Things to do today is sponsored by CommuterClub.
What we’re reading
- Mayor of London pledges to protect Green Belt as developers nervously await new rules on affordable homes.
- Major new project set up to protect London's spectacular views south of the river.
- Hundreds of women march through London to 'Reclaim the Night'.
- Sign the petition to save Kingston Food Market.
Things to do
GUILDHALL MARKET: It's the free food and drink tasters and relaxation massage station getting us excited for this festive fair, which also boasts more than 100 stalls peddling fashion, jewellery, homeware, books and more. Guildhall, £5, book ahead, 10.30am-8pm
CURLING CLUB: Put your curling arms to the test on top of London's only rooftop curling club, then kick back and gloat in a cosy igloo or '80s ski chalet. Thirsty? Just quote Londonist at the bar for a £5 Curling Me Softly cocktail or four Jagermeister shots on a ski for £5. Roof East, £10, book ahead, 5.20pm-10.40pm
CHRISTMAS CRAFTING: Wondering what to get your secret Santa? Join this cheeky Christmas crafting session, where you can hold a cocktail in one hand while you're covering a mug in naughty names in the other. Drink, Shop & Do, £5, just turn up, 6pm
MY FRO AND ME: A much-needed event examining and unraveling eurocentric ideals of beauty in the UK performing arts industry, hosted by Ayesha Casely-Hayford, chair of the brilliant Act for Change campaign. National Theatre, £7/£5, book ahead, 6pm
NOSTALGIA TALK: Forget harking back to the countryside, this panel discussion is all about nostalgia for the modern metropolis, as explored through the prism of nail bars, Victorian cemeteries, cyclogeography and spirit photography. The Garden Museum, £10-£15, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm
OUTSPOKEN: This brilliantly curated poetry night provides a stage for spoken word artists and poets, and throws a couple of talented musicians into the mix. As it's the last show of the year, you'll be treated to four poets instead of three. Rich Mix, £10/£8, book ahead, 7pm
KINO SHORTS: Tuck into free popcorn and settle in for a night of weird and wonderful shorts, with introductions from their makers at London's eclectic open-mic short film night, the last one of 2017. Candid Arts Basement (Islington), £5/£4, book ahead,7pm-10.30pm
BOOK LAUNCH: Into stories that scare the bejesus out of you? Then prepare to be creeped out at the launch of Eight Ghosts, a collection of haunting tales from eight authors scattered across England inspired by English Heritage sites. Foyles (Charing Cross), £8, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
Sponsor message
Treat yourself to a month of free commuting this Christmas
Your Oyster card is pretty important, right? But it's about to get even more expensive; prices are going up by 3.5% on 2 January 2018 — the equivalent of two weeks of travel.
Don't let it ruin your Christmas though. Sign up to CommuterClub for the savings of an annual ticket without having to pay it all in one go. You'll pay 11 monthly instalments, and the 12th month is free, saving an average of £300.
Sign up before Christmas to continue paying 2017 prices well into 2018. That means more money to spend on Christmas gifts for family and friends — and the gift of a month of free travel for you.
You'll also get a free Annual Gold Card, which gives you 1/3 off National Rail fares, and 2-for-1 entry to attractions including the Tower of London and St Paul's Cathedral.
Londonist readers can also get £20 off when signing up to CommuterClub here. Cheaper. More Flexible. You'd be a Christmas pudding to not join CommuterClub.
Representative example: Credit limit: £1,200. Interest: £67 Total payable: £1,267 in 11 monthly instalments of £115. Representative 10.6% APR. Interest rate: 5.6% pa (variable).
FROST FAIR TALK: Back in the day, it was so chilly the Thames would freeze over and 'Frost Fairs' were held on the ice. The final fair in 1814 involved an elephant and Blackfriars Bridge. Hear more tales like this at this Talks by the Thames event. The Pier House (Chiswick), £3, just turn up, 7.30pm
COMEDY: A chance for newbie stand-ups to test out their material on a supportive and welcoming audience (you lot), followed by a professional act. Tonight headliner Areille Souma brings her punchy, blunt and empowering set to Dalston. Farr's, free, just turn up, 7.45pm-10pm
Good cause of the day: Join a style and swish event in aid of the Flamingo Foundation
Instead of splashing out on a new wardrobe this Christmas, why not 'swish' the one you already have? Bring three items you no longer wear to be swapped between 4pm and 6pm. Stylists will be floating about if you think you need advice on a new look and a seamstress will be on hand to make any alterations to clothes you set your heart on. All proceeds go to the Flamingo Foundation. Brass Monkey, £25, book ahead, 4pm-9pm
