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All weekend
ICE SKATING:
December's finally here, which means that Christmas activities are heartily encouraged — and that includes ice skating. Find your nearest seasonal ice skating rink and give it a whirl.
CHEESE AND WINE FESTIVAL:
Two of our favourite things combine to create the Cheese and Wine Festival at the Business Design Centre in Islington. Just in time for Christmas, stock up with produce from artisan suppliers, and take part in guided tastings. Tickets also include access to The Chocolate Festival, taking place at the same venue. £12, 4-6 December
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FESTIVAL OF CULTURE:
It's all going on down at Islington Square this weekend. The Festival of Culture brings film screenings (Toy Story, Annie Hall...), live music, theatre, gardening workshops, fairground rides and more to the area... and best of all, everything's free. Free, just turn up, 4-6 December
RAMBLE AROUND THE RYE:
Join London Blue Badge Guide Diane Burstein on a guided walk around Peckham Rye, covering African market stalls, independent shops, the common where William Blake saw his first visions, and a secret world underneath the railway arches. £8, prebook, 5-6 December, 11am
OPEN STUDIOS:
Eel Pie Island Artists Studios in Twickenham has an open weekend, giving the public the chance to buy or commission one off art pieces just in time for Christmas. 5-6 December
POLE DANCING LESSONS:
Not as saucy as you think, and a great workout, Pole Sport runs pole dancing lessons in Bermondsey. £20, 5-6 December
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CERAMICS MARKET:
London's best ceramicists and potters come together to exhibit and sell their work at Abney Hall in Stoke Newington. Over 50 artists will be showcased, so it might be time to make a start on the dreaded Christmas shopping. Free, just turn up, 5-6 December
STREET FOOD FESTIVAL:
Street food comes inside to the O2 in North Greenwich for the inaugural British Street Food Festival. Vans, trucks and trailers from all over the country cook up their finest offerings, alongside crazy golf, live music, tastings and more. £7.50, 5-6 December
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HUSKY SLEIGH RIDES:
Santa's at London Wetland Centre in Barnes, but he's broken with tradition and brought huskies with him. Children aged 8 and under can enjoy husky rides or donkey rides, visit Santa or get involved in craft activities to help the elves prepare for Christmas. Included in entrance fee (extra £6 to see Santa), 5-6 December
Saturday 5 December
MR POPPER'S PENGUINS:
Cadogan Hall hosts a musical adaptation of the book (and more recently, film) Mr Popper's Penguins. The family show is brought to life with songs and puppets, and at 55 minutes long, it's aimed at those age 3+. £12-£14.50, prebook, 10.30am/1pm
POET-A-THON:
Sixty poets will read for eight minutes each in relay for over 10 hours at Vout-O-Renees near Tower Hill, to raise money for Medecins Sans Frontieres. See the full running order here and go along to support them. Entry free (donations welcome) just turn up, 12pm-10.30pm
DISCOVERING LONDON:
Seek out the Seven Noses of Soho, spot lots of oddities and hear some unusual stories in the company of Pete Berthoud. Rumour has it that people who see all seven will have infinite wealth, so it's certainly worth a try. £10-£12, prebook, 3pm
RICHMOND IN A CANOE:
Personally, we think it's a bit nippy for canoeing at this time of year, but if you're differently minded, paddle through Petersham Meadows, Marble Hill House, Ham House, Eel Pie Island and York House Gardens on this stretch of the River Thames in Richmond, stopping for lunch along the way. £50, 11am
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GABRIEL'S WHARF CHRISTMAS:
Gabriel's Wharf (behind the OXO Tower on South Bank) holds a free, family-friendly celebration of Christmas, with craft activities, live jazz music, a carol performance and more. Free, just turn up, 12pm-4pm
BREWERY TOUR:
Crate Brewery in Hackney Wick throws open its doors to let the public experience what goes on behind the scenes, and how they make their beer. Go on a tutored tasting and learn the basics of beer brewing. From £15, 1pm/3pm
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KNIT AID:
This beginner's knitting workshop at Somerset House lets you learn a new skill and help those less fortunate. Choose from creating a beanie hat or a snood and create one for you and one for someone in need. All materials and tuition included. £35, 2pm
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CRIES OF LONDON:
Head to Bishopsgate Institute to learn about the history of the trade of peddling in London. Free, prebook, 2pm
CHRISTMAS TEA FEAST:
Mulled tea wine, anyone? This tea tasting session has a festive twist — the teas have been given a Christmas makeover. Tuck into tea chutney with sausage rolls with Christmas chai hot chocolate. £30, 4pm
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PULP FICTION:
Pillow Cinema screens cult classic film Pulp Fiction at Sutton House in Hackney. Kick back and watch the Quentin Tarantino film from the comfort of a beanbag. From £7.50, 5.30pm
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AI WEIWEI:
It's the final couple of weeks of Ai Wei Wei's political art exhibition at the Royal Academy. To mark the occasion, The Royal Academy is open late for a chance to explore the exhibition after hours. Ticket includes a glass of sparkling wine after the exhibition. £21, 6pm
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COMEDY:
Mark Watson headlines another awesome bill at the Union Chapel. He's supported by BBC 4 duo The Pin, Edinburgh-winner Sam Simmons, Mae Martin and the frankly ingenious James Acaster. £20+booking fee Doors 6.30pm (grab a pew early)
SPACE:
90s British indie rock band Space perform live at Brixton Jamm, covering both their 90s classic tunes and newer releases. £12, 7pm
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TIM WESTWOOD:
Radio DJ Tim Westwood plays a three hour set at The Book Club in Shoreditch tonight, as part of The Doctor's Orders' 10th anniversary celebrations. Expect hip-hop, R'n'B and afrobeats music. £5/£8, prebook, 8pm-4am
MUSIC AND CABARET:
White Mink at the Clapham Grand is an electro swing night which incorporates jazz in the form of an illicit speakeasy. Bands, DJs, burlesque performers and dancers all do their thing in a secret speakeasy bar. £17.50, 9pm
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ANNIE MAC:
DJ and radio presenter Annie Mac presents a DJ set at O2 Academy Brixton, with music by up and coming dance music artists from around the UK. £28.50, 9.30pm
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Things To Do In London This Weekend is sponsored by Pact Coffee.
Sunday 6 December
CELEBRITY CHRISTMAS GALA:
Pianist Lucy Parham is at Kings Place for a Sunday morning concert celebrating the relationship between words and music, whilst exploring a variety of composers, genres and styles. Guest include Niamh Cusack, Alistair McGowan and Alan Rusbridger. £14.50, prebook, 11.30am
CHOCOLATE TOUR:
Mayfair is pretty much London's chocolate heartland. Take a guided tour around the area, visiting a selection of chocolate emporiums and sampling their wares while learning about the history of chocolate. £15, 12.30pm
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REINDEER TREASURE HUNT:
Frugl's Reindeer Treasure Hunt is aimed at all ages. Taking place at Camden People's Theatre and surrounding venues, the aim is to help Santa find his lost reindeer, with an after party at Drink Shop Do in King's Cross. £4.99 (£18 for a team of four), prebook, 2pm-4pm
CHRISTMAS STREET GAME:
Roam the West End on this Christmas themed team treasure hunt. Follow clues and complete challenges to find Santa's naughty or nice list. From £20, 2.30pm
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ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA:
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performs a programme of festive music and Christmas classics at Cadogan Hall in Chelsea. From £24.90, 3.30pm
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BASEMENT ORCHESTRA:
A whole range of Christmas carols and songs including Fairytale of New York, Home Alone, The Nutcracker and more are played by Basement Orchestra at Arcola Theatre tonight. £13/£10, prebook, 3.30pm/7pm
JURASSIC PARK:
Classic 1993 film Jurassic Park is screened in Backyard Cinema's Winter Night Garden at Winterville in Victoria Park. Kick back on either a giant beanbag or a comfy sofa (first come first served) and watch the dinosaurs come back from extinction. £16.50, 5pm
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