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Listings
BLOOD: Today’s opportunities to donate blood are at St Olave Parish Hall on Fenchurch Street, Chiswick Town Hall, Tooting Donor Centre and Anerley Town Hall. Free, see site for terms and conditions
ART BOOKS: Got someone arty in your family? Pick them up discounted art books or Christmas cards at Parasol Unit's Winter Book Sale. Just turn up, until 13 January 2014
DICKENS CHRISTMAS: The London home of the Victorian author has some special Christmas events this season, one of which is Mr Fezziwig's Christmas Cracker. Explore the house with Christmas treats including shadow puppetry, storytelling and music in each room. £24, prebook, until 14 December
COLOMBIAN SHOPPING: The first pop-up store to showcase the work of Colombian designers and artists opens today on King's Road, selling fashion, art, jewellery and hosting a schedule of cultural events. See website for full listings, until 8 December
UPSIDE DOWN HOUSE: Artist Alex Chinneck has taken a building on Blackfriars Road, due for demolition, and turned its façade upside down. Pop along to see for yourself. Free, just turn up, from 10am
LIVE WRITING: Head to the Southbank Centre to see Daljit Nagra writing live, right in front of you. Free, just turn up, 12-6pm
CHRISTINGLE: Pop along to Southwark Cathedral’s St Nicholas Day Christingle Service, offering carols, candle lighting and a mulled wine reception. Free, just turn up, 5.30-6.30pm
ART: To celebrate the culmination of her three month commission, Guildhall Library's artist-in residence Stella Harding hosts a late view of her contemporary art and explores their link to the collections. £5.95, prebook, 6-8pm
TREASURE HUNT: Motcomb Street in Belgravia is the scene for a Christmas Treasure Hunt, with 25 child and 25 adult goodie bags up for grabs. Free, just turn up, 6.30-8pm
TRADE UNIONS: STIR Magazine debates trade unions and co-operatives in relation to the struggle for the commons, at Oxford House in Bethnal Green.Free, prebook, 7pm
ARTIST TALK: Artist Yinka Shonibare MBE is at the National Maritime Museum to discuss his new installations at Royal Museums Greenwich with Senior Curator Christine Riding. £15/£12, prebook, 7pm
DIFFERENT LONDON: An evening of literary discussion at the Marlborough Arms looks at how London has been written about and pictured throughout time. Free, prebook, 7-9pm
CHRISTMAS GAMES: Put away the Boggle, Grandma. GamerDisco and Madcatz have teamed up at The Book Club for a night of old school arcade games, mince pies and prizes. Free, just turn up, 7.30pm
SHORT FILMS: Whirligig Cinema’s Spotlights at Hackney Attic focuses on comedy this month, with three filmmakers screening and discussing their work. £5/£4, prebook, 7.30pm
JAZZ: A night of jazz talent comes to the 606 Club in Chelsea to celebrate the launch of the Yamaha New Jazz Sessions 2013 CD. £8-£12, prebook, 8pm
CHRISTMAS CHOIR: Another festive concert, this time at Cecil Sharp House, features traditional songs and wassails. £6, prebook, 8pm
COMEDY: Viv Groskop hosts We [Heart] Comedy at the Effra Social in Brixton, with Patrick Monahan, Nish Kumar, Carly Smallman, Don Tran and Luke Graves. £5-£3.50, prebook, 8.15pm
Good Cause of the Day
National disability charity United Response invites the public to its annual Christmas carol service tonight, in the stunning surroundings of St Peter’s Church at Eaton Square. This year’s service is extra special as the charity is also celebrating its 40th anniversary. Pop along for carols, mince pies and a great cause. Free, just turn up, 6.30pm
London Connection Puzzle
Yesterday's clue-word was RICHARD HANNAY. Today's is 'BASIL'. What's the London connection? If you think you have it, email [email protected]. (If you're reading this in the email newsletter, check the live website first to make sure no one beat you to it.)
From the Archive
We still love this fantastically juxtaposed autumnal picture, originally published in 2011.
London Weather by Inclement Attlee
To get you in the Christmas mood, The Editor has ordered Inclement Attlee to set all December forecasts to popular seasonal tunes. Here's today's:
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way,
Sunny spells for later on, but morning's damp and grey.
Hey!
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way,
There's no snow, so leave at home your one-horse open sleigh.
Dashing through the slow-,
-moving crowds again,
O'er roads we go
Cursing at the rain.
Bells on cycles ring,
London travel's shite,
But oh what fun it is to sing,
Our weather song tonight.
Oh, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way,
Sunny spells for later on, but morning's damp and grey.
etc.
