London & Partners

Welcome…elcome to this month’s London Planner, your indispensable guide toWthe best of the capital and the start of another exciting year.To kick things off in jubilant style, join the crowds on 1 January, as 10,000performers from 20 countries – musicians, drummers, marching bands– make their way through the streets of the capital in London’s New Year’sDay Parade (p. 25). Or head to the Twelfth Night festivities on 6 Jan(p. 25), with a host of characters on a journey through the historic streetsof Southwark, including the Green Man, the Holly Man and the Mummers.At Canary Wharf, the London Ice Sculpting Festival (11-13 Jan, p. 25) is setto be the biggest yet, including 12 international teams competing againstthe clock. Or get your skates on for a last chance to enjoy the ice rinks atsome of the most iconic locations in the world, including Hampton CourtPalace, the Tower Of London and Somerset House (p. 36).If you’re on the hunt for a bargain, take advantage of the January sales withthe capital’s unrivalled shopping experience (p. 60), or enjoy some of the mouth-wateringly tempting offers fromthe Get Into London Theatre scheme (p. 16). From great drama to the brightest musicals, make sure you get inat least one show whilst in the city and see why London is the home of theatre.Boris Johnson, Mayor of LondonJanuary 2013|LONDON PLANNER|visitlondon.com |3