Things To Do
Things to do in London This Week
Looking for things to do in London this week? We've got you covered
London. Home to four UNESCO world heritage sites, 300 spoken languages, 8.8 million people and more ways to keep yourself entertained than you can shake an umbrella at. So many, in fact, that it can be hard to choose. That’s why we’ve compiled this handy guide, which each week will bring you the very best things to do in London, covering music, comedy, art, immersive experiences, theatre and lots, lots more.
This week (1 – 7 December) we’ve got midweek gigs, vibey weekend brunches, sidesplitting comedy nights, the very best of West End theatre and some London museums that you probably haven’t heard of.
Music & Nightlife
Groove to rare vinyl at My Analog Journal’s Christmas party
Where? Jazz Cafe, 5 Parkway Camden Town, London, NW1 7PG
When: 5 December 2025 – 4 January 2026
Expert curators of organic, continent-hopping grooves, the DJs of My Analog Journal invite you to their characteristically laid-back living-room, recreated at the Jazz Cafe for a specially curated Christmas party. This Friday, the vibes will be warm and the grooves global in a 100% rare-vinyl special spinning hand-selected jazz, funk, disco, Afro-Cuban, Middle Eastern and North African picks to move your feet, lift your spirits and soothe your soul. Chances are, you won’t be hearing these anywhere else.
Dance with the EDM stars of Euphonic Records
Where? Brixton Jamm, 261 Brixton Rd, London SW9 6LH
When: Saturday 6 December
Kicking off a new series of label nights in the British capital, Germany’s Euphonic Records takes over Brixton Jamm this Saturday with a roster of first-class talent, including three artists making their UK debut. Dance A-listers Ralph Kyau and Steven Moebius Albert, who created the label in 1997, headline alongside influential euphoric trance maestro Dan Stone, melodic and progressive champion Steve Brian, London trio nümind and more, who will be duly lifting the mood behind the decks. Gear up for a seven-hour dance marathon, with Euphonic trance sounds catapulting the Christmas spirit out into the cosmos.
See swooning romcom The Holiday with a live orchestra
Where? Eventim Apollo, Queen Caroline Street, London, W6 9QH.
When: Sunday 7 December
Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, a butterfly-inducing love story by Nancy Meyers and a mesmerising live score composed by multiple Academy Award® and Golden Globe® winner Hans Zimmer. Can you think of a more irresistible night out this weekend than The Holiday in concert? Hop between sunny L.A. and the snow-covered English countryside as two great Christmas love stories unfold this Sunday, in HD, on Eventim Apollo’s big screen, accompanied by a full orchestra, as part of a 15 date-tour across the UK that is bound to set hearts aflutter.
Comedy & Theatre
Get into the holiday spirit with Elf the Musical
Where? Aldwych Theatre, 49 Aldwych, London WC2B 4DF
When: 28 October 2025 – 4 January 2026
The Christmas lights go on in the West End this week — and what better way to celebrate the official start of the holiday season than with a festive firecracker of a show? Based on the Will Ferrell-starring Hollywood favourite, Elf the Musical tells the rib-tickling adventures of Buddy, the little human who accidentally crawled into Santa’s sack and grew up as an elf. Follow him as he sings and dances his way from the North Pole to New York City in his ultimate quest to find family and love. Just wear your best smile and warm up your vocal cords – as The Code of the Elves goes, “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”
Get tickets to Elf the Musical
Catch a fascinating new production of Othello
Where? Theatre Royal Haymarket, 18 Suffolk Street, Westminster, London, SW1Y 4HT
When: 4 December 2025 – 17 January 2026
A new West End production directed by Tony Award-winner Tom Morris (War Horse), with music by none other than PJ Harvey, Othello assembles a stellar cast led by David Harewood as the eponymous Moorish general (Homeland), Toby Jones (Mr Bates vs the Post Office) as his envious soldier friend Iago and Caitlin FitzGerald (Succession) as the Venetian noblewoman and Othello’s wife. “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster…” In other words, brace for a first-class Shakespearean drama of manipulation, power and revenge to spice up a week of bottomless cheer in the run-up to the holidays.
Get tickets to Othello at Theatre Royal Haymarket
Go Wilde with laughter at The Importance of Being Earnest
Where? Noël Coward Theatre
When: 29 September – 10 January
Algernon Moncrieff with an electro-pop edge? The former Years & Years, and now solo synth-pop alchemist Olly Alexander takes on the role of the dazzling dandy in Oscar Wilde’s iconic comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, a hit National Theatre production directed by Max Webster opening this week at the Noël Coward Theatre.
In an attempt to charm the ladies with his friend Jack Worthing (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett), the two not-quite-perfect gentlemen lead a double life, earnestly weaving a web of deception. To no one’s surprise, things go into a Wilde tailspin after that.
Get tickets to The Importance of Being Earnest at Noël Coward Theatre
Immersive Experiences
Step into a multi-sensory art experience at FRAMELESS
Where? FRAMELESS, 6 Marble Arch, London W1H 7AP
When: Open daily
When you really love a painting, you don’t want to just look at it — you want to live in it. An immersive experience redefining the concept of art exhibition as we know it, FRAMELESS assembles 42 famous artworks by great masters like Cezanne, Kandinsky, Dali, Klimt, Van Gogh and many more, turning each classic into a full-blown, multi-sensory spectacle. Across four distinct galleries, you can now step into a world Beyond Reality, see Colour in Motion, learn The Art of Abstraction and see stunning new perspectives of The World Around Us in a series of eye-popping displays that take each artwork to a whole new level.
Let the backstabbing begin at The Traitors: Live Experience
Where? 60 Short’s Gardens, Covent Garden, WC2H
When: Until February 2026
While The Celebrity Traitors are mercilessly keeping us in suspense this season, it’s time to get yourself a proper seat at The Round Table. Let the mind games begin, not quite in an imposing Scottish castle, but in the heart of historic Covent Garden where the two-hour The Traitors: Live Experience sinisterly twists the truth and blurs the lines between friends and foes. Designed to be played with strangers in addition to your own group, the game ups the ante of trickery, making it harder to spot the liars among the Faithfuls as you compete for the grand prize. Trust no one.
Get tickets to The Traitors: Live Experience
Live your wildest fantasies at FAME*FACTORY
Where? ExCel London
When: Ongoing
Were you born for the A-list? Do you suffer from a colossal level of ambition? Then get glammed up and come live your 60 minutes of fame at FAME*FACTORY, an interactive experience that brings your starriest fantasies to life.
Walk the red carpet, board your private jet and get your own magazine cover surrounded by fans and paparazzi (aka a remarkably convincing team of actors) in an hour of immersive walk-through theatre that doubles as a mighty confidence boost, at a price that won’t break the bank.
Get tickets to FAME*FACTORY at ExCel London
Understand physics through art at Quantum Untangled
Where? Science Gallery London, King’s College London, Guy’s Campus, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9GU
When: From Wednesday 8 October
Whether you’re a quantum physics geek or the closest you’ve got to the theory was James Bond’s Quantum of Solace, drop by King’s College this week for the free exhibition Quantum Untangled, part of a global initiative celebrating 100 years of quantum mechanics.
Think interactive artworks, immersive sculptural installations and a mix of film, photography, philosophy and poetry exploring how the quantum has the power to transform our futures. And who knows, you might even decide to take a quantum leap of faith further into the free season and join the Friday Lates and panel discussion.
Find out more about Quantum Untangled at Science Gallery London
Sports
Kick off the festive season with a gala featuring three Premier League legends
Where? JW Marriott Grosvenor House London, 86-90 Park Lane, W1K7TN
When: Friday 5 December
With a combined total of 165 England caps between them, three Premier League greats, John Terry, Tony Adams and Ledley King promise a Christmas sporting lunch to remember this festive Friday. Sky Sports’ Pete Graves welcomes football fans at the Ballroom of the elegant Grosvenor House Hotel for a three-course menu and complimentary drinks, topped off with a spirited Q&A session and unique insights from these iconic Premier League captains. Hear from English football’s finest — or opt for the Gold Package and share a special photo opportunity with them in an early Christmas gift for the great fans of footie in the family.
Gear up for the Ultimate Tennis Showdown Grand Final
Where? Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E203HB
When: 5-7 December
After a sell-out tournament last year, defending champion Alex de Minaur returns to the Copper Box Arena to face seven more players ranked inside the World’s Top 20 — including last year’s semi-finalist Ugo Humbert and Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud. Although British No.1 Jack Draper had to withdraw last minute due to a persisting arm injury, the Victorian Plumbing UTS London 2025 Grand Final promises top-tier entertainment, kicking off with a UTS All Star Game this Friday, and culminating with Sunday’s big final. A £1,394,000 in prize money and the coveted UTS Lightning Bolt trophy promise to raise the competitive bar even higher this year.
Watch a match of six-a-side football at Baller League UK
Where? Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E203HB
When: 27 October – 29 December
Kick off the week with a round of six-a-side football matches as Baller League returns to the Copper Box Arena for a gripping Season 2 this Monday. A stellar line-up of 12 teams including Rukkas FC, managed by Idris Elba, and Clutch FC, managed by Chloe Kelly — the woman behind the Lionesses’ winning penalty at Euro 2025, no less — follow the battle for the championship on 10 weekly match days until 29 December. Fast-paced, unpredictable and packed with Gamechangers and Wildcards, Baller League serves up technical treats and pulse-racing sports drama.
Get tickets to Baller League at Copper Box Arena
Family & Kids
Delight in Stick Man’s holiday adventures
Where? Bloomsbury Theatre, 15 Gordon St, London WC1H 0AH
When: 4 December 2025 – 4 January 2026
There’s no shortage of fun activities to entertain the little ones this week, and this heart-warming children’s tale is bound to have their eyes glued to the theatre stage! Freckle Productions’ award-winning Stick Man, based on the original picture book by Julia Donaldson with illustrations by Axel Scheffler, returns for an interactive, laughter-filled show mixing the talents of three brilliant actors with live music, dancing and puppetry. Join the beloved hero’s holiday misadventures as he sets off for a morning jog — but with a dog, a swan and a fire all getting in his way, is he going to find his way back to the family tree in time for Christmas?
Get tickets to Stick Man – Live on Stage at Bloomsbury Theatre
Celebrate at Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show!
Where? Theatre Royal Haymarket, 18 Suffolk Street, Westminster, London, SW1Y 4HT
When: 5 December 2025 – 4 January 2026
The small screen’s favourite pig family comes to the West End for an ummissable festive special for preschool fans and their grown-ups. With baby Evie on the way, Peppa Pig, Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig and George are getting busy building and decorating, and they need your help. Starting this Friday, get ready for an immersive theatrical ride filled with feel-good tunes, exciting adventures and interactive surprises. There’s no lack of things to do with the family in London this week — but it doesn’t get more oinktastic than that!
Get tickets to Peppe Pig‘s Big Family Show at Theatre Royal Haymarket
Seasonal Events
Do fine dining your way at the Sinatra Christmas Lunch
Where? Boisdale, Canary Wharf, Cabot Place, London, E14 4QT
When: Thursday 4 December
Christmas comes early at Boisdale: Stephen Triffitt, the “other” Sinatra who has captivated audiences from Las Vegas to the West End, where he headlined The Rat Pack Live, takes the stage for a Christmas special packed with the mesmerising melodies of the smooth-voiced crooner, fittingly sprinkled with timeless holiday favourites. Expect classics like ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ and ‘My Way’ along with a feel-good ‘Let It Snow’, to be enjoyed over a two-course lunch centred around a festive free-range turkey with all the trimmings, of course. It’s seasonal fun all the way, this Thursday in Canary Wharf.
Get tickets to the Sinatra Christmas Lunch at Boisdale
Show off your best dance moves on blades at Glide
Where? Glide, Battersea Power Station, Queenstown Road, London, SW8 4PE
When: 7 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
The backdrop is iconic, the atmosphere unbeatable. Just grab a pair of ice skates and Glide at Battersea Power Station this week, in what has to be one of London’s most breathtaking festive settings — where the warm glow of twinkling lights meets the stunning views of the river Thames. A 30ft Christmas tree reigns supreme over three interconnecting rinks, with vintage-style fairground rides and a plethora of food and drinks options awaiting at the Power Station and the nearby Circus West Village. Glide by and we promise heaps of fun and festive cheer for the whole family.
Get tickets to Glide at Battersea Power Station
Visit London’s magical Christmas markets
Where? All around London
When: Various dates
After a sparkling wave of festive lights switch-ons, it’s time for London’s fairy tale Christmas markets to steal the spotlight, where the city’s top independent traders, artists and artisan makers lay out their goods and spark inspiration for the perfect Christmas gift. This Saturday 22 November, the female-founded N4 Makers’ Market at Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross offer heaps of exciting handmade options. Until 4 January, Winter by the River at London Bridge City lines up a range of boutique stalls along the Thames, while the weekly Urban Makers at the Old Spitalfields Market awaits shoppers every Wednesday with an array of creative ideas for homeware, ceramics, kids clothes and art.
Find out more about markets in King’s Cross and London Bridge
Have a sip of wine in an igloo backdropped by the Battersea Power Station
Where? Battersea Power Station, Queenstown Road, London, SW8 4PE
When: 7 November – 4 January
London has its fair share of stunning ice rinks, but Glide at Battersea Power Station is hard to beat: a riverside location, a magically illuminated industrial icon and a set of snug igloos to enjoy a festive sip of wine with colleagues, friends and family after ruthlessly competing on ice skates. Starting this week, you can book a private igloo for groups of 6 or 12 for 90 minutes to complement your skate session, with a glass of Roebuck Estates English Sparkling Wine per person included in the price. So just sit back, unwind and take in the view. Christmas cheer rarely comes in such a package!
Food & Drink
Sample London’s culinary culture at Borough Market
Where? 8 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TL
When: Open daily
Just a few minutes’ walk from London Bridge train station, you’ll find one of London’s most historic areas. Although it once existed to supply greengrocers and restaurants, today Borough Market mostly consists of stalls selling nothing but mouthwatering delicacies.
From the legendary Black Pig – which has recently been setting social media ablaze with its gargantuan sandwiches – to Richard Haward’s, which has been serving fresh oysters for seven generations, Borough Market has something for everyone.
Get directions to Borough Market
Grab some ACE Pizza by Victoria Park
Where? Ace Pizza, 126-128 Lauriston Road, Victoria Park, London, E9 7LH
When: Open six days a week
The Pembury Tavern regulars in Hackney have been familiar with the cheesy delights of female-owned, independent ACE Pizza for years now; but one can try now these truly ace, stonebaked London-style pizzas (think a fresh Neapolitan-via-New York mix) along a selection of lip-smacking appetizers, Parm-tinis, Italo Discos and other cocktails at their deliciously casual first proper restaurant at Victoria Park Village. Torn between a Hackney Hellboy and a Vodka Marg? Ace the pizza test by scarfing down several 12-inch options right here.
Check out ACE Pizza’s full menu
Museums
Get inspired by the everyday at the Design Museum
Where? Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High St, London W8 6AG
When: Open daily
Beyond a rotating selection of ticketed exhibitions spotlighting from contemporary architects to filmmakers like Tim Burton, London’s Design Museum opens a window into ideas, shapes and colours that bring inspiration into our everyday lives. Featuring nearly a 1000 standout items of the 20th-21th-century design, its free permanent exhibition Designer Maker User looks into the development of modern practices, from architecture and engineering to the fashion and digital worlds. From 20 October-1 November, don’t forget to also check out the free Halloween events at the museum where spooky arts and crafts for young designers, yummy treats and “eccentric” shop offers mix in new and peculiar ways.
Check out current exhibitions at the Design Museum
Explore the city’s history at the London Museum Docklands
Where? London Museum Docklands, No 1, West India Quay, Hertsmere Rd, London E14 4AL
When: Open daily
With nine galleries narrating eye-opening tales from the city’s past and a riverside setting, London Museum is more than worth a visit, inviting the whole family to discover 400 years of history, for free. The museum recommends a walk through its galleries in chronological order, starting from the intro gallery at the No. 1 Warehouse, “a rare survivor of the old docks”. Each room will guide you from the 1600-1800’s Trade Expansion through to the capital’s role in the slave trade, the sounds, sights and smells of Victorian London, WWII and The Blitz — when the docks were bombed for 13 weeks in a row — and all the way to the Reflections Room featuring a rotating display of contemporary artists. It’s a fascinating journey from the hard realities of the past to the new century’s startling reinvention.
Find out what’s on at London Museum Docklands
Community & Culture
Discover exciting artworks created in criminal justice settings
Where? Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
When: Until 14 December
There were over 7,500 entries for the 2025 Koestler Awards, an arts competition for people in the UK’s criminal justice system — and for the next two weeks, you can see about 200 of them in the free exhibition Night Owls and Abstractions. Curated by poet and playwright Inua Ellams, the exhibition opens a window into the soul of people creating in secure settings. Ellams also aimed to challenge preconceptions, juxtaposing darkness with humour and colour, and strong language with the softness of textiles. A series of free exhibition tours, some led by guides with personal experience of the criminal justice system, provide further insights on the importance of creativity in hard places.
Take a walk along London’s stunning Illuminated River
Where? From London to Lambeth Bridges
When: Ongoing
With 3.2 miles in length, Illuminated River is the longest public art commission in the world, for which artist Leo Villareal has turned nine central bridges into floating central London beauts. And, as the nights grow longer, there’s no better time to enjoy the spectacle. Since late September, the photography courses and forthnigntly guided walking tours are back on the schedule.
But you can also enjoy the light trail completely for free by downloading the self-guided walking route, kids pack and other enlightening treats, with the Illuminated River Soundcloud page providing the classical-meets-ambient electronic soundtrack. Soak up the breathtaking views, history, art and architecture in arguably the most atmospheric free thing to do in London this week – before the freezing cold of winter and the Christmas madness take hold.
Get directions to London Bridge
Make new furry friends at a free London city farm
Where? All around London
When: Ongoing
As the saying goes, the best things in life — including petting lambs and watching pigs eating watermelon — are free. And London offers more than a handful of city farms to enjoy just that. Just a short walk from Brick Lane, Spitalfields City Farm has been gifting Tower Hamlets, the most densely populated area in the UK, with the friendly presence of cacophonous mini-donkey duo Gilbert and Sullivan alongside peaceful gardens where one can learn the secrets of seasonal veggies. Open since 1972, Kentish Town City Farm was London’s first, and now it offers free sustainability workshops for young people among goats, pigs and Indonesian black chickens. Somewhere between Vauxhall, Hackney and Surrey Docks, an urban oasis and a happy frog await. Find yours.
Get dazzled at the Royal Docks Originals 2025
Where? Across the Royal Docks
When: Ongoing
Now on its second week, Royal Docks Originals 2025 beckons us to discover a lesser-known riverside neighbourhood with an enticing programme of events combining show-stopping art, live music and street food.
Just hop between Rekindling at the Royal Victoria Dock, an eye-catching fire installation on land and water, the Royal Docks Market to catch hip-hop dance battles, a docks-inspired music installation and a zine-making workshop, and Pump House Pulse for an evening of blues and jazz. Along with the fun-loving entertainment come career opportunities, with Creative Careers at the Docks inviting young people 18-30 to join employer-led workshops and creative discussions.
Find out more about Royal Docks Originals 2025
Ponder in the park with Frieze Sculpture 2025
Where? The English Garden
When: Ongoing
Now on its 13th edition, Frieze Sculpture, the companion event to influential contemporary art fairs Frieze London and Frieze Masters (15-19 October) is back to give your carefree walks to Regent’s Park a conceptual art spin. Although we’re still hoping for some sun this September, the connecting theme ‘In the Shadows’ unites the works for the first time this year, interpreted in both its literal and figurative dimensions in a host of sculptural metaphors.
Frieze Sculpture joins the citywide celebration London Sculpture Week (20 – 28 September 2025), so consider this your intensive primer – only, instead of the four walls of a classroom, you’ll be surrounded by lots of gorgeous greenery and brooding urban landscapes, from Trafalgar Square to East Bank.
Find out more about Frieze Sculpture
