All weekend
- Robots take over the Science Museum (free)
- Make Space artists studios in SE1 are open all weekend for nosing round with a programme of performance, screenings and a group exhibition to see (free).
- The London Turkish Film Festival is showing flicks across four moviehouses - Rio Dalston, Apollo Piccadilly, Odeon West End and Cine Lumiere - until 8 December
- Gifted is a weekend of contemporary emerging art and design in Deptford, including the Fair Charm Christmas Fair.
- The Laundry Room open a seasonal pop-up shop in ye olde Georgian townhouse at 3 Fournier Street, Spitalfields with stuff to buy + cakes and cocktails.
- The British Military Tournament showcases the skill and might of the armed forces at Earls Court, raising money for the Soldiers' Charity (tickets £29.75+).
- Drop into the Royal Festival Hall and introduce the kids to Forkbeard Fantasy: Theatre of Animation on the Spirit Level (free).
- Play Dog Bingo whilst visiting the Winter Open Studios weekend at the Chocolate Factory, N16 to raise money for the Mayhew Animal Home.
- Guildhall School actors and musicians start something unusual with a devised piece called ...think only this of me... 2-7 December (£8).
- East London Design Show is at Shoreditch Town Hall (£5 entry but there's a 2-4-1 voucher on their website).
- Taste wine and support a water charity at Three Wine Men at Lords.
- Have you been ice skating yet?
Friday:
- There's period fun, especially if you dress the part, for Richmond's Victorian evening between 5-9pm, procession from 7pm.
- Visit the StockMKT night market on Bermondsey Square.
- Head for Walworth for a wander round Pullens Yards Winter Open Studios from 6-9pm (also open on Sat & Sun).
- Get mince pies and mulled wine for a pound at the National Gallery Christmas shopping event (the gallery is open too) between 6.30-8.45pm.
- Try Yellow Lounge classical music club at the Old Vic Tunnels, 8pm (£6).
Saturday:
- Guildhall Art Gallery hosts a fab family fun day with a chance to see the Atkinson Grimshaw exhibition, get the kids making Christmas cards and baubles and pay a rare weekend visit to lovely Leadenhall Market - all between 10am-5pm (free).
- Visit the pop-up record shop at Orange Dot Gallery.
- Cheer on the Santa Run in Battersea Park from 10am.
- Take the December Dip at Parliament Hill Lido between 11am-1pm (£15, donation from spectators).
- Watch the Christmas Pudding Race in Covent Garden from 11am.
- The Craft Guerilla designer maker market is at Vestry House Museum, Walthamstow from 11am-4pm.
- Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair is at Spitalfields, 11am-5pm.
- The Nomad Cinema has extended its stay at Whiteleys and is showing an interesting duo of films today: Psycho and Toy Story 3 (£8).
- Shop or just get sozzled at The Social Christmas Market from 1-6pm.
- Take the family to the finale of Molten Festival in Barking - it's a fireworks and fountains extravaganza from 5pm (free)
Sunday:
- Belgravia invites you to their Christmas Sunday festive event with a brass band, carols and Three Wise Men on camels from noon-5pm.
- The Vintage Furniture Flea is at York Hall, Bethnal Green 11am-4.30pm (£3/2 entry).
- Visit some Lovely Merchants, upstairs at the Victoria Pub, Morning Terrace NW1 between 12-5 for fine festive wares and a 'posh jumble'.
Other good stuff:
- Free things to do in London
- Books and spoken word
- Sci/tech/nerd stuff
- Theatre, dance, opera, classical music and exhibitions
- Things to do for a fiver or less
- Museums and Galleries
- Cabaret, parties and alt-performance
- Stand up and sketch comedy
- Gigs to go to
Browse all latest arts and events features and make your tummy rumble with our latest food and drink content.
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments.