Things To Do Today In London: Tuesday 15 January 2019

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Winter Lights returns to Canary Wharf

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Things to do

WINTER LIGHTS: Canary Wharf's annual lights festival begins today — and it's completely free. More than 20 artworks are dotted around the skyscrapers and shopping centres of the area — you can download a map here, and watch our video of last year's Winter Lights to get an idea of what to expect. New for this year is Winter Lights bites, a selection of street food trucks serving up food to enjoy while you follow the trail. Canary Wharf, free, just turn up, 5pm-10pm, 15-26 January

KEW TOUR: Snowdrops are the timely focus of the current guided tours at Kew Gardens. Join the expert horticultural and science staff for a look behind the scenes at the work they do, in an area normally off-limits to the public. Kew Gardens, included with admission, book from 10am on the day, 11.30am

I'M NOT RUNNING: National Theatre's current show I'm Not Running is about a tempestuous couple turned political rivals — you can read our full review here. This afternoon, hear from the play's stars, actors Siân Brooke, Alex Hassell and Joshua McGuire, about their experiences in the production. The event is chaired by novelist Kate Mosse. National Theatre, £7, book ahead, 3pm

DEEP OCEAN: How true is the statement that we know more about Mars than the bottom of the ocean? Hear about recent developments in deep-sea exploration, how new technology has helped, and find out what we still don't know in this Gresham College lecture. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm

STADIUM REGENERATION: Highbury, Stratford and Tottenham are all areas that have been redeveloped as the result of a new stadium being built in recent years. But have the new stadiums succeeded in regenerating their communities? Hear from Mark Panton, from Birkbeck, University of London's Sport Business Centre, who discusses his recent research from Tottenham and Manchester. City & Islington College (Angel), free, book ahead, 6pm-7.30pm

Watch documentary Evelyn at BFI

LONDON MISTRESSES: Professor Laura Gowling of King's College talks about the part women played as mistresses to apprentices in the late 17th century guilds, in this evening lecture which includes a wine reception. Guildhall Library, £7, book ahead, 6pm-8pm

CELEBRATION OF CATS: Spend an evening celebrating T S Eliot's wonderful poetry collection, Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, 80 years after it was published. Nicolette Jones hosts an evening of readings and discussions about Rum Tum Tugger, Mr Mistoffelees and other feline characters, and looks at how they're still inspiring writers and musicians today. The event ties in with the current cats exhibition. British Library (Euston), £20/£17, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

NT LIVE: The National Theatre's production of The Tragedy of King Richard The Second is broadcast live from the Almeida Theatre's stage into cinemas around the country tonight, including Kino in Bermondsey. See Simon Russell Beale take on Shakespeare's eponymous role. Kino (Bermondsey), £20, book ahead, 7pm

WORLD'S BEST MARTINI: Fancy trying what is apparently the world's best martini? You can — but you won't know which one takes the title until the end of the evening. Your ticket to the World's Best Martini Challenge gets you samples of the five finalists, plus last year's winner. Stick around to hear which drink the judges crown this year. 100 Wardour Street (Soho), £25, book ahead, 7pm-11pm

OPEN MIC: Local singer/songwriter Gabby Colledge hosts this monthly open mic night, which sees local comedians, musicians, spoken word artists and other performers take to the stage to share their talents. Ritzy (Brixton), free, just turn up, 7pm-11pm

EVELYN: This documentary is the true story of three siblings coming to terms with the death of a fourth brother, by together walking the routes and landscapes he liked to walk more than a decade after he took his own life. Orlando von Einsiedel — director, and one of the brother's featured in the film — gives a Q&A after the screening. BFI Southbank, £10.20-£13.75, book ahead, 8.35pm

Good cause of the day

Sign up to take part in the Where's Wally fun run on 17 March on Clapham Common. Choose between a 5k or 10k route (special 1k route for under 12s) and raise money for the National Literacy Trust. Find out more and sign up.