Things To Do In London This Weekend: 20-21 December 2014

All weekend

Do your last minute shopping at Southbank Centre's Christmas market.

CHRISTMAS MARKETS: There's still a chance to do some last minute shopping at London's many Christmas markets and fairs.

PUB: Just want to kick back and relax with a pint and a packet of pork scratchings? Our pubs guide has information about all the best pubs in London, organised by area for your convenience. Find a boozer nearby, try a new place, or see if your local’s in there.

ICE SKATING: Go slipping and sliding on London’s seasonal ice rinks. Best to book ahead for the run-up to Christmas, we reckon.

BIGGER THAN GOD: The latest exhibition at Print Space is an exhibition of music photography featuring work by the likes of Harry Borden, Ian Davies, Grant Fleming, Chris Floyd, Pat Pope and Graeme Robertson. Free, just turn up, 19-23 December

Saturday 20 December

Have a go at making your own Christmas crackers at BoxPark

SOLAR POWER: Learn to create your own folding, portable solar charger from re-used materials able to power phones, USB devices and more. Materials are included in the price (but batteries are not) and you'll get to take your finished item home. £125, prebook, 9.30am-5pm

CHRISTMAS CINEMA: Head to Hither Green for a day of Christmassy cinema, with a singalong Frozen for the kids at 11am (£5 for kids, free for accompanying adults. They’re all sold out online, but you should still be able to pick some up from local shops) or It’s a Wonderful Life from 7pm. Tickets are £10, which includes wine tasting, mulled wine and mince pies. Hither Green Cinema is supporting local charity Lewisham Opportunity Pre-School, the only group in the area that has 50% of its children with special needs so all the kids can integrate and play with one another. For every £1 raised on the day, Hither Green Cinema will donate £2, so go along and give generously.

GUIDED WALK: Discover the hidden gems of Ilford by taking part in a guided walk led by local artist Lucy Harrison, meeting point outside The Exchange. The route will refer to the new guidebook Good Company, all about the retail history of the area. Free, prebook by emailing info@goodcompanyilford.co.uk, 11am  

CAMDEN STREET ART:Discover a different side to Camden Town on this guided walk. The guide will talk about street art and the artists who created them. Hear about different techniques and the meaning behind the pieces. £10, prebook, 11am-1pm

SAVING SANTA: Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley hosts a screening of the festive family film in which a lowly stable elf finds that he is the only one who can stop an invasion of the North Pole by using the secret of Santa's Sleigh, a TimeGlobe, to travel back in time to Save Santa - twice. Prebook, 12pm

CRACKERS: Head to BoxPark in Shoreditch for a cracker making workshop led by The Indytute. No experience is needed, and materials are provided — you just need to be able to write your own jokes. £24, prebook, 1pm

SNOWMAN'S PARTY: 3-8 year olds and their families are invited to the Snowman's Party in Canning Town (exact location revealed on booking). Snowman needs help to find the buttons he lost in the Arctic. Activities on offer include messy play, storytelling, arts and crafts, refreshments, photo booth, face painting, biscuit decorating and more. Free, prebook, 2pm-6pm

BAUBLE WORKSHOP: The Rooftop Wigwam at Queen of Hoxton hosts a bauble workshop, giving you a chance to make a Christmas decoration using all manner of festive embellishments. £12, prebook, 2pm-3pm

MIDNIGHT APOTHECARY: Brunel Museum's Cocktail Gardener Lottie Muir serves drinks flavoured with herbs and fruits grown in the rooftop garden. £5, prebook, 5.30pm-10.30pm

TANGO BALL: The End of the Year Elegant Tango Ball at Shoreditch Town Hall is open to experienced dancers and beginners. Lessons start from 6.30pm, the welcome is at 7.30pm, and from 8pm-midnight expect dancing and performances. £15/£20 with classes, prebook, from 6.30pm

VIENNA OPERA: Verdi's Rigoletto is broadcast live from the Vienna State Opera and screened at Barbican, starring British baritone Simon Keenlyside. £20, prebook, 6.30pm

CHRISTMAS TRUCE: Rich Mix in Shoreditch hosts a night of music, poetry, comedy and ideas to mark the centenary of the 1914 Christmas Football Truce. Line-up includes comedian Simon Munnery, football writer and spoken word artist Musa Okwonga and folk musicians Finlay Allison and Jimmy Ross. £10, prebook, 7pm

CHANUKAH: Celebrate Chanukah on the dance floor and the ice rink at JW3 Jewish Centre on Finchley Road. Begin with candle-lighting and a cocktail, then the Rebbetzins’ Disco plays everything from northern soul to funky remixes. Later DJ Kobayashi plays Gypsy Balkan Swing and old-skool tunes. £6-£12, prebook, 7pm

ALTERNATIVE MUSIC: New music night Somewhat Damaged runs a special event at The Unicorn in Camden, with money raised going to Crisis. Acts performing include Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster , Black Sixteen, Hollowdrone and Spider Redundant. Free (donations encouraged), just turn up, 7pm

CONCERT: The Epiphoni Consort performs a selection of favourite carols combined with a commemoration of the First World War, exploring one of history’s most symbolic events of peace and humanity: the ceasefire of Christmas 1914 across the Western Front. At Christ Church in Chelsea. £5-£18, prebook, 7.30pm

CHRISTMAS CRACKER: 1960s icon Emma Peel 'hosts' a Swinging 60s Christmas party in a private members club with live music, loungecore DJs, go-go dancers, psychedelic lights and more. At The Eight Club near Bank. £15-£30, prebook, 8pm

BOAT COMEDY: The Boat Show Comedy Club and Night Club takes place on board The Tattershall Castle, opposite the London Eye. Tonight's comedy performers are Nathan Caton, Jeff Innocent and Chris McCausland, MCd by Jim Smallman. £12-£18, prebook, 8pm

CLUB NIGHT: Head to Blueberry on Paul Street for a night of old school rap, hip-hop and electro music. There's a chance to win a prize if you submit a drawing of a DJ, MC or notable rap character on the back of your flyer. Free, just turn up, 9pm-2am

Sunday 21 December

Learn how to twerk it at The Book Club.

SUNDAY ROAST: Nothing says Sunday like a full roast dinner. Have a look at our choice of the best Sunday roasts in London, or check out your other food options.

NATIONAL GALLERY TOUR: City Treasures tour guides lead a festive tour around the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Explore the Christmas story through the gallery's painting and artworks. £15, prebook, 11am

LATIN-AMERICAN CHRISTMAS: It's the last of three Latin-American Christmas markets at Nursery Row Park in Elephant & Castle. The event is a part of the Southwark High Street Challenge and intends to represent the culture from all 19 countries of the Latin continent. Free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm

LONDON DREAMTIME: Storyteller Vanessa Woolf and musician Nigel of Bermondsey lead a storytelling walk in a fairytale location near Whitestone Pond NW3, with a theme of Snow Queen. Adults only, exact location revealed on booking. £3, prebook, 2.30pm

WINTER WONDERS: Tally Ho’s Winter Wonders Cycle Tour lets you visit London’s Christmas lights and festive markets while learning about the history of the area, even picking up an inside tip or two. The tour is repeated tomorrow. See calendar for other Tally Ho tours going on over Christmas and New Year. £25, prebook, 2.30pm

POETRY FILM: The ICA on The Mall hosts a special PoetryFilm event celebrating the Winter Solstice, with a programme of experimental short films and live performances. Followed by a drinks reception. Event curated by Zata Kitowski, director of PoetryFilm. £7-£11, prebook, 3pm

CHURCH CAROLS: For the third year running Wembley Arena will open its doors to 10,000 people for what is known as the largest Christmas carol concert in the UK, led by Hillsong Church. £5, prebook, 3pm

TREVOR NOAH: The comedian is trying out his work-in-progress material at Soho Theatre, following a sell out tour of the UK with his critically acclaimed show The Racist. £10, prebook, 6.30pm

TWERK IT: Head to The Book Club in Shoreditch to master 2014's biggest dance move — twerking. Learn all the flavours of twerking including the booty pop, booty clap, body roll, double dribble (twerking each bum cheek) and more, before incorporating them into dance routines. £8, prebook, 6.30pm

FOLK CAROLS: Cecil Sharp House in Camden hosts a carol concert with a folk twist. Artists performing include the Cecil Sharp House Choir, fiddle player Pete Cooper, compere and storyteller Debs Newbold and more. £14, prebook, 7pm

BLUES BROTHERS: Blues Brothers Banned play at the 100 Club on Tottenham Court Road. Ten musicians perform a mix of classics from the cult Blues Brothers and Commitments movies and contemporary tuneage. £10, prebook, 7.30pm-11pm

LIVE SCORE: The hideously talented Igor Outkine performs a live score to the silent Chaplin comedy Gold Rush (1925) for an end of year special screening at Hackney Attic. We've seen him in action — you'll think there's a full band. £9, prebook, 8pm


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Bethere is now more accessible than ever. Non-Facebook users can now sign in to the app using just their email address. Find out more here.

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This weekend’s Things to do is sponsored by bethere.


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