What we’re reading
- Set designer Gary Card has made an 8ft plasticine Christmas tree.
- Help out homeless charity Crisis by listening to and buying Streets of London, featuring Annie Lennox.
- A brief history of London’s Christmas lights.
- Pakistan? No, home is south London, Sadiq Khan tells BBC reporter.
- The journey from the Calais Jungle to the London stage.
Things to do
STREET DANCE CLASS: Got a little one you can't keep off the dance floor? Drop into this dance class for ages 9-13 led by professionally trained dancers from the Spencer Stage School. Jw3, £9, just turn up, 5.15pm-6pm
SOME VOICES: Enter Capulet's masquerade ball to hear London's hippest choir perform their rendition of '90s classic Romeo and Juliet. Troxy (east London), from £16.50, book ahead, 7pm, until 13 December
HYSTERICAL WOMEN: A jam-packed night of festive female stand-up comedy awaits anyone in need of a good belly laugh. Arrive early to avoid being turned away. The Bill Murray (Angel), £8/£10, booking recommended, 7pm-9.30pm
CUBAN NIGHT: Mix up your Monday with contagious, in-your-face vocals, inspired keyboard playing and Latin beats from Cuban musicians Wara and Grupo Lokito. Jazz Cafe (Camden), £11.50, book ahead, 7pm-10.30pm
CHRISTMAS FILM NIGHT: Pick up a mince pie and mulled wine and cosy up in front of Scrooged, before hearing a talk about the psychology of Christmas from Dr Raj Persuad. Lost Rivers Elephant, £15, book ahead, 7pm-10.30pm
FILM SCREENING: Any Wu-Tang Clan fans in the house? Make a beeline for Brixton to see never seen before backstage footage of the historic 20th anniversary concert featuring the likes of RZA, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon. Pop Brixton, £19.93, book ahead, 7pm-11pm
POP-UP PAINTING: Come away with a pretty Christmas scene to give away, hang on your wall or resign to the loft at this boozy painting session. The Grange (Ealing), £23.99-£27.99, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm
JOE STILGOE'S CHRISTMAS: At this jam-packed evening of festivities Joe and his seven-piece band will be reinterpreting the Christmas songbook, playing games and indulging in Dickens with the help of his actor mates Rob Brydon, Scarlett Strallen and Jamie Parker. Lyric Hammersmith, £15-£40, book ahead, 7.30pm
CHRISTMAS PARTY: Expect heartwarming stories, poems, crackers and presents layered with plenty of Christmas chintz at this cute vintage shop turned bar and venue. Paper Dress Vintage (Hackney), free, just turn up, 7.45pm
SPARK OPEN MIC: Got the gift of the gab and a role model you'd like to tell a story about? Join Spark's open mic storytelling session. The only rules are the story must be true and related to yourself in some way. Hackney Picturehouse, £5, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm
COMEDY: John Kearns shares recordings of the joy and arguments of family Christmases gone by. He has two Edinburgh Comedy Awards under his belt, so it should be a laugh. Battersea Arts Centre, £12.50/£10, book ahead, 8pm, until 16 December
Good cause of the day: Carols for The Food Chain
Want that warm, fuzzy feeling inside you usually associate with drinking copious amounts of mulled wine? Head to this traditional carol concert in the light-strewn Devonshire Square, which will be bursting with Christmas spirit. It's all in aid of The Food Chain, a charity that provides nutritional support for Londoners living with HIV. Devonshire Square, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm