
Looking for things to do once Christmas Day is out of the way? Wondering what's open between then and New Year? Just want to get out of the house and away from the Monopoly/cheese board? Here's what's cooking over Twixtmas.
CHRISTMAS TRANSPORT: Before you make any plans for the upcoming week, check the Christmas transport situation in London. There's not *too* much disruption this year, but there are a couple of big station closures you'll want to know about.
ICE SKATING: London's festive ice rinks remain open throughout the Christmas period and into January. Somerset House, Battersea Power Station and Hyde Park are some of the places you can take to the ice this year — here's a full ice skating guide.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Similarly, London's Christmas lights stay on after the big day, illuminated every evening until early January. Have a read of our guide to London's Christmas light displays for tips on seeing them, either on foot or by bus. We've even put together a self-guided walking route through central London so you can see as many lights and decorations as possible in one go.
WINTER WONDERLAND: Huge festive fair Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is all-systems-go throughout the festive season, closing only on 25 December. Fairground rides, markets, food and drink stalls, circus shows and an ice rink are all part of the fun. Just bear in mind that you need to book entry in advance. Until 5 January
PANTO: From classic Aladdin at the Lyric Hammersmith, to Snow White with a sassy twist, via Jack and the Beanstalk, Dick Whittington and Peter Pan, London's panto scene is absolutely thriving this year. Read our guide to London's pantomimes this year to choose your show.
FESTIVE THEATRE: The Snowman, Cinderella, The Nutcracker — all these festive productions, and a slew more, are staged in London this year. From ballet to circus to musicals, take a look at these fantastically festive theatre shows in London, and book yourself a seat this Twixmas. We've also got a guide to family-friendly shows, if you're treating the whole clan to a festive outing.

AFTERNOON TEA: If turkey and cheese stocks are running low in your house by the middle of this week, why not treat the family to a festive afternoon tea instead? Restaurants, hotels and cafes all over town offer a Christmas twist on the traditional afternoon tea, with most of the limited edition menus only available until late December or early January.
LIGHT FESTIVALS: Wrap up warm and head out to one of London's ongoing light festivals. Alternatively, hit up Winter Light at Southbank Centre, which is free and doesn't require booking.
WEEKEND WALKS: This week is practically one long weekend anyway, so grab your walking boots and head out on one of our weekend walk routes. See a part of London you haven't visited before, and best of all, it's free — unless you stop in a pub for a pint or two...
DUVET DAY: Can't be bothered with the outside world? Stock up on mince pies, kick back and work your way through the videos on our YouTube channel. Or get stuck into the library of recorded lectures from Gresham College.
DAY TRIPS: Want to get out of London for a day? Browse some of our favourite day trips and weekend breaks from from the capital (just remember that train services are a bit hit-and-miss this week). Perhaps leave the seaside trips until the summer, but why not visit a new town, city or museum?
CHRISTMAS DAY: Yep, we've got a guide for that too. Here's our pick of things to do in London on Christmas Day, and we've also covered what's open on Christmas Day as well as where you can go swimming on Christmas Day. A selection of restaurants and pubs in the capital even serve up food on 25 December — though you'll need to have booked in advance for most.
BOXING DAY: You guessed it — we've already covered that too. Aren't we good to you? Here's the lowdown on Boxing Day events in London.
NEW YEAR'S EVE: Whether you're looking to get glammed up and go out on the town, or usher in 2024 in a more sedate manner, we've got it all covered.
Current exhibitions in London: Christmas 2024

If you're got some free time, why not spend it seeing one or two of the exhibitions you've been meaning to catch? Note that gallery and museum opening times may vary over this week, but all of the ones listed here are open at least some days between Christmas and New Year — check with individual venues before you travel. For further inspiration, check out our art critic's guide to the biggest exhibitions to see in London this winter.
GINGERBREAD CITY: Festive favourite Gingerbread City is open until Sunday at The Gaumont, displaying a mini metropolis on the theme of 'Recycled City' made of gingerbread and edible decorations. Architects and civil engineers are behind the designs, which feature buildings, bridges and a working train set. Until 29 December
BIRDS: BRILLIANT AND BIZARRE: The Natural History Museum's current exhibition gives us a closer look at the only surviving dinosaurs. Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre delves into the world of birds, looking at how different species have evolved to survive, and how the way we live is affecting them. Until 5 January
ELTON JOHN'S PHOTOGRAPHS: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection are currently on display at the V&A Museum. Fashion, celebrity, reportage and the male body are tackled in the images. There's also a great image of Elton with eggs for eyes. Until 5 January
FRANCIS BACON: The National Portrait Gallery's display, Francis Bacon: Human Presence, showcases more than 55 works from the 1950s onwards which show how Bacon challenged the traditional definitions of the portraiture genre. Until 19 January
MONET AND LONDON: The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House houses Monet and London: Views of the Thames. See paintings of Charing Cross Bridge, Waterloo Bridge and the Houses of Parliament, which were put on display in Paris in 1904, but have never been shown in London until now. Until 19 January
SILK ROADS: The British Museum's Silk Roads exhibition highlights the fact that there was more than one such route, joining places as far apart at Scandinavia, Madagascar, Britain and Japan, and delves into how the silk roads shaped history and cultures. Until 23 February. The British Library also has a Silk Roads exhibition, which too runs until 23 February