After a packed 2025 that ended in a whirlwind of Christmas events, live broadcasts, and Cirque magic, January 2026 came as a well-earned breather.
The arena doors didn’t open as often this month, but when they did, each event had its own kind of spark — from faith and reflection to roaring engines and ballroom glitter.
January 1st–2nd: Light Upon Light – Muslim Day of Knowledge
(Reference: Light Upon Light Global)
The year began quietly with Light Upon Light – Muslim Day of Knowledge, a peaceful and reflective gathering focused on faith and community.
Because of the New Year’s Day public holiday and limited transport, our post-event clean took place on January 2nd, giving everyone a rare extra day to reset before stepping back onto the arena floor.
These faith-based events always feel different — there’s no bass, no crowd rush, no flashing lights — just stillness, thought, and a calm energy that lingers even while you’re sweeping up.
By the time we finished, the arena felt refreshed — the perfect tone-setter for the start of a new year.
January 26th: X-Trial Indoor Motorbike Championship
(Reference: X-Trial Leeds)
Then came something completely different — the X-Trial Indoor Motorbike Championship.
The roar of engines filled the arena as riders launched off ramps, spun mid-air, and landed with pinpoint control.
It’s a strange kind of beauty — the mix of noise, danger, and precision all happening under one roof.
From the crew side, it’s a tough but rewarding clean-up.
Tyre marks across the floor, rubber dust in the air, and the faint smell of petrol that lingers long after the crowd leaves.
Still, there’s something satisfying about transforming that chaos back into a spotless stage by morning.
January 29th–30th: BBC Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour
(Reference: Strictly Come Dancing Live)
The month finished on a glittery high with the return of the BBC Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour — two nights of sequins, spotlights, and smiles.
This year’s lineup was packed with star power: Vicky Pattison, Lewis Cope, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Ellie Goldstein, La Voix, and Layton Williams all took to the dancefloor, bringing a mix of elegance, comedy, and charm that kept the arena buzzing from start to finish.
For us on the clean-up team, Strictly is always one of the most satisfying shifts of the year — colourful, high-energy, and full of good vibes.
Glitter on the floor, feathers in the aisles, the faint smell of hairspray and fake tan — and by the end, nothing but reflections on polished tiles.
Even after the lights went down, you could still feel the applause echoing through the air.
Final Thoughts
January might have been a slow month, but it had a perfect mix of peace, power, and polish — from the calm of Light Upon Light, to the roar of X-Trial, to the sparkle of Strictly Come Dancing.
After the chaos of 2025, this was the gentle start the new year needed.
If this month was the warm-up, I can’t wait to see what the rest of 2026 brings.
