All week
CHRISTMAS IN LONDON: We've picked out some of the highlight below, but for more festive fun than you can shake a candy cane at, take a look at our guide to spending Christmas in London. There's enough to keep you busy well into the new year.
ICE SKATING: Get out in the fresh air and take to the ice on London's winter pop-up skating rinks. From Royal Parks to rooftops and museum gardens, they're appearing all over the place. Most of them have bars and cafes on site, if turkey stocks are running low at home.
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.
DAY TRIPS: Want to get out of London for a day? We've mapped some of our favourite day trips from the capital — perhaps leave the seaside trips until the summer, but why not visit a new town, city or museum.
PRINCE CHARLES CINEMA: From new releases to old classics, Leicester Square favourite Prince Charles Cinema screens a wealth of films between Christmas and New Year — think Spider-Man, Trainspotting, The Irishman, The Matrix, Free Solo, and a few NT Live Encore screenings of this summer's West End hit, Fleabag.
THEATRE SHOWS: If the pre-Christmas frenzy left you with no time to head to the theatre, why not check out the festive shows which are still on? We've picked the best theatre shows in London this Christmas, the family-friendly performances to take the kids to, the best pantos, and the big festive dance shows.
EXHIBITIONS: Why not use this downtime to catch up on a bit of culture? Several of London's large exhibitions are still running between Christmas and the New Year, although do check gallery and museum websites for changes in opening times this week. Our picks include Wildlife Photographer of the Year at Natural History Museum, Top Secret at Science Museum, Tutankhamun at Saatchi Gallery, and William Hogarth at Sir John Soane's Museum.
HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGES: Experience Richmond Park from the luxury of a horse-drawn carriage (or brake, if you want to get technical about it). Take a 75-minute ride through the Royal Park, preceded by a behind the scenes tour of the working stables. Richmond Park, £156.90 for two, book ahead, until 5 January 2020
WINTER WONDERLAND: The Hyde Park behemoth is open until the new year, and in the past we've found that's a bit less crowded after Christmas. As well as the funfair rides, this year's event hosts a special cinema, ice kingdom, circus and more. Hyde Park, free entry, just turn up (charge and booking required for some activities), until 5 January 2020
GINGERBREAD CITY: Clap eyes (but not teeth) on a model city made entirely of gingerbread. The festive installation is the work of teams of architects, engineers and designers who compete against each other to try to create the winning design. Somerset House, £9, book ahead, until 5 January 2020
Christmas Eve: Tuesday 24 December 2019
MEAT AUCTION: Smithfield Market's meat auction is something of a Christmas Eve tradition. It dates from when refrigeration wasn't an option, so all meat was sold off before the Christmas holiday to avoid it going to waste. These days, it's a chance to pick up a piece of meat at a bargain price. Read more or see photos on IanVisits. Smithfield Market, free entry, just turn up, 10.30am
ROYAL ALBERT HALL CAROLS: The Royal Albert Hall has two carol concerts today. Sing along with the Royal Choral Society and National Youth Choir of Great Britain to a mix of traditional carols and modern favourites. From £20, book ahead, 11am/4pm
FIVE GO JIVING: Dance your way into Christmas at Five Go Jiving, a free, family-friendly dance session. Turn up at 12pm to take a free swing dancing class covering the basic steps, before the band arrives to play a mixture of jive, jazz and dance music. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 12pm
Christmas Day: Wednesday 25 December 2019
THINGS TO DO: Here's our full guide to things to do in London on Christmas Day, including guided walks, bus tours, and swimming.
CHRISTMAS DINNER: You'll need to book in advance if you want to eat out in London on Christmas Day. Here's our pick of the restaurants and hotels serving Christmas dinner in London.
WHAT'S OPEN: Looking for pubs, restaurants, bars or even museums (yes, there is one) that open on Christmas Day? We've got that covered too.
Boxing Day: Thursday 26 December 2019
BOXING DAY: Here's our complete guide to spending Boxing Day in London.
QUEER TANGO: Tango organisations Tango on the Thames, Queer Tango London and Tango Terra come together for an inclusive tango event at Southbank Centre. Spend the afternoon taking part in lessons and social dancing, and enjoying live performances, al accompanied by DJs and live music. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 2pm
Friday 27 December 2019
SOHO PUB WALK: Tour guide Richard Watkins leads a pub-themed jaunt through Soho. Visit a famous London department store which had its own local, a pub with an infamous pump on the street outside and one with an arm-less bard. Oxford Circus, £12/£9, book ahead, 2.30pm-4.30pm
JOHN WILLIAMS: Hear the work of film composer John Williams performed by the London Concert Orchestra. Music from Star Wars, Harry Potter, E.T., Jaws, Jurassic Park and several other very well known films is on the programme. Barbican, £17.50-£46, book ahead, 7.30pm
Saturday 28 December 2019
FOUR SEASONS: Enjoy Vivaldi's Four Seasons masterpiece in an atmospheric concert, staged by candlelight. Work by other 18th century composers including Bach and Handel also features. Barbican, £16.50-£42.50, book ahead, 2.30pm
GATSBY CHRISTMAS PARTY: Party like it's the '20s — the 1920s, that is — at Cecil Sharp House's Gatsby Christmas party. The Art Deco Orchestra play tracks from the 1920s and 1930s, with dancing, party games and a licensed bar to keep you entertained. Period dress encouraged. Cecil Sharp House (Camden), £16/£13, book ahead, 7.45pm-11pm
Sunday 29 December 2019
VICTORIAN GHOST STORIES: Take the kids along to the Museum of London Docklands, where a mysterious governess is telling stories of haunted houses and Christmas ghosts. Museum of London Docklands, free, just turn up, 1pm/2pm/3pm
SHOW TUNES: Jazz hands at the ready for an evening of The Greatest Show Tunes. The high-energy show has performers singing tunes from the likes of The Greatest Showman, Mamma Mia, Dreamgirls, Phantom of the Opera and other favourites, live on stage. Barbican, £16.50-£44.50, book ahead, 7.30pm
Monday 30 December 2019
PARADE CONCERTS: Ahead of the New Year's Day Parade on Wednesday, some of the bands and performers involved like to warm up at pre-parade concerts. Today, you can see a selection of school, concert and brass bands live, either at Cadogan Hall or at St John's Smith Square. 7.30pm
New Year's Eve: Tuesday 31 December 2019
Take a look at our guide to spending New Year's Eve in London, whether you're looking for a peaceful day around town or a wild night of partying.
New Year's Day: Wednesday 1 January 2020
NEW YEAR'S DAY PARADE: If you've never been awake at a decent hour on New Year's Day, you may be unaware that a right racket of a parade stomps its way through town. The New Year's Day Parade has all manner of performers and floats, from London boroughs to classic cars to American high school bands. One year, Eddie the Eagle made an appearance, but there's no such A-list glamour this year. Still worth a watch if you're in the area and can stand a bit of noise though. From 12pm
BARBICAN CONSERVATORY: For a more gentle introduction to 2020, take an afternoon stroll around the City of London's tropical conservatory. Among Barbican's brutalist architecture lies something of a green paradise, with trees, plants, cacti, fish, and even a few terrapins. Barbican, free, just turn up, 12pm-5pm
CLASSIC CARS: London's classic car drivers are roaring into the year with the first Park it in the Market of 2020 in Greenwich. Vintage cars and motor bikes park up for the public to admire them, while the market stalls are open for business as usual. Greenwich Market, free, just turn up, 2pm-6pm
