Five cheerful things to do in London soonish

We're through the darkest ten weeks of the year, so blow away those emotional cobwebs with one of these pick-me-ups.

See Billy Connolly live

Do stand-up shows get any bigger than this two-hour gig from the bearded legend? Suffice to say, remaining tickets won’t be available for long. Eventim Apollo Hammersmith. 􀀀Feb 6.

Be lost for words

The London International Mime Festival is now in its fortieth year. It’s not just berets and white facepaint, either: prepare yourself for some wild and riotous performances. Various venues. 􀀀Feb 6.

Get into Blitz spirits

Underground ’40s-themed drinking den Cahoots does Sunday Squiffy Picnics that make for a great afternoon of jolly, boozy fun. Cahoots, Kingly Court. Saturdays and Sundays.

Cahoots

Clear your conscience

If you habitually steal Wahaca’s cute plastic spoons, now is the time to return them. Its Spoon Amnesty invites you to bring them back in exchange for free tacos. Win-win! Across London. 􀀀Jan 31.

Find paradise in SE15

Escape the grey skies at ’70s-chic pop-up Little Nan’s Tropical Den. There you can tuck into bottomless cocktails and Caribbean food each Friday and Saturday night. The Golden Anchor, Nunhead.

Still need convincing to wrench yourself from the couch? Have a scan of our tips to surviving the Big Smoke in 2016