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Things to do today:
MEET SANTA: Meet Santa's reindeer at Sheldon Square in Paddington between 11am and 3pm today. The man himself will be there between 1pm and 3pm, plus there will be live performances and music from Regent Community Brass Band. Free, just turn up, 11am-3pm
SHELL-SHOCKED BRITAIN: Head to the National Archives in Kew to hear from researcher Suzie Grogan about treatments which were on offer for first world war soldiers who were suffering from shell shock and what happened to them after they came home. Free, prebook, 2pm
THE ROYAL SOCIETY: The Royal Society is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious scientific bodies, but what has it done in the last 50 years? Find out in this free lecture given by Dr Peter Collins, Emeritus Director of the Royal Society. Free, just turn up, 6.30pm
LIVE MUSIC: Singer-songwriter and guitarist Martyn Joseph performs live at Cecil Sharp House in Camden. He's been likened to Bruce Springsteen, Brice Cockburn and Dave Matthews, so we're expecting good things. £16, prebook, 7pm
CRIES OF LONDON: Bishopsgate Institute holds a illustrated lecture by The Gentle Author about the Cries of London — people whose only form of income was to sell wares and perform in the street. Free, prebook, 7.30pm. Due to high demand, the event is repeated tomorrow.
BREWERY FEAST: Brixton restaurant French & Grace teams up with Brixton Brewery for a Middle-Eastern themed supper club, with beers matched to the food. Takes place in a Brixton railway arch. £35, prebook, 7.30pm
CHRISTMAS AT THE BALLET: Tonight at Royal Festival Hall, the Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Jeremie Rhorer, perform Berlioz’s L’enfance du Christ and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake suite in a special Christmas concert. £11-£50, prebook, 7.30pm
COMEDY: Researchers from UCL and comedians come together at Bloomsbury Theatre’s studio to entertain and inform in the regular, long-running and excellent Bright Club. £4+fee, prebook, 7.30pm
FOLKLORE SOCIETY: South East London Folklore Society meets at The Old King's Head on Borough High Street for an evening looking at objects from Cornwall’s Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. £3/£1.50, prebook by emailing [email protected], 8pm
TONGUE FU: Music, spoken word, poetry slam and more meet on stage at Rich Mix as a variety of artists perform at Tongue Fu. £8/£6, prebook, 8pm
Top tickets for tonight:
KEW CHRISTMAS TRAIL: Beautiful Kew Gardens look even more gorgeous in their winter illuminations. Wrap up warm for a one-mile meander through a magical after-dark experience. Admission from 6pm-8.15pm, tickets £16.
WAR WORK: Michael Nyman performs his latest work with his band, bringing together archive film footage and first world war poetry with a soaring live score at the Barbican Centre. War Work: Eight Songs With Film starts at 7pm, tickets £25.
THE MAGIC LANTERN: East London musician The Magic Lantern hosts an album launch show with a twist, showcasing an alternative album with the songs done by other artists. Hear the reinterpretations at The Shed in Hackney tonight from 8pm, tickets £5.
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS: Nomad Cinema screen Tim Burton's dark, fantasy, comedy, musical animation in Eccleston Place Courtyard, Belgravia. Snuggle under blankets in comfy chairs, swig mulled wine and enjoy hot food for the all-inclusive ticket price of £27.50.
SOUTH POLE SALOON: Celebrate the dark side of Christmas at pop-up dive bar, the South Pole Saloon in Brixton. From the team that brought you Heartbreak Hotel, this is an immersive drinking, dining and theatrical experience. Guarantee your entry with a £3.50 advance ticket.
ICE SKATING: Have you been persuaded to take to the ice yet? There are seasonal skating rinks from Wembley to Westfield, Finchley to South Kensington, Canary Wharf to Hyde Park. Check out our round-up and take advantage of some special offers on tickets. Tonight, you could skate at Broadgate, then eat and drink at The Tasting Room for just £25 all in.
Browse and book many more London events at our tickets site, powered by YPlan.
Good cause of the day
The Lullaby Trust's Carols by Candlelight concert takes place at St Columba's Church of Scotland in Knightsbridge tonight. Opera singers Jamie Lonsdale and Alexandra Kennedy and a string quartet led by concert violinist Antonia Azoitei will perform, with funds raised going to the Lullaby Trust.
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