Things To Do This Week In London: 6-12 January 2025

All week

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 this week 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 week. 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 week 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 of 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

THE OBSERVATORY: Described as a 'reimagining of art outside traditional gallery spaces', we're not entirely clear what The Observatory entails — although it claims its calming influence will help you navigate the challenges of January. What's more, this City of London pop-up is free. FREE, 6-31 January

RECYCLE YOUR TREE: Taken your Christmas tree down, but not sure of your next move? Have a read of our guide to how to dispose of your Christmas tree. It includes information for recycling options in each London borough.

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PLAY OF THE WEEK:After The Levoyah is an outrageous comedy-heist about two twins, one ex-gangster, and a very messy plot to kidnap Jeremy Corbyn. FringeReview called it "A whirlwind of relentless pace and physical comedy". Following a run at Edinburgh last summer, it comes to The Yard Theatre in Hackney from Thursday. 9-25 January

DRINK OF THE WEEK: Starting out 2025 with a dry(ish) spell? Lina Stores (which has various outlets across London) makes a good 0% spritz, including the Lina Aperitivo Spritz, flavoured with grapefruit, rhubarb, and wormwood. The Lucky Saint pub in Marylebone also serves the eponymous alcohol-free lager, alongside a host of other non-boozy ales, mocktails and seltzers.

Monday 6 January

DARK HORSE: New year, new pub! The Dark Horse opens in Camden Stables Market (87-88 North Yard) today, billing itself as a "no-nonsense, music listening pub", serving "unpretentious old school pub food" — think full English breakfasts, Sunday roasts, and bangers and mash. The decor pairs the building's history as a stable block with the area's music history, with music art and photography lining the walls. Keep an eye on the website for details of live music events coming soon.

STANFORD FAMILY BAND: Brighton soft-rock and The Stanford Family Band headline a night of live music at The Old Blue Last in Shoreditch. Support acts are Bournemouth-based duo Free Lunch, and King of May. FREE, 7.30pm

NEW MUSIC: Start 2025 by discovering a new favourite music artist: the Half Moon in Putney will steer you in the right direction tonight, with a new music showcase featuring Georgia Maria, Rhianna Jackson, Meg Scane and Amy Rose Taylor. 7.30pm

PUB QUIZ: Every Monday, the White Horse in Wembley holds a pub quiz night. Entry is £2 per player, with prizes and a jackpot to be won. 8pm

HAPPY MONDAYS COMEDY:Happy Mondays Comedy returns to the Amersham Arms with performers Stella Graham and various guests taking to the stage for an evening of laughter and entertainment. 8pm

Tuesday 7 January

WHO'S AFRAID OF ROBOTS: Gresham College gets its new season of free lectures underway by looking at the history of artificial intelligence and its relationship with humanity. Professor Victoria Baines delves into our fascination with intelligent machines dating back thousands of years, including how our ancestors viewed robots compared to modern perceptions, and whether we genuinely desire them to be like us. FREE, 6pm

DRAG SNOW WHITE: Join Scarlett Moffatt and a star-studded cast including David Potts and icons from Ru Paul's Drag Race for a night of outrageous adult panto at Clapham Grand. Experience Snow White's mischievous adventure with seven fabulous drag queens and a host of comedic antics, making for a riotous retelling. 7pm-10pm

FOLK CLUB: Trad songs and tunes, ballads, shanties, and rousing choruses... whether you want to sing along, play along, or just sit and listen, Sharp’s Folk Club pitches up in the Basement Bar of Cecil Sharp House tonight, promising to rouse spirits on a chilly January eve. 7.30pm-10.30pm

ARAB CHRISTMAS: Experience an atmospheric Arab take on Christmas, as Grand Junction in Paddington hosts an evening of Arabic, Syriac, Coptic and Byzantine chants, by performers including Najib Coutya, Elias Matar, Sura, Nahi, Laila Samy, and the Cambridge Takht & The Pomegranates. The venue is lit by candlelight for the occasion. 8pm

WITCHCRAFT AND MAGIC: In this online lecture hosted by the Last Tuesday Society, Norwegian lecturer Lena Schattenherz Heide-Brennand takes you on a journey through the dark histories of places like Vardø, Norway, known for its infamous witch trials. Learn about magical practices and the brutal realities faced by those accused of witchcraft during a mournful era of history. 9pm-10pm

Wednesday 8 January

STREETS OF SOHO: Join City of Westminster Guide Pete Smith on a walk through Soho, exploring its rich history and culture. Learn about the area's intriguing past and visit some notable pubs along the way, in a walk lasting two and a half hours. Meet at The Argyll Arms. 2pm-4.30pm

LABOURING MOTHERS: The Foundling Museum offers an online talk by Professor Ellen Ledoux, author of Labouring Mothers, discussing the intersection of motherhood and work in the 18th century. Hear about historical perceptions of women's roles and how they have been shaped by economic status, race, and motherhood, followed by a Q&A session. 6pm

FIRKIN' HILARIOUS COMEDY: Collywobblers Comedy is at the Fox & Firkin in Lewisham, for a line-up including Nathan Caton, Tevin Everett, Victoria Howden, Currer Ball, Hidehito Yanase and Sarah Evans. 7pm

OEDIPUS AND FREUD: Theatre director Robert Icke is joined by Professor Simon Goldhill to discuss Icke’s production of Oedipus at the Wyndham Theatre. The discussion also touches on Freud’s historical interest in the Oedipus myth, and its enduring relevance. Watch in person at the Freud Museum, or online. 7pm-8.30pm

OPERA CIRCLE: Professional opera singer Penny Chalmers is at Highgate Literary
& Scientific Institution this evening, to discuss what it's like performing in Götterdämmerung, the final of four epic music dramas that constitute Wagner's Ring Cycle. 7.30pm-9.30pm

Thursday 9 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

KYOTO: Soho Place presents Kyoto, a political thriller theatre show produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, featuring Stephen Kunken as Don Pearlman. It portrays the tensions of the 1997 Kyoto Conference, focusing on climate discussions, and arrives in London fresh from a critically acclaimed run in Stratford-upon-Avon. 9 January-3 May

THE MUFFIN MAN: Join poet, author, and Big Issue seller André Rostant along with author and comedian Dom Joly for a conversation about André’s book, The Muffin Man, about a Big Issue seller in Soho. Takes place at Stanfords Covent Garden. 7pm-8.30pm

UNDERGROUND CABARET:LINES Underground Cabaret showcases a mix of comedy, music, and burlesque. This week features Liv Pickford, known for her observational comedy related to life experiences as an aspiring performer, hosted by Gabby Killick. Takes place at The Table in Battersea. 7.30pm

Friday 10 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 all weekend following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday. After-parties take place each day too. 10-11 January

GRAND SUMO: Across 15 days, the Grand Sumo tournament takes place in Tokyo, with the top rikishi (wrestlers) competing in the ring for the coveted Emperor’s Cup. Keep up with each day's action with free screenings (with English commentary) in the shop and the hall at Japan House in Kensington. A good way to dip your toe into the sport ahead of its return to the Royal Albert Hall later this year. FREE, 10-26 January

BRING YOUR BABY: Parents and carers with babies can join Bring Your Baby's guided walk focusing on the authors, actors and artists of Islington. Meet at Angel and follow a pram-friendly route around the area visiting sites linked to George Orwell, Evelyn Waugh, Charles Lamb and Salman Rushdie. There's a stop halfway for lunch and baby changing. 11am-2pm

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VOTES FOR WOMEN: Join Dr Naomi Paxton as she examines how the First World War impacted the women’s suffrage movement in Britain. Contrary to popular belief, the Votes for Women movement did not stop during the war. This free talk at the National Army Museum explores how women entered new professions and what led to the passing of the Representation of the People Act in 1918. FREE, 12pm-1pm

REGIONAL FRENCH COOKING: Lambeth's Garden Museum cafe launches a new supper club focusing on different regions of France. It begins today with Paris, as head chef Myles whips up a menu inspired by the French capital, including steak frites and sauce au poivre. 6pm

Saturday 11 January

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

MIME LONDON: Previously, London International Mime Festival took place at this time of year, but that's been replaced with a new event, Mime London. The same directorial team is behind it, though, and this year's event consists of nine contemporary visual theatre productions having their London debut at various venues, including Barbican, as well as workshops and an online show. 11 January-1 February

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

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 one drink upon arrival. Age 18+. 6pm-8pm

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

STEVIE WONDER: The Gantry in Stratford welcomes The Wonder of Stevie, aka vocalist Noel McCalla, award-winning saxophonist Derek Nash, plus band — to cover hits by the great Stevie Wonder. 6.30pm-11pm

Sunday 12 January

SLOW SUNDAYS: Fancy a change from the usual Sunday roast? Dalston's Oren restaurant turns off the grills to focus on a new Sunday menu, featuring winter braises inspired by the slow-cooked stews and bakes of the Middle East, North Africa and Mediterranean. Dishes include beef short rib with chard, dried Persian lime and freekeh; and herb-flecked hake kebabs with Moroccan peppers, sheep's yoghurt and sautéed potatoes.

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. Particular keen thrifters can buy earlybird tickets, which gives 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

MEDIEVAL WOMEN: How do we know how poor women lived in the Middle Ages when historians have ignored them? Walk the river with guides Laura Agustin and Rob Smith and meet six medieval working women. 12pm

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

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

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