Things to do
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: Got the whole day free? Hear an unabridged version of A Christmas Carol read from start to finish. Dickens actor Dominic Gerrard reads every word of the original tale, in the house where the author himself once lived. Charles Dickens Museum (Bloomsbury), £60, book ahead, 11am-4pm
WINTER WARMERS: Head to Southbank Centre for some free lunchtime music. Today's Winter Warmers gig features beatboxers, singers, poets and MCs from the Battersea Arts Centre Beatbox Academy. While you're in the area, head outside to the winter market and soak up the atmosphere. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 1pm
BOOZE AND THE BOROUGH: Footprints of London guide David Charnick leads a booze-themed guided walk around Borough. Learn about the area's alcohol-laced history, including London's biggest brewery. The Shard, £12/£9, book ahead, 2.30pm-4.30pm
THE SNOWMAN: For kids (and adults) who are fans of Raymond Briggs' The Snowman, there's a free festive sculpture trail by the river. 12 large models of the frosty fellow have been unveiled, each one designed to represent a different day from the 12 Days of Christmas song. London Bridge City, free, just turn up, until 5 January 2020
GINGERBREAD CITY: The Gingerbread City exhibition at Somerset House is still on, with buildings and structures made entirely from gingerbread, designed by professional architects and engineers. Look out for sweet replicas of London buildings including Battersea Power Station and London Bridge station. Somerset House, £9, book ahead, until 5 January
CHRISTMAS MARKETS: Having a last-minute Christmas shopping panic? Fear not — our guide to London's Christmas markets and fairs is on hand to lead you to your nearest scented candle, box of fudge or twinkly Christmas ornament. You'll be able to pick up a glass of mulled wine at most of them too.
ICE SKATING: At Royal Palaces, on rooftops and in the middle of Covent Garden, London's festive ice rinks are very much open for business. Here's our guide to festive skating in London to help you pick which one to visit — most of them run through until New Year.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Not managed to see London's Christmas lights yet? Take some time out of the festive madness and wander the West End. We've put together a guide to this year's illuminations, including a map to help you plan your route. If you can stretch to the cost of a bus fare, that's a slightly easier way to see them.
CHRISTMAS IN LONDON: If all of that's not enough festivity for you, have a browse of our Christmas in London guide for other festive things to do in the capital over the coming week.
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
My Roundel of the Week is this personalised, home-baked tree decoration. You can make your very own following the instructions here. Merry Christmas everybody!
Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
The London Landmarks Half Marathon is looking for volunteers to help out with the March 2020 event. Roles include marshalling, looking after drinks stations and even dressing up as London landmarks. Volunteers enable the race to go ahead, allowing the runners to raise money for their chosen charities. Find out more and sign up.
What we're reading
- Crossrail may not open until October 2021.
- UK clubs which shut down in the 2010s — many of which are in London.
- Whiteleys building in Bayswater to be turned into a luxury hotel.
- 21 fascinating places listed by Historic England in 2019, including archeological remains in Shoreditch and a tunnel in Regent's Park.
