Things To Do This Weekend In London: 18-19 December 2021

Important note: Listings were correct at the time of publication. However, events are susceptible to last-minute cancellation at the moment, thanks to uncertainty over the Covid situation. Please double-check with the venue for any updates.

All weekend

TITANIC: After having its 2022 opening date brought forward, this is the first weekend of Titanic: The Exhibition. It includes life-sized recreations of the doomed ship's interiors, 200 objects never seen on display in the UK before, and an audio guide that separates fiction around the ship from fact. Dock X London (Surrey Quays), from £27.90 adult, book ahead, from 17 December

PRIX PICTET: Fire is the theme of this year's Prix Pictet photography prize, which is now in its ninth year and focuses on sustainability. See the shortlisted works by 13 different photographers, in a free exhibition, open from this Thursday. V&A Museum (South Kensington), free, book ahead, from 16 December

ONE CHRISTMAS WISH: Mobile theatre venue The Palace rocks up in Greenwich for performances of Katherine Rundell's children's book, One Christmas Wish, aimed at kids aged 4-7 and their families. Cutty Sark Gardens (Greenwich), free (donations welcome), book ahead, various times, 18-19 December

CLASSIC FILMS: It's the final weekend of the Cult Classic Film Pop Up at Greenwich Peninsula, with two films screened each day. Pick between The Nightmare Before Christmas and Love Actually on Saturday, and Elf and It's A Wonderful Life on Sunday. Greenwich Peninsula, £7 adult/£5 child, book ahead, 2pm/6.30pm, 18-19 December

HACKNEY FLEA MARKET: 30 vintage traders rock up in Stoke Newington for the Hackney Flea-Mas Market.Browse furniture, records, clothing, homewares, lamps, bric a brac and more.Abney Public Hall (Stoke Newington), 11am-6pm (18-19 December)

ELF TRAIL: Aimed at 4-11 year olds, the Forty Hall Elf Trail takes kids all over the Forty Hall Estate in search of the elves hidden in the grounds. It's an outdoor trail, so dress appropriately for the weather and expect mud. Forty Hall (Enfield), £3 per child, book ahead, 11am-3.30pm, 18-19 December

GINGERBREAD CITY: London's newest — and tastiest — suburb has been open for a couple of weeks now, and you've not got long left to see it. The Gingerbread City is a model town designed by architects and engineers and made entirely from gingerbread and other sweet treats. 6-7 Motcomb Street (Belgravia), £14 adult/£8.50 child, book ahead, until 9 January 2022

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas out there, thanks largely to the wealth of festive illuminations. Why not take some time this weekend to go and see them once it gets dark? We've put together this guide to when and where to see London's Christmas lights this year, and if you're feeling extravagant (or exhausted) here's how to see them from a bus.

PANTO: It's pantomime season, so warm up your best "oh no it isn't" and "he's behind you" and get yourself tickets to one of our picks of the best pantomimes to see in London this year. Classics such as Red Riding Hood, Aladdin, and Jack and the Beanstalk are all on in the capital this Christmas.

FESTIVE THEATRE: Book now if you fancy a festive trip to the theatre — we've picked our favourite Christmas shows in London this year, including The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol and circus shows. If it's a family day out you're after, these theatre shows will enchant kids of all ages, with Peppa Pig, The Snowman, and Disney characters all making an appearance.

FESTIVE BARS: Have a tipple or two at London's pop-up festive bars. With igloos, ski chalets, winter lodges, and even a champagne forest appearing all over London, your options certainly aren't limited to festive drinks at the local pub.

ICE SKATING: Ice rinks have popped up at venues including Somerset House, Hampton Court Palace and Canary Wharf, so you can take to the ice against the backdrop of your choice, whether you're looking for a family day out or a romantic date spot. Here's our guide to ice skating in London this Christmas.

MIRACLE BAR: Tinsel, tacky fairies, heavily-themed drinks — Miracle at Henrietta is a pop-up cocktail bar that brings together the most kitsch aspects of Christmases past. Book a table to sample such delights as a Jingle Balls Nog (a teeth-stinting concoction of cognac, cream sherry, almond milk, cream, egg, vanilla and nutmeg).Miracle at Henrietta (Covent Garden), book ahead, until 23 December

LIGHT FESTIVALS: London is absolutely ablaze with light festivals this year, from Christmas at Kew to Winterfest at Wembley Park, as well as new additions Illuminature in Barnes and Christmas at Kenwood House. Here's our complete guide to those Instagrammable light festivals.

Saturday 18 December

CHINESE ASTRONOMY: Head to the Royal Observatory for a brand new, family-friendly planetarium show about ancient and modern Chinese astronomy. Find out how the Chinese calendar links to the phases of the moon, and learn about the latest developments in the Chinese space programme. Royal Observatory (Greenwich), £10 adult/£5 child, book ahead, 10.30am-11.30am

THE NUTCRACKER: Not made it to the Royal Opera House to watch The Nutcracker this year? No problem — this week's screening at Barbican's Family Film Club is a 2016 recording of the Royal Ballet performing Tchaikovksy's festive score about Clara and her toys. Barbican Cinema, free, first come first served on the day, 11am

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: The pages of Charles Dickens’ seasonal classic include plenty of hints to real London locations, though few direct references. This tour follows the clues in search of Scrooge and Marley. Monument station, £15, book ahead, noon-1.30pm (repeated on Sunday)

BARBICAN: Head to Barbican for a Christmas Carol Singalong, just a week before Christmas. Conductor Jonathan Cohen leads the audience in renditions of Winter Wonderland, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and other familiar classics. Barbican Hall, from £18.50, book ahead, 2pm-5.30pm

RAT PACK: Tribute group The Definitive Rat Pack performs a programme of festive classics, including White Christmas, Baby It’s Cold Outside, The Christmas Song and Let It Snow. Expect a few non-festive songs too, including Mack the Knife, That’s Amore, Mr Bojangles and New York, New York. Cadogan Hall (Chelsea), £24.50-£39.50, book ahead, 2.30pm/7.30pm

DOCTOR JEKYLL: Historical performer and occult specialist Cara Hamilton tells a creation tale of The Curious Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Expect nightmarish monsters, witches, devil worship, drug use, historical figures, resurrection men, robbers and spiritualism in a show that's part talk, part dramatic performance. Old Operating Theatre Museum (London Bridge), £20, book ahead, 7pm

FROMAGE ON ICE: Cheesy club night Club de Fromage ups the ante by taking the '90s pop tunes to an ice rink for Fromage On Ice. Boogie away to huge anthems and singalong hits as you skate around the rink, at this family-friendly event. Alexandra Palace, £10.91, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

RESISTING CHRISTMAS: Charity and theatre company Cardboard Citizens hosts two nights of performance, music and spoken word created by Londoners who have experienced homelessness. They look at what might lie ahead for people whose living situations are unsustainable due to the effects of the Covid pandemic, and hope for a better 2022. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), free but donations welcome if you can afford it, book ahead, 7.30pm (repeated on Sunday)

Sunday 19 December

COSMIC CHRISTMAS: Particle physicist Harry Cliff talks about his book, which covers the ingredients of life and the history of time, interwoven with his own personal stories. Festive music and poetry also features in this Sunday Assembly event. Conway Hall (Holborn), free (donations welcome), book ahead, 11am-1pm

CRAFTY FOX MARKET: Still got some Christmas shopping to do? Head to Crafty Fox Market, which hosts independent makers and craftspeople, all selling their wares direct to the public. Jewellery, prints and illustrations, calendars, socks, candles and homewares are among the items sold by this week's traders. The Crossing (King's Cross), free entry, just turn up, 11am-5pm

WEST END CHRISTMAS: Stars from West End shows including Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Six, and Starlight Express perform a mix of traditional and contemporary Christmas carols and songs, supported by choirs and all hosted by actress Maureen Lipman. Cadogan Hall (Chelsea), £17-£38, book ahead, 2.30pm/6.30pm

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT: Be whisked back to the 18th century at Raymond Gubbay's Carols by Candlelight. The Mozart Festival Orchestra and Mozart Festival Chorus dress in period costume to perform carols and seasonal classics by candlelight. Barbican, £16.50-£44.50, book ahead, 2.30pm/7.30pm

THE CHIMES: Tonight is one of several opportunities to see The Chimes performed at Charles Dickens Museum this festive season. Actor James Swanton stars in a solo performance of Dickens' lesser-known festive tale, about a discouraged messenger who has lost his faith in humanity and finds himself drawn towards the church bells. These events always sell out, so book soon — ticket includes entry to the house and museum. Charles Dickens Museum (Holborn), £22.50, book ahead, 6pm (and other dates)

MYSTERY OF CHRISTMAS: If you've not yet had your fill of carol concerts, Union Chapel hosts its annual The Mystery of Christmas service, which tells the story of the birth of Jesus through words, poetry and prayer. It's lit entirely by candlelight and features traditional carols and gospel Christmas classics. Union Chapel (Islington), free entry, 7pm

CHARITY CAROLS: The Nordoff Robbins carol concert takes place on Tuesday this week, but if you can't make it in person, there's an online streaming of it today. Enjoy an evening of festive music, raising money for the charity's work providing music therapy to people with disabilities or life-limiting illnesses. Online, free (though do donate to the charity if you can), sign up online, 7pm

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