Things to do
LONDON ART FAIR: The first big art event of the year is London Art Fair, which brings more than 100 galleries exhibiting the work of countless artists under one roof. If you're not looking to buy any art, there's also a programme of talks and tours, plus the Photo50 exhibition. Business Design Centre (Islington), £12-£32, book ahead, 16-20 January
SOUNDSTATE: This five-day festival hosts performances from musicians around the world, curated for the way in which they are making new music in the 21st century. Highlights include premieres of new music, and a project that'll be 22 years in the making. See the full programme. Southbank Centre, various prices, booking required for some events, 16-20 January
BRIDGE YOGA: Here's a downward dog with a difference — a yoga class on the glass walkway of Tower Bridge, 42 metres above the Thames. If you're lucky, the bridge may even open during this vinyasa-flow yoga class. Tower Bridge, £25, book ahead, 7.30am-8.20am
LUNCHTIME LECTURE: Video games are the focus of today's lunchtime lecture at the V&A. Tying in with the current video games exhibition, hear about how recent technological advances have changed the way video games are designed, played and discussed. V&A Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 1pm-1.45pm
KNITTING KITTENS: Take your wool and needles along to Battersea and spend the evening socialising with other knitters while you create toys or blankets for the cats living there — or make something to take home for your own pet. Battersea Cats Home, minimum £2 donation, just turn up, 5pm-8pm
CLEOPATRA: Who exactly was Cleopatra? The life — and death — of the last queen of Egypt has taken on something of a mythological air, but tonight, Lucy Hughes-Hallett looks at the historic facts, separating them from fiction and myth. National Theatre, £7/£6, book ahead, 5.30pm
MODEL MAKING: The City Centre — home to this wonderful model of central London — runs a workshop about architectural model making. Learn the methods and techniques used to create such models, taking inspiration from that London model. All materials are provided. The City Centre (Bank), £23, book ahead, 6pm-8pm
I'M ABSOLUTELY FINE: Enjoy Champagne and canapés at The Ivy Tower Bridge while you hear from best-selling authors and co-founders of website The Midult, Annabel Rivkin and Emilie McMeekan. They discuss their new book I’m Absolutely Fine! A Manual for Imperfect Women, about the internal lives of modern women. The Ivy Tower Bridge, £30, book ahead, 6pm
SHORT FILMS: Millennial relationships 'in real life' are examined in a series of short films, which look at how we became so disconnected from the real world and what we can do to change it. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £10.95, book ahead, 6.30pm
FUNNY WOMEN: Eleanor Dryden and Katy Loftus, co-founders of The Feminist Book Society, discuss comedy and women with some very funny writers including Shappi Khorsandi, comedian and author of Nina is Not OK, Ab Fab actress Helen Lederer, and Alexandra Sheppard, author of YA book Oh My Gods. Waterstones Tottenham Court Road, £9, book ahead, 6.30pm-9pm
SPOKEN WORD: Jawdance claims to be London's biggest poetry open mic night. Whether you've got something to perform yourself, or just want to hear the work of established and new poets, head along for a varied, entertaining evening. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), free, just turn up, 7.30pm
Good cause of the day
There's still time to sign up for this weekend's Winter Dip in aid of WaterAid UK. Take a dive into the chilly waters of Parliament Hill Lido, and raise money for charity at the same time. There are poolside activities too, plus a sauna and hot tub to enjoy after you've taken the plunge. Find out more and sign up.
What we're reading
- Ever spotted this unusual postbox?
- What's it like on the pre-Crossrail Crossrail commute?
- Trains between Liverpool Street and Stratford were delayed by a swan on the tracks.
- London trams to get automatic brakes.
- Kew Gardens appears in set of commemorative coins celebrating 50 years of the 50p coin.
