All week
GINGERBREAD CITY: Take a stroll around London's tastiest exhibition, Gingerbread City — which actually consists of five miniature cities made from the festive biscuit (no nibbling, though). See buildings, bridges, train stations and other structures made from gingerbread, designed and built by teams of architects, and decorated with icing and sweets. Until 2 January
ICE SKATING: Burn off some of that excited energy before the big day on one of London's seasonal ice rinks. Chances are they'll be quite busy this week, so a weekday daytime slot is your best bet. Most of them have cafes or bars running alongside them so you can warm up with a hot chocolate or mulled wine afterwards. Bliss.
CHRISTMAS FILMS: If it isn't Christmas for you without Elf/Love Actually/Home Alone (delete as appropriate), head to one of London's festive film screenings and watch the Christmas classics on the big screen.
STREETHUNT GAMES: Looking for a last-minute gift for a London-lover? Buy them a voucher for StreetHunt Games, The Case of Colombia’s Finest: think grown-up treasure hunt meets escape room meets murder mystery. It’s an outdoor, self-guided game that takes you through historical London locations. Work together to sniff out evidence of a crime within a fictional coffee company - you just need your phone and a sense of adventure. Slots available 9am-5pm daily, and the vouchers are redeemable for two years from purchase. (sponsor)
WINTER WONDERLAND: Wondering how to keep the kids busy during the Christmas holidays? Hyde Park Winter Wonderland has entertainment for all ages in the form of (deep breath...) winter markets, an ice rink, circus shows, Santa Land, rollercoasters and fairground rides, food and drink stalls and more. Sure, it's probably not the cheapest day out you'll ever have, but it'll stop them asking "how many sleeps?" for a few hours. Just remember you need to book your entry in advance this year. Until 2 January
THE ENGLISH CATHEDRAL: The late Peter Marlow's ambitious photographic project documenting all 42 of England's Anglican cathedrals is on display at St Paul's Cathedral until the end of next month. It's technically free, although you need to pay for entrance to the church. Until 26 January
CAROL CONCERTS: You can barely move in London in December without stumbling across a carol concert or two. The best-known ones such as St Paul's and Westminster Abbey are notoriously difficult to get into, but why not see what's on at your local church?
FESTIVE DRINKING: 'Tis the season for warming your cockles at cosy pop-up bars — and London is absolutely covered in them. These are our picks for winter drinking pop-ups to sink a drink or two. Miracle at Henrietta is a particularly favourite, just because it's SO DAMN CHRISTMASSY.
IGLOO DINING: You can barely move at this time of year for igloos and snow globes popping up all over town, inviting you inside to drink, dine and be merry. It's not a cheap way to eat out, and for some, you'll need to book way in advance, but it does make for a cosy and photogenic night out.
LESBIAN SPACE CRIME: Done with all the festive cheer? Head to Soho Theatre for Lesbian Space Crime, an intergalactic musical comedy which raises nuanced questions about the pressures of representation on LGBTQIA+ individuals. Until 22 December
CAROLS AT THE HALL: Get your fill of Deck The Halls and Fa La Las at Carols at the Royal Albert Hall, a performance by the Royal Choral Society, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, British Imperial Military Band, National Youth Choirs of Great Britain and others, which is repeated several times in the run-up to Christmas. 17-24 December
Monday 19 December
THE DREAM MACHINE: The Dream Machine is a long-form improv show, based around audience suggestions. Using improv techniques, the cast build a world full of crazy characters and heartwarming stories based entirely on an audience member's dreams. See it at the Golden Goose Theatre in Camberwell. 19-21 December
VIRTUAL PUB WALK: Footprints of London guide Richard Watkins offers a virtual tour through Soho, telling its history through its pubs. Find out about a department store that had its own local, a pub that didn't actually serve alcohol and one with a secret tunnel — all without leaving your own home. 6pm-7pm
FESTIVE NIGHT MARKET: Walthamstow's Big Penny Social (formerly Truman's Social Club) hosts a festive night market every evening this week, giving you a chance to pick up those last-minute gifts. Enjoy live music, food and drink as you browse stalls by local and independent businesses. FREE ENTRY, 6pm-9pm, 19-23 December
HANDEL'S MESSIAH: See Handel's Messiah — a piece of music written by Handel in just 24 days, and traditionally performed at this time of year — played by The Hanover Band at Kings Place in King's Cross. The period instrument orchestra takes part in the production every year and are accompanied by guest soloists. 7.30pm
TREVOR NELSON: BBC Radio 2 and Radio 1Xtra DJ Trevor Nelson hosts a live soul show with a festive twist at the Royal Albert Hall. Guests include Chic’s Kimberly Davis, Basement Jaxx vocalist Vula Malinga, and soul singers Tony Momrelle and Omar, all accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra. 7.30pm
HAPPY MONDAYS COMEDY: Frazzled by the season and in need of a good laugh? Happy Mondays Comedy is back at the Amersham Arms in New Cross. As always, Sîon James is MC, hosting guests including Josh Jones, Tatty Macleod, Iffy, Will Burns, Xmossy and Dimitri Bakanov. 8pm
Tuesday 20 December
LIT!: Lewisham's tenure as London Borough of Culture comes to an end with LIT!, a contemporary circus show by The Revel Puck Circus and a winter fair, all taking place in Beckenham Place Park. The programme is inspired by the borough's history of activism, and the Illuminations take place from today until Thursday. FREE, 20-22 December
POP-UP GLOBES: Julia Forte makes exquisite globes featuring maps or panoramas of historic London. You can browse (and buy) her finest creations in a special pop-up shop at 17a Rugby Street, WC1. New designs featuring New York (1799), Venice (1640) and Paris (1638) will also be on show along with a selection of skull paperweights. 20-23 December
HOUSEMAID'S CHRISTMAS TOUR: The Charles Dickens Museum offers a special festive version of its regular Housemaid's Tour. An actor playing the role of the Dickens family's housemaid shows you around the home as it would have been when the author lived there. See it decorated for the season and find out about life — and Christmas — in the Victorian era. 10am/11am/12pm
THE SNOWMAN AT 40: We're walking in the aiiiiiir. Can you believe that the animated film of The Snowman is 40 years old, having first been shown on Boxing Day 1982? There's a family-friendly celebration of the anniversary at the Royal Albert Hall, including a vocal warm-up, a screening, and a chance to find out how the film's sound effects are made. 10.30am/1.30pm
CANDLELIGHT MEDITATION: Need to step back from the present shopping for a bit, and take a moment away from all the stresses of the season. Covent Garden's Inner Space hosts a 45-minute online candlelight meditation this evening. You just need to register, but it's FREE. 6pm-6.45pm
REEL FEEDBACK PODCAST: Film show The Reel Feedback Podcast kicks off a London residency at The Comedy Store in Leicester Square, hosted by Kevin Dawson and horror author and Darkplace creator Garth Marenghi. It's followed by an audience Q&A and book signing. 8pm
Wednesday 21 December
CAROLS FOR SHOPPERS: If you find yourself in the vicinity of Piccadilly this afternoon or evening, head along to St James's Church for a free carol service, with young musicians from the Royal College of Music singing carols accompanied by brass fanfare and drums — with mince pies, of course. FREE, 2.30pm/5.30pm
STUDIO GHIBLI: Michael Leader and Jake Cunningham, hosts of podcast Gibliotheque, are at Barbican for a live version of the podcast themed on the Japanese animation studio. It's a chance to hear their favourite bits of Ghibli trivia and memories from 100 episodes of the show over the last four years. 4.45pm. Plus tomorrow, there's a Wonder of Nature in Ghibli live podcast.
FORBIDDENDOG: Merry Kinkmas! Saunter over to The Kings Head in Dalston to partake in Forbiddendog's fetish wonderland of immersive kinky performance and life drawing, spread over four floors. Can't draw? Newbies are very welcome. 7pm-9pm
CHORAL WINTER WARMERS: London International Gospel Choir, The BASSnote Collective and Camden Voices are the local choirs performing in Choral Winter Warmers at Southbank Centre. It's free to watch, and between them the choirs cover gospel, soul R&B, a capellaand pop music, and more. FREE, 7.45pm
KRAMPUS: Santa too saccharine for your tastes? Maybe Krampus — the kiddie-snatching devil — is more up your street, and you can learn more about the festive fiend with an online lecture courtesy of the Last Tuesday Society, who welcome Al Ridenour, author of The Krampus and the Old Dark Christmas. 8pm-9.30pm
Thursday 22 December
DISNEY ON ICE: Don't know about you, but Disney On Ice was a staple of our childhood, and it's back at The O2 this year. Dream Big is the theme, with Mickey, Minnie, Miguel, Moana, Elsa, Belle, Genie and other favourite characters taking to the ice, played by world-class figure skaters. 22-31 December
KENSINGTON OLYMPIA: Head out to West Kensington for Footprints of London guide Jane Parker's End of the Line walking tour, this time focusing on where the District line ends at Kensington Olympia. Across two hours, wander back streets to see a whole range of residential architecture, and find out how the exhibition hall and station affected the development of the local area. 11am-1pm
SNOWMAN AND GRUFFALO: There are still a few tickets left to see The Mozart Symphony Orchestra annual performance of The Snowman at Cadogan Hall, with the film shown on the big screen while a live symphony orchestra provides the soundtrack. Music from The Gruffalo and sequel The Gruffalo's Child also features in the family-friendly show. 1.30pm/4.30pm
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT: London's not short of a carols by candlelight concert at this time of year, but the Mozart Festival Orchestra and Chorus take it more seriously than most. They dress in full 18th century costumes for a sublime collection of carols and seasonal classics in a candlelit setting at Barbican. 7.30pm
UEFA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Head to the world-famous Stamford Bridge stadium tonight to see Lionesses Fran Kirby, Millie Bright, Jess Carter and Bethany England playing live. Watch Chelsea FC Women take on PSG in a UEFA Women’s Champions League match under the lights, with festive food and drink to enjoy too. Tickets start at just £9 for adults and £1 for children. Kick-off 8pm (sponsor)
THE DARK ROOM: Head to Soho Theatre for The Dark Room, a live-action, text-based adventure game, which sees the audience trapped in a retro video game, overseen by sadistic overlord comedian John Robertson. Expect stand-up, chanting and prizes. 11pm
Friday 23 December
SCROOGELICIOUS: Last chance to catch Theatre Peckham's adaptation of A Christmas Carol today, with two performances of Scroogelicious. Performed by young local actors, the play transfers the Dickens classic onto the streets of modern day Peckham. 2pm and 7pm
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT: Another day, another carols by candlelight concert, this time at Chelsea's rather lovely Cadogan Hall — and it's another chance to catch the Mozart Festival Orchestra and Chorus in full 18th century costumes, if you didn't make it to Barbican yesterday. 2.30pm/7.30pm
JINGLE BELL CHRISTMAS: West End star Kerry Ellis headlines Jingle Bell Christmas at Barbican, along with the London Concert Orchestra and Capital Voices. Enjoy renditions of festive favourites including It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year and Let it Snow. 2.30pm
LAMP-LIT HAMPSTEAD: Footprints of London guide Marilyn Greene leads a guided tour around Hampstead after dark, showcasing the area's old-fashioned lamps in all their glory. Learn about the area's history, and finish up with a drink in the Holly Bush Tavern. 4pm
FROMAGE ON ICE: Finished work for Christmas and ready to partaaay? Head to the Alexandra Palace ice rink for the Fromage on Ice Christmas special, the slippery version of the regular cheesy disco night. Slide/stack your way through two hours of pop hits and Christmas tunes. 9pm-11pm
Saturday 24 December: Christmas Eve
CHRISTMAS EVE: Take a look at our guide to things to do in London on Christmas Eve for plenty of ideas to keep you out of mischief while you wait for the man in red (or, y'know, the in-laws).
DICKENS MUSEUM: Bloomsbury's Charles Dickens Museum — which always looks fantastic dressed in it festive finery — is open today, with adaptations of A Christmas Carol — including The Muppet Christmas Carol — shown throughout the day, a first edition of the festive novel on display, plus a free mince pie and mulled wine or soft drink. More festive than an elf rolled in glitter, basically. 10am-6pm
FIVE GO JIVING: As part of Southbank Centre's Winter Festival, there's a free festive jive event in the Royal Festival Hall. Everyone's welcome at Five Go Jiving, with a dance class, live musicians and a DJ getting Christmas off to a lively start. In person or online, FREE, 1pm
DICKENSIAN CHRISTMAS: Actor Stephen Mangan is at Cadogan Hall, presenting a selection of readings from A Christmas Carol, along with Victorian carols performed by the Mozart Festival Chorus and London Concert Brass. 2.30pm
Sunday 25 December: Christmas Day
CHRISTMAS DAY: For a full idea of what's on in London today (it's probably more than you think...) take a look at our guide to things to do in London on Christmas Day.
ICE RINK: That's right, you can go ice skating on Christmas Day itself — at JW3, next to Finchley Road and Frognal station, where you can book a session from mid-morning, anytime through to the evening. 10.30am-6.40pm
SWIMMING: Not everyone's cup of tea, but if you fancy squeezing in a bracing dip between the presents and the parsnips, these are London's swimming pools and lidos which open on Christmas Day.
CHRISTMAS DINNER: Most restaurants and cafes will be closed on Christmas Day, but a few do open, serving a special Christmas Day menu. Here's our pick of where to eat dinner in London on Christmas Day — you'll need to book in advance, so if you're reading this on the morning of 25 December, you're probably too late.
PETER PAN CUP: If you do one thing on Christmas Day in London, head to Hyde Park to watch the Peter Pan Cup. A group of hardy swimmers from Serpentine Swimming Club take to the chilly waters; you can't take part unless you're a member, but you can watch them from the comfort of dry land. FREE, 25 December
Urban oddity of the week
Speaking of Serpentine, how about this rattlesnake door knocker on Denmark Street? The recently installed knocker leads to serviced apartments, part of the redevelopment of the area fronted by the Outernet building.
