Things to do
VOTE: It's polling day for the general election, so if you're eligible to vote, remember to leave some time in your schedule for that. Polling stations open 7am-10pm
ENCHANTED ELTHAM: It's the second weekend of this year's Enchanted Eltham. The light festival offers glittering tunnels, disco balls and talking trees around the moat of Eltham Palace. Follow the family-friendly trail through the grounds before toasting marshmallows on a fire pit, or trying out the Victorian fairground rides. Eltham Palace, £12, book ahead, 12-15 December (and next weekend)
THEATRE QUIZ: Emma Freud is the host for National Theatre's Christmas quiz. Watch as two teams of actors go head to head answering questions about the theatre world and taking part in challenges and tasks. National Theatre, £9/£6, book ahead, 5.30pm
A MODERN MISER: Scenes from A Christmas Carol are performed live in the house where Dickens himself once lived. Roam the house after dark, admiring its Christmas decorations, as members of Equapoise Theatre pop up for theatrical renditions. The candlelit bar is open all night if you fancy a festive tipple. Dickens Museum (Bloomsbury), £18/£10, book ahead, 6pm
SPECTACULAR FASHION: Kerry Taylor, vintage fashion expert and author of Galliano - Spectacular Fashion, talks about the fashion designer to coincide with the launch of her book. Hear about John Galliano's trajectory, from shy St Martins student to internationally renowned fashion designer. Fashion & Textile Museum (Bermondsey), £15/£12, book ahead, 6pm-8pm
KEATS IN FESTIVITY: Keats House stays open late for an adults-only evening of festivities. Enjoy music, drinks and other seasonal activities at the poet's former home. Age 18+. Keats House (Hampstead), £15, book ahead, 6.30pm-9pm
FESTIVE CANDLELIT TOURS: Take a candlelit tour of Benjamin Franklin's House, the former home of the American Founding Father, and experience it as it would have been in the 18th century. Enjoy mulled wine and mince pies in the parlour before hearing about the building's history. Benjamin Franklin House (Charing Cross), £10, book ahead, 6.30pm-9.30pm
NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS: Comedian Robin Ince brings back his festive show, Nine Lessons and Carols For Curious People. It sold out in 2017 and 2018, and features ideas, experiments, science, songs, comedy and poetry. Tonight's special guests include Dr Helen Czerski, Prof Lucie Green, Matt Parker, Dr Simon Singh and Helen Arney. Money raised goes to the Trussell Trust Food Bank. Kings Place (King's Cross), £14.50-£27, book ahead, 7pm
CAROL CONCERT: The Prince's Trusts holds a fundraising carol concert, led by the St Marylebone Parish Church Choir. Join them in singing well-known carols, and enjoy readings from Jeremy Irons and Vanessa Redgrave, and musical performances from other groups too. St Marylebone Parish Church, £30-£100, book ahead, 7pm
12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS: The National Archives hosts a talk about Tudor and Stuart Christmas traditions, including dressing up, the giving of gifts, and feasting. The National Archives (Kew), free, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm
KATHERINE JENKINS: Welsh mezzo-soprano singer Katherine Jenkins hosts a Christmas concert, performing festive songs herself and welcoming special guests. Pianist Alexis Ffrench, West End star Marisha Wallace and Chelsea Pensioner and Britain’s Got Talent winner Colin Thackery are all on the programme, along with the London Concert Orchestra. Royal Albert Hall, £18-£94.50, book ahead, 7.30pm
Christmas with Katherine Jenkins at the Royal Albert HallCOMEDY: Comedian Rich Wilson offers a first look at his new work, Faces Down, Noises Off. Apparently he himself has no idea what it's about yet, so it could be a bit of a gamble... Pleasance Theatre (Islington), £5, book ahead, 7.45pm
FOLKLORE SOCIETY: South-East London Folklore Society's final meet-up of the year focuses on the folklore and magic of Christmas. The talk covers festive customs, food and music, including carols, yule logs, wassailing and decorations. The Old King's Head (Borough), £5/£3, book ahead, 8pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
I have this weird fascination with digital departure boards. Although they display useful but mundane information about train destinations and timings, they are also prone to the occasional hiccup. The strangest I ever spotted was about a decade ago while waiting for a train at the now-abandoned King's Cross Thameslink station. Thameslink, bless them, seem to have invented a 26-hour clock... presumably to squeeze more trains into one calendar day. Got your own images of faulty displays? Send me a tweet on @HeckTube, or email [email protected] (subject line Barry Heck, I Have Some Oddness For You).
Good cause of the day
Bloomsbury exhibition space and culture venue The Horse Hospital faces closure in 2020 due to a 333% rent increase. Support the venue and help to (hopefully) keep it open by spreading the word or making a donation to its PayPal account.
What we're reading
- London cyclist spends nine hours pedalling in the shape of a reindeer.
- Behind the scenes at Crossrail's Liverpool Street station.
- Photos of England's remaining gas holders, including several in London.
- New London Fire Brigade Commissioner announced.
