Since becoming a bank holiday 50 years ago, we’ve typically spent New Year’s Day either hunched over the toilet, or – for those lucky enough to avoid a painful hangover – on a wholesome (and maybe, smug) walk. But not anymore.
In recent years, January 1 has proven itself as one of the best dates for dance music events in London. You look at the listings: clubbing on New Year’s Eve is out, and clubbing on New Year’s Day is in.
But how did this all happen? Especially when there are so many New Year’s Eve hallmarks – the countdown, the confetti, the champagne. But when I pose the question to a group of friends, who will spend their first day of 2025 at queer party Adonis, it appears that none of these traditions really matter.
“None of the losers that don’t go clubbing all year are there to ruin the event because they would’ve been out the night before,” one says. “New Year’s Eve always ends up being a let-down – the idea of it is far more exciting than the night itself,” another chimes in. Another friend agrees: “I feel like there’s a lot of pressure on New Year’s Eve to have a blast.”
Alongside the likes of fabric, Night Tales and Fire, another club throwing a New Year’s Day party is E1 in Wapping, which has hosted one every year since opening in 2017. On January 1, the industrial-style venue will host an eight-hour garage set by genre pioneer DJ EZ.
Jack Henry, E1’s operations director, tells me there’s more interest in the club’s New Year’s Day event than what’s on the previous night – from customers and promoters alike. “I think there are many reasons why. There’s less pressure for sure, less risk of having a ruined night out – no one wants to spend the countdown in the queue – and there’s a more relaxed atmosphere on New Year’s Day,” he says, claiming that New Year’s Eve events appeal to tourists while Londoners aged over 25 are the club’s typical New Year’s Day crowd.
While New Year’s Eve on screen may be all glitzy parties, heartstopping declarations of love, and joyous anticipation of a new year and renewal, the reality is often more disappointing. And added to that general lack of anticipation, Jack points out that the night presents other issues, too: a lack of public transport post-midnight, increased antisocial behaviour, a spike in ticket prices and a lack of events in the first place.
‘There’s something quite stupendous about waking up fresh on New Year’s Day and going feral during the day’
The cost of living crisis, the alarming rate at which venues are closing (a report found that as of September, 65 nightclubs in the UK closed in 2024) and a general distaste for clubbing among younger generations are all sure to have scuffed the glossy shine of New Year’s Eve events, too.
“Many people are scaling back New Year’s Eve plans due to rising costs, favouring smaller gatherings or New Year’s Day events,” Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association says. “New Year’s Day events feel less rushed, less overcrowded and more enjoyable and tend to offer longer, higher-quality entertainment.”
Although New Year’s Day ticket prices may still feel high (the cheapest ticket available for Koko’s Glitterbox party is about £35, for example) because the events seem to be longer (Corsica Studios’ event starts at 7am while Adonis kicks off at 8am and finishes at 10pm – so many will roll in from the night before), the perceived value for your money feels greater.
The pivot many clubbers are taking towards New Year’s Day events reflects a wider trend in clubbing: day parties. “We’ve noticed that people are opting now for daytime events, rather than night,” Jack continues. “Day clubbing is really popular now – even more so over the festive period.”
A staple of the late Canada Water institution Printworks and its Tottenham successor Drumsheds, day parties offer the winning combination of great music and long stints on the dancefloor with the added benefit that those who attend them can be tucked in bed before midnight.
Let’s face it: you’re more likely to feel better (and less likely to have to call in sick to work) if you get in at 11pm (when many nights out haven’t even picked up yet) as opposed to 5am. “There’s something quite stupendous about waking up fresh on New Year’s Day and going feral during the day,” one friend tells me. “It feels naughty!”
