The fairy lights and tree ornaments may be safely tucked away for another year, but that doesn’t mean that January has to be a bleak, boring month. There are plenty of exciting events around the country, and you won’t have to put up with jingly Christmas music at all. If ‘losing weight’ wasn’t one of your New Year’s resolutions, then lucky you, there are more reasons for you to stuff yourself this month too!

1st January – Hogmanay, Edinburgh
Edinburgh’ raucous New Year’s celebrations are world famous. This year, the city has organised a week of events bookending the actual day. On the day, expect to see a colourful carnival lighting up the city’s streets, with a street party afterwards to see in the New Year. There will also be choir concerts, dance performances, and a giant puppet making its way through the city centre.

6th January – Farewell to Christmas, Geffrye Museum, London
Celebrate Twelfth Night at the Geffrye Museum in East London with music and feasting. There will be a bonfire in the garden, with holly and ivy being burnt. The museum also provides mulled wine and cake, with a bean and pea hidden in the cake. The two people to find the bean and pea will be made King and Queen for the day. Admission is free.

25th January – Burns Night, Scotland
Held to celebrate the life of the poet Robert Burns, Burns Night suppers combine poetry and feasting, culminating in a fun filled night for all. Guests may be served haggis, cock-a-leekie soup, and dessert such as Tipsy Laird or cranachan. Burn’s most famous work ‘Auld Lang Syne’ will often be sung to signal the end of the supper.