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East and South East Asian Events in London January 2026 - What’s On Guide by NOVA ESEA

Updated: 11 hours ago

NOVA ESEA Events update

Updated 12/01/2026


Looking for East and Southeast Asian events in London this month? This is your hub for ESEA gigs, food markets, supperclubs, exhibitions and theatre across the city. We spotlight everything from underground nights to big festival moments, with new listings added throughout the month. You will also find the occasional ESEA highlight from other UK cities when something special is happening.

Bookmark this page or sign up for our newsletter for updates!



Featured Events This Month

 

5 – 11 January


NEZHA Musical | 8 Jan | London

A bold new Chinese musical bringing the legend of Nezha to life with music, movement and myth on stage.


Stand-up from Vinny Shiu as he jokes his way through identity, family drama, dating disasters and finding his path as an Asian man in the UK.


Beloved Filipina singer-songwriter Kitchie Nadal brings a nostalgia-filled live set of anthems and deep-cut favourites to East London.


Playing Outside at Corner Corner | 10–11 Jan | London

A two-day community weekender with DJs, live music, workshops, makers and a fundraising raffle, all about reconnecting with your inner child.


Indonesian Food Pop Up | 10 Jan | Abbotsford

Chef Rahel Stephanie takes over Cam’s with a one-day Indonesian menu, served walk-in only with DJs in the courtyard from midday till late.


12 – 18 January


Supper Club by SipZen | 17 Jan | London

Wellness-inspired Chinese supper club with TCM stories, cocktails and Asian entrepreneurship chat. 


Living, Rehearsing… (Perfromance) | 17 Jan - 21 Mar | London

A performance sharing from choreographers and artists exploring rehearsal, migration and collective practice. 


NO OTHER CHOICE Film Screening by MILKTEA | 17 - 22 Jan | London / Edinburgh / Manchester / Birmingham

Multi-city screening of a powerful short about activism, protest and state violence, curated by MILKTEA. 


A special weekend of Hong Kong cinema at HOME Manchester, spotlighting contemporary and classic films. 


Improv and stand-up from ESEA comics and guests at Hoopla in London Bridge. 


Craft, cook and print spring couplets in a cosy workshop celebrating Lunar New Year traditions across Asia.  


19 – 25 January


A calming life drawing session with contortion models, centring ESEA bodies and experimental poses. 


Tibetan Feast Night | 23 Jan | London

Celebration of Losar with a Tibetan feast, music and culture hosted by 101 Thai Kitchen and Tibetan Community UK. 


Ballad Lines (Musical) | from 23 Jan | London

A new folk musical weaving Scottish, Irish and Appalachian song into a multi-generational family story. 


TOFU FUN IS BACK ! | 24 Jan | London

Pop-up from TofuFun serving silky sweet and savoury tofu pudding at Zao An Collective. 


The Art of Bamboo Exhibition | 24 Jan – 21 Feb | Hillsborough

Exhibition dedicated to bamboo craft and sculpture, highlighting this traditional material in contemporary art. 


Double bill of work-in-progress hours from award-winning comedians Eli Hart and Vinny Shiu. 


Singaporean DJ WUKONG brings his high-energy “Oriental Rave” sound to E1, fusing EDM with Asian instruments.


26 January – 1 February


Rick Kieswetter: Prince Abdi and Me | 26 Jan | New York (live-streamed listing on NOVA)

Stand-up double bill with Rick Kieswetter and Prince Abdi, sharing stories of identity, race and life on stage. 


Film screening and discussion exploring queer Vietnamese stories, co-presented by Red Flagged and Queer East. 


Rojak Supper Club | 29 Jan | London

Singaporean-inspired supper club blending Peranakan and Tamil flavours for a cosy shared-table feast. 


ExWHYZ in the UK | 1 Feb | London

Japanese alt-pop duo ExWHYZ bring their sleek electronic sound to London on their UK tour stop.



 

Still On: Don’t Miss These

 

My Neighbour Totoro | onging | London

The beloved Studio Ghibli story reimagined on stage with puppetry, music and a lot of heart. 


Group show spotlighting emerging artists and new perspectives from across the Asian diaspora. 


Hyakkō Exhibition | til 10 May | London

Exhibition of contemporary Japanese art and illustration inspired by folklore and everyday urban life.



Submit Your Event 

Are you hosting an event celebrating ESEA culture? Whether you're a grassroots organiser or an established venue, we’d love to hear from you.



About NOVA ESEA 

NOVA ESEA is a UK-based media brand celebrating East & Southeast Asian culture through events, food, art, and storytelling. We centre community, creativity, and collaboration across our work.

Follow us on Instagram @nova.esea for weekly picks, behind-the-scenes and callouts!




FAQ: ESEA events in London


Where can I find East and South East Asian events in London?


You can use this guide as your starting point. Each month we curate East and South East Asian (ESEA) gigs, food markets, supperclubs, exhibitions and theatre in London, all in one place so you do not have to scroll through endless listings.


How often is this ESEA events guide updated?


We update this page throughout the month as new events are announced or details change. Check back regularly or sign up to the NOVA ESEA newsletter to get highlights sent straight to your inbox.


Do you only list London events?


Our main focus is London, but we sometimes feature stand out ESEA events in other UK cities when they feel exciting for our community. These are clearly labelled with the city so you can plan trips if you like.


How can I get my ESEA event listed on NOVA ESEA?


If you are running an ESEA related event, you can reach us through the contact form on our website or email info@novaesea.com with details, dates and links. We prioritise ESEA led and ESEA centred events, and we aim to platform a mix of community, independent and larger scale programmes.

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