What we're reading
- A rare chance to go inside this underground chamber.
- The best new restaurants opening in London this month.
- How a bloody night became a deadly year.
- London boroughs will work together on homelessness.
Things to do
ALICE IN WINTERLAND: It's the penultimate day of this lantern festival, which recreates larger-than-life scenes from Alice in Wonderland. Wander down the rabbit hole, through a game of flamingo croquet and across a giant chessboard, before refuelling at food stalls at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Southwark Park, from £15/£9, book ahead, until 5 January
RUMPELSTILTSKIN: Final couple of days to see this pantomime with a difference, which sees some seriously talented cabaret stars perform the familiar story of Rumpelstiltskin. Spectacular costumes, clever animations and a bold soundtrack all help make the show a success. Southbank Centre, £15-£40, book ahead, until 6 January
BAROQUE AT THE EDGE: Pianist performance, violin concerts, talks and workshops make up the three-day Baroque At The Edge music festival, which begins today — see the full programme here. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 4-6 January
LIVING DESIGN: Ceramics, art and furnishings make up the bulk of this new exhibition, which showcases the work of designers Carmela Kantorowicz and Stephanie Wilkinson. Their work has influences of their homelands of Italy and Brazil respectively. Barbican, free entry, just turn up, until 28 January
LIVE MUSIC: Spend your lunch break enjoying live music by folk trio Threaded in this free concert. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 1pm. Return in the evening for Friday Tonic, which is headlined this week by contemporary chamber jazz group Tom Green Septet. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 5.30pm
BEING BOWIE: Celebrate the live and music of David Bowie at this gig, where musicians from London (and beyond) play tracks charting the rise and rise of Ziggy Stardust. Jazz Cafe (Camden), £13.50-£20, book ahead, 7pm
GLITTERATI: Add some sparkle to your weekend at the first Glitterari of 2019. Drink, Shop & Do's weekly event is basically one big glitter party, with DJs spinning tunes into the small hours. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), free entry before 10pm/£3 after, just turn up, from 6.30pm
NATIONAL GALLERY: Did you know the National Gallery stays open late every Friday night? It's a great chance to explore the galleries and appreciate the art while it's a little bit quieter, once the school trips and tourists have gone home. National Gallery (Trafalgar Square), free entry (donations welcome), just turn up, until 9pm
MOVIE MATHS: The film buffs at Prince Charles Cinema have decided that if you combine Robocop and The Raid, you end up with Dredd. To prove it, they're screening all three films in a marathon session. Prince Charles Cinema (Leicester Square), £17.50/£15, book ahead, 6.30pm
Good cause of the day
The British Heart Foundation is one of the charities looking for runners to take part in The Vitality Big Half in March. The run covers half of the London Marathon route in reverse. There's a £10 entry fee and you'll need to pledge £250 in sponsorship. Find out more and register on the British Heart Foundation website.
