- Tat London
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Things To Do In December, 2025
I feel a dose of Christmas spirit is sorely needed. There is a distinct sense that cheer is in short supply on this island. But why, dear friend? We sit on one of the greatest pieces of land in the world and we are entirely capable of throwing a proper Christmas shindig. Several below prove the point in spades. Add to that a few excellent sales - a piece of Pinch for Christmas? What a delight. Or a slow circle around the Spotlight Market? Always a treat. And then, of course, one must dive into an evening with Mick Herron, the talent behind Slow Horses. If that does not coax out some festive glow, I am not sure what will.
Week Commencing 1st December
Almshouse 14 by Candlelight offers an atmospheric, immersive tour of the Museum’s restored 300-year-old almshouse, transformed with festive installations inspired by Hackney residents of winters past. Visitors step into the modest rooms of figures such as a retired 18th-century ironmonger and an 1880s governess, each space animated by the cherished objects and memories that shaped their lives. Illuminated by candlelight, the experience brings to life intimate stories of Christmases long ago.
Home For Christmas, Now - 20th December, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, 69 Pimlico Rd, London, SW1W 8NE
Edward Bulmer Natural Paint presents Home for Christmas, a thoughtful and sustainable festive market at their new London showroom, The Townhouse on Pimlico Road. The event brings together a beautifully curated line-up of makers including Good Squish, Alice Mary Lynch, Minni Parker, Mussi Knit, Elgiva Lavender, Bramley, Rock the Heirloom, Deborah Brett Ceramics and Lola’s Leads. Shoppers are invited to explore considered, handcrafted gifts in an inspiring and colourful setting—perfect for finding something special for the ones you love.
Rose Uniacke presents a month-long Christmas takeover at her Accessories Shop on Pimlico Road, transforming the space into an elegant celebration of craftsmanship, comfort and quiet luxury. Adorned with festive decorations and filled with a curated selection of exquisite gifts, the takeover showcases everything from gleaming silver and hand-blown glass to soft velvet and linen, reflecting Uniacke’s deep reverence for the handmade. To coincide with the launch, a special panettone by award-winning Italian pastry maker Oliveri will be offered in the brand’s signature ribbon-tied packaging.
Gelupo, Soho’s celebrated Italian gelateria from Jacob Kenedy, is embracing the season with a new chocolate fondue and a line-up of Christmas specials inspired by the Italian Alps. Guests can share a rich dark chocolate fondue served with Forno Gentile panettone bites, mini scoops of gelato and slices of pear, all perfect for dipping. The festive menu also features boozy hot drinks, toasted brioche con gelato, indulgent hot chocolates and Gelupo’s anticipated seasonal gelati.
Matthew Warchus’ acclaimed, big-hearted production of Dickens’ timeless classic returns to The Old Vic, joyously adapted by Jack Thorne and starring Paul Hilton as Ebenezer Scrooge. This much-loved version fills the theatre with music, mince pies and festive cheer, offering an immersive experience for all ages. London’s longest-running adaptation, it brings fresh warmth and wonder to a cherished seasonal favourite.
Price: From £15
Cecil Beaton – the celebrated ‘King of Vogue’ – was a defining creative force of the 20th century, elevating fashion and portrait photography to an art form. Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World is the first exhibition dedicated solely to his pioneering work, tracing his vision from the Jazz Age to the glamour of the fifties and My Fair Lady. With over 200 items on display, it features iconic portraits of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret and other influential figures.
Price: £23
A favourite local tradition, Christmas Carolling returns to The Carpenters Arms as they team up with St Peter’s Square Church and residents to fill the evening with festive cheer. Guests can enjoy carols, mince pies, the pub’s house mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and a warm community atmosphere. A perfect way to celebrate the season.
Unearthing Nature and Brutalism, Miminat Shodeinde, 2nd December - 20th February, MIMINAT DESIGNS, 56 Abbey Gardens, London, NW8 9AT
Miminat Shodeinde unveils Unearthing Nature and Brutalism, a photography-led exhibition presented in collaboration with Atlas Gallery. Staged within Miminat’s London space, the winter showcase pairs works by Sebastião Salgado, Hiroshi Sugimoto and Kacper Kowalski with sculptural furniture and objets from the studio, creating a contemplative dialogue between nature, art and architecture. To mark the opening, Miminat has reimagined her iconic Howard Daybed with leather and horsehair upholstery inspired by her Yoruba heritage.
Into the Woods returns to the Bridge Theatre, asking the timeless question: why go into the woods? In Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s dazzling musical, the Baker and his Wife, the Witch, Jack, Little Red Ridinghood, Cinderella and Rapunzel venture beyond “happy ever after” to uncover what truly matters. Directed by Jordan Fein with set and costumes by Tom Scutt, the production is presented by London Theatre Company in association with Jamie Wilson Productions.
For many years, Columbia Road’s shops have opened late every Wednesday in the run-up to Christmas, offering festive shopping. Visitors can enjoy a warm, local atmosphere with a Christmas tree, mince pies, mulled wine, and plenty of independent shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants to explore. This year’s late-night dates, with no road closure or scheduled entertainment—but plenty of Christmas cheer.
PINCH presents its second-ever Studio Sale, offering beautiful furniture and lighting available for direct purchase from its Oval, London studio. Guests can explore overstocked pieces, treasured samples, seconds and earlier editions, all discounted by 40%, 50% and 60%. The event features a wide selection, including seating, lighting, tables, beds and accessories.
Ho Ho Home Late invites visitors to celebrate the Museum’s Winter Past exhibition after hours with music, festive treats and seasonal crafts. Guests can explore the galleries dressed for the holidays, enjoy hot chocolate or mulled wine, and see the newly commissioned Christmas Banister installation by artist Honey Birch—with the possible appearance of a Ghost of Christmas Past. Candlelit almshouse tours, carols and creative activities ensure an evening full of festive cheer.
The Little Grape Wine Course offers a relaxed, sociable experience for groups of up to eight, with the choice of joining a scheduled session or arranging a private one with friends. Each four-hour class includes expert tuition, beautifully designed take-home materials, eight curated wines and light refreshments. Perfect for all experience levels, it’s an ideal way for wine lovers to deepen or refine their knowledge.
Price: £159
Featuring yunomi, chawan, mugs, bowls, tokkuri, chargers, hanaire, jars and plates, this showcase includes Troy Town Occidental Yakimono alongside personally signed works, with new Hagi and Oribe pieces available. The collection opens ahead of the regular Hoxton holiday shop, which launches at TT the following week, with each location offering different stock.
The Playboy Of The Western World By John Millington Synge, 4th December - 28th February 2026, Lyttelton Theatre, National Theatre, South Bank, London, SE1 9PX
At the National Theatre, The Playboy of the Western World unfolds on the wild edge of Ireland, where Pegeen Flaherty’s world is upended by the arrival of Christy Mahon, a young man claiming to have killed his father. Embraced as a local hero, Christy thrives—until a second unexpected visitor unsettles the village’s adoration. Caitríona McLaughlin directs Nicola Coughlan, Éanna Hardwicke and Siobhán McSweeney in Synge’s riveting tale of identity and self-invention.
Price: From £25
10 Minute Portraits with Rachel Sale invites visitors to drop into the V&A South Kensington Café for an evening of live drawing. Participants can sketch rotating models in 10-minute sessions – or even volunteer to sit as a model themselves. Part of the museum’s Make & Meet programme, the event is free and open to all.
The Spotlight Market brings together an exciting mix of established and emerging antiques dealers at MKII in Clapton. Showcasing a curated selection of one-of-a-kind furniture, art and objects, the fair offers two days of discovery for design-minded buyers. Founded by siblings Katie and Sam Ridges, it has become a key destination for collectors seeking distinctive, time-honoured pieces.
Price: £12
The TOAST Festive Market returns this December in a new Shoreditch location, celebrating creativity and craftsmanship for the festive season. Held in the atmospheric former railway station ticket hall with its Victorian brickwork and arched ceilings, the three-day market brings together independent makers offering unique handcrafted gifts. Visitors can also explore TOAST gifting and seasonal decorations throughout the historic space.
With bells on, Centre Half & Friends will return to the Pullens Christmas Open Studios, bringing the usual weekend merriment to the yard along with a host of new makers. Visitors are warmly invited to join the festivities. Featuring: 22 Bags, Metal by Chaz (Caitlin Hazell), Cesca Dvorak, Centre Half, Gina Portman, Imogen Denton, Isobel A J Harper, Joss Graham Gallery, Look Books, Mussi Knit, Olivia Barnes, Papilionaceous Pure Silk, Shirt Smithson, Yumo Tubu.
Wilkinson & Rivera host their first Collectible Art & Design Market at their Camden archway space, celebrating high-end craftsmanship and thoughtful holiday gifting. The indoor–outdoor market features live portrait painting, ceramics, metalwork, drawings, embroidered gifts, home goods, jewellery, candle-dipping, festive décor, natural wine, mulled wine and hot food.
The Decorators’ Attic Sale and Auction brings together renowned designers, decorators and collectors at St Andrew’s Church, Chippenham, offering unique and decorative pieces just in time for Christmas. Visitors can browse pre-loved treasures, unused designers’ surplus and one-of-a-kind finds, with an additional auction featuring higher-value items donated by notable supporters. With proceeds benefiting the Friends of St Andrew’s Church and refreshments served next door, it promises a lively and rewarding day for design lovers of all budgets.
Take a journey across space and time through the immersive films of Emilija Škarnulytė, an artist whose work moves between documentary and the imaginary. Exploring deep time, invisible systems and hidden power structures, she reimagines Cold War bases, neutrino observatories, nuclear sites and deep-sea data archives as relics of a future archaeology. Blending scientific inquiry with mythological vision, Škarnulytė often appears as a hybrid human–fish figure, inviting viewers to reconsider humanity’s place within evolving natural and cosmic worlds.
Price: £13
This festive season, the Beautiful & Useful Craft Fair returns to the Garden Museum with a curated selection of Britain’s finest designer-makers presenting bold, bohemian and beautifully crafted ceramics, textiles, art prints, jewellery and homewares. Visitors can meet the makers, support small businesses and discover unique Christmas gifts for friends and family.
Week Commencing 8th December
Christmas Day premieres at the Almeida Theatre, charting a tense and bitingly funny festive reunion in an abandoned space above the Northern Line, as a Jewish family confronts tradition, discomfort and each other. Sam Grabiner’s new play blends dark comedy with a probing look at identity and family myth-making. James Macdonald directs a standout cast including Jamie Ankrah, Samuel Blenkin, Callie Cooke, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Nigel Lindsay and Bel Powley.
Price: From £15
Christmas as you know it has its roots in the Victorian era, making Sambourne House the perfect place to embrace the season. Guided by Mrs Reffle, the Sambournes’ housekeeper, visitors can explore the festively decorated rooms and discover the traditions of a Victorian family. A new dining-room soundscape further immerses guests in the rhythms and rituals of the Sambourne household.
Price: £40
The Winter Showroom arrives at Nottingham’s beautiful People’s Hall, bringing together a curated roster of regional and international makers with a focus on materiality and craftsmanship. Visitors can explore a magical, curious festive shopping experience, discovering handmade pieces that celebrate skill, texture and process. The weekend will also feature A Christmas Ghost Story & Lecture, adding an atmospheric seasonal flourish to the event.
Flora’s third annual Christmas Market returns on, now running across two days to welcome even more visitors. Guests can browse a curated selection of local artists, makers and craftspeople, enjoy festive Danish treats from the café, and join much-loved traditions including the Mince Pie Competition. Saturday evening also features a ticketed carol service in the historic Trelowarren chapel, along with fireside small plates and wine.
Gathered Hands Winter Market offers a cosy seasonal shopping experience with a curated selection of small, thoughtful makers and brands, accompanied by good music and good coffee. Visitors can browse work by Ali Hewson, Bug Clothing, Cesca Dvorak, Jade Delmage, Uri Studio, Mussi, Sarma Works, Wolf & Gypsy, Yetton, Omhu, By My Hands, Corrie Williamson, Francesca Studio, Croi Meala and more.
Price: From £5
Birdsmouth Studio Xmas Sale, 13th, 14th & 20th December, 5 Birdsmouth Court, Lawrence Rd, London N15 4FW
Birdsmouth Studio hosts its Xmas Sale, offering a charming selection of hand-built and thrown ceramics, hand-printed textiles, clothing, handcrafted jewellery, prints, folk art, slipware, toys and more. Visitors can browse a thoughtfully curated collection of unique, makers’ pieces—perfect for seasonal gifting or treasuring at home.
Week Commencing 15th December
Join Sunday Times number one bestselling author Mick Herron as he explores the world of Slough House and introduces Down Cemetery Road, the novel inspiring the new Apple TV series starring Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson. With the recent release of Clown Town, he reflects on his writing process, his unforgettable cast of failed spies and the journey from page to screen. Expect sharp wit, insight and lively discussion from one of the most acclaimed espionage writers working today.
Price: From £30
Join the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum for a festive candlelit evening filled with activities, performances and seasonal cheer. Visitors can enjoy classic Christmas songs from singer Ellen-Marie, handle Christmassy objects from the museum stores, hear traditional readings and short festive talks, and meet local crime author Andreina Cordani. With creative writing activities and the museum aglow in full Victorian splendour, it promises a magical night.
Price: From £15
Week Commencing 22nd December
A new chapter begins with Corenucopia, a refined yet relaxed luxury bistro in Chelsea from Clare Smyth of CORE. Inspired by the best of British food culture, it offers an elegant but welcoming approach to dining. They look forward to opening their doors and inviting guests in.
New Film Releases
Eternity (5th December), Fackham Hall (12th December) & Marty Supreme (26th December)
Antique Markets & Fairs
Auctions
Christie's, The Sam Josefowitz Collection: Graphic Masterpieces by Rembrandt van Rijn - Part III - 3rd December
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