Today's Things To Do In London is sponsored by China Exchange, who are hosting a talk about Chinese food in the UK on next Monday — scroll down to find out more.
Do this without leaving London, at Natural History Museum. Things to read
London's best late night and 24-hour restaurants
Behind the scenes at the Grant Museum of Zoology
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All of today's London news, scandal, gossip and outrage.
Things to do today:
GREAT BARRIER REEF: Natural History Museum's new Great Barrier Reef virtual reality experience opens today. The 20-minute show takes you under the water in a submarine, accompanied by Sir David Attenborough. While you're there, why not drop into the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. £6.50, prebook, runs for six weeks
MORLEY MORSELS: Morley College in Lambeth offers a day of free taster courses. Sign up now to take an hour-long course in activities including jazz dance, acting for beginners, Polish and more. Free,prebook, 9am-6.30pm
SEASONAL STROLL: Take a seasonal stroll through Kensington Gardens and learn why holly was protected by kings and why robins are often found on Christmas cards. £5, prebook, 12pm
CHRISTMAS GREENERY: The Geffrye Museum holds an adult workshop where you can learn how to create a 17th century-inspired festive decoration with fresh greenery. All materials included. £50/£45, prebook, 2pm-5pm
A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY: Head to the British Library for a lecture performance by soprano Kimberly Hawkins. Joined by a gospel choir she explores how the trans-Atlantic slave trade carried West African musical traditions to the New World. £10/£7, prebook, 6.30pm
JAPANESE SUPPER CLUB: Kick off the weekend with a multi-course Japanese supper club at a warehouse in Hackney. Menu items include sanuki udon served with an umami-rich dashi broth, katsuobushi (smoked bonito flakes) and red shiso furikake (dried and salted perilla leaves). £29, prebook, 7pm
BARE REALITY: Laura Dodsworth is at Housmans Bookshop in King's Cross to talk about her book, Bare Reality, which shares 100 unretouched, anonymous pictures of real women's breasts and demonstrates how differently people think about their bodies. £3, prebook, 7pm
CHOIR CONCERT: The choir of Magdalen College at Oxford is in town to perform at Cadogan Hall in Chelsea and celebrate Advent. Expect a mixture of classical music and more modern Christmas carols. £19-£31, prebook, 7.30pm
CLUB DE FROMAGE ON ICE: Spend the evening ice skating at Alexandra Palace with tunes by the likes of Bon Jovi, Katy Perry, One Direction and more — plenty of musical cheese basically. From £8, prebook, 8.30pm
COMEDY: Political US comedian Hari Kandabolu is in London for the first time in over four years. Catch him quick, he's only here for two nights. £15/£12.50, prebook, 9.30pm
More things to do after this sponsor message.
Learn about Chinese food in London from top foodie experts
Join food critic Tom Parker-Bowles as he unravels the current Chinese food panorama in London with legends Giles Coren — famed food critic of The Times — and Alan Yau, the mind behind Wagamama and two Michelin-starred Chinese restaurants in London. Learn what's been going on in the last 20 years — from chop suey and sweet and sour pork to the rise of regional Sichuan and Cantonese styles.
The talk takes place next Monday at China Exchange, as part of a series which will also see artist Tracey Emin and BFI's Amanda Nevill as special guests.
Tickets are just £5! Book your space now.
The Prudential Series: 60 Minutes with Tom Parker-Bowles takes place on 14 December at 6pm at China Exchange, 32A Gerrard Street, W1D 6JA. Tickets are available online for £5+booking fee — book now. See what's on at China Exchange, browse their events programme here.
Today's Things To Do In London is sponsored by China Exchange.
Tickets for tonight & the weekend:
SPEAKEASY: The Candelight Club celebrate their fifth birthday in a secret den lit by candles. Live jazz, delicious cocktails and the glamour of the roaring twenties make for an atmospheric and decadent night. Tickets £20, from 8pm.
MOULIN ROUGE: Nicole Kidman is wonderful in Baz Luhrman's Moulin Rouge and you can watch it courtesy of Backyard Cinema in the Winter Night Garden tonight at Winterville, Victoria Park. Film at 8pm, tickets £16.50.
AI WEIWEI: The final weekend of the blockbuster exhibition at the Royal Academy means extended opening hours to facilitate all you lot who didn't get round to it sooner. The gallery will be open from Friday 10am until Sunday 6pm and you can get your hands on night owl tickets here for £16.50.
SANTA VS PANDA: Um. If you like dressing up as either Santa or a panda, appreciate all kinds of twisted, high energy punk music and/or rooms full of dance filled wonder, circus performers, tea and cake and late nights then Rumpus Presents: Santa vs Panda at Islington Metal Works could be one for you. Doors 10pm, tickets £13.
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. Tonight, you could skate at Broadgate, then eat and drink at The Tasting Room for just £25.
VUE CINEMAS: Go to any Vue cinema and see any film at any time for just £8.
Browse and book many more London events at our tickets site, powered by YPlan.
Good cause of the day
Register now to take part in The Big London Night Walk in March next year. The 20km amble through London raises money for the Big Issue Foundation. Get more information.
Christmas shopping
Need a helping hand with your Christmas shopping? We've got mugs, t-shirts, phone cases, hoodies and more, all themed around the things we love about London. Check out the full range.
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