Price: Ticketed
• What it is: Straight-up house programming, big-system club night.

YOLK – Launch Party (Egg, King’s Cross/Holloway edge)

• Time: 22:00–06:00 (last entry 05:00)
• Price: Free entry (per listing)
• What it is: New Friday concept night with 360 DJ setup + rising house DJs.

Strictly Bangers – Club Classics + Party Anthems (Queen of Hoxton, Shoreditch/Hoxton)

• Time: 21:00 (listing shows evening start)
• Price: Free
• What it is: Floor-fillers, singalongs, party-energy warm-up (great “start here, then roam” plan).
• Queen of Hoxton

Face Down – Nu Metal Special (Scala, King’s Cross)

• Time: 22:00 (doors 22:00)
• Price: ~£11.97
• What it is: Heavy nostalgia + moshing energy—nu-metal anthems and big chorus moments.
• Notes: 18+ ID checks.

🍻 Pubs & Bars

Basing House (Shoreditch)

• What it is: Late-licensed Shoreditch venue-bar—handy if you want a smaller, sweatier room than the mega clubs.
• Note: Their site blocks some browsers (so double-check listings directly).

Saturday 10 January

🎭 Theatre & Performing Arts

Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes (Sadler’s Wells, Islington)

• Times: 14:30 & 19:30

Already Perfect (King’s Head Theatre, Islington/Angel)

• Time: (Evening show)

🎶 Live Music

Absolute Bowie (O2 Academy Islington, Islington)

• Time: 19:00
• Price: from ~£19.50
• What it is: Proper Bowie catalogue celebration—big crowd-pleaser for groups.

😂 Comedy

Angel Comedy Saturdays @ 5pm (The Bill Murray, Islington)

• Time: 17:00
• Price: from ~£10

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-Friendly

Family Workshops – Plant Puppets (Little Angel Studios, Islington)

• Time: 15:00 (Sat listing)
• Price: Ticketed
• What it is: Hands-on puppet-making workshop (ages 4–8).

Little Angel Theatre shows (Islington)

• Runs this month: Me… (ages 2–5) and The Storm Whale (ages 4–8)
• Time: Various performances—book online.

🐶 Dog-Friendly

Finsbury park run (Finsbury Park)

• Time: Every Saturday 09:00
• Price: Free
• Dog notes: Dogs are allowed at participating 5k events with rules (one dog, short handheld lead).

🪩 Nightlife & Clubs

MINDTHEGAP: REBORN (Electrowerkz, Clerkenwell/Farringdon edge)

• Time: 22:00–05:00
• Price: Ticketed
• What it is: Late-night alternative club energy—big sound, community crowd.
• Notes: 18+, ID checks likely.

fabric: Bradley Zero + CARISTA + Inland Knights (Farringdon/Clerkenwell)

• Time: 23:00–06:00
• Price: Ticketed
• What it is: Deep selectors + serious dancefloor programming (proper Saturday closer).

SUBVRS (Egg London)

• Time: 22:00–07:00
• Price: Ticketed
• What it is: Big-room Saturday with a later finish—ideal if you’re going all in.

SHUTDOWN LDN (Scala, King’s Cross)

• Time: 22:00–05:00
• Price: Ticketed (listing shows low-cost options)
• Notes: 18+; stairs/no lift (access info on listing).

Poppin’ Off: A 90s Night (The Lexington, Angel/King’s Cross)

• Time: 23:00
• Price: £6 adv / £8 on the door
• What it is: 90s pop/indie/grunge/bangers—very “group chat reunion” friendly.

VANITY (Queen of Hoxton, Shoreditch/Hoxton) 🏳️‍🌈

• Time: 21:00
• Price: Ticketed (Eventbrite listing)
• What it is: Late-night party programming at a reliably inclusive venue.

Sunday 11 January

🎭 Theatre & Performing Arts

Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes (Sadler’s Wells, Islington)

• Time: 14:00

Already Perfect (King’s Head Theatre, Islington/Angel)

• Time: (Matinee/evening depending on schedule)

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-Friendly

Family Workshops – Plant Puppets (Little Angel Studios, Islington)

• Dates: Weekend run continues
• Time: (See booking)

🍽️ Food & Drink (Date nights + Sunday roasts)

A few easy wins for this week’s planning (book ahead for Sunday):

• Islington/Angel: Trullo or Frederick’s for date night; Sunday roast at The Albion (classic, lively).
• Clerkenwell/Farringdon: Small plates + wine energy around Exmouth Market; roast options in the area tend to fill early.
• Shoreditch/Hoxton: Dinner, then Queen of Hoxton / XOYO orbit for a clean “food → dancing” route.

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What’s On This Week Islington