Always be in the know about what's going on in London by signing up to our free email newsletters.
For your commute
Make the commute go quicker with a Londonist Out Loud podcast.
Fancy braving a winter swim at one of these London Lidos?
How did Finsbury Square give the world a Christmas tradition?
Read all about it!
Catch up with the latest London news, mainly involving cock rings and getting half naked.
Things to do today:
SPACE LATE: To mark British astronaut Tim Peake's launch into space, the Science Museum is open late for all manner of space themed activities, including talks, debates, workshops and games led by space experts and real astronauts including cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, the first man ever to walk in space. Free, just turn up, 6pm-10pm
CHRISTMAS CAROLS: Get in the christmas spirit at St Paul's Cathedral where Cancer Research UK is hosting an evening of entertainment provided by leading opera singers and actors, including Hugh Bonneville from Downton Abbey. Tickets from £30, prebook, 7pm. There are plenty more opportunities to hear carol singing across London, including Carols by Candlelight at St Botolph without Bishopsgate, Starling Arts Choir Girls at The Phoenix, Some Voices at York Hall and Carols at Southwark Cathedral.
KAROLOKE: If all that carol music has got you in the mood for singing, Palm 2 in Hackney is putting on a Christmas singalong with a live orchestra and anti-carol songs for all the grinches out there. £14 adv, prebook, 7pm
CHRISTMAS JUMPER DECORATING: Want to add a homemade touch to your Christmas gifts this year? Head to Pop Brixton's Make Do and Mend Clothing store to jazz up your old jumpers with bits of tinsel and Christmassy trimmings. If you don't have a jumper spare you can request one for an additional £10. £15, prebook, 7pm-10pm
SPEED CRAFTING CHRISTMAS: Warm your hands on mulled wine while getting crafty at All You Read is Love, an independent bookshop in Leytonstone. Goldleaf a mini ceramic vase, make a bespoke letterpress card, or produce your own decorations in time for Christmas. £30, prebook, 7pm
GIG: Sick of Christmas music already? Spend a relaxed evening at the Sebright Arms in Bethnal Green where Dave Gerard & the Watchmen are performing with support from Hannah Sanders and Alex Bayly. Expect poetic lyrics and acoustic arrangements. £4/£6, prebook, 7.30pm
COMEDY: Head to the Black Heart in Camden for new material with a political slant from Bridget Christie, Josie Long, Tiernan Douieb, Kitten Killers, Elf Lyons and your host Chris Coltrane. £3, just turn up, 8pm
CABARET: Add some drama to your Tuesday evening with a variety of talented circus acts and burlesque performances. La Soirée takes place at Southbank Centre. Tickets from £15, prebook, 8pm
Tickets for today:
CHARITY GIG: Enjoy some live music from The Bowen Quartet and friends at a candlelit Zigfrid von Underbelly in Hoxton Square and support Cancer Research UK and St Mungo's, from 7pm. Tickets £7
BILL BAILEY: The best seats in the house for Bill Bailey's Limboland are on sale today on our tickets site for £39.50 (save £10). At the Vaudeville Theatre, Charing Cross Road from 8pm
EDWARD SCISSORHANDS: Pillow Cinema present Johnny Depp's heartbreaking gothic performance in Edwards Scissorhands at Sutton House, Hackney from £7.50. Film starts 7.15pm
LIVE ACTION CINEMA CLUB: Improvisers Genre Claude Van Damme present a movie in real life with dramatic camera angles, tense editing, action sequences and tender denouements at Barons Court Theatre. £5, 7.30pm
ICE SKATING: You can skate in London from Wembley to Westfield, Finchley to South Kensington, Canary Wharf to Hyde Park. Check out our round-up and take advantage of some special ticket offers, like skate sessions at Winterville for just £3.50.
FILM FOR £8: Get Vue Cinema Tickets for £8 and watch any film, any time in any Vue Cinema.
Browse and book many more London events at our tickets site, powered by YPlan.
Good cause of the day
If you didn't manage to nab tickets for U2's sold out world tour head to Mencap's charity fundraiser at The Borderline in Soho, where U2 tribute band U2 2 are headlining. All proceeds from the night go to Mencap to support people with a learning disability and their families. £15, prebook, 7pm
Keep up to date with Londonist
Never be stuck for things to do or out of touch with London news by following us on Twitter @Londonist or liking our Facebook page, and don't forget to check out our Instagram for a visual journey around London.
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.
