What's on in January

After the world famous Winchester Christmas Market and the festivities of December, we welcome 2023 with a few events around Winchester that might appeal to our guests here at The Winchester Hotel & Spa. Enjoy a meal in our Alfred’s Restaurant, maybe spend some time relaxing in our newly refurbished spa. When you feel like exploring some of what Winchester has to offer, here are a few ideas for this January.

Winchester Cathedral is the city’s most famous and iconic building, and always worthy of a visit. The Cathedral also hosts a full programme of monthly events, which we also highly recommend exploring.

January 11th, 13th, 14th, 18th, 21st, 28th - Tower Tour. Get up close and personal with this incredible architectural marvel. Don’t miss an exhilarating tower tour of Winchester Cathedral with magnificent views across Winchester and the county.

January 28th - Surround Sound VIII  Immerse yourself in the splendour of live choral music whilst wandering through the majestic nave of the cathedral. The full effect of the building’s acoustics is truly stunning, and gives an even fuller insight into the mastery of the architects and builders. 

For more information on these and other events, please see the Cathedral website here.

From the sublime to the more modest and earthly, we head now to The Railway Inn. One of Winchester’s best independent live music venues, they have a great selection of events to explore, even in January. From championing young acts to celebrating industry veterans, own mic nights, plays and poetry, it’s a venue to celebrate.

January 13th - Talk In Code - Recently signed to London based Regent Street Records, Talk In Code have played many festivals and opened for the likes of Years & Years, Embrace, Howard Jones, My Life Story, Jesus Jones, Cast, Toploader, Scouting for Girls and 10cc – an eclectic mix!

January 16th, 23rd, 30th - Roots Night - Winchester's longest running open mic night - whatever genre of music you want to perform, you have a platform here. All acoustic instruments are accepted!

January 17th - Poetry Platform - Welcoming writers and audience of old and new to our celebration of words and all their joy!

January 24th - Climbing to The Moon – A One Act Play The play tells the story of two siblings, and the cathartic and redemptive qualities of music. 

January 27th - TOM SAINT + Signature Vision + Love is Enough + M.B.P - Acoustic menace, discordant noise, shimmering light, dark sludge. An evening of off-kilter sounds.

January 28th - Martin Stephenson (The Daintees) - Inspired by early Cure and the Brighton scene, Stephenson began his career as a busker aged 15.

January 29th - Grant-Lee Phillips - Grant-Lee Phillips’ latest album, Lightning is a turbulent and highly musical rumination that finds the veteran singer-songwriter addressing the strange fragility of life. 

January 31st - Sick Joy – Independent Venue Week - With an expertise in fuzzy riffs, melodic heaviness, high energy and sharp lyrics, Sick Joy are not only one of British rock’s most promising young bands, they know a lot about overcoming challenges and learning to breathe again.

The Theatre Royal is another noteworthy and venerable Winchester venue. This historic theatre involves up to 140,000 people annually in cultural activity at the heart of the community. Their calendar of events doesn’t let up, and January is bursting with plays, musical spectaculars and performances of all kinds. Here’s a few that have caught our eye.

January 14th - An Evening with Dan Snow The TV presenter and podcaster will talk about his career from travelling battlefields with his Dad, to anecdotes from The One Show sofa and his adventures in the Antarctic. 

January 15th - The Hat Fair Cabaret  A riotous night of comedy, cabaret and chaos. A show for all ages shapes and sizes! 

January 17th-19th - Matilda the Musical JR. - A girl who dreams of a better life and inspires children will have audiences roosting for the "revolting children" who are out to teach the grown-ups a lesson. 

January 20th - Oh What a Night! We'll take you back in time on a musical journey through the career of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.

January 29th - Michael starring Ben - the UK's ultimate Michael Jackson tribute star, Ben Bowman, who not only looks and sounds like Michael Jackson, but has honed his routine impeccably! 

January 31st - Four Seasons - James Wilton Dance, one of Europe's most in demand dance companies, presents The Four Seasons. The work features the company's signature blend of capoeira, acrobatics, martial arts and classical dance, alongside stunning stage and costume designs.

For more details and the full listings, see the website here.

That’s it for January, but we’ll be back soon with more ideas to enhance your stay with us at The Winchester Hotel & Spa.