Things to do in London this week

One of London’s quirkiest Christmas traditions, plus one of the oldest, the Peter Pan Cup has been contested on Christmas mornings since 1864. Strictly a spectator event – unless you happen to be a regular, not to mention hardy, member of the Serpentine Swimming Club – the name of the 100-yard swimming race in Hyde Park’s lido derives from the 1904 edition, when author and playwright Sir James Barrie presented the trophy to the winner. The race commences at 9am so head down to watch the brave folk go for it before you start opening your presents.

Two years ago Normal People’s Paul Mescal brought a deliciously mephistophelian edge to A Streetcar Named Desire’s antagonist Stanley Kowalski. And now his co-star in the show, Daisy Edgar-Jones is truly phenomenal as Maggie, the complicated female lead of Tennessee Williams’s other classic play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Edgar-Jones is so, so good, inhabiting Maggie with a burning, vivacious swagger, alternatively self-mocking, self-pitying, compassionate and vicious in her diatribe to Kingsley Ben-Adir’s Brick about the wretched state of their marriage. Rebecca Frecknall directs it as a sort of Southern Gothic doomy reimagining, in which Big Daddy’s mansion is a house of trapped spirits. But amidst the gloom, you still believe there’s light in the infernal darkness. 

One of the many benefits of being Elton John is that you’ve got the dosh and star power to buy some of the finest art on earth. And his collection of photography, as this huge V&A exhibition proved, is absolutely world class, filled with the best works by the biggest names. The show was quite literally a ‘best of’ compilation of modern photography, including fashion, reportage, erotic and fine art takes on the genre, and all tied together with the narrative thread of Elton John and David Furnish’s own personal tastes. Dazzling, glamorous, excellent photography that absolutely won’t go breaking your heart. 

What would Terminator 2’s Judgment Day look like in Aardman’s world? Vengeance Most Fowl, the Bristol animators’ first Wallace and Gromit caper since 2008. This tale of revenge and larceny unleashes an army of evil robot gnomes (voiced by Reece Shearsmith) under the control of still-sinister penguin Feathers McGraw. Wallace has levelled up on his inventions, flooding his house with mechanical gadgets, and enabling Nick Park and co-director Merlin Crossingham to deliver their own version of a cautionary tale on the perils of AI. It’s as typically charming, inventive and ridiculously English as we could ever expect it to be. 

On BBC iPlayer and BBC One Dec 24 in the UK. On Netflix in all other countries from Jan 3, 2025.

Woongchul Park and Bomee Ki, a married couple who met when studying at Le Cordon Bleu in London, are painting culinary masterpieces are Sollip. The idea is simple; Korean flavours (think ferments and assorted seaweeds) made with British ingredients using French techniques, with a hint of molecular gastronomy – and the execution is deft. At eight-ish courses, the Michelin-star scoring tasting menu opens with a creamy, tiny truffle tartare, before dishes of lobster and strawberry, a daikon tarte tatin, a crispy-skinned sea bream and pork two ways. Opt for the shorter - and cheaper - lunch menu if you want a more wallet-friendly experience.

’Tis the season for rampant consumerism, but if all the covetable clobber are failing to fill the void, you’d do well to swing by the Choose Love store during your Christmas shopping spree. First set up in 2017 by Help Refugees, the clever pop-up doesn’t peddle fancy beauty products or the latest trainers. Instead, its shelves are filled with emergency blankets, children’s shoes, sleeping bags, toiletries, mobile phone credit, nappies, education supplies and other essentials needed by refugees around the world. Once you’ve bought what you can, the products are distributed via more than 80 projects that the humanitarian aid organisation works with across the globe. 

Unbelievably cacophonous, totally hectic: performance-punk-poet-conceptualist Mike Kelley’s Tate show was a wild mashup of heavy metal, high school imagery, Superman-references and ectoplasm for a genuinely moving exploration of youth, adolescence and rebellion by a special and much-missed artist. 

The renaissance of the Catford panto under erstwhile Hackney Empire boss Susie McKenna continues with this energetic and spikey romp through the fairytale Sleeping Beauty. The setting is Lewishonia, a medieval-style kingdom in which humans and magical creatures live in harmony. It’s bordered by the distinctly Brexity realm of Westminsteria, where ‘magicals’ are banned with extreme prejudice. It feels like the entire character list has been given thought and care, from the bickering trio of fairy godmothers to Ben Fox’s hapless King Eric the Undecided. It’s a damn good panto in other words, and as a south-east Londoner it’s a thrill to have a local seasonal show that isn’t just a tatty minor celebrity-based abyss. 

There are few venues as Christmassy as Royal Albert Hall – its iconic music hall evokes memories of Decembers past in chilly church halls, listening to organs play and choirs sing, no matter what time of year you visit. Stopping by ahead of Christmas, then, is a guaranteed way to get yourself in a festive mood and what better event to attend than one of its sing-along carol services. Warm up your pipes and practice your keys, even the most tone-deaf among us won’t be able to help joining in.

The Charles Dickens Museum has an obvious right to go fully festive come December, and it’s also one of the only museums in the city that’s open on Christmas Eve. The house will be decorated especially for the season and there’ll be carol singing, theatrical performances, Christmas pudding-making, readings and lots of mulled cider. Booking is recommended. 

If hunkering down in the dark of the cinema watching movies sounds like the perfect way to get amped up for Christmas, then boy does the Prince Charles Cinema have a programme for you. One of the highlights of the season is its sing-along screenings of ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’. Get a gang together, dress up in your best Kermit onesie and unleash your vocal cords. 

If lounging around on Christmas Day and stuffing your face with treats sounds like something that gets in the way of your running streak rather than a dream way to spend a day, the Christmas Day Cracker Run is for you. Head to the outskirts of the city to a course by the Thames where you’ll be able to run for up to seven – yes, seven – hours. The minimum distance you have to complete to take part is 5km, but you can do as much beyond that as you like – up to a 50km ‘ultramarathon’. If you complete one lap (7km), you’ll get to take home a shiny medal and a goody bag full of yummy snacks.

Notting Hill Carnival’s famous Channel One soundsystem is here to blast you out of your Boxing Day stupor. It’ll be taking over the Village Underground with its reggae roots beats from award-winning Mikey Dread, Jah T and Ras Kayleb. Expect uplifting steppas, conscious reggae, exclusive dubplates and feel-good vibes. 

Mulled wine is made for settling down with in a cosy pub, particularly when there’s a roaring open fire involved. Not all pub mulled wines are built equal, though – there’s nothing worse than a sub-standard serving, topped in a thick layer of gritty cloves. We’ve sought out some of the best establishments in the city brewing up some steaming, spicy bevvies – find yourself a nook, order up a glass and let winter bliss wash over you. 

Somerset House’s annual ice rink pop-up has long been one of the city’s favourite festive traditions, with thousands of Londoners and tourists alike making it part of their celebrations each year, and for good reason. Gliding (or nervously shuffling) around the rink, gazing upon the surrounding Georgian architecture and the courtyard’s magnificent 40ft Christmas tree feels like you’ve skated onto a movie set, ready to be watched by families settling in for their post-turkey food coma.

Get yourself feeling ridiculously festive with an evening of carols inside Sir Christopher Wren’s architectural masterpiece, aka St Paul’s Cathedral. The legendary London landmark hosts a Christmas Carol Service on Christmas Eve or join the queue to get a seat on a pew for Midnight Mass. The concerts are always hugely popular, so get down there early and be prepared to queue. Start practising your high notes now.

Lightroom is back with another spectacle set to take your breath away. Tom Hanks narrates an epic experience that offers a unique new perspective on humankind’s past and future voyages to the moon. See this exciting Apollo Remastered collaboration with Tom Hanks, Christopher Riley and 59 Productions with an insight into the impending return of crewed surface missions by going behind the scenes of the Artemis programme, including interviews between Hanks and Artemis astronauts. With a musical score by Anne Nikitin, Lightroom’s powerful projection and audio technology will transport you to another world.

Get adult tickets for £19, (down from £29.50), and child tickets for £10 (down from £15), only through Time Out Offers.

At the heart of London’s lively, eclectic dining scene is Madison, offering unparalleled views across the Capital’s skyline from it's large rooftop terrace, delicious grilled food, great cocktails and live music. Madison invited you to be a part of its world with a delicious three-course menu. The menu combines playful takes on American classics with a broad range of influences from the diverse communities of New York, including the Buttermilk-fried chicken tenders and Rigatoni alla vodka, punctuated by a Passion fruit, Biscoff crumb. Book in with this ideal catch-up spot and take in the rooftop views while you take in a refreshing glass of bubbly.

Enjoy three delicious courses at Madison for an exclusive £29.50, only through Time Out Offers.

Feeling stressed or need a city escape? Treat yourself to a relaxing weekday spa day at Montcalm East in Shoreditch. For just £69, enjoy a welcome glass of prosecco, towels and robes, and your choice of a back, neck, and shoulder or lower leg massage, plus three hours of spa access. For £20 more, add a healthy and nutritious selection of fresh food and juice at the Marlowe restaurant, where British classics are served in a chic setting. Or just enjoy spa facilities for just £31 – that includes the sauna, pool and more. Pure relaxation awaits!

Get Spa Day Pass Access at Montcalm East from £31, only through Time Out Offers.