Hundreds of bold commuters will gather in London‘s Chinatown on Sunday, January 11, 2026, for the annual No Trousers Tube Ride, an event where participants travel on the Underground wearing everything except pants. The free event requires no booking, though participants must pay the standard Tube fare to join this unusual midwinter tradition.
The day will begin at the Chinatown entrance, where participants will meet before proceeding to Piccadilly Circus Underground station. From there, they will board trains and travel throughout central London’s network, maintaining casual composure while lacking lower garments. Participants are expected to act as if nothing unusual is happening, which creates an amusing contrast to their state of undress.
Spectacle meets deadpan as pantless participants travel London’s Underground with perfect nonchalance, creating delightful absurdity in everyday commuting.
This quirky tradition began in New York in 2002, when comedian Charlie Todd first organized pants-free subway rides during winter. The concept reached London in 2009 and has since spread to cities worldwide. The purely for fun event has no deeper purpose beyond introducing silliness and spontaneity into everyday life.
Dave Selkirk, a 40-year-old personal trainer who serves as the event’s ringleader, cites world negativity as motivation for organizing this playful activity. Previous participants have included people from diverse backgrounds, such as lawyer Basil Long, who once attended wearing a rainbow-striped shirt and pink underwear, and chef Miriam Correa, who views the event as promoting body positivity.
During the ride, participants will travel along the Piccadilly line, with some delaying their undressing until aboard the trains. The warm tunnels of the Underground provide relief from January’s cold temperatures. The Elizabeth line will also be included in the route this year, expanding the pants-free adventure to newer parts of London’s transit system. The event typically concludes at Piccadilly Circus amid laughter and camaraderie.
While tourists often appear puzzled by the sight, many Londoners respond with grins and occasionally request selfies with participants. The No Trousers Tube Ride represents a brief escape from seriousness, fostering shared joy and brightening an otherwise gray winter day in the British capital. Participants typically showcase their creative costumes while maintaining the spirit of body positivity that has become a hallmark of the event.
