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CHRISTMAS IS COMING: And we have a bumper page of all the festive goings on in London. We’ll be updating it throughout December, so keep checking back.
BOOK LAUNCH: Professor Rob Imrie and Professor Loretta Lees discuss their new book Sustainable London that, along with other leading urbanists, explores the rise of sustainable development policies in London. The event takes place at 1 Whittington Avenue. Free, just turn up, 12.30pm
MIRANDA HART: The comedian is at Waterstones on Piccadilly to sign copies of her new book, The Best of Miranda Hart. Such fun! We recommend getting there early to avoid disappointment. 5pm
CANINE CAROLS: Hot off the paws of Battersea Dogs' Home's carol concert comes Canine Partners' fundraising concert in conjunction with Draycott Nursing and Care Home. Taking place at Holy Trinity Church in Sloane Square, Canine Partners will have their dogs present to hand out programmes and even to assist with the collection. Celebrity readers include Esther Rantzen. £20/£10, prebook, 6.30pm
AUTHOR TALK: Author Graham Swift is at the British Library to read from his new short story collection, England and Other Stories, and is in conversation with Erica Wagner. £5-£8, prebook, 6.30pm
INAPPROPRIATE CARDS: Head to King's Cross destination Drink, Shop & Do for an evening of inappropriate Chrtistmas card making. Create greeting cards for your loved ones... although perhaps not for your boss. Or your gran. Free with a drink, just turn up, 7pm
CHARITY GIG: Head to KOKO in Camden for a music gig raising money for Unplugged for Autism. Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes plays an acoustic set and White Lies make a special guest appearance. See the full line-up here. £12.50, prebook, 7pm
FILM QUIZ: Barbican's annual Film Quiz run by Soundtracks features lots of movie trivia, picture puzzlers and a special Christmas movie-themed round. £2 per person (2-6 people per team), register from 6pm, quiz starts at 7pm
COMEDY: Robin Ince begins five nights of Christmas science and comedy at Bloomsbury Theatre with a tonne of guests. Appearances vary each night and include Mary Beard, Stewart Lee, Josie Long, Sara Pascoe, Helen Arney, Ben Goldacre and Baba Brinkman. £25/£15+bf, prebook, 7.30pm
BRIGDGET CHRISTIE: The comedian brings her show An Ungrateful Woman to Battersea Arts Centre, explaining everything from why people laugh at salads to why she isn't grafteful for sexism. £12-£18, prebook, 7.30pm
BLOOD: Today’s opportunities to donate blood are at St Olave Parish Hall on Fenchurch Street, Perseverance Works on Kingsland Road, Tesco in both Perivale and Beckenham, and the usual donor centres. See site for terms and conditions. Scared of donating blood? Watch our video.
Find more London events in our Free & Cheap events listings.Want to see your event in these last-minute listings? Email us at [email protected] at least 48 hours before the event, and we will consider it for inclusion. Note: due to high volumes of email, we can’t always reply.
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This week’s Things To Do In London is sponsored by City Lit.
Good Cause of the Day
For today only (2pm-5pm), anyone taking afternoon tea at the Waldorf Hilton will be treated to an exclusive live performance by the cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The cost is £55 per person, £5 of which goes to Barnardo's. To book, call 020 7759 4091 or email homage.waldorflondon@hilton.
From The Archive
Ever wondered what London looks like in the deserted early hours of Christmas Day, but too lazy to get up and check? Take a look at our 2011 picture gallery of our wander around a deserted London. And if you want to know what's open in London on Christmas Day this year, well, we've got that covered too.
