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Merry Christmas from Londonist
We'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy new year from all of us here at Londonist. Thanks for reading, commenting, sharing, and making our London lives so rich. We'll be back with more things to do on New Year's Day. In the meantime you can find things to do in London between Christmas and New Year here.
Start your day with these:
Eight Things you didn't know about Christmas
Get planning for New Year's Eve with our selection of alternative nights out
Find out what Londonist staff get up to in our spare time — it involves tube maps and Quality Street
Things to do today:
LAST CHANCE: Explore 400 years of seasonal traditions in English Homes at the Geffrye Museum. Get inspiration for next year's decorations from period rooms which are decked out in traditional garb. Free, just turn up, until 3 January
CHRISTMAS MARKETS: There's still time to catch some of London's Christmas markets, including the Tudor market at Tower Bridge (until 3 January) and Southbank Centre's Christmas market which ends today.
WINTER WARMER: London is chock-a-block with mulled wine at this time of year, but not all of it is quality. If you find yourself wandering the city on Christmas Eve looking for somewhere to warm your hands we've put together a selection of our favourite of mulled cocktails. Check the websites for individual opening hours and bookings.
SMITHFIELD MEAT MARKET AUCTION: Today hoards of punters, cash in hand, will spill onto the pavement outside Smithfield Meat Market for the annual meat auction. Bid for quality meat at way below supermarket prices and you'll at least have Christmas dinner sorted. This is the last time the traditional auction will take place here. Free, just turn up, 10.30am
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT: Get in the festive spirit with seasonal classics performed in the atmospheric candle lit surroundings of The Royal Albert Hall. £45.34/£47.38, prebook, 2.30pm/ 7pm
Tickets for today:
ICE SKATING: There's still time to take advantage of the ice skating offers around London, including Swarovski Ice Rink at The Natural History Museum. Ice skating sessions last 50 minutes, once done sip mulled wine from the cafe or ride on the carousel. The ice rink will open at 1pm today due to the unexpected warm weather we're having. £10.45/£15.40, prebook, 1pm-9pm
STAND UP COMEDY: Holiday Inn in Camden will have you laughing your way into Christmas Day with their Jewish Christmas Eve Matzo Ball featuring London's top Jewish comics. £17.50, prebook, 9pm
KOKO CHRISTMAS EVE PARTY: If you're in Camden and don't fancy comedy head to Koko's 10th birthday Christmas Eve party. Stage acts include Britain's Got Talent finalist Afishal, who is performing an epic live fire drum show plus X-Factor backing dance crews. Get there on time to avoid additional fees. £25/£30, prebook, 9pm
Browse and book many more London events at our tickets site, powered by YPlan.
Good cause of the day
Homelessness charity Crisis is looking for volunteers to work at Crisis Skylight London in Tower Hamlets. The centre runs workshops, classes and drop-in sessions every week in all sorts of subjects — music, art, maths, IT, theatre, gardening, exercise and more. The winter term begins 11 January and runs to 20 March. Check the website for detail on the specific roles available.
Find more London events in our Free & Cheap events listings. Want to see your event in these last-minute listings? Email us at hello@londonist.com 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.
