22 Things to Look Forward to in London 2022

Happy New Year! One of my favourite things to put together at the start of the New Year is my annual hot list. I’ve found 22 things to look forward in 2022, from family festivals to West End musicals, child-friendly exhibitions and blockbuster movie releases. It’s been a challenging couple of years so this list should put some pep in your step. London is the place to be in 2022, no doubt.

22 Things to Look Forward to in London 2022

Josephine 
Dancer, spy, activist. Possibly the coolest heroine of the Jazz Age, Josephine Baker was an iconic African American figure (who gets a special nod in my book, Bringing Up Race). Discover more in Josephine, a family friendly musical that blends life with legend. Part of For the Culture: a celebration of Black culture. Ages 7+. 11am & 1pm; £8. At Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King St, London W6 0QL (Hammersmith tube/rail) (Jan 29-30)

FUN DMC 7th Birthday Party with Norman Jay MBE 
Hip hop hooray! The daytime block party for ages 0-100 celebrates its 7th birthday with very special guest on the turntables, Norman Jay MBE. Shake off the winter blues with radio-friendly bangers, friendly vibes, full bar and food options, soft play and more. 12pm-3pm; adult £10/child 0-15 £7.50/family £30. At Colours, Hoxton Square, N1 6NU (Old St tube) (Jan 30)

Bob Marley One Love Experience
An immersive Bob Marley experience in association with Bob’s wife Rita and the Bob Marley foundation. Go behind the scenes of the Natty Dread’s journey from rural Jamaica to global status. Explore never-before-seen memorabilia including live footage, audio and photography. Visit the One Love forest or tune into the Soul Shakedown silent disco. And why not pair your trip with a visit to the Bob Marley musical, Get Up Stand Up, now playing in the West End? All ages. 10am-6pm daily; £11-£91/under 9s FREE. At Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, SW3 4RY (Sloane Square tube) (Feb 2-Apr 18)

Wuthering Heights 
Catherine! Heathcliff! Literature’s famous lovers hit the stage for Emma Rice’s adaptation of the Emily Bronte classic. The critically acclaimed production brings the story into modern times for what’s set to be an emotional and memorable event, shot through with music and dance. Recommended for ages 10+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2pm (Wed & Sat); £20-£89. At National Theatre, Upper Ground, SE1 9PX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail) (Feb 3-Mar 19)

Belle
An audience favourite in Cannes (apparently it got a 14 minute standing ovation), Belle takes the story of Beauty and the Beast and gives it an anime twist. Heroine Suzu tries to navigate a virtual world while trying to uncover a mysterious ‘beast’ hunted by vigilantes. Rated PG (out Feb 4)

Saturday Night Fever
Ha ha ha ha… staying aliiiiii-iiive. I defy you not to sing your heart out at this brand new adaptation of the classic John Travolta movie. It’s 1977 and all Tony Manero wants is to be the king of the dance floor. But can he pull it off? Hot choreography, cool moves and those irresistible Bee Gee tunes will have you two-stepping all the way home. Kids under 5 not admitted (PG for some mature themes). 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 2.30pm (Wed & Sat), 2pm & 6pm (Sun); from £18. At Portugal St, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube) (Feb 4-Mar 26)

Imagine Children’s Festival  
It’s back. London’s biggest festival for families returns for its 20th anniversary at Southbank Centre. Come for 12 days of theatre, exhibitions, comedy, workshops and readings. Highlights include: intotheclouds (for babies 9-36 months), Bino & Fino, Peppa Pig: My First Concert, Palaver Party, YolanDa’s Band Jam, ZooNation’s Hip Hop half term, Club Origami, Julia Donaldson & Friends + more events with Michael Rosen, Adam Kay and Jacqueline Wilson. All ages (some restrictions for individual events). Various times and prices; more than 50% activities FREE. At Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail) (Feb 9-20)

Stonehenge at the British Museum 
The groundbreaking exhibition celebrates the magic and mythical impact of Stonehenge, from ancient times to modern day. The World of Stonehenge traces its story from 4000 to 1000 BC through fascinating objects like the Nebra Sky Disc – the world’s oldest surviving map of the stars. 10am-5pm daily (8.30pm Fris); early bird tickets adult from £23/under 16s FREE. At British Museum, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG (Russell Square tube) (Feb 17-Jul 17)

A Night with Boy Blue at Barbican Centre 
Celebrate the 21st anniversary of street dance troupe Boy Blue in this special evening at Barbican Centre. The entire company from youth to pro dancers assemble. They’ll showcase their trademark moves with gravity-defying leaps and spins, all delivered with raw UK hip hop attitude. Ages 6+. 8.30pm (Mar 5) & 2pm (Mar 6); from £15/£10 Young Barbican ages 14-25. At Barbican Theatre, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican/St Paul’s tube) (Mar 5-6)

Gulliver’s Travels 
Follow the curious adventures of Gulliver, encountering a tiny race (the Lilliputians), a country of giants and more wondrous creatures. Unicorn Theatre’s quirky take (uses table-top sets, projection and more) on Jonathan Swift’s satire explores themes of home, escapism and what it means to belong. Ages 7+. Various shows between 1pm-7pm; adult £12 (previews) & 14/child £10 and £8. At Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley St, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube) (Mar 6-Apr 17)

Oklahoma 
The popular Rodgers and Hammerstein musical in a bold new interpretation by Daniel Fish. The Tony winning production sweeps into the Young Vic, telling of a community that bands together against an outsider, with theatre fog and gunshot effects. Recommended for ages 12+ (under 4s not permitted). 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (Wed & Sat); £10-£58. At Young Vic, 66 The Cut, Waterloo, SE1 8LZ (Waterloo tube/rail) (Apr 26-Jun 25)

My Fair Lady 
For the first time in 21 years, My Fair Lady arrives on the London stage this summer. Eliza Doolittle (famously played by Audrey Hepburn on film) is a Cockney flower seller who’s about to get a life makeover. 7pm (Mon-Sat) & 2pm (Thu & Sat); £20-£150. At London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ES (Leicester Square tube, Charing Cross tube/rail) (May 7-Aug 27)

The Glass Menagerie
Hollywood leading lady Amy Adams stars in this buzz worthy production of Tennessee Williams’ drama. It’s a tale of memory, desire and regret, centring on a desperate mother and her thorny relationships with her son and daughter. Shows at 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (Thu & Sat); from £20. At Duke of York Theatre, 104 St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4BG (Leicester Square tube/Charing Cross tube/rail) (May 23-Aug 27)

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 
Go Lizzie, it’s your big day. Her Maj goes all out for her Platinum Jubilee (that’s 70 years on the throne, people). There’s a four-day weekend in June planned with all the pomp and pageantry you can imagine. Look out for festivities throughout the year including street parties, a massive concert, and a chance to check out the Queen’s homes in person. (Jun 2-5)

 LOL Surprise Live  
One of the hottest toy brands takes over the O2 in a spectacular live action show. Get runway ready with the glamorous dolls in a show with elaborate sets, costumes, choreography and (in a UK first) holograms. 11am (doors 10am) & 2.30pm (doors 1.30pm); £20-£80. At The O2, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX (North Greenwich tube/DLR) (Feb 15-17)

Lightyear 
The trailer for this made me quite emotional so I can’t wait for the June release of Lightyear. It traces the origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Chris Evans) in a film that promises to be both introspective and epic. To infinity and beyond. (out Jun 17)

British Summertime at Hyde Park 
We’re pumped for the return of live music festivals, after 2021 turned out to be a bit hit and miss. Glastonbury’s back on, Boomtown Fair is calling our name, and if you’re in London, British Summertime is where it’s at. 2022 headliners: Elton John, Pearl Jam (with Pixies), Duran Duran (with Nile Rogers & Chic), and Adele. Selling out FAST – grab those tix asap. Various times and prices. (Jun 24-Jul 10)

UEFA Women’s Euros 2022 
Typically, women’s football doesn’t attract the same attention here as the men’s league. However, things could change with the Women’s Euros in England this summer, with the finals at Wembley. Watch big stars like France’s Naomie Feller and England’s Maya Le Tissier showing off their skills and root for England to go all the way. Various times, places and prices (Jul 6-31)

101 Dalmatians at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre 
Postponed from last year, the 101 Dalmatians are coming to the Open Air Theatre in summer. Kids and grownups alike will go dotty for these puppies and their arch enemy Cruella de Ville. You’d be barking mad to miss it. Woof. For ages 4+. At Queen Mary’s Garden within Regent’s Park, NW1 4NU (Baker St tube). Show times tbc; £25-£65 (Jul 12-Aug 28)

Science Fiction at the Science Museum 
There’s a thin line between science and science fiction and the Science Museum goes all out for the latter in autumn. Uncover the real science behind some of the wackiest sci fi stories, characters and gadgets. Explore visions of the future through the science of today. Best for ages 8+. 10am-6pm (Wed-Sun), 10am-10pm (Fris); £20. At Science Museum, Exhibition Rd, SW7 2DD (South Kensington tube) (Oct 6-May 4, 2023)

Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever 
At last. It feels like we’ve been waiting decades for this sequel to the 2018 blockbuster smash. Although our king T’Challa (the late Chadwick Boseman) is no more, the cast is still fire. Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira, Daniel Kaluuya and new addition Michaela Coel are set to bring enough heat to transport us to Wakanda and back. (out Nov 11)