Christmas is a time for tradition, But so much of it is same old, same old. That's why we asked Weirdos Comedy Club for five ways to have an alternative Christmas in London.
1. My Big Fat Weirdos Christmas Wedding
Weirdos Comedy Club present their fifth annual alternative comedy pantomime. It's an anarchic take on a traditional panto made by a cast of weird and wonderful comedians. This year's plot revolves around a magical Christmas wedding, a Birmingham version of Brexit and two crisp fish running for the mayor of Christmas. Once again, it's raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital (adding to the £17,000 they have raised so far).
At Leicester Square Theatre, 7-9 December, 9.30pm. Tickets £12
2. London Santacon
What could be more Christmassy than a mass of strangers dressed as Santa all converging on one location? Actually, when you say that out loud, it sounds like some low budget horror movie. Santacon is a great chance to be creative with your Santa outfit, meet some new folks and no doubt share a sherry or 15. They even have a 'Santanav' Twitter for any Saint Nicks that go AWOL along the way...
Various locations and times, 10 December, Free
3. Sh!t Theatre Sing-a-Long Muppets Christmas Carol
Award-winning theatre duo Sh!t Theatre present their annual sing-a-long version of the best version of the Charles Dickens classic. Sing along to bangers like One More Sleep Til Christmas, Marley and Marley and It Feels Like Christmas, with added whisky, indoor snow (cotton balls) and applause for Michael Caine's acting (he deserves it).
Camden People's Theatre, 11-12 December, 7.30pm. Tickets £12/£10
4. Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions
For many children, the 25th of December means one thing — new games! For a full blast of Nintendo-based nostalgia you can see the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra play music from every Pokémon game going. Enslaving magical creature has never sounded so good.
Hammermith Apollo, 19-20 December, 7pm. Tickets from £41
5. The Wi-Fi Wars Royal Institution Christmas Bash
More computer game based festive joy, but this time the audience is part of the action. The team behind Dara O Briain's Go 8 Bit pit the audience against each other in competitive video gaming using their own smartphones. 200 person player Pong anyone? It's one of the few times this Christmas you can't be told off for playing on your phone...
The Royal Institution, 20 December, 7pm. Tickets £14/£10