The best things to do this weekend in London

Hidden underneath Italian restaurant Hoax in Dalston, The Devil You Know is a low-lit, speakeasy-style cocktail bar run by Simone Crepaldi, formerly of Callooh Callay, which shows in a drinks list that mixes classics with a few more playful house numbers. The space itself is small, dark and slightly mischievous, making it a fab spot for a late drink rather than a big night out. If you're nearby and fancy a well-made cocktail without too many strings and bows, this one's worth knowing about.

Taking over the Rivoli Ballroom's red-and-gold interior, the Christmas pop-up cinema is showing familiar festive favourites like 'Home Alone', 'Elf', 'Love Actually' and 'Die Hard'. There will also be a bar and a food stall serving popcorn, hot dogs and other classics to tuck into. It's a laid-back and cosy way to watch Christmas films outside your living room.

Big Game 17 turns a rugby fixture into a proper day-long event, with Harlequins Women facing Bristol Bears Women in the afternoon, followed by the men's teams later on. One ticket covers both matches, encouraging you to arrive early and settle in rather than rush in and out. Away from the pitch, the fan village is packed with food, drinks, free fairground rides and family-friendly activities. Add a pre-match DJ set from Groove Armada and a large-scale light and pyrotechnics show, and it starts to feel closer to a winter festival than a standard sporting fixture.

If you're looking to add something festive to your December plans, these free carol services are spread across several days near Oxford Circus, so you don't need to organise your day around them. There's a relaxed mix to attend, from after-hours sing-alongs to calmer daytime services for families with younger children. It's an easy way to dip your toe into the festive vibes without going OTT.

Tim Edey's Celtic Christmas at Kings Place offers a reflective alternative to big, brassy December concerts. Expect folk-influenced takes on seasonal music, drawing from Celtic traditions and beyond, performed in an intimate, seated venue. The set includes everything from 'The Wexford Carol' to 'Fairytale of New York', alongside lesser-heard carols and instrumental pieces.

Black Eats is taking over Boxpark Croydon with a Christmas market focused entirely on retail. More than 40 independent Black-owned brands will be selling fashion, beauty, homeware, art and giftable bits that feel more thoughtful than a last-minute dash down the high street. DJs will be playing throughout the weekend, alongside festive drinks, gift wrapping, kids' activities, a face painter and even a tooth gem artist. Entry is free, with donations encouraged for the Caribbean Hurricane Fund.

Winter Funland at Olympia in West London offers an all-indoor alternative to weather-dependent festive fairs. Families can enjoy rides, games with prizes, an ice rink, a Christmas circus, and plenty of seasonal food and drink under one roof. The new addition to London's festive calendar delivers the full winter-wonderland experience without the risk of rain spoiling the celebration.

This weekend, Songhaven brings one of its dementia-friendly concerts to Conway Hall in Holborn, offering an afternoon of live music in a relaxed and supportive setting. The organisation specialises in creating professional concerts for people living with dementia and their carers, with events designed to feel welcoming, flexible and easy to enjoy.

On every second Sunday of the month, the Vagina Museum in Bethnal Green hosts the Writer's Gym, a meetup for budding storytellers. Taking place in the museum café, the workshop offers a chilled, supportive environment with fresh prompts each session to encourage playful experimentation and creativity. Open to all genres and abilities, it welcomes anyone from complete beginners to more seasoned writers.

Mercato Mayfair has a new weekend spectacle called Tirami Sin, a confessional-style setup where you swap a secret for a slice of tiramisu. It sits inside the Grade I-listed food hall, which already feels pretty theatrical with its stained glass and soaring ceilings. Ring the bell, step into the booth, confess whatever you like, and you'll get a slice made from the owner's family recipe. The whole sin experience runs every week from Thursday to Sunday, 4 to 6pm.

“Neverland at Kenwood” arrives in London for the first time this Christmas, turning the grounds of Kenwood House into a magical outdoor light trail inspired by “Peter Pan”. Visitors follow Tinkerbell's glittering path past glowing London scenes, the Lost Boys' hideout, Skull Rock, and Captain Hook's ship, with storytelling, soundscapes, and plenty of festive food and drink along the way. The experience also supports a good cause, with £1 from every ticket going to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Wes Anderson fans have a solid reason to swing by the Design Museum this weekend, as the director's archive of around 600 props, costumes and sketches goes on show. The big draw is the three-metre-wide model of the Grand Budapest Hotel, which looks just as sweet in person as it does on screen. You can also check out the “Asteroid City” vending machines, Margot Tenenbaum's fur coat from “The Royal Tenenbaums” and plenty of tiny stop motion pieces from “Fantastic Mr Fox” and “Isle of Dogs”. It is expected to get busy, so booking ahead is advised.

If you still need to sort your Christmas tree, head to the market at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow, where you can browse a line-up of British-grown Nordmann firs, which are popular for staying tidy once they make it into your living room. Staff can help with sizing if you're prone to buying a tree that turns out taller than expected. Every purchase comes with a free mulled wine or hot chocolate.

If you're sliding into Christmas mode, “The Snowman” is back at the Peacock Theatre this weekend. This is Birmingham Rep's long-running stage version of Raymond Briggs' picture book and the animated film “The Snowman”, and it has become a reliable December tradition for families. Expect gentle choreography, soft snowfall, and that nostalgic moment when “Walking in the Air” begins and the whole room settles in.

With Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night firmly in the rear-view mirror, it's time for London to kick the seasonal festivities up a notch. more or less all of the city's famed Christmas lights are up and running from mid-November, so it's an ideal time to take it all in before the low temperatures and big crowds start arriving. Head to Oxford Street or Carnaby for the icons, or look for lesser-known gems in Chelsea and elsewhere – they can all be found in our guide to London's best Christmas lights. 

The Four Seasons Hotel at Tower Bridge is transforming its Rotunda into a wintry Beluga Vodka–themed forest, complete with martini trees, festive decor, and bespoke cocktails. Guests can enjoy personalised martinis, a seasonal menu of inventive sweet and savoury treats by Lily Vanilli, and even opt for Valrhona hot chocolate if they're going alcohol-free. The pop-up also offers festive cocktail masterclasses and family-friendly baking sessions, making it one of this year's most atmospheric Christmas experiences.

“Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition” is an immersive exploration of the occult, folklore, and the supernatural, featuring over 1,000 rare artefacts across 27 themed rooms. From cursed dolls and voodoo fetishes to the “Malleus Maleficarum” and Jimi Hendrix's jacket, the display weaves together history, myth, and pop culture. Set in the atmospheric tunnels of The Vaults beneath Waterloo Station, it offers a theatrical deep dive into humanity's enduring fascination with the unknown.

Paddington Bear is coming to the stage this November in a brand-new musical at London's Savoy Theatre. Featuring original songs by Tom Fletcher of McFly and directed by Luke Sheppard of “& Juliet” fame, the show brings the beloved story of the marmalade-loving bear from Peru to life. Suitable for audiences aged four and up, “Paddington the Musical” promises a heart-warming adventure for everyone.

The Photographers' Gallery marks the centenary of the photobooth with “Strike a Pose! 100 Years of the Photobooth,” an exhibition celebrating the device's cultural legacy and playful charm. Featuring archival portraits, posters, and memorabilia, it traces the booth's journey from 1920s innovation to modern revival. Visitors can also step inside a restored 1960s photobooth to create their own photo strips and see its inner workings in action.

Though there are ice rinks in London you can visit all year long, the real festive skating fun kicks off towards the end of October. Open-air ice rinks across the city launch their festive programmes, complete with seasonal decor, music, street food, drinks, and more, with some intriguing new arrivals like Leicester Square's first-ever rink adding to the excitement. Find out everything you need to know about ice skating in London with our round-up of the city's best ice rinks.

Maps aren't always what they seem. “Secret Maps”, the British Library's new exhibition, dives into the power, secrecy, and manipulation behind mapmaking from the 14th century to today. Expect erased histories, hidden landscapes, and maps designed to mislead or control. It's a fascinating look at how geography has long been a tool of influence.

A few times each year, Hampton Court Palace invites visitors to explore its magnificent gardens free of charge, no ticket needed. Once home to Henry VIII, the Grade I-listed palace is set within 800 acres of parkland, featuring fountains, a historic kitchen garden, ponds, and an orangery filled with exotic plants. These Garden Open Days offer a rare chance to experience the palace's beautiful grounds at no cost.

Tate Modern's “Nigerian Modernism” brings together over 50 artists who transformed Nigerian art during the years around independence, breaking with colonial traditions and forging new identities. The show traces the networks connecting Nigerian cities like Zaria, Lagos, and Enugu with European art centres, highlighting collectives such as the Zaria Art Society and Mbari Artists' and Writers' Club. With works spanning painting, sculpture, and more, the exhibition underlines Nigeria's bold artistic innovation and its enduring influence on global modernism.

Kerry James Marshall's “The Histories” is a huge deal — 70 works from one of America's most important living artists, rewriting the Western canon with Black stories front and centre. Expect monumental paintings that mix art history with comics, civil rights, and science fiction, all with Marshall's unmistakable style. Running until 18 January 2026, this is the largest show of his work ever staged in Europe, and a rare chance to stand in front of Knowledge and Wonder IRL.

The Design Museum's “Blitz: the club that shaped the 80s” exhibition explores the short-lived but iconic Covent Garden nightclub that helped define a decade. Featuring over 250 rarely seen objects, the show includes Spandau Ballet's original synthesiser, handwritten lyrics, and striking outfits worn by the “Blitz Kids.” The exhibition highlights how figures like Boy George, Visage, and designers Stephen Jones and Michele Clapton transformed music, fashion, and media forever.

The David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse is the permanent home of the music icon's vast archive, featuring over 90,000 items covering his lengthy career, including costumes, instruments, diaries, lyrics, and photographs. Visitors can access a working archive through the V&A's Order an Object service and enjoy curated displays, film screenings, and installations celebrating Bowie's cultural legacy.

On the third Sunday of each month, Chiswick transforms into Cheesewick for London's only dedicated cheese market. Held at Old Market Place, it features over 200 cheeses and gourmet treats from UK cheesemongers, with seasonal specials and new traders keeping the selection fresh. Run by local women, the market champions community spirit and supports charities through regular donations.

Launched in summer 2025, “Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs”, the new immersive experience at Lightroom in King's Cross, takes visitors back 66 million years through stunning 360-degree floor-to-ceiling projections, featuring dinosaurs from deserts, oceans, and skies. With original music by Hans Zimmer and narration by actor Damian Lewis, it's a must-see for families, dinosaur fans, and documentary lovers alike.

The Grant Museum of Zoology's new free exhibition, "World of Wasps," delves into the surprisingly complex lives of one of nature's most misunderstood creatures. You'll get an up-close look at wasps through modern imaging, VR experiences, projections, and contemporary art, revealing everything from their intricate nests to their surprisingly social behaviour.

“Squid Game: The Experience” at Immerse LDN invites visitors to take part in five thrilling games inspired by the hit Netflix series, minus the deadly consequences. Following successful runs in cities like New York and Seoul, the immersive event lets participants compete for points in iconic challenges like Red Light, Green Light. After the adrenaline rush, you can unwind with soju cocktails in a themed Korean Night Market.

Hosted at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, the “Pirates” exhibition explores the myths and realities of pirate life across history and around the world. It examines how pirates have been portrayed in popular culture, while revealing the often brutal truth behind the legends. Featuring historical artefacts and stories of figures like Blackbeard and Anne Bonny, the exhibition offers an immersive look at both historic and modern piracy.

An immersive exhibition dedicated to the beloved US sitcom "Friends" came to London in August as part of the new Immerse LDN entertainment district. Fans can explore recreated sets, including the iconic Central Perk couch and Joey and Chandler's foosball table, reliving memorable moments from the show. Photo opportunities abound throughout.

Open on Sundays only, the Crystal Palace Museum explores the history of the architectural masterpiece that gave its name to the entire area. Three times the size of St Paul's Cathedral, the Crystal Palace was originally built to house the Great Exhibition, later relocated, and finally destroyed in a fire in 1936. You can see original bits and pieces at the museum, as well as photographs, scaled models, and other exhibits exploring the building's fascinating past.

“Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” a prequel to the popular Netflix series, is making waves in London's West End as a major theatrical hit. The play, unfolding the backstory of the series' villain Henry Creel, is co-directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin, and has been praised for capturing the essence of “Stranger Things” as well as putting on an astounding visual feast.

Head on a Greek journey to the island of Skopelos for an unforgettable evening of dining and dancing at this “Mamma Mia”-inspired event. As the sun sets, discover yourself at Nikos' family-run taverna, feasting on a tasty four-course Greek meal, including dishes like Greek mezze, salad, confit lamb shoulder, and slow-cooked beef with garlic-roasted potatoes. A live band will play iconic ABBA tracks throughout the night, ensuring the dance floor stays lively with their best hits. 

Our event calendar highlights the top things to do in London.