All weekend
Weird weekend, this one. Note that venues may close down earlier than normal on Saturday for New Year's Eve, and may be closed on Sunday for New Year's Day, so check in advance before you set off.
TRANSPORT DISRUPTION: Christmas may seem like a dim and distant memory by the time this weekend rolls around, but some of the festive transport disruption is still ongoing, so take that into account when making your plans. Victoria, Liverpool Street and Euston National Rail stations are among those affected, but on the plus side, there are extra transport services running through the night on Saturday into Sunday. Read our full guide to transport disruption over Christmas and New Year.
PANTO: From classic Mother Goose at the legendary Hackney Empire, to Cinderella with an Egyptian twist, via Snow White, Robin Hood and Jack and the Beanstalk, London's panto scene is thriving this year, and many shows continue into January. There's even a Sinderfella, strictly for the adults. Read our guide to London's pantomimes this year to choose your show.
ICE SKATING: London's festive ice rinks remain open throughout the Christmas period and into January. Somerset House, Battersea Power Station and Hyde Park are just some of the places you can take to the ice this year — here's a full ice skating guide.
WINTER WONDERLAND: It's the last weekend of this year's Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Get stuck into the markets, food and drink stalls, giant ferris wheel, ice rink, ice kingdom, circus shows and more — just remember that you need to book ahead to get in this year. Open 10am-10pm (although it may close early on Saturday)
CURRENT EXHIBITIONS: Take the opportunity to visit one of London's current exhibitions. Everything from dinosaurs to gingerbread to executions is covered in ongoing displays — we've shared our pick of current exhibitions to see, here.
Saturday 31 December: New Year's Eve
NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTIES: Looking for somewhere to see in 2023? Check out our guide to New Year's Eve parties and events, including rooftop shindigs and a 1920s speakeasy themed evening.
KIDS' COUNTDOWN: Kids buzzing for New Year, but not going to last until midnight? Take them along to Southbank Centre this morning for the Kids' Countdown with Ida Barr — a full-on party with singing, dancing and a NYE-style countdown to midday instead of midnight. FREE, 10.30am
QUEER HISTORY: Hear stories of 18th century drag queens, secret 1920s gay soirees and the infamous history of Soho on this guided tour covering London's Queer history. Meet outside Charing Cross station to learn about the people and places linked to London's LGBTQ+ past. The tour operates on a 'pay what you think' basis. 11am-1pm
THE NUTCRACKER: Today's your last chance to see The Nutcracker at the Royal Albert Hall this season. See the Birmingham Royal Ballet tell the story of Clara, her toys, and the kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy, accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score. 12pm/4pm
FAMILY RAVE: Take the whole family to a Big Fish Little Fish family rave, taking place at the Amersham Arms in New Cross. Enjoy a multi-sensory dancefloor with glitter cannons, bubbles, giant balloons and parachute dance finale. There's an optional festive-themed dress code. 1pm-3pm
ZIMMER VS WILLIAMS: The London Concert Orchestra perform excerpts from some of the best scores of arguably the two greatest film composers of all time, in The Music of Zimmer vs Williams. Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Gladiator and Inception all feature. 2.30pm
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY: It's become something of a tradition for Leicester Square's Prince Charles Cinema to show 1989 rom-com When Harry Met Sally on New Year's Eve (makes sense if you've seen the film). We're pleased to say they're not letting us down this year, so you can spend the evening huddled away in the cinema watching Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, and still make it out to a party/home for the Hootenanny. Cheers to that! 6.30pm
Sunday 1 January: New Year's Day
WALKIES: Blow off the cobwebs/hangover with a bracing walk — maybe the River Ravensbourne From Catford to the Thames; a wander through Haringey's Parkland Walk; tracing London's Moselle river; or a lovely lakeside walk slightly further afield.
DUVET DAY: Can't be bothered with the outside world? Stock up on mince pies, kick back and work your way through the videos on our YouTube channel.
PARADE: If you're up and at 'em by noon today, head into central London to witness the New Year's Day Parade, an all-singing, all-dancing three-hour procession from Piccadilly to Westminster, featuring performers from all over the world. You can watch from anywhere along the route. FREE, 12pm
BARBICAN CONSERVATORY: Fancy starting your year in a tropical paradise? We can't offer you Barbados, but we have got Barbican and its tropical conservatory, which has one of its occasional open days today. Wander among 2,000 plant species, from towering trees to tiny potted cacti, and look out for fish and terrapins in the ponds. FREE, 12pm-5.30pm
NEW YEAR'S DAY PROMS: Barbican welcomes 2023 with a celebration of well-loved music from across Europe, including Land of Hope and Glory, Nessun Dorma, Hornpipe and Rule Britannia, performed by the London Concert Orchestra. 2.30pm
NEW YEAR'S DAY BOOGIE: If you prefer to eschew the madness of last night, and go partying on New Year's Day instead, get to The CLF Art Lounge & Roof Garden, Peckham, where All About Da Boogie are hosting their monthly dancefloor blowout. FREE, 4pm-10pm
KARAOKE SPECIAL: Camden's Jazz Cafe hosts a New Year's Day Karaoke special, with the mic handed over to the public for a selection of RnB and slow jams — think tunes by Summer Walker, SZA, Drizzy Drake, and Donell Jones. 5pm
COMEDY STORE PLAYERS: If you've made it to 7.30pm on New Year's Day after last night's antics, you deserve a laugh. Head to The Comedy Store in Leicester Square for an improv show by the resident Comedy Store Players. They ask the audience for suggestions, and improvise a show based on the answers. 7.30pm
