All weekend
CHRISTMAS IN LONDON: You may have noticed a little thing called 'Christmas' fast approaching. Whether you're a seasoned local, a regular visitor, or a first-timer in the capital, have a browse of our guide to spending Christmas 2023 in London. It covers everything from shopping and days out to eating and drinking, as well as practical aspects such as public transport. We've picked out some of our favourites below, if you've got some time to fill this weekend.
ICE SKATING: The world and his snowman seem to open ice rinks at this time of year, meaning you've got the choice of skating in public squares, palace gardens, Royal Parks, or in front of a power station, among other locations. Get your skates on and get booking for London's winter ice rinks 2023.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS: Cutting it fine for your Christmas shopping? There are some Christmas markets and fairs still running throughout this weekend, selling crafts, artworks, jewellery, decorations and food and drink gifts. Of course, they'll be rather busy (and may close early on Sunday), but we've always found that shopping with a mulled wine or hot chocolate in hand eases the pain a little bit.
CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON TEA: Nothing says 'special occasion' like a fancy afternoon tea, and London is packed with festive/Christmas versions right now. You'll need to book ahead for a slot this weekend — choose from our pick of fantastically festive afternoon teas in London this year, including a Disney one, and another themed on The Snowman.
PANTOMIME: London's panto scene is looking camper than ever this year, with renditions of Aladdin, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Dick Whittington, and several other classics. Plenty of choice if you're taking the whole family for a festive treat, but also some solid options for strictly adults-only jaunts. Swot up on the history of panto before you go and impress your companions with some nuggets of wisdom on the interval.
FESTIVE THEATRE: If you're lucky, you might manage to find a last-minute ticket to one of these festive theatre and dance shows in London, spanning Elf The Musical, The Nutcracker, and Hansel and Gretel, among others. Got children in tow? Our guide to family-friendly festive theatre shows will be more your speed, with Santa, The Snowman, Disney characters and Peppa Pig among the familiar faces. No time this week? Many of them continue next week and into the new year too.
WINTER WONDERLAND: Giant funfair/Christmas market/ice rink/bar Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is open every day this week, including Christmas Eve, though of course, it's likely to be very busy. Here's our guide to this year's event, including the info you need on prebooking your entry tickets this year. Until 1 January
GINGERBREAD CITY: Pay a visit to an entire (mini) city made of gingerbread, and decorated with icing, sweets and other edible goodies. The Gingerbread City has baked up at Westfield White City this Christmas, with 70+ buildings created by teams of architects and civil engineers. Until 7 January
CHRISTMAS TRANSPORT: While most public transport runs as usual this weekend, there are a couple of things you need to be aware of, including many train services closing down early on Christmas Eve — and two major rail stations in London closing completely all day on Christmas Eve. Our guide to public transport in London over Christmas has the details.
Saturday 23 December
MEAT AUCTION: After a hiatus of a few years due to the pandemic, the Christmas Eve meat auction at Smithfield Market returns — except it's happening the day before Christmas Eve, because the market doesn't open on Sundays. Traditionally, it allowed the area's butchers to sell off their excess stock before they closed for Christmas, and it still happens today, with meat joints sold off to the crowds at low prices. 10am
FAMILY NATIVITY CONCERT: Take the kids along to St Paul's Church — AKA the Actor's Church — in Covent Garden for a family nativity concert. See the Nativity story playing out in front of you, accompanied by carols and songs. Age 3+. 11am
R&B BRUNCH: Need a little break from Christmas music? Amazing Grace alongside London Bridge station hosts an R&B Brunch, where DJs play everything great in R&B from the past few decades to the present day. Think TLC, Beyonce, P Diddy and current club anthems. Food is available throughout the event, with one hour of bottomless rum punch offered. 12pm-5pm
CANDLELIT CAROLS: The Mozart Festival Orchestra, Coro Spezzato choir, and soprano Harriet Eyley team up for a candlelit carols concert at Cadogan Hall, conducted by Steven Devine. Actor Kevin Whately offers readings between the music. Choose between a matinee or evening performance. 2.30pm/7pm
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS: Festive pop hits meet traditional Christmas songs in All I Want For Christmas... Live. The show, at Barbican, is a new addition to the Raymond Gubbay Christmas Festival, starring the London Concert Orchestra and Capital Voices. 2.30pm
CHARLIE BROWN: Upstairs At The Gatehouse in Highgate stages two showings of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, the classic play based on the Peanuts comic strips written by Charles M. Schulz. Packed with gags, music and pathos, it's suitable for all the family, and a good shout if you're already panto-ed out. 3pm and 7.30pm
HO-HO-HOMOPARODY: A seasonal special of Queer Collective's Homoparody is going down this afternoon at Two Brewers in Clapham. There's Christmassy cabaret, holigay parodies and ding-dong drag... sounds like a festive riot. 4pm-6pm
CHRISTMAS ICE DISCOS: Most nights this week, there's a Christmas ice disco at Ally Pally. Have a skate on the indoor rink, while Christmas songs play in the background, lights twinkle overhead, and a Christmas tree towers over it all. Age 14+. 7pm-9pm (and other dates Until 3 January)
GUILTY PLEASURES: There's a Christmas special of regular party night Guilty Pleasures at Between The Bridges on South Bank, with a playlist of R&B and pop songs all night, and fancy dress very much encouraged. 7pm
GERIATRIC MUMS: Character comedians Shirley & Shirley bring their current show, Geriatric Mums, to Soho Theatre for a Christmas special. They give their true thoughts on the world of parenting, with sparkle, spice and spandex thrown in. 9.15pm
Sunday 24 December: Christmas Eve
CHRISTMAS EVE: And so we come to Christmas Eve, an odd day when it's sort of Christmas but not quite, and nobody's really sure how early is too early to hit the mulled wine/crack open the Quality Street. We've written a guide to Christmas Eve 2023 in London to help you keep out of mischief until the big day. Here are a couple of highlights:
DICKENS MUSEUM: The Charles Dickens Museum is a fantastic place all year round, but it looks its best at Christmas, when the house is decorated as it would have been in Dickens' day. It offers a special Christmas Eve opening, giving you a chance to see the decorations, view the usual exhibits and displays, and catch various performances of A Christmas Carol. 10am-6pm
CAROLS: It's the final day of Carols at the Hall, a programme of traditional and modern festive carols performed at the Royal Albert Hall, with audience members invited to join in. 11am/3pm
MUPPETS: "It's in the singing of the street corner choir. It's going home and getting warm by the fire..." The Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square fires up The Muppet Christmas Carol twice today, for a couple of full-throated singalongs. No doubt people will be giving the "no cheese for us meeces" line an extra bit of welly as usual. 12pm and 2.45pm
BAD PENNY: Rock supergroup Bad Penny have members who've played with the likes of Judas Priest, Twisted Sister, Journey and Queen. Tonight they're playing punters at the Cavern in Raynes Park into Christmas, with a special bash that doesn't cost a penny to get into. 8pm
