Step away from the ledge! We know returning to work in January can be depressing so here's a list of 13 awesome things happening this year to cheer you up.
The View from The Shard
After almost four years of construction, The Shard will finally open to the public in February. At a height of 1,016ft (310m), it is now the tallest building in Western Europe. Like the Heron Tower, it boasts two high speed ‘kaleidoscopic’ lifts, and the uppermost viewing point on level 72 will be almost twice the height of any other viewing platform in London. Opens February 1st.
Kraftwerk
Presenting all their albums over eight nights at the new vaults under the Tate Modern, German electro pioneers Kraftwerk return to London to play their first shows in eight years, at what already looks like the most important comeback shows of 2013. Wed 6th- Thurs 14th February.
Balthazar
Leading restaurateur Richard Caring and Keith McNally are set to open Balthazar in Covent Garden this February, the first foreign outpost of the legendary New York brasserie. Caring has said: "This will not be some Far Eastern copy, everything will be made in the US, the real McCoy." Expect an all-day bistro menu with fruits de mer platters, steak frites, cheeseburgers and Salad Niçoise, plus afternoon tea and a late night menu at weekends for theatre-goers. Opens February 12th
Lichtenstein: A Retrospective
The Tate Modern is set to host the most comprehensive Lichtenstein show ever this year, with 125 of the American pop artist's paintings and sculptures, plus some rarely seen drawings. Renowned for his works based on comic strips, cartoons and advertising, coloured with his signature hand-painted Benday dots, the exhibition will showcase key paintings such as 'Look Mickey' and his Artist’s Studio series of 1973–4. Opens February 21st.
The Book of Mormon
The musical that took Broadway by storm last year, winning nine Tony Awards, The Book of Mormon comes to the West End in February. Written by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, this irreverant take on religion and musical theatre follows two fresh-faced Mormons sent to a remote village in northern Uganda to try and convert the local population. There's plenty of swearing, so it's probably not one for the kids, but a worthy punt for good-humoured, aethist adults. Opens February 25th.
Ametsa
Taking over from David Thompson's Nahm at the Halkin in February, is Ametsa. Headed up by the team behind three-Michelin-starred restaurant Arzak - including Juan Mari Arzak and his daughter Elena - Ametsa will pair the earthy flavours of Spain's Basque region with the same innovative cooking techniques that they use in their San Sebastian restaurant. We're drooling already. Launches in February.
David Bowie is...
With unprecedented access to the pop chameleon's archive, the V&A presents the first major retrospective of David Bowie; from his Ziggy Stardust days right up to his brief and slightly odd flirtation with drum and bass back in the late nineties. Opens March 23rd.
The Great Gatsby
Glamour and celebrity abound in Baz Luhrman's film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, a 1920s tale of love and wealth in America (like 90210 for grown-ups). With a cast featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan, plus a score written by Jay-Z, this will be one of the biggest films of 2013. Let's hope it lives up to the hype. In cinemas May 17th.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Directed by Sam Mendes, with music from the men behind Hairspray, this adaptation of a fantastical Roald Dahl story (starring Olivier award-winning actor Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka) should be a worthy replacement for 2011's hit musical Matilda! Previews from 18th May.
Glastonbury
Back after a fallow year, Glastonbury is already sucking up music news like a great, big, gossip-gathering black hole. With David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac and the Rolling Stones all rumoured to be among the headliners, 2013's festival is already looking like the biggest, best and most-hyped event of the summer. Wednesday 26th-Sunday 30th June
Shake Shack
Will our obession with burgers end this year? Not if Shake Shack has anything to do with it. New York City's favourite burger joint launches in the UK this summer, with a 'shack' in Covent Garden, near the Royal Opera House. Expect 100% Angus beef burgers, 'flat top' hot dogs, frozen custard and the kind of shakes that have made the chain such a success in the States. Opens summer 2013.
Blondie
The only band who managed to span punk, pop, disco and hip hop in their music without ever coming across as lame, Blondie return to London to play their old haunt at the Roundhouse. Sunday 7th July.
Sequels
There's a heap of exciting film sequels slated for release throughout 2013, including the second film adaptation of Frank Miller's Sin City comic book series; the follow up to 2010's superhero comedy Kick-Ass; the second installment of Suzanne Collins' dystopian saga The Hunger Games and part two of Peter Jackson's controversially-long adaptation of The Hobbit. Even Ron Burgundy is set to dust off his eponymous suit in the much-awaited sequel to Anchorman: The Legend Continues. Of course, with sequels, there's always the danger they won't live up to the original, but we reckon these follow-ups will be more Naked Gun 2 1/2 than Ocean's Twelve. Happy 2013!
See what's on in London this month
Add an event
Bigger, better, tons more music: East End Film Festival Q&A
The East End Film Festival has established itself as one of the biggest and brightest film festivals...