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CHRISTMAS IS COMING: And although we’re not fattening up any poultry, we have put together a bumper page of all the festive goings on in London. We’ll be updating it throughout December, so keep checking back.
ART EXHIBITION: Murray Fredericks' exhibition at Hamilton's opens today. The Australian artist is famous for his landscape photography depicting wide-open views. This is one of our top ten art exhibitions to see in December. Free, until 30 January
ICE SCULPTURES: Head to Devonshire Square close to Liverpool Street and watch an ice sculptor carving a frozen masterpiece in real time. Free, just turn up, noon
CUTTY SARK: It’s been 60 years since the Cutty Sark sailed into Greenwich dock. Today, the National Maritime Museum invites everyone to take part in a special Tea and Memories event. There will be afternoon tea, parlour games and conversations about the ship. Free, prebook, 2pm-4pm
VIDEO INSTALLATION: Today and tomorrow, The House of St Barnabas' Chapel will be transformed by Altered Perspectives, a three-minute light and sound extravaganza by artist Rupert Newman. The public will be able to visit the installation for free between 6pm-8pm on both days. Just turn up, 6pm-8pm daily
CAROL CONCERT: Join a free carol concert at the Fortnum and Mason flagship store in Piccadilly. The London Oratory School Chamber Choir perform in the department store's Candle Room. Free, just turn up, 6.30pm
DICKENSIAN CHRISTMAS: Charles Dickens Museum opens its door after normal opening times and with atmospheric candlelight. Return to the Victorian era and experience Dickens’s restored former home just as the author would have seen it. See other ways to have an historical Christmas in London. £20, prebook, from 6.40pm
FESTIVE CONCERT: Richard Egarr conducts the Academy of Ancient Music for a festive performance of Handel's Messiah at Barbican Music Hall. £45-£10, prebook, 7pm
COMEDY: Tony Law headlines Knock2Bag in Shepherd’s Bush, so brace yourself for the unexpected. There’s loads of stand up and sketch comedy including Sam Simmons, Twisted Loaf, Matthew Crosby, Brian Gittins, Pete Johansson and Twins. £8, prebook, 7.30pm
CHEAP TALK: Dr Emily Mayhew, Medical Historian from Imperial College, leads a talk about The Long Carry, explaining how stretcher-bearers in the Great War transformed military medicine. It takes place at the Richmond Scientific Society. £2, just turn up, 8pm
TUBE SPOTTING: Our favourite tube geek Geoff Marshall presents a gig tonight at the Hen and Chickens Theatre in Highbury and Islington. He will talk about his obsession for the tube and how he gained the Guinness World Record for travelling in the fastest time around the whole of the Underground. £10+bf, prebook, 9.30pm
BLOOD: Today’s opportunities to donate blood are at The Hop Exchange in Southwark Street, St Olave Parish Hall in Fenchurch Street 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.
Give the gift of Pact this Christmas
Love coffee? We recommend you try out Pact Coffee. We first met them last year and have since become loyal customers of theirs. This London start-up is on a mission to get the UK drinking better, fresher coffee by delivering it straight to our homes and offices. Now, clearly in the festive spirit, they're offering new customers their first 250g bag for only £1 with free next-day delivery, just use the code LONDONISTXMAS at checkout. Get yours here, or for more info and T&Cs click here.
They also offer coffee Christmas gift bundles for the caffeine lover in your life, check those out here.
This week’s Things To Do In London is sponsored by Pact.
Good Cause of the Day
Today you can support a good cause and enjoy festive music. London's Air Ambulance has organised a carol concert at St. Stephen Walbrook Church performed by three choirs. Proceeds will support London’s Air Ambulance to deliver their life-saving service. £25, prebook, 6pm
From The Archive
Don't know how to spend you time while commuting? Try one of these eight fun games to play on the tube — Candy Crush is not on the list.
