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.
What’s On This Week Islington
things to do in and around Islington
Date nights Islington
Shoreditch Nightlife
whats on in shoreditch
this weeks events dalston