Public Image Ltd (PiP) – from left: Lu Edmonds, Scott Firth, Mark Roberts and John Lydon [Paul Heartfield]

OUR New Year round-up isn’t as packed as usual as the selection of events was a little thin on the ground this year. Still, there is still a wide enough choice for those looking for a party – a welcome appearance from world-renowned producer Erol Alkan, no shortage of indie and r’n’b parties, although these don’t seem to crossover for those who like both so pick your tribe and one or two live performances but you’ll have to look carefully for those.

Several venues are closed and a couple of others have cancelled their parties so check in advance before you head out!
We’ve also included a few other events to keep you going over the rest of the Twixmas period – enjoy…

• UKG artists Wookie and Matt Jam Lamont grace Jazz Cafe stage for a Boxing Day Special promising to revive the golden era of UK garage, with all time classics, plus next generation bangers and featuring Rinse FM resident Lady Passion (Dec 26).

• Public Image Limited’s This Is Not The Last Tour arrives at The Forum on Dec 27. Frontman John Lydon had previously hinted that PiL might stop touring following the death of his wife Nora and manager John Rambo Stevens in 2023 but had a change of heart following the support he received from fans during his spoken word tour in 2024.

• Jazz Cafe’s series celebrating London’s radical sound system culture and the artists, selectors and visionaries who shaped the scene continues on Dec 27 with a full live show and extended session from junglist Congo Natty and Kaya Fyah.

• If you prefer something a little more classic, The London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Lee Reynolds, performs Gustav Holst’s The Planets at Barbican (Dec 27).

• Evoke the magic of movies such as Jaws, ET, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones and many more with The Best of John Williams performed by the London Concert Orchestra at the Barbican on Dec 28.

• Mark the end of the year with an R&B Party at Here at Outernet on Dec 30 with a special performance from Bobby V. Expect 90s and 2000s r&B, hip-hop, slow jams, a little Afrobeats and Dancehall.

Here’s a selection of New Year parties to come:

• The Social has secured a big signing for NYE; celebrated producer and DJ Erol Alkan, who first played the venue nearly 25 years ago.

• See in 2026 at Jazz Cafe to the sounds of a live band, resident DJs and promises of world class performances.

• The Dublin Castle’s New Year’s Eve Party will focus on the partyyyyy! – no live bands, DJs Joei Supernova + Fuzz + Bugbear will  keep the dancefloor full in the back room, while the jukebox will keep the sing alongs going out front.

• White Heat takes over The Lexington for a night of broken resolutions, indie, new wave, post-punk party starters and some 80s hits until 4am.

• There’s another indie night over at Camden Assembly where longstanding club night Propaganda, created by Oasis Aftershow DJ DJ Dan, promises indie disco, non-stop manic dream pop sleaze from 9pm.

• Another indie night – Camden Rocks NYE Bonanza at The Underworld. Hosted by Camden Town’s biggest weekly rock, indie and alternative night, expect indie rock hits, two bars, dance pit, elevated stage and tunnels of rock royalty history.

• Taali Not Charlie presents New Year, Same Slags, live at The Dome and Downstairs at The Dome, queer NYE party, club energy, house party intimacy across two dance floors and featuring CeeChynaa.

• Dimitri From Paris, who has spent over 30 years shaping his own blend of house and disco, plays KOKO alongside System Olympia, Nyra, Joshua James and Tiffany Quinn.

• Scala is ringing in the New Year with Luv R ‘N B NYE, a night of soul, seductive slow jams, R&B classics, and feel-good vibes. Expect 90s and 00s throwbacks and more.

• Electric Ballroom is also having an R&B Lovers New Years Eve Special promising  glitter, glam and confetti. Expect five hours of old school 90s & 00s RnB Anthems.

• Islington Academy’s New Years Eve House Party has party DJs including Martin 2 Smoove and special guests plus throwback hits covering all genres of music through the decades. Curfew 4am.

And the rest:

• Powerplant + University + Uncle Junior + Babydoll Deadbeat + DJs, 100 Club

• RECESS: New Years Eve, HERE at Outernet

• Marmozets, Dingwalls

• The Volcano Club’s NYE Hollywood Ball turns up the heat at the The Water Rats with live music from Aisha Khan and The Rajahs as they blast out the hottest 50s and 60s beats and DJs Steve Grinster, Batman, Little Carl, spinning tunes to keep the dancefloor full to closing time at 3am.

More upcoming gigs:

• JAN 1 – White Lies, Roundhouse; New Year’s Day Prom, Barbican;

• JAN 2-3 – The Real Thing + Ada Morghe, Jazz Cafe;

• JAN 3-24 – January Blues Festival, 229;

• JAN 3 – The Animals + Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, 229; GBH, 100 Club; Acushla + Henry King & The Armoury + No Feelings + Silence, The Fiddlers Elbow;

• JAN 4 – Band of Friends A Celebration of Rory Gallagher + The Stumble, 229;

• JAN 5-6 – Eric Bibb, 229;

• JAN 6 – The Members, 100 Club;

• JAN 7 – Conflict, 100 Club;

• JAN 8 – The Last DJ, Jazz Cafe.