Things to do
PALACE TOUR: Get to know Fulham Palace a bit better on a history tour of the building. Find out about the different Bishops of London who lived there over a 1,300 year period, and how they shaped the palace into what it is today. The history of the 13-acre garden is also covered. Fulham Palace, £6, just turn up, 12.30pm-1.30pm
PIANO RECITAL: Ditch your usual lunch plans and head to Lauderdale House, where resident pianist Stephen Hose performs a free concert. It takes place in the Long Gallery, so you can enjoy views over Waterlow Park as you listen. Lauderdale House (Highgate), free, just turn up, 1.15pm-2pm
BABY BROADWAY: The whole family from newborns to grandparents is invited to sing and dance the afternoon away at Baby Broadway's Christmas special. Well-known tunes from musicals and Christmas songs are performed by West End singers, with bubbles, puppets and other interactive elements to keep younger family members entertained. The Other Palace (Victoria), £6-£13, book ahead,3.30pm
MIRACLE ON LEAKE STREET: A free festive celebration takes place at Leake Street, the tunnel running underneath Waterloo station. Lower Marsh traders set up stalls to help you with your Christmas shopping, while entertainment takes the form of festive cabaret and a free screening of Elf. There's a chance to learn how to make a wreath... and we hear it might even snow. Leake Street (Waterloo), free, just turn up, 5pm-9pm
THE ADVICE COLUMN: Columnist and comedian Lynn Ruth Miller hosts a storytelling evening, exploring how to deal with adversity and what we can learn from our experiences. The audience is invited to get involved by sharing their own thoughts and stories. Age 14+. Gallery Cafe (Bethnal Green), free, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
NUTCRACKER LIVE: The Nutcracker by The Royal Ballet, performed on stage at the Royal Opera House, is screened in cinemas around the country. It's not a live stream — it was recorded in 2016 — but it's a great introduction to the world of ballet, and a chance to see the story of Clara and her enchanted nutcracker doll performed. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 7.15pm
FILM SCREENING: Watch a selection of short films made by awardees of the Roundhouse’s Film Fund. All work shown tonight was created in the last three months, and tackles the time we live in and the issues affecting our daily lives. Roundhouse (Camden), £5, book ahead, 7.30pm
HOLLYWOOD CHRISTMAS: Film critic Mark Kermode hosts an evening of Hollywood themed festive music. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performs the scores from seasonal films including It's A Wonderful Life, Polar Express, Love Actually and Home Alone. Royal Albert Hall, £18-£66, book ahead, 7.30pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Edgware Road is, I believe, the only underground station whose platforms have a blood-red next train indicator — all other LED displays are yellow or orange. The display has been there for many years, and was presumably part of an experiment into legibility. I rather like it as a one-off curiosity, but am glad it was never rolled out to the wider network.
Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
There's still time to book tickets for The Prince's Foundation Christmas carol concert on Wednesday. Taking place at St Paul's Church Knightsbridge, the event features carols, readings, and a talk about the charity's work by its vice president, the Earl of Snowdon. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- Photographer Pennie Smith on creating The Clash's London Calling album cover.
- Edinburgh's tourist tax could solve London's funding squeeze.
- Uber launches appeal against TfL removing its London licence.
- Gin club forced to close due to flooding caused by Crossrail drilling.
