Time Out No. #88 | Thursday 16 December 2021

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Don't fear, we have cheer
We’re at that point again, aren’t we? The point where the future is unsure and wobbly. Maybe your office party’s been postponed or that play you booked months ago just got canned. Listen: we’ve done this before, and for the sake of those who are vulnerable, we’ll do it again if necessary. No matter what happens, the people of London will have a laugh, by God. And that’ll be the case whether it’s in a bustling pub, a theatre lobby or by a park bin with some tins and some mates. Merry (in spite of everything) Christmas!
  Joe Mackertich
  London editor
  @j_mackertich

Fresh air fun time

Lots and lots of you are probably keen to enjoy the end of 2021 in the most full-on, festive way possible without spending too much time inside. Understandable! We’ve got tons of suggestions for you, everything from takeaway mulled wine and cosy winter terraces to alfresco art and outdoor Christmas markets. And if you fancy restaurant food without leaving your abode, then our refreshed list of all of London’s best meal kits should see you right.

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Feel-good films to stream tonight

Phil DeSemlyen

Film editor

@PhildeSemlyen

On paper, Lulu Wang’s deeply personal The Farewell sounds like a heartbreaker: It centres on a Chinese-American girl (Awkwafina) traveling to China to say goodbye to her grandmother. What unfolds is a stirring and affirming story of family, one that finds vibrant life among its ensemble even as the spectre of death looms. Netflix.

Like ‘My Neighbour Totoro’, Hayao Miyazaki’s fleet, whimsical tale of a young witch coming of age in Scandinavia is a rare animated adventure almost completely void of conflict, peril or villainy. It is, in essence, a hangout movie about a young girl and her smartass talking cat making friends. A pure delight. Netflix.

Will Gluck’s twenty-first-century take on ‘The Scarlet Letter’ is a film that brings the spunk back to the teen comedy. Stone plays Olive, a straight-A student who taps into her school’s rumour mill for social clout and financial gain. If you like your teen comedies with real jokes and skewed morals, this one is for you. Netflix.

London for less

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paid content

Escaping the city while being in the city isn’t easy. But it is possible. Imagine it, somewhere among the skyscrapers, the grey and the loud sirens and car horns, there’s ancient candle-lit bathing, there’s yoga, there’s wellness. It does exist, and we have a list of places across the planet for you here.

The 22 coolest things to do in the world in 2022

While we skipped a 2021 edition of our definitive global events and openings calendar, we’re pretty confident that almost all of the amazing things you’ll find in this preview of the year ahead will happen in 2022. So, Omi C permitting (someone had to start calling it that), here are the 22 best new things to do in the world next year, from massive new museums to huge gigs, theatre shows and art exhibitions you won’t want to miss.

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‘Fish and chip shops don't do dessert, do they’

Overheard something weird and wonderful? Tweet us and you might see it next time!

London news you can use

Your photos of the stunning Borealis display above Guildhall Yard

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How to see ‘Cabaret’ without paying the eye-watering ticket prices

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The very best stuff our food editor ate and drank in London this year

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The mayor’s giving Hyde Park a fresh, rewilding glow-up

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Before you go!

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