All weekend
CHRISTMAS VINTAGE MARKET: A curated line-up of 20 vintage traders pitches up at Dulwich Picture Gallery for a So Last Century vintage fair with a seasonal twist. Shop for mid-century homeware, furniture, art, prints, jewellery and more — along with festive flowers and wreaths. 6-7 December
EEL PIE ISLAND: The secretive Eel Pie Island in west London hosts one of its famous open weekends, inviting the public to cross the footbridge and step inside the artist studios. Browse and buy ceramics, oil paintings, jewellery, sculptures and more. Note that although the event is free, you need to book tickets in advance to access the island. FREE, 6-7 December
NATURE AIN'T A LUXURY: Musician and zoologist Louis VI brings listening experience Nature Ain't A Luxury back to the Barbican Conservatory. Immerse yourself in the sounds of three Indigenously stewarded locations: Sarayaku (Amazon), Raja Ampat (West Papua) and Waitukubuli (aka Dominica), using sounds recorded there. The time of your visit to the conservatory coincides with the time of day the recordings were made on location. 6-7 December
FESTIVE FAYRE: Head to the first weekend of the Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre for Christmas grub galore. Wander among the courtyards and grounds perusing artisan food stalls selling everything from Christmas pudding and brownies to chocolate, cheese, biltong, coffee, cakes — plus gallons of booze. 5-7 and 12-14 December. For a thoroughly festive day out, take a twirl on the palace's winter ice rink.
VICTORIA'S SEASIDE CHRISTMAS: Christmas at Kensington Palace takes the form of Victoria's Seaside Christmas. Decorations and displays tell the story of the year that Queen Victoria and her family spent Christmas at the seaside in Ramsgate, Kent. View a model pier scene, and encounter some of the sailors and fishermen that the Queen met during her trip. 3 December-4 January
MAKERS FROM JAPAN: Japan House in Kensington opens free exhibition Hyakkō: 100+ Makers from Japan, a celebration of contemporary Japanese craft with works in clay, glass, wood, metal, leather and bamboo. FREE, 3 December-10 May
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS WALK: Keen to experience as much Christmas as London has to offer? You'll be wanting our self-guided festive walk through central London. We've compiled a route which takes you past countless different lights and decorations, from Regent Street's angels and Oxford Street's stars, to the Selfridges Disney windows, and the huge shop displays on Bond Street. Get yourself a takeaway hot chocolate and head out for an enchanting stroll.
ICE SKATING: 'Tis the season, for donning a pair of skates and making like Bambi. Yes, we're talking ice skating and London has a wealth of rinks this year, including a new one in the centre of Leicester Square, a rooftop rink in south London, and festive favourites at Somerset House, Battersea and Hampton Court, among others. Read our ice skating guide, and get your skates on.
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Festive fun by the river this Saturday
Enjoy a double whammy of free, festive events on the South Bank this Saturday, with Coin Street's Christmas by the River.
Head to Oxo Tower Wharf to get your Christmas shopping sorted, with a complimentary glass of prosecco and roving live musicians to enjoy as you wander. Browse for one-of-a-kind gifts at the designer-maker shops and studios, where you can pick up everything from jewellery and ceramics to clothing and homewares — and get to know the people that made them.
Then, wander a few steps over to Gabriel's Wharf for music and a special Christmas activity for kids. Carols by the River is back, with atmospheric live performances beneath the festive lights and decorations. Fuel up with mulled wine, hot chocolate and dishes from local traders, including spicy BBQ chicken and mac & cheese from LIMIN Southbank, and mulled cider at Hot Mess Toasties. Still got a few gifts to get? Browse Gabriel's Wharf's own independent shops for one-of-a-kind treats.
Christmas by the River takes place Saturday 6 December, 12pm-5.30pm. Entry is free.
Saturday 6 December
SANTACON LONDON: Hundreds of Santas descend on London for Santacon, which sees members of the public "dress up in Santa suits, run around, give gifts, sing songs, have strangers sit on our laps and decide who is naughty or nice". Festive chaos in other words — and a bit of a mad one if you stumble across it unexpectedly. Exact timings and locations aren't announced until the day before. 6 December
CERAMICS SALE: Maggie's Cancer Centre at the Royal Free Hospital (Hampstead) is the venue for Ceramic Space's one-day contemporary ceramics sale. Browse and buy pieces by members of Ceramic Space and guest artists Miriam Reik and Clink Street Ceramics. 10am-5pm
ANGEL TOUR: It has a Christmassy name, and now a Christmassy guided walk, courtesy of London on the Ground. Discover the history of the area - for centuries famed for its pastures, dairies, fresh water wells and pleasure gardens - and some of its associations with Christmas (including a pantomime connection and a permanent nativity scene). 11am-1pm
GUITAR DAY: It's Saturday Guitar Day at Handel Hendrix House in Mayfair. It begins with a talk from guitar specialist Nigel about all things Hendrix, the blues, chords and lead playing — followed by a chance to ask your questions. Then, take part in a guitar jam in the on-site studio. Pretty cool to say you've played guitar in the former home of Jimi Hendrix! 12pm-3pm
BEER MILE PARTY: Walthamstow's Blackhorse Beer Mile celebrates Christmas with a beery special party. Venues along the route including Big Penny Social, 40ft Brewery and Renegade Urban Winery keep the drink flowing (and it's not all beer!) with music, DJs, a lucky dip and a fun fair. 12pm-1am
WREATH-MAKING: Try your hand at wreath-making at a workshop at Hoxton's Museum of the Home. Head gardener Heather Stevens shows you the tricks of fashioning a festive decoration using fresh greenery, with all materials included with your ticket. 1pm-4pm
FESTIVE DOG SHOW: The Museum of Homelessness holds a festive dog show to raise funds for emergency supplies such as warm clothing and sleeping bags for those experiencing homelessness. It takes place at the museum in Finsbury Park, with various categories your dog can enter, plus canine and human treats, a festive tombola and other entertainment. All are welcome, street dogs especially. 1pm-4pm
REGENT STREET CHRISTMAS: Regent Street goes traffic-free for the afternoon and evening, making it easier to see the festive lights and get your Christmas shopping done. Several stores on the 'Festive Mile' stay open later than usual, with live music, roving street performers, refreshments stalls and three parked-up vintage London buses: a selfie bus; a disco bus; and a festive crafts bus. FREE, 2pm-9pm
COCKFOSTERS: Set on the Tube, comedy play Cockfosters returns to London for another run, at Southwark Playhouse Borough. It's set on the Piccadilly line, following the story of two strangers who meet at Heathrow on their journey across London. 2.30pm/7pm (until 3 January)
LEWIS AND TOLKIEN CHRISTMAS: The All Souls Orchestra performs two concerts of orchestral classics and seasonal carols, inspired by the stories of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Both afternoon and evening concerts take place at All Souls Langham Place, just north of Oxford Circus. 3pm/7pm
AFROSTALGIA: Best Served Cold comes to Boxpark Wembley, promising a dose of 'Afrostalgia' with WSTRN and Kojo Funds headlining alongside DJ P Montana, Fatz Official and 14-piece orchestra the Love & Afrobeats Band. 6pm-12am
SIMON AMSTELL: Regular comedy night Live at the Chapel returns to Islington's Union Chapel with a line-up including Lou Sanders, Jin Hao Li, Ania Magliano and Catherine Bohart, headlined by Simon Amstell. 6.30pm
CHARLIE MACKESY: Author and illustrator of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, Charlie Mackesy is at Barbican for an evening of live drawing, storytelling, live music, film, and questions from the audience. The event celebrates his new book, Always Remember: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse and the Storm. 7.30pm
THE YOUNGUNS: Folk trio The Young'uns are at Artsdepot in Finchley for a festive show, performing a mix of old and new Christmas songs, interspersed with their trademark harmony, heart and humour. 7.30pm
MICHAEL PALIN: Comedian, presenter and author Sir Michael Palin is at Bloomsbury Theatre for a special show raising money for Age UK Camden. He reflects on growing old disgracefully, travelling the world and attempting to answer that most important question: "Where next?". 8pm
CHRISTMAS MOVIE MARATHON: Not content with showing The Muppet Christmas Carol every day until Christmas Eve, the Prince Charles Cinema ups the festive ante with A Not-So-Christmas Mystery Christmas Movie Marathon. Yeah, took us a while to get our minds around that too, but it basically means they're screening five random alt-Christmas films throughout the night. 11.15pm
Sunday 7 December
WINTER MARKET: The annual Bow Road Winter Market provides a chance to shop locally-made unique gifts, artworks and items while supporting the Bow Arts community of artists, designers and makers. The on-site Nunnery Cafe is open throughout the market for festive refreshments. 11am-4pm
CRAFTY FOX: Alternatively, make your way to King's Cross for the Crafty Fox Christmas market, with 100+ artists, designers and makers from across the UK selling handcrafted ceramics and jewellery, art prints and textiles. We've never left one of their markets empty-handed. 11am-5pm
CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON TEA: For one day only, Forty Hall in Enfield serves a Christmas afternoon tea in its Banqueting Suite. Meet family or friends for a selection of finger sandwiches including smoked salmon, lemon and black pepper; and turkey, cranberry and stuffing. Follow that with sultana and plain scones with strawberry preserve and clotted cream, and end on a high with desserts including Christmas fruitcake with marzipan, mini mince pies with spiced orange mascarpone, and berry and creme patissiere tartlets. 12pm/2.30pm
KERMODE & MAYO: Film critic Mark Kermode and host Simon Mayo bring a live version of their podcast Kermode & Mayo’s Take to the Prince Edward Theatre. The Christmas movie spectacular encompasses reviews, interviews and film-chat — including their take on the week's newest releases. 2pm
COMEDY 4 KIDS: James Campbell, pioneer of stand-up shows for younger audiences, performs his Comedy 4 Kids show at the Museum of Comedy in Bloomsbury. Aimed at age six+, expect exploding penguins, 17 ways to eat jam, and songs to sing to the worms in your dog's bottom. Lovely. 2.30pm
BASEMENT ORCHESTRA: You've got two chances to see the Basement Orchestra's Christmas show at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow today. The matinee is for the whole family, while the evening performance is age 18+. Both shows feature the 50-piece Basement Orchestra and their choir performing lively festive tunes, from classical Yuletide favourites to big pop Christmas numbers. 3.30pm/7pm
CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Chickenshed Theatre's festive fundraiser at the Rayne Theatre features seasonal songs, communal sing‑alongs and refreshments such as mince pies and mulled wine. The family-friendly concert showcases Chickenshed's inclusive company of performers in an evening of music and seasonal pieces. 7pm
CHAMBER FESTIVAL FINALE: The Highgate International Chamber Music Festival comes to a close tonight with a Festival Finale at St Anne's Church. A line-up of musicians including Wu Qian and Alexander Sitkovetsky of the Sitkovetsky Trio perform works by Shostakovich, Beethoven, Dvořák and Brahms, with a theme of light and shade. 7.30pm
