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Listings
BLOOD: Today’s opportunities to donate blood are outside County Hall in Waterloo, The Ecology Pavilion in Mile End, Chiswick Town Hall, Immanuel and St Andrews Church in Streatham and Leytonstone Methodist Church. Free, see site for terms and conditions.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS: There are still many Christmas markets around the capital running right up until Santa packs his sleigh this evening. Take a look at our round up and pop to one for (very) last minute shopping, festive drinks and mince-pie-face-cramming.
THEATRE: "Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse". BORING. If you'd rather inject some life into your Christmas Eve then take a look at our festive theatre round-up — many shows have performances tonight.
SOUTH BANK: Markets, shopping, shows — does South Bank ever sleep? Certainly not today, our South Bank Festive Fancies picks should give you an idea or two.
DICKENSIAN CHRISTMAS: We're back at the Charles Dickens Museum for A Very Dickensian Christmas. The family home of the great Victorian author will be transformed with festive greenery, the scent of citrus and spice, mulled cider and traditional mince pies, film screenings and lively readings from Dickens’s Christmas stories. Lovely. £18 (£8 for children), prebook, 10am-5pm (they're open tomorrow and Boxing Day too).
JIVE: Get hyped and happy at Five Go Jiving Christmas Eve dance and concert in the Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall. Free, just turn up, 12pm
CAROLS: St Paul's Cathedral has set up a giant screen in Paternoster Square, meaning more people can enjoy the popular Christmas services taking place inside. Today, the Cathedral Choir perform a Christmas Carol Service. Free, just turn up, 4pm
CROONING: Atila, King of Crooners, performs at Primo Bar, Park Plaza hotel, Westminster Bridge. Free entry, just turn up (through the door, up the stairs, turn right), 8pm
... AND TOMORROW?: Ok, they're not strictly things to do TODAY, but Christmas Day can be a lovely time to explore the eerily deserted streets of London. If you fancy a trip out of the house then do look at our list of what's open in London on Christmas Day and plan for tomorrow.
From the Archive
We appreciate that London can be a difficult time for non-Christmas lovers. Everyone's talking about it, decorations sprout up everywhere, the shops are a nightmare and did we mention that everyone's talking about it? So to satisfy both ends of the spectrum we have provided two archive options today. Firstly, some truly excellent (if we may say so ourselves) images of Christmas-ified London landmarks. Secondly, a hand-drawn map of London's loos. Pick what you will, and Merry Christmas (or not).
