This week is sponsored by Hamperology.
All week
CHRISTMAS AT THE IMAGINARIUM: Father Christmas is up to no good dancing on tables and all sorts at this festive extravaganza, which, alongside theatrical performances features pretty craft grottos, workshops, grand banquets and dealings with an absinthe fairy. 32 Southwark Street, £55, book ahead, until 22 December
HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE: Richmond Park has teamed up with the Operation Centaur organisation this Christmas, allowing Londoners the chance to experience the park's beautiful scenery from a horse-drawn carriage, with proceeds going conservation projects. Richmond Park, £125 for two, book ahead, various date until 30 December
FASHIONING IDENTITY: There are no White Walkers in this exhibition on this windswept patch of England, just a load of northern glamour, attitude and hair rollers. Somerset House, £7/£5, book ahead, until 4 February
PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAITS: From defiant-faced migrants to Trump's America, we reckon this is the best year yet for the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize. National Portrait Gallery, £6, book ahead, until 8 February 2018
COMEDY: Two fantastic acts kick off shows at Soho Theatre this week: masterful improviser Steen Raskopolous discusses The Coolest Kid in Competitive Chess (27 November-2 December), while the polyamorous Elf Lyons performs the Edinburgh-nominated Swan (28 November-2 December)
Monday 27 November
CHRISTMAS AT THE CHEESEGRATER: Pick up homemade gifts from fairy-lit wooden chalets and stuff your face with international cuisine at the Leadenhall Building, which has been given the festive treatment. The Leadenhall Building, free, just turn up, until 22 December
SOUND BATH: Swap the roar of the Underground for some therapeutic gong sounds, Tempur foam pillows and lavender eye masks at London's latest relaxation fad, a sound bath. Devonshire Club (Liverpool Street), £30, book ahead, various times
TORYCORE: Got something to say about the Conservative leadership? So have this trio of politically charged actors, so they've curated this punk-fuelled night of politics, activism, theatre and music. Roundhouse (Camden), £10, book ahead, 8pm
Tuesday 28 November
GUILDHALL MARKET: Make your way around more than 100 stalls bursting with fashion, jewellery, homeware, books and stop off for food and drink tastings, because shopping is hungry work. There's also a massage relaxation station for the festive-weary. Guildhall, £5, book ahead, 10.30am-8pm
GREEN & PLEASANT ISLINGTON: London isn't all polluting traffic and skyscrapers you know. Discover open fields, an award-winning park and garden, a community playground, farms old and new, a churchyard, sports fields and shady meadows on this Islington tour. Highbury & Islington, £12, book ahead, 2pm-3.30pm
COCKTAIL COMPOSITION: Yes, we've entered a world where you can take a masterclass in making your cocktails look Instagrammable, but we don't mind really, as long as they taste as good as they look. Super Lyan, £20, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm, repeated tomorrow
BOOK LAUNCH: Into stories that scare the bejesus out of you? Then prepare to be creeped out at the launch of Eight Ghosts, a collection of haunting tales from eight authors scattered across England inspired by English Heritage sites. Foyles (Charing Cross), £8, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
Wednesday 29 November
PETER PAN: If you'd rather lose yourself in an enchanting theatre performance than a rowdy pantomime one, then this gorgeous adaptation of J.M. Barrie's classic tale should do the trick. Pleasance Theatre, £9, book ahead, 1.30pm, 4pm and 7.30pm, until 7 January
ECO-CRAFTS: Eco-warriors can learn how to create a natural ‘zero waste’ arts and crafts masterpiece. Peckish? Munch on vegan goodies, washed down with craft alcoholic soda range, Crooked. Because being sustainable is thirsty work. Magic Roundabout (Old Street), £8, book ahead, 6pm,7pm and 8pm
LONDON ART SALON: Immerse yourself in early 20th century Paris at this talk exploring the lives of the avant-garde artists Modigliani and Soutine. Sanctum Soho, £25, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm
PIZZA PARTY: London's best bars are going head to head to see who can shake up the best cocktail. As Radio Alice, East London Liquor Company, and Happiness Forgets battle it out you get to munch your way through 1,000 slices of pizza (do share, won't you?), while listening to beats from top DJs. Radio Alice Hoxton, £15, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
COMEDY: What would you do if you came to the horrifying realisation that you were the living embodiment of the Essex based remake of Kafka’s Metamorphosis? That's the premise of this hilarious show from Garrett Millerick, who fears he's morphed into Jeremy Clarkson. 2Northdown, £7, book ahead, 7.30pm
Sponsor message
Win a luxury Hamperology gift this Christmas
Hampers make for a great Christmas gift but can be so impersonal. Hamperology is changing that by letting you choose the luxury products that go into the hamper you send to your loved ones.
Pick from champagne, gorgeous candles and beauty products, delicious confectionery and luxury stationery that you know they'll love. Think Pecksniff's candles, Christian Lacroix notebooks, and of course, G H Mumm champagne. It'll all be packaged beautifully and sent direct to the recipient, meaning minimal fuss for you and maximum enjoyment for them.
Fancy winning the Hamperology hamper pictured above for a friend or relative (to be delivered to a London address). Find out how to enter here and make someone's Christmas.
Thursday 30 November
CANDLELIT TOUR: Go back to a time before mobile phones and 'Netflix and chill' and grab a mulled wine and mince pie on the way. Benjamin Franklin House, £11.66, book ahead, 6.30pm, until 21 December
BEER TASTING: It might be cold outside but The London Beer Factory is serving up a slice of California, in the form of ten West Coast beers and burgers from Californian street food legends Zephyr. The Barrel Project (Bermondsey), £29, book ahead, 6.30pm
THE POISON GARDEN: Leave the bag-laden shoppers of Oxford Street behind and enter a 19th century garden where you have to solve a puzzling curse. Don't worry, you'll still be served up a delicious three course meal if you don't solve it. John Lewis Rooftop Garden, £50, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm
URBAN CINEMA: Looking for a cheap date night? Hit up this screening of Paid in Full, (about a guy from Harlem and his life on the 1980s drug scene). Popcorn, pick n' mix and a drink is thrown in with the ticket prices. Never Fade (Soho), £12, book ahead, 6.30pm and 8.30pm
ZSL FUNDRAISER: Prepare to cackle like a hyena at this funny fundraiser for the Zoological Society of London. Already confirmed to have you roaring with laughter are Katherine Ryan, Sara Pascoe, Terry Alderton, and Rob Deering. Eventim Apollo (Hammersmith), £19, book ahead, 7pm
Friday 1 December
WINTERTIME FESTIVAL: Be serenaded by the London Nordic Choir, whiz around the covered ice rink, visit Father Christmas and explore all the festive treats the historic grounds of the Old Royal Naval College have been decked out with. Old Royal Naval College, £15, book ahead, until 31 December
LEBANON FACTORY: Fall in love with Lebanese culture (and show your support for the Cinema Museum) at this night featuring four short film screenings, plus live music from pianist Alcyona Mick and plenty of cuisine and wine from the region. The Cinema Museum, £20, book ahead, 6.30pm-10.30pm
SIMON AMSTELL: Cheeky presenter and comedian Simon Amstell opens up to psychologist Tanya Byron about his fears, anxieties, and his path to fame and we all get to listen in. Emmanuel Centre, £30, book ahead, 7pm
BANG SAID THE GUN: London's most raucous poetry night returns with sets from two brilliant female forces of nature: Salena Godden and Gemma Rogers. Soho Theatre, £15, book ahead, 7pm
PAINT LONDON: Handy with a paintbrush? Put your drawing skills to the test by attempting to recreate a lovely scene of London in the snow by Gordan Bruce. Roundhouse (Camden), £30, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm
Saturday 2 December
BRUNSWICK WALK: From horses to motor cars, philanthropists to philosophers and riots to restaurants, discover a side to the area around Brunswick shopping centre you never knew existed. Russell Square tube station, £10-£12, book ahead, 11am-12.30pm
CRAFTY FOX MARKET: Better wear your walking shoes as there's three floors of gifts from more than 50 designer/makers to explore at the Crafty Fox Market. Rest your feet at drop-in workshops or with a mulled wine from the Tea Knees tearoom. The Dogstar (Brixton), free, just turn up, 11am-5pm, repeated tomorrow
TURNING EARTH: As well as perusing items from more than 120 makers, you can also see Great Pottery Throwdown winner Ryan Barrett, 3D printing on a nifty machine he made in his garden shed. Turning Earth E10 (Walthamstow), free, noon-6pm, repeated tomorrow
PLOSIVE COMEDY: Get your giggle on at this night of stand-up comedy. You'll recognise headliner Reginald D Hunter from Have I Got News For You, Live at the Apollo and 8 Out of 10 Cats. The MCT at Alleyn's, Dulwich, £16, book ahead, 8pm-10.15pm
Sunday 3 December
WAKE UP GIGS: The whole family is welcome at this Sunday afternoon jamming session, featuring four hours of acoustic folk, innovative electro-punk, pop and anthemic alt-POP. Concrete, £13, book ahead, noon-4pm
WINTER WONDERLAND: Residents of Wimbledon don't need to trek to Hyde Park to get in the festive spirit, as Winter Wonderland has come to Wimbledon. Expect make 'n take workshops, a silent disco, carols rides and a market. Wimbledon Broadway, free, just turn up, noon-6pm
ARTY TEA PARTY: Join this party where your art (not your dance moves) take centre stage. This month's theme is Impressionism. Join the painting workshop before being let loose on your own canvas. Secret location, £49, book ahead, 2.30pm-5.30pm
