Important note: Listings were correct at the time of publication. However, events are susceptible to last-minute cancellation at the moment, thanks to uncertainty over the Covid situation. Please double-check with the venue for any updates.
All week
TIGER LILLIES' CHRISTMAS CAROL: Far from the atmospheric Dickensian tale with a happy ending that we're all used to, post-punk trio The Tiger Lillies focus their production of A Christmas Carol on the poverty and depravity of Victorian London's streets. Southbank Centre, £18-£25, book ahead, 14-30 December
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: Step inside author Charles Dickens' former home, and hear his most famous short story, A Christmas Carol, brought to life. Actor James Swanton spins the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and co, and your ticket includes access to the Charles Dickens Museum prior to the performance. Charles Dickens Museum (Bloomsbury), £22, book ahead, selected dates 15-23 December
PANTO: It's pantomime season, so warm up your best "oh no it isn't" and "he's behind you" and get yourself tickets to one of our picks of the best pantomimes to see in London this year. Classics such as Red Riding Hood, Aladdin and Jack and the Beanstalk are all on in the capital this Christmas.
FESTIVE THEATRE: Book now if you fancy a festive trip to the theatre — we've picked our favourite Christmas shows in London this year, including The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol and circus shows. If it's a family day out you're after, these theatre shows will enchant kids of all ages, with Peppa Pig, The Snowman and Disney characters all making an appearance.
FESTIVE BARS: Have a tipple or two at London's pop-up festive bars. With igloos, ski chalets, winter lodges, and even a champagne forest, appearing all over London, your options certainly aren't limited to festive drinks at the local pub.
ICE SKATING: Ice rinks have popped up at venues including Somerset House, Hampton Court Palace and Canary Wharf, so you can take to the ice against the backdrop of your choice, whether you're looking for a family day out or a romantic date spot. Here's our guide to ice skating in London this Christmas.
MIRACLE BAR: Tinsel, tacky fairies, heavily-themed drinks — Miracle at Henrietta is a pop-up cocktail bar that brings together the most kitsch aspects of Christmases past. Book a table to sample such delights as a Jingle Balls Nog (a teeth-stinting concoction of cognac, cream sherry, almond milk, cream, egg, vanilla and nutmeg). Miracle at Henrietta (Covent Garden), book ahead, until 23 December
LIGHT FESTIVALS: London is absolutely ablaze with light festivals this year, from Christmas at Kew to Winterfest at Wembley Park, as well as new additions Illuminature in Barnes and Christmas at Kenwood House. Here's our complete guide to those Instagrammable light festivals.
Monday 13 December
NEW CINEMA: London's newest cinema opens today, in the form of Everyman Borough Yards, which is located just west of Borough Market. The opening day programme includes new releases West Side Story and The House of Gucci, as well as Wes Anderson's latest work, The French Dispatch. Borough Yards, from 13 December
MISTLETOE HISTORY: Following the recent Map the Mistletoe project in south London, tracking where the plant grows wild, the South London Botanical Institute hosts an online talk about the biology, history and harvest of mistletoe. Online event, make a donation, book ahead, 7pm-8pm
CHORAL CHRISTMAS: Head to the Royal Albert Hall for the Royal Choral Society's Christmas concert. The 150-strong choir performs traditional carols such as Silent Night, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and O Come all Ye Faithful, as well as some newer festive songs. Royal Albert Hall, from £20, book ahead, 7.30pm
CHARITY COMEDY: Joe Lycett, Jen Brister and Nabil Abdulrashid are among the comedians taking to the stage for Calais SOS, a night of comedy to raise funds to support refugees in Calais and provide them with much needed warm clothing, food and shelter. Rio Cinema (Dalston), £20 book ahead, 7.30pm
Tuesday 14 December
ONLINE CONCERT: Following the live concert a couple of weeks ago, charity Kids For Kids holds an online concert today for anyone who wasn't able to attend in person. A recording of the concert is shown on Zoom, with money raised still going to support the charity's work supporting children in developing countries. Online event, £25 minimum donation, book ahead, 6.30pm
INFINITE MONKEY CAGE: Comedian Robin Ince and physicist Brian Cox — who together present Radio 4 show The Infinite Monkey Cage — join forces live on stage for the Christmas Compendium Of Reason. The show combines science and music with a festive twist, and a few special guests thrown in for good measure. Royal Albert Hall, £15-£65, book ahead, 7pm
CHARITY CAROLS: Sir Rod Stewart and Nile Rodgers are among the famous faces attending the Nordoff Robbins carol concert. Join them in church for an evening of festive music, raising money for the charity's work providing music therapy to people with disabilities or life-limiting illnesses. St Luke's Church (Chelsea), £50, book ahead, 7pm (the concert is also streamed online on Sunday)
JANE GARVEY: Radio double act Fi Glover and Jane Garvey celebrate the launch of their new book Did I Say That Out Loud? with a live event at the British Library. Hear them riff on topics such as pet deaths, hair dye, broadcast hierarchies and more. British Library, £16, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
CHEESE AND WINE: New Italian food mecca Eataly hosts a wine and cheese masterclass, offering an expert insight into the aromas and complexities of pairing the two. Try combinations of different seasonings of Parmigiano Reggiano DOP with four different wines under expert guidance. Eataly (Bishopsgate), £55, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
Wednesday 15 December
ORANGES AND LEMONS: Guildhall Library hosts an online talk about the history of the nursery rhyme, Oranges and Lemons. City of London guide Jill Finch uses the rhyme as a map to trace which particular churches are name-checked in the lyrics. Online event, free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
CHEESE: Cheese. All the cheese. What more do we need to say? Head to Borough Market for an Evening of Cheese, with tastings, expert advice and more, all themed around the gouda stuff. Brie there or brie square. Borough Market, free entry, just turn up, 6pm-8pm
DICKENS AND CHRISTMAS: Lucinda Dickens-Hawksley, the great-great-great grandaughter of author Charles Dickens, delves into how the author and his family would have celebrated Christmas, and how his work shaped Christmas into the celebration we know it as today. There's a Q&A session at the end of the live online talk. Online event, £8, book ahead, 7.30pm
CHRISTMAS CAROLS: Choose whether you enjoy the Alzheimer's Society's carol service in person, in the impressive setting of Southwark Cathedral, or online in the comfort of your own home. Either way, expect familiar carols, festive readings and musical performances, with food critic Grace Dent hosting the evening. Southwark Cathedral, £45/online event £10, book ahead, 7.45pm
SKATE LATES: Dancehall and reggae tunes are the order of the night at the Somerset House ice rink, where VP Records take over the decks at the latest Skate Lates event. DJ Nate and Ras Kwame line up the tunes as late night skaters strut their stuff on the ice. Somerset House, £17.50, book ahead, from 8pm
Thursday 16 December
CIRCUS 1903: It's become a festive staple in recent years, and Circus 1903 returns for Christmas 2021. Acrobats, contortionists, and life-sized elephant puppets created by the puppeteers behind War Horse are all part of the fun, in a family-friendly show designed to transport audiences back to a turn of the (last) century circus ring. Southbank Centre, from £15, book ahead, 16 December-2 January
PRIX PICTET: Fire is the theme of this year's Prix Pictet photography prize, which is now in its ninth year and focuses on sustainability. See the shortlisted works by 13 different photographers, in a free exhibition which opens today. V&A Museum (South Kensington), free, book ahead, from 16 December
FLANDERS FIELDS: Find out what life was like for Chinese and Indian soldiers serving on the Western Front in the first world war. Hear from Dominiek Dendooven about his new book, Asia in Flanders Fields, in which he explores the racism and xenophobia often experienced by soldiers from colonial territories who came to support the Allies. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, book ahead, 6.30pm
CAROL CONCERT: As well as supporting the work of the Head and Neck Cancer Foundation, the charity's carol concert also offers you a chance to get inside the Royal Chapel of St Peter Ad Vincula — that's the one inside the Tower of London — after hours. After the concert, enjoy mulled wine and mince pies as you mingle with a Yeoman of the Guard. St Peter Ad Vincula (Tower of London), £30, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm
Friday 17 December
TITANIC: After having its 2022 opening date brought forward, Titanic The Exhibition opens today. It includes life-sized recreations of the doomed ship's interiors, 200 objects never seen on display in the UK before, and an audio guide which separates fiction around the ship from fact. Dock X London (Surrey Quays), from £27.90 adult, book ahead, from 17 December
ROYAL CHRISTMAS GIFT: Author and historian Peter Doyle gives a talk about 17-year-old Princess Mary's appeal to fund Christmas gifts for soldiers serving in the first world war. The result was 2.7million people across the British Empire receiving a gift. National Army Museum (Chelsea) or online, free, book ahead, 12pm
MERRY QUIZMAS: Head to London Transport Museum after hours for an evening of Christmas fun including festive crafts, and an end-of-year transport quiz, hosted by Santa himself — start swotting up so you can sleigh the other teams. London Transport Museum (Covent Garden), £12, book ahead, 6.30pm-9pm
VICTORY DAY: Tower Hamlets Council marks 50 years of Bangladesh independence with a victory day concert. The line-up includes traditional and contemporary Bengali-inspired music and dance, as well as performances by Naz & Bolly Flex, English Bangla fusion singer, rapper and songwriter Nish, and RnB chart topper Mumzy Stranger. Great Hall at QMUL (Mile End), £20-£25, book ahead, 6.45pm-10pm
LONDON CITY VOICES: The final 2021 performance by the London City Voices choir takes place tonight, with a blend of traditional festive music, and more modern Christmas number 1 songs. St James's Church (Piccadilly), £5-£15, book ahead, 7.30pm-8.45pm
GOSPEL CHRISTMAS: Tonight it's the turn of the London Community Gospel Choir to take to the well-trodden Royal Albert Hall stage for its Christmas concert. We're promised uplifting festive tunes, seasonal fun, and guests including soprano Beibei Wang and soul musician Jodie Abacus. Royal Albert Hall, £25-£80, book ahead, 7.30pm
YULE ROCK: With all these festive concerts, anyone would think Christmas was coming. Anyway, here's another one — Yule Rock is a seasonal singalong with the audience invited to join in with as much festive gusto as they can muster. A community band and choir perform, and Christmas jumpers, sparkly suits, fairy lights, antlers and the works are encouraged. Conway Hall (Holborn), £12-£14, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm
Saturday 18 December
HACKNEY FLEA MARKET: 30 vintage traders rock up in Stoke Newington for the Hackney Flea-Mas Market. Browse furniture, records, clothing, homewares, lamps, bric a brac and more. Abney Public Hall, 11am-6pm (18-19 December)
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: The pages of Charles Dickens’s seasonal include plenty of hints to real London locations, though few direct references. This tour follows the clues in search of Scrooge and Marley. Monument station, £15, book ahead, noon-1.30pm (18 and 19 December)
BARBICAN: Head to Barbican for a Christmas Carol Singalong, just a week before Christmas. Conductor Jonathan Cohen leads the audience in renditions of Winter Wonderland, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and other familiar classics. Barbican Hall, from £18.50, book ahead, 2pm-5.30pm
DOCTOR JEKYLL: Historical performer and occult specialist Cara Hamilton performs the creation tale of The Curious Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Expect nightmarish monsters, witches, devil worship, drug use, historical figures, resurrection men, robbers and spiritualism in a show that's part talk, part dramatic performance. Old Operating Theatre Museum (London Bridge), £20, book ahead, 7pm
FROMAGE ON ICE: Cheesy club night Club de Fromage goes one better by taking the '90s pop tunes to an ice rink for Fromage On Ice. Boogie away to huge anthems and singalong hits as you skate around the rink, at this family-friendly event. Alexandra Palace, £10.91, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
RESISTING CHRISTMAS: Charity and theatre company Cardboard Citizens hosts two nights of performance, music and spoken word created by Londoners with experience of homelessness. They look at what might lie ahead for people whose living situations are unsustainable due to the effects of the Covid pandemic, and hope for a better 2022. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), free but donations welcome if you can afford it, book ahead, 7.30pm (18 and 19 December)
Sunday 19 December
COSMIC CHRISTMAS: Particle physicist Harry Cliff talks about his book, which covers the ingredients of life and the history of time, interwoven with his own personal stories. Festive music and poetry also features in this Sunday Assembly event. Conway Hall (Holborn), free (donations welcome), book ahead, 11am-1pm
CRAFTY FOX MARKET: Still got some Christmas shopping to do? Head to Crafty Fox Market, which hosts independent makers and craftspeople, all selling their wares direct to the public. Jewellery, prints and illustrations, calendars, socks, candles and homewares are among the items sold by this week's traders. The Crossing (King's Cross), free entry, just turn up, 11am-5pm
WEST END CHRISTMAS: Stars from West End shows including Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Six and Starlight Express perform a mix of traditional and contemporary Christmas carols and songs, supported by choirs and all hosted by actress Maureen Lipman. Cadogan Hall (Chelsea), £17-£38, book ahead, 2.30pm/6.30pm
THE CHIMES: Tonight is one of several opportunities to see The Chimes performed at Charles Dickens Museum this festive season. Actor James Swanton stars in a solo performance of Dickens' lesser-known festive tale, about a discouraged messenger who has lost his faith in humanity and finds himself drawn towards the church bells. These events always sell out, so book soon — ticket includes entry to the house and museum. Charles Dickens Museum, £22.50, book ahead, 6pm (and other dates)
Urban oddity of the week
With the Titanic exhibition opening this week (see Friday), we're reminded of this little-known commemorative garden in Greenwich. A small flower garden and plaque were unveiled in 1995 by survivors Edith Haisman and Eva Hart (the latter is now commemorated in the name of a Wetherspoon's pub in Chadwell Heath). It's bounded by Cornish granite, which was traditionally used as ballast in large ships. You'll find it around the back of the National Maritime Museum, which holds objects from the fateful voyage.
Good cause of the week
Have you checked out our Advent Calendar of Good Deeds yet? It's got at least one good cause per day for the whole of the run-up to Christmas. This week's activities include a trek across 10 of London's bridges for charity, a comedy night raising money for LGBT+ refugees, and a place to take all your unwanted toys for rehoming. Check it out.
