All weekend
FREUD'S ETCHINGS: Last chance to see the V&A's exhibition showcasing significant etchings by Lucian Freud, many of which have never been displayed before. It highlights Freud's collaboration with master printer Marc Balakjian, featuring various trial proofs that illustrate their artistic partnership. See a unique selection of works which delve into Freud's distinctive style and technique, reflecting on his influence in the world of printmaking. FREE, until 12 January
DICKENS' PETS: Also closing on Sunday is Faithful Companions. Explore the beloved pets of Charles Dickens in this family-friendly exhibition at the Charles Dickens Museum. Discover stories about his pets, such as Grip the raven and Timber the dog, alongside historical context on pet ownership in the Victorian era. The exhibition features handwritten letters and family albums, showcasing Dickens's passion for animals. Until 12 January
JUMBLED ALPHABET: Nairy Baghramian's Jumbled Alphabet is another exhibition closing this weekend. The display, at South London Gallery, subverts traditional notions of design by highlighting the beauty of imperfection and creativity in the dysfunctional, using materials including marble and resin. FREE, until 12 January
SKATE AT SOMERSET HOUSE: You've got until the end of this weekend to enjoy Skate at Somerset House, the temporary ice rink in the beautiful courtyard — and happily, it tends to be a little bit quieter this side of Christmas. It's not the only one of London's pop-up rinks still open, as the one in Canary Wharf remains in situ until February. Until 12 January
LIGHTS TRAIN: Not ready to let go of Christmas yet? Or perhaps you didn't get a chance to partake in all of the festivities in December? The Epping Ongar Lights Train runs until this weekend. Board a train made of illuminated carriages, and as it wends through the countryside, peer out of the window for illuminated line-side displays designed specially for Lights Express passengers, and visible only from the train. Until 12 January
KETNA PATEL: London-based pop artist Ketna Patel opens her new exhibition, Remixology: The Cultural Art of Storytelling, at the Heath Robinson Museum in Pinner. She uses video, print and photography to unite East and West, old and new, the sacred and the everyday, featuring cultural and mythological references while playfully critiquing the consumerist and Western narratives that dominate much of the world. 9 January-8 February
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: Cirque du Soleil's latest show, Corteo, comes to the Royal Albert Hall. It's a long-running Cirque show taking the form of a festive parade imagined as by a clown, and offers a never-before-seen seating arrangement splitting the Royal Albert Hall in half. Intriguing. 9 January-3 March
ADVENTURE TRAVEL SHOW: Head to the Business Design Centre in Islington to satiate your wanderlust, as the Adventure Travel Show returns to London for the first time in four years. 100 travel organisations will be there, offering you the chance to plan high-adrenaline and off-the-beaten-track adventures. 11-12 January
Saturday 11 January
RUPAUL'S DRAGCON: More than 200 queens are on the line-up at RuPaul's DragCon at ExCeL Centre, including stars from international franchises of the show. Performances take place on the main stage across both days (today's the second and final day). From 10am
CALL THE MIDWIFE: Explore the fascinating history of post-war Poplar, as depicted in BBC series Call the Midwife, on this London Museum Docklands guided walk. Visit Poplar streets and sites, including the Lansbury Estate, Poplar High Street, the site of Poplar Workhouse and Chrisp Street Market, and learn about their connections to Jennifer Worth's bestselling memoir which inspired the TV Show. 10.30am-12pm
CAJUN DANCE: Take part in a high-energy afternoon of Cajun dance at Jamboree in King's Cross. Begin with a dance lesson where you can get clued in on the steps, followed by three hours of dancing to live music at a jam, with musicians taking it in turns on the stage. 1.30pm-5pm
LE GATEAU CHOCOLAT: Last chance to catch musical phenomenon Le Gateau Chocolat's festive show Musicals Mayhem at Soho Theatre. Think of him as a one-man musical jukebox, cramming all of the musicals you know and love into one hour of high kicks, high drag and high glamour. 4pm/7pm
ART LAUGHS: Join comedian Verity Babbs for an entertaining guided tour exploring Royal Museums Greenwich's unique maritime collections in Kidbrooke, featuring improvised performances from top UK comedians. Your ticket includes a drink upon arrival. Age 18+. 6pm-8pm
MILLWALL JEW: Stand-up comedian Ivor Dembina performs his current show, Millwall Jew, at Camden Comedy Club. Hear about his experiences as a Jewish football supporter choosing Millwall as his team, rather than the 'Jewish' north London club Tottenham Hotspur. 6pm
LABYRINTH MOVIE NIGHT: The Labyrinth Movie Night at Clapham Grand invites fans to enjoy Jim Henson's cult classic on a massive 25ft screen. Participate in a Goblin King costume parade and a Dance Magic Dance-Off, and enjoy themed cocktails inspired by the film. The night culminates in a Mini Bowie Disco featuring classic hits. 6.30pm-11pm
CEILI NIGHT: No experience is required to join in with the Irish Cultural Centre's Céilí night. The Hammersmith venue welcomes dancers of all ages and abilities, with live music and a caller to help you keep up with the steps. 7pm
AZMARI BET: Delve into Ethiopian culture at Rich Mix, which hosts an evening of music, poetry and theatre recreating the experience of an Azmari Bet — traditional clubs hidden away in the back streets of Addis Ababa. 7pm
FOR THE LOVE OF POP: Dance the night away to pop tunes by artists including Beyonce, Britney Spears, Craig David, Dua Lipa, Kendrick Lemar and Harry Styles at the For The Love Of Pop club night at Moth Club in Hackney. 11pm
Sunday 12 January
VINTAGE FLEA MARKET: Clothing, accessories, home decor, bric a brac, furniture, art, lighting and more are up for grabs at the Go East Vintage Flea Market which takes over Hackney Depot for the day. Particularly keen thrifters can buy earlybird tickets, giving you access an hour before the general public. 11am-5pm
PECKHAM SALVAGE YARD: Down in south London, Peckham Salvage Yard returns to Copeland Park and the Bussey Building, with traders selling vintage furniture, reclaimed industrial fixtures, unique lighting, salvaged electricals, quirky homewares, curiosities and unexpected oddities. 11am-5pm
BLESSING THE THAMES: One of London's quirky annual traditions, the Blessing of the River Thames, takes place in the centre of London Bridge. Clergy and congregations from Southwark Cathedral and St Magnus the Martyr — churches on either side of the river bank — join together for a short service where prayers are offered to bridge and river users, and a wooden cross is then tossed into the waters (but don't worry, the River Police fish it straight back out). FREE, from 12.30pm
JAZZY LUNCH: Tuck into Sunday lunch as you listen to a programme of jazz tunes and other songs performed by vocalist Sarah Jane Eveleigh. She's accompanied by Martin Bazley on piano, Robert Rickenberg on bass, Andrew Eveleigh on drums and Duncan Lamont Jr on sax, at OSO Arts Centre in Barnes. 1pm
NO TROUSERS TUBE RIDE: The annual No Trousers Tube Ride returns to London's public transport network, with members of the public navigating the Tube minus their trousers. Anyone can take part; just make your way to the meeting point in Chinatown. Note that trousers should be kept on until you enter the Underground... and underwear is very much required at all times. 2.45pm
MYRA DUBOIS: Drag act Myra DuBois hosts Sunday cabaret at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern. The solo show is packed with songs and comedy, for ages 18+. 4pm
CANADA'S DRAG RACE: Winner of Canada's Drag Race Lemon brings her victory tour to the Clapham Grand for an evening of lip syncs and music performances. Guest stars include opening performances from Canada's Drag Race Denim, and Global All Stars' Pythia. 6pm-10.30pm
NO FRILLS FOLK CLUB: It's free entry to the Windmill in Brixton for No Frills Folk Club, a live music night spanning Irish, Welsh, English and Scottish, American old time, bluegrass and western swing, French, Yiddish, East European, Scandinavian, Greek, Turkish and Balkan. Pretty, eclectic, then! 7pm
SUNDAY JAZZ: Every Sunday evening, the Old Blue Last in Shoreditch hosts a jazz evening, with live music all night. It's free entry, and takes place in the main bar downstairs — atmospherically candlelit for the occasion. 7pm
