What we're reading
- How not to find a new flatmate.
- Rock legend Slash offers support for building a bridge to the Crystal Palace dinosaurs.
- London's first gay rugby team.
- A group of former employees is suing The National Gallery.
- London's best new house extensions and renovations.
Things to do
LANTERN PARADE: Children from local schools parade lanterns through the streets, accompanied by music from east London group Drum Works. The lanterns are decorated by the children themselves, and following the lantern parade, they'll be displayed in businesses around the area. Stratford Library, free, just turn up, 4.30pm
MEDIEVAL LONDON: Visit sights in the Square Mile where key events in Medieval London took place. Cheapside used to be a street of little palaces, and members of rival trade associations used to brawl to the death in the streets. This walking tour covers power, politics and architecture. St Paul's Churchyard, £12, book ahead, 6pm-7.30pm
HATCHARDS AT CHRISTMAS: Make a start on your Christmas shopping in the impressive surrounds of London's oldest bookshop. Hatchards' Christmas shopping evening is a celebration of books and authors. Meet writers including Dan Cruickshank, Kate Hubbard and Simon Jenkins, and browse the shelves while you tuck into mince pies and mulled wine. And if you leave with nothing but books for yourself? Well... we're not judging. Hatchards (Piccadilly), free, just turn up, 6pm-8pm
CITY HISTORY: Attend the launch of a new book, all about the City of London's Guildhall, which tells stories of royal banquets and historic trials. Graham Greengrass and Stephen Dinsdale, authors of Guildhall, City of London: History Guide Companion, give a brief presentation about the book, showing never-seen-before images of the building. Guildhall Library £7, book ahead, 6pm-8pm
TAP TAKEOVER: Booze and art — what's not to like? Seven breweries produce the first UK pour of their new beers at tonight's Tate Tap Takeover, each created as part of a limited edition series. The art on the walls has been curated to complement the booze. Tate Modern, £17.95 (includes seven thirds of beer), book ahead, 6.30pm
LONDON VS. HOME: At a time when immigration is a charged topic, hear from people who have settled here from elsewhere. Through comedy and storytelling, they talk about how London compares to their homeland, with Egypt, Wales, New Zealand, India, elsewhere in England and The Netherlands all represented. The City Centre (Bank), £9.50, book ahead, 6.45pm-9.30pm
HENRY VIII: The Tudor king is best-known for the many women he married... but what about the men in his life? This talk looks at how he related to other men, and how these links show him as cruel and ruthless on one hand, but also as a tender ally. National Archives (Kew), £8-£10, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
ACOUSTIC LATES: Enjoy the festive surrounds of Natural History Museum's beautiful ice rink — without going near a pair of skates. Every Thursday, a selection of musicians play acoustic sets in the cafe-bar alongside the ice, and tonight it's the turn of folk musician Tom Joshua, boy band Weird Milk, and Toby Corton and his band By Chance. Enjoy the music with a mulled wine in hand. Natural History Museum (South Kensington), free, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm
NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS: The programme at this festive classical music concert covers everything from mistletoe to the macabre, with conductor Alexander Conway revealing some of the secrets behind the music. Newcomers to classical music are especially welcome. St John's Church (Waterloo), £8, book ahead, 7.30pm
REDEFINING JULIET: It's Romeo & Juliet, but not as you know it. In this one production, three actors share the role of Juliet, each giving their own portrayal of Shakespeare's romantic icon. The play is interwoven with stories of femininity and authenticity. Barbican, £15, book ahead, 7.45pm (repeated tomorrow)
Good cause of the day
Eamonn Holmes and Julie Etchingham are among the celebrities and TV personalities scheduled to appear at this candlelit Christmas concert, raising money for children's charity Kids For Kids. Tickets available here.
