Things to do
1940s CHRISTMAS: Use recycled materials to make your own 1940s-style Christmas decorations. The family-friendly event offers first-hand experience of how decorations were made in wartime, when craft materials were in short supply and people were encouraged to recycle instead. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, just turn up, 20-21 December
CHRISTMAS CRAFTS: Museum of Childhood's Christmas holiday activities begin today. Make your own Christmas decorations, attend a Victorian Christmas party, hear festive stories, or just ogle the Christmas tree as you browse the nostalgic museum exhibits. Museum of Childhood (Bethnal Green), free, just turn up, 20 December-5 January
DAME ZANDRA RHODES: Who better to show you around an exhibition about Dame Zandra Rhodes's 50-year fashion career than Dame Zandra Rhodes herself. Join the designer and exhibition curator Dennis Nothdruft for a VIP tour of 50 Years of Fabulous, with anecdotes along the way. Fashion & Textile Museum (Bermondsey), £65, book ahead, 8.45am-11am
THE DANGER TREE: Hear from the creators behind The Danger Tree, an augmented reality exhibition which tells the stories of first world war soldiers. Digital artist Marc Marot and oil painter Scarlett Raven talk about how the exhibition came about, and the subject matter behind it. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, book ahead, 11,30am
SEASONAL SMELLS: Take the kids along to Museum of London Docklands to get a whiff of the past. Sniff goods that would have arrived at London's docks, including cinnamon and nutmeg, and make your own festive sniff bag to take home. Museum of London Docklands, free, just turn up, 12pm/2.30pm
UNASHAMEDLY CHRISTMAS: Nicky Gayner's Unashamedly Christmas is a musical cabaret session, with the singer tackling old time classics, pop hits and a few surprises, live on stage. Wilton's (Limehouse), £6-£18, book ahead, 1.30pm
WIFI WARS: The Royal Institution hosts a Christmas edition of WiFi Wars, a regular event where the audience plays along in an interactive gaming session. Bring your tablet or phone along to go head to head with hosts Steve McNeil and Rob Sedgebeer, and special guests. Money raised is split between The Miscarriage Association, The Alzheimer’s Society and The Royal Institution. Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
CATHEDRAL CONCERT: The Southwark Cathedral Choir performs Handel's famous masterpiece Messiah, as well as well-known Christmas carols, by candlelight. The Chameleon Arts Orchestra provides accompaniment to the all-male choir. Age 5+. Southwark Cathedral, £16/£14, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm
CHRISTMAS LOLS: Queer comedy collective The LOL Word host a Christmas special. LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary performers offer a programme of stand-up and sketch comedy and carols. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 9.45pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
I really wish they'd get rid of the adverts on the Bank travelator and paint the whole thing white. It'd look so Kubrick.
Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
There's still time to sign up to Walking Home For Christmas in aid of veteran charity Walking With The Wounded. Walk home, to your Christmas party or to deliver a Christmas present, and get friends and family to sponsor you for doing so. Find out more and sign up.
What we're reading
- How the London tube beat the New York Subway
- 1969, when 12 Santa Clauses were arrested in London
- On the origins of London's parakeets
- TfL's got a new tool for reporting problems on the street.
