All weekend
FLOATING FILMS: Grab a deckchair and a blanket for the final weekend of the St Katharine Docks’ Floating Film Festival. Watch Arthur Christmas, Last Christmas or The Muppet Christmas Carol at an alfresco screening. Mulled wine and hot chocolate is available too. St Katharine Docks, £15 per film, book ahead, 29 November-5 December
EVER AFTER GARDEN: It's the first weekend of this year's The Ever After Garden, which sees Grosvenor Square alight with 25,000 glowing white roses. The beautiful installation is a fundraiser for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, offering people somewhere to remember absent loved ones in the run-up to Christmas, and for £10 you can dedicate a rose to someone. Grosvenor Square, free to visit, just turn up, 1-23 December
LIFE BETWEEN ISLANDS: 70 years of Caribbean-British art is celebrated in Tate Britain's new exhibition, Life Between Islands. Paintings, photograph, fashion, film and sculpture all feature, with works by both Caribbean artists who made their home in Britain, and British artists whose work has been influenced and inspired by the Caribbean. Tate Britain, £16, book ahead, 1 December 2021-3 April 2022
RENT: Musical Rent comes to Bloomsbury for three days only. Set on Christmas Eve 1989, it tells the story of a group of artists in Manhattan struggling through the AIDS crisis, as well as issues of poverty, addiction and grief. Bloomsbury Theatre, £10.50, book ahead, 2-4 December
BEETHOVEN: British Library unveils a new exhibition this weekend, dedicated to the life and work of the great composer Beethoven. Find out about the challenges he faced, including a battle against hearing loss, and see objects including manuscripts handwritten by the man himself. British Library, £8, book ahead, 3 December 2021-24 April 2022
FROST FAIR FUN: Younger kids and their families can find out what used to happen in the days when it was cold enough for the River Thames to freeze over. The free Frost Fair workshops give them a chance to get involved in sensory and role play activities, and have a go at putting on a puppet show. Museum of London, free, book museum admission in advance, 4-5 December
GINGERBREAD CITY: London's most delicious exhibition opens this weekend. The Gingerbread City comes to Belgravia, with buildings, bridges and other structures made from the festive biscuit, designed and made by teams of architects. The 2019 incarnation had a working train set running through the middle of it, so we've got high hopes. 6-7 Motcomb Street (Belgravia), £14 adult/£8.50 child, book ahead, 4 December 2021-9 January 2022
MARTINI POP UP: A collab between Grey Goose vodka, pop maestra Rina Sawayama, and Luke Selby, head chef of Evelyn's Table, a ticket to the Grey Goose Duet pop up gets you a four course dinner with matched Martinis and Sawayama-curated entertainment — expect twists on the classic cocktail, four courses melding British and Japanese flavours, and an acoustic performance from Sans Soucis. 3 - 4 December
CHRISTMAS FAIRS: There's a plethora of Christmas markets and fairs taking place in London this weekend, offering ample opportunities to get your Christmas shopping done. Choose from the Forty Hall Christmas Fayre (3-5 December), Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre (3-5 December), The Christmas Makers Market at Benk & Bo (4 December), Community Market at House of Vans (4 December), Crafty Fox Christmas Market at Mercato Metropolitano (4-5 December), or The Beautiful & Useful Craft Fair at the Garden Museum (5 December).
WEST END HITS: This weekend's the last chance to grab a brilliant Cyber Monday deal on more than 20 West End shows, with £15 tickets throughout December for a whole lot of smash hits — including Come From Away, The Prince of Egypt, and The Comedy of Errors. We've picked some highlights, or you can browse the complete list here. Book by 5 December
CHRISTMAS: If you're just looking to get your Christmas on in a big way now that it's December, take a look at our guides to Christmas in London. Ice rinks, Christmas markets, illumination festivals, Christmas lights, pop-up bars and more are all in there.
Saturday 4 December
ROMAN LONDON: The whole family is welcome on Museum of London's Roman London walk through the City. Visit the remains of Londinium's Roman wall, and find out the location of a lost fort and a hidden amphitheatre, in a guided walk that'll keep school age kids entertained — and maybe teach them a thing or two without them even realising. Age 5+. Museum of London, £8/£6, book ahead, 10.30am
DICKENSIAN CHRISTMAS: The Dickens Museum — based in the house where Charles Dickens once lived — is always a special experience at Christmas. But today, there's the added bonus of the real Dickens family being in residence. Descendants of the author, including his great-great-great-grandaughter Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, gives talks and readings of his work throughout the house, for one day only. Charles Dickens Museum, included in museum admission (£9.50), book ahead, 11am-5pm
TUDORFEST: For one day only, experts in all things Tudor take over the British Library for TudorFest. Hear from historians Tracy Borman, Suzannah Lipscomb, author Nathen Amin and Prof Nandini Das on topics such as fashion and LGBT+ history in the period. British Library, £10 per event/day pass £30, book ahead, 12pm-7.15pm
BABA YAGA: Embark on a fire and music-filled journey through the great dark woods in the company of the Russian witch Baba Yaga, as told by London Dreamtime and Cunning Folk. Suitable for all ages. Grand Junction (Warwick Avenue), free with suggested donation, book ahead, 12pm-2pm
YE OLDE BATTERSEA: The gleaming towers around Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station are in marked contrast to the area’s long, storied history. Tour guide Diane Burstein invites you to explore the older treasures of the area, starting in Battersea Park and continuing through the historic streets to St Mary’s church. Battersea Power Station, £15, book ahead, 1.30pm-3.30pm
GAY MEN’S CHORUS: The London Gay Men’s Chorus is 30 years old, and today's the finale of three days of celebrations. It's one heck of a party, featuring some special guests. Better wear something glam for this one. Clapham Grand (Clapham Junction), from £11, book ahead, 2.30pm/7.30pm
CENTRE STAGE: See emerging artists and musicians showcasing their talents in the Centre Stage Xmas Special. The line-up is still TBC, but expect to hear r’n’b, hip-hop, Soca and Afrobeats performances. Age 18+. Poplar Union, £5, book ahead, 7pm
DOCTOR WHO: Apparently the only Doctor Who themed podcast in existence, join the A Wheezing Groaning Sound team for a live recording. Tonight's topic is the terrifying Delta and the Bannermen, which first aired in 1987. Kings Place (King's Cross), £9.50, book ahead, 7.30pm
CLUB DE FROMAGE CHRISTMAS: Pop night Club de Fromage ramps the cheese up an extra notch for its Christmas party. Expect the usual blend of 90s and 00s pop tunes, with Christmas songs from the likes of Mariah Carey and Wham! thrown in. The venue's decked out in Christmas decorations, and Santa himself is waiting to greet revellers. O2 Academy Islington, from £10, book ahead, 10.30pm
Sunday 5 December
PUP CRAWL: Don your festive jumper and spruce up your pooch in seasonal attire, for this pup crawl across Millennium Bridge from one pub to another. Expect festive entertainment, mince pies, prosecco and ‘puppaccinos’. The Happenstance (St Paul’s), £22, book ahead, 11am-2pm
TREASURE HUNT: Here's a novel way to explore Soho. Take part in a festive treasure hunt, solving cryptic clues as you move around the streets. Piccadilly Circus, £15, book ahead, various times from 12pm
FESTIVE MUSIC: 300 (or so) musicians from the Big Christmas Wind Orchestra and Choir are braving the elements, to perform an outdoor set of festive numbers — both carols and pop. If you’re in the area, make sure you stop by for a yuletide groove. Granary Square (King’s Cross), free, just turn up, 1pm-4pm
CEMETERY TOUR: The Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery run regular tours of this evocative space, on select Sundays throughout the year. Today is one of those. Small groups of up to 20 will be led by a tour guide who will explain the notable monuments and history of the site. Kensal Green Cemetery, £12, book ahead, 2pm-4pm
CHRISTMAS COOKIES: Take the kids along to Poplar Union to decorate their own Christmas cookies, which they can take home to hang on the tree (if they make it that far...). Ready-made biscuits and icing are provided for the workshop. Poplar Union, £6, book ahead, 2.30pm
LONDON LIONS: Fancy seeing some live basketball? The London Lions men’s team take on the Manchester Giants at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park this afternoon. Go and cheer the local side on. Copper Box Arena (Stratford), from £16.50, book ahead, play starts 4pm
NIGELLA LAWSON: At time of writing, there are still a few tickets available to see food writer Nigella Lawson talking about her new book, Cook, Eat, Repeat. She discusses what cooking means to her, and combines her wisdom about food and life in general — no word yet whether the mee-cro-wav-ay incident will be addressed. Southbank Centre, £20-£45, book ahead, 7.30pm
