Things To Do Today In London: Friday 1 December 2017

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The UK's first travelling Rum Festival is shaking up London's drinking scene today and tomorrow.

What we’re reading

  • Sadiq Khan sets out proposals to change planning laws to allow greater numbers of houses to be built in small spaces.
  • Fake snow machine tricks Oxford Street Christmas shoppers into thinking it was REALLY snowing.
  • Is London ready for electric taxis?
  • Chinese dockless bike-sharing company Ofo will roll out 150,000 bikes in UK.

Things to do

DESIGN MUSEUM MARKET: Stock up on jewellery, ceramics, textiles, graphic design, digital and children’s products from 50 contemporary designers at the Design Museum market, where quality is pretty much guaranteed. The Design Museum, free, just turn up, noon-8pm today, until 3 December

CHRISTMAS BALLET: If anything is going to get you feeling festive, it's seeing ballet dancers perform Winter Wonderland inspired by Swan Lake, with additional pieces from the iconic ballet the Nutcracker. Devonshire Square, free, just turn up, 12.30pm-1.30pm

CARAVANTOMIME: Not had your panto fix this year? Head to Bank Side's Caravan Theatre for an intimate (seriously, only nine audience members at a time) night of panto antics. Prices Street, £7.50, book ahead, until 2 December

RUM FESTIVAL: One sure fire way to heat up this winter is to hang out at the UK's first travelling rum festival, featuring more than 100 varieties of the strong stuff. Studio Spaces, £18, book ahead, 5.30pm-11.30pm, until 2 December

FROZEN IN TIME: Join a lantern-lit procession around Blackfriars Road, uncovering secret stories from the River Thames along the way, with a spectacular finale at Mint Street Park. Lancaster Estate Gardens, free, just turn up, 4.30pm-7pm

See ballet in the Western Courtyard surrounded by a golden installation of Susie Reed's sparkling cherry trees, which have been covered in illuminated blossoms.

BOXMOOR FAIR: Santa has swapped his sleigh for a canal boat — visit his grotto at this Christmas fair, where you can also fill up on hot beverages while you enjoy canal-side entertainment. Fishery Wharf Cafe, £1, just turn up, 6pm, until 3 December

CATS LATE: Cat videos draw in an impressive 26 billion views on YouTube, unsurprising for anyone who has ever been bored at work. Understanding cats breaking the internet is the theme of this late. Grant Museum of Zoology, free, just turn up, 6.30pm-9pm

FRIDAY LATE: Expect Haitian Vodou dancing, live drumming and science talks at this trippy late exploring the impact of altered states of perception, visual illusions and hallucinations on creativity. Wellcome Collection, free, just turn up, 7pm-11pm

CHOIRS BY CANDLELIGHT: London's LGBT and chamber choir sure know how to flex those vocal chords. Hear curator Matthew Storey give a short talk on queer opera before treating your ears to this atmospheric performance. The V&A, free, just turn up, 7.30pm-8.30pm

MEXICAN FUNDRAISER: London based Latino artists are joining forces to throw a proper fiesta to raise funds for Mexico, which was hit by two earthquakes earlier this year. Expect Mexican food and a lot of salsa dancing. Rich Mix, £10/£8, book ahead, 8pm

Good cause of the day: Beer for charity? What’s not to like?

Borough Market has launched a new beer to raise money for its Trader Support Fund, which helps with the financial losses the traders’ suffered in the wake of the terror attack. The limited edition Imperial London Porter is available to buy from 12pm on Thursday — stock up on bottles in the market, or get it on draught in The Globe Tavern or The Rake pubs. It’s only available until stocks run out.