All weekend
MASSIVE VINTAGE 50P SALE: Rummage through mountains of clothes at this warehouse clearance and you might unearth a vintage bargain. Don't forget to bring a bag (or suitcase) and lots of change. Mile End Vintage store, free, just turn up, 11am-5pm, 16-17 December
THE LONDON ARTISAN: Stock up on beautifully made textiles, homeware, illustrations, ceramics and jewellery and marvel at all the traditional craft skills on display at this designers and makers market. The Old Truman Brewery, free, just turn up, 11am-6pm, 16-17 December
MOOMIN WINTER'S DAY: Polka Theatre’s Moomin puppets offers Moomin-mad little ones a chance to meet these loveable creatures. Plus, join workshops in bauble-making, flower crowns and Scandinavian folk tales, while Fine & Scandi will be serving up street food treats. Dulwich Picture Gallery, various prices, book ahead, 10am-5pm, 16-17 December
CHRISTMESS AT THE IMAGINARIUM: St Nicky and his anarchic theatrical entourage are inviting you to create collaged Christmessy masterpieces and enjoy a tipple with the Green Absinthe Fairy. The Embers Collective will be entertaining visitors with Sunday storytelling. Penrose Hunter, various prices and times, until 22 December
THE GIANT CHEESE BOARD: If heaven is walking around a large cheeseboard and slicing off as much of the stuff as you like then we think we've found paradise in south London. Chomp your way through cheese, chutney and cheesecake, washed down with mulled wine or mulled cider and a playlist curated by Club de Fromage (obvs). It promises to be edam good time. Studio 338, £30, book ahead, 16-17 and 23 December
ICE RINKS: Take a look at our guide to Christmas in London for inspiration on getting stuck into the festive season. If skating's your thing, here's our round up of the best places to get your glide on this winter.
Saturday 16 December
CHRISTMAS AT THE MANSION: This very hip mansion (brought to you by the peeps behind Peckham's Bussey Building) is throwing open its Georgian doors for a day of festive shopping, and crafting fun. Pick up handmade gifts at the many stalls, drop into the elves workshop and meet Father Christmas in his grotto. Beckenham Place Park, free, just turn up, 10am-8pm
HORNIMAN CHRISTMAS FAIR: Swap your supermarket shop for the Horniman Farmers' Market, where you can pick up seasonal produce while carol singers belt out festive tunes and make your own decorations in the Christmas craft conservatory. Horniman Museum, free, just turn up, 10.30am-4.30pm
BEERY BRUNCH: It's bottomless brunch, but not as you know it. Head to Camden Town's new Enfield brewery, and tuck into dishes including buttermilk pancakes and skillet-baked eggs, washed down with two hours' worth of Camden Town's award-winning beer. Brewery tours also available. £27, book ahead, from 11am
ROMAN ROAD FAIR: Support local east London traders, drop into Santa, join gingerbread craft workshops and warm up with a mulled wine and mince pie at Bow's big annual jolly. Roman Road car park, free, just turn up, 11am-4pm
CRAFTY FOX MARKET: To nab a stall at this urban food market, stall holders have to run a business based on craftsmanship and sustainability, which means plenty of good honest food for you to get your mitts on, alongside workshops and DJs. Mercato Metropolitano (Elephant & Castle), free, just turn up, 11am-5pm
FAMILY FESTIVE DAY: Pull on your thermals and head to the park, with little ones in tow to visit Father Christmas and his elves, make your own Christmas cards and listen to live music. Victoria Park, free, just turn up, noon-3pm
WINTER FAYRE & BOOK SALE: Rifle through patriarchy-smashing literature, zines, and tote bags and take part in a feminist gingerbread workshop, all with a mulled wine in hand at the Feminist Library's winter book sale. 5 Westminster Bridge Road, free, just turn up, noon-4pm
KIDS GIFT MAKING: Early years tutor Allison Ferguson leads this children's gift making workshop. Choose from decorative wall hangings and simple wooden shapes. All materials, snacks and drinks included. Suitable for 5+. Paxton Centre (Crystal Palace), £15, book ahead, 2pm-4pm
LIBRERIA ALL NIGHTER: To mark the joyous arrival of the London Overground Night Tube, this funky new(ish) bookshop is throwing open its doors for an all-nighter featuring live music, poetry, film screenings and plenty of book browsing and beer. Liberia, free, just turn up, 6pm-6am
WINTER SWING BALL: Arrive early to perfect your steps before the best in Big Band Swing and Rock 'n' Roll brings all the movers and shakers to the dance floor at this winter ball. Hammersmith Club, £25/£30 on the door, book ahead, 7pm
COSMIC SLOP FUNDRAISER: Music And Arts Production (MAP), is a Leeds-based charity offering arts courses for young people (read more about it here). To protect and expand its work, the charity is throwing a series of Cosmic Slop parties in London. This is the first. The Yard (Hackney Wick), £8.50, book ahead, 10pm-4am
Sunday 17 December
ABBA DAY: Sing your heart out with other ABBA fans at a mass sing-a-long, become a dancing queen in the Clore Ballroom and channel your inner Agnetha or Bjorn at an ABBAoke sesh or settle in for a screening of Mamma Mia today to mark the opening of the Southbank Centre's new exhibition ABBA: Super Troupers. Southbank Centre, free, book ahead, various times
KIDS CHRISTMAS COOKING: Drop your kids off at this healthy cookery class while you squeeze in some Christmas shopping at Battersea Power Station. Suitable for 3-8 year-olds. £15, book ahead, 10am-11am
FESTIVE MARKET: Get stuck into gingerbread making, festive herb foraging or de-stress at a yoga session at NarnE8 (we're not quite convinced by that pun, either). Plus, there will be entertainment in the form of Ceilidh dancing, carol singing and fire juggling. London Fields Primary School, free, just turn up, 10am-6pm
HANDMADE PALACE: Wrap up warm before you set out for the beautiful walled garden of the Alma, which has been filled with handmade gifts from local craftspeople, live music and a winter BBQ. Plus now's your chance to pick up a Christmas tree if you haven't done it yet. The Alma Crystal Palace, free, just turn up, 11am-5pm
THE SCIENCE OF SANTA: Hear a science talk from marine biologist Russell Arnott, followed by storytelling, spoken word and a mass singalong at this Sunday Assembly event. Conway Hall, free (donations welcome), just turn up, 11am-12.15pm
ROOKERY CHRISTMAS FAIR: A local market featuring 40 craft stalls, a Father Christmas grotto, carols by candlelight and the best bit, marshmallow toasting. Streatham Common, free, just turn up, 11.30am-4pm
MOVING LINES: Stour Space will be a riot of activity as artists, poets, musicians and filmmakers come together to show off their work and run workshops in aid of Help Refugees, a charity funding more than 80 projects around the world. Stour Space (Hackney Wick), £5, book ahead, 3pm-1am
ATTENBOROUGH APPRECIATION SOCIETY: The award for most soothing voice ever has to go to David Attenborough. Show your love for the BBC presenter — and national treasure — at this evening of screenings, with a petting zoo and animal-themed cocktails. Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen, £7.50, book ahead, 5pm-9pm
FESTIVE GATHERING: Lend your ears to the joyful sound of seasonal songs done acapella style from the Cecil Sharp House Choir, storytelling from Nell Phoenix and rap and dance from the girl group Tower Ravens at this all singing, all dancing festive knees-up. Cecil Sharp House, £15/£10, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
NIGHT ON THE BARGE: Spend this winter evening listening to live acoustic music on a lovely barge in Battersea. The Battersea Barge, £12.43, book ahead, 8pm-11pm
