All weekend
STRIKES: At time of writing, the RMT Union has a 48-hour strike planned for Friday 16 and Saturday 17 December, meaning there could be significant disruption to transport services on these days. Check with individual operators for specific details.
MUSEUM OF THE MOON: Luke Jerram's artwork Museum of the Moon is on display in the Painted Hall at Old Royal Naval College. It's a large-scale installation, suspended from the ceiling and using NASA imagery to depict the surface of the moon. 13 December-5 February
A PISSEDMAS CAROL: The casts of Sh!t-Faced Showtime and Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare team up for a well-oiled interpretation of A Christmas Carol at Leicester Square Theatre. It's Dickens' classic festive tale, interspersed with new songs, and with one drunk member of the cast thrown in, just to keep things interesting. 15 December-7 January
FESTIVE CIRCUS: What better finale to Lewisham's year as Borough of Culture than a 5-star circus? London's very own Revel Puck Circus presents The Wing Scuffle Spectacular in the beautiful Beckenham Place Park, as part of LIT! Festival. This is a high-skill acrobatics show with real edge. A festive yet nail-biting alternative to the panto! 15 December to 8 January 2023 (sponsor)
THE LOST RHINO: The Natural History Museum opens a new exhibition, The Lost Rhino, centred around a video installation by artist Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg of a digitally recreated, life-sized northern white rhino — a subspecies that's nearly extinct. From 16 December
HACKNEY FLEA-MAS MARKET: Get your last-minute Christmas shopping done at Hackney Flea-Mas Market in Abney Public Hall. The vintage market has 30 specially selected traders, selling 20th century furniture, records, homewares and more, making it an ideal place to pick up a gift for anyone keen on sustainability — or just treat yourself. 17-18 December
CHRISTMAS BALLET: Mycenae House in Blackheath puts on A Christmas Wish — a family-friendly ballet, sprinkled with festive enchantment, in a magical tale of love and friendship. 11am and 1pm, 17 and 18 December
CHRISTMAS BESTSELLERS: Up for a dose of festive nostalgia? Head to the Museum of Brands in Ladbroke Grove for its Christmas Bestsellers exhibition, which has popular Christmas toys from decades past on display — think Barbie, Star Wars merch, tamagotchis and more. Yep, the toys you once unwrapped on Christmas Day are now museum exhibits. Until 6 January
FESTIVE FUN: You may have noticed, it's almost Christmas and London is embracing it HARD. You can find all of our information on the festive season here, but we've selected some of the highlights, below, to help you plan your last full weekend before the big day:
ICE SKATING: A favourite thing to do in London at Christmas is taking to the ice at one of London's pop-up winter ice rinks. You don't have to be the next Torvil or Dean, just wrap up, strap on some skates, and see how far you get. Venues this year include Hampton Court Palace, Somerset House and Battersea Power Station, and most of them have cafes or bars alongside them so you can warm up with a hot chocolate or mulled wine afterwards.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: By foot or on a bus, why not take some time out to view London's famous Christmas lights. We've been treated to angels, stars and jewels this year — and that's just in the West End. Read our guide to seeing London's Christmas lights for all you need to know.
PANTO: It's panto season (Oh no it isn't, oh yes it is, etc etc...) and London's full of them. Pick your perfect panto in London this year with our guide.
AFTERNOON TEA: Feeling fancy? Treat yourself to one of London's most festive afternoon teas — they're being served up at hotels and restaurants across the capital, with a Christmas twist on the traditional sandwiches, scones and pastries set up.
FESTIVE DRINKING: Warm your cockles at London's winter drinking pop-ups and cosy bars. They include the Christmassiest bar you'll ever drink in, apres-ski themed drinking dens, and those igloos.
Saturday 17 December
FESTIVE MARKET: Still got some Christmas shopping to do, but can't face the high street? Wembley Park's final Festive Market is on today, with stalls selling handmade jewellery, vintage goods from a Portobello Vintage Market pop-up, homewares, skincare, clothing and more. FREE ENTRY, 10am-5pm
CHRISTMAS BEER FESTIVAL: Head to Tobacco Dock for the second (and final) day of The London Christmas Beer Festival, a chance to choose from and sample hundreds of beers from 50 UK breweries. There's also food from the likes of 10 Greek Street and Tendril, plus DJs and live music from Natural Voices Choir and Pantonic Steel Orchestra. 11.30am/6pm
WINE GARAGE SALE: Specialist Cellars wine merchants in Pop Brixton hosts its annual Wine Garage Sale, bringing together over 60 premium New Zealand, Australian and South African wines. Stock up your Christmas stash, grab a gift for the wine-lover in your life, and sample an extensive selection of vinos. 12pm-4pm
CAROLS AND AFTERNOON TEA: Tuck into a festive take on the Confectioner's Afternoon Tea in the opulent surrounds of 116 Pall Mall, featuring a selection of Christmas-themed sweets and savouries. While you tuck in, enjoy the sounds of Christmas carollers performing live. 2pm-4pm
DIE HARD: Yippee Ki-Yay! The Enchanted Forest cinema pop-up at Greenwich Peninsula is screening Die Hard this afternoon. (And if that's a tad violent for you/the kids, they're also showing Miracle on 34th Street earlier on in the day at 1pm). 4pm
ICE HOCKEY: Watch home team The Haringey Huskies take on the Chelmsford Warriors in this week's ice hockey match at Alexandra Palace. 5pm
JOEL KIM BOOSTER: Last chance to catch Los Angeles-based stand-up comedian, writer, and actor Joel Kim Booster at Soho Theatre. You might recognise him from Fire Island, PsychoSexual, Curb Your Enthusiasm, or Shrill — quite the CV. 7.30pm/11pm
NOT F**KIN' SORRY: Not Your Circus Dog, a collective of learning disabled and neurodivergent performers, is at Southbank Centre for Not F**ckin' Sorry, a cabaret show featuring lip syncs, dancing and stories. 8pm
FROMAGE ON ICE: Take to the ice at Alexandra Palace for the Fromage on Ice Christmas special. Skate the night away to pop tunes and cheesy festive hits, with plenty of sing-along opportunities. 9pm-11pm
Sunday 18 December
WORLD CUP FINAL: At time of writing, the teams in the World Cup Final are still to be decided, so we don't know exactly which venues will be screening that match. However, check with the London venues which screened the earlier stages of the tournament, as most, if not all, will be showing the final.
CHRISTMAS MARKET: Today's the last Sunday to catch a Christmas market at Brixton Village; in partnership with Black Eats LDN, it's showcasing Black-owned restaurants, businesses and small artisan producers. 12pm-7pm
BIG FIRKIN BAND: Lewisham pub The Fox & Firkin's very own bespoke big band — a collective of local professional jazz musicians — take to the stage for a family-friendly live show. They aren't joking about the 'big' bit — it's a 17-piece band! FREE ENTRY, 3.30pm-6pm
DAYTIME RAVE: Head to Southbank Centre for a daytime rave. Music comes courtesy of DJs from Heart n Soul, a creative arts organisation which supports people with learning disabilities and autistic people. Bust out your best moves as they play their favourite tracks at the free party. FREE, 4pm
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT: Union Chapel's Christmas Carol Service tells the story of the birth of Jesus in words, poetry and prayer, with a mix of traditional carols and gospel Christmas classics by the Union Chapel Voices choir. It all takes place by candlelight, making an already atmospheric venue even more special. FREE, 6pm
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: What do you mean you haven't watched It's a Wonderful Life yet this year? Better get yourself to the BFI, where they're screening the festive Frank Capra masterpiece this evening. Merry Christmas you wonderful old Building and Loan! 6.10pm
YOUTH ORCHESTRA: The Grand Union Orchestra, which specialises in cross-cultural music by musicians and singers born or brought up in all major musical traditions worldwide, showcases its youth branch. Head to Rich Mix in Shoreditch for the Grand Union Youth Orchestra Winter Concert. FREE, 6.30pm
TOM SEALS: Jazz pianist Tom Seals has been praised by Tom Jones, no less, as sounding like Little Richard. Seals is on the ivories tonight, accompanied by his band, for what'll be a stupendous night of tunes at Ronnie Scott's. Doors 6.30pm
