What to do this weekend in London

Christmas just isn't Christmas without some delicious food, and you can find everything you need at Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre. This annual food market runs across the first two weekends of December and boasts over 100 artisan traders offering food, alcohol, and festive treats. You can also shop with traders selling jewellery, crafts, and beauty products, and enjoy festive music. Entry is included in your general admission ticket for the palace.

Visit Wembley Park for a fun festive activity for all ages. The Luminaze has been developed by public art organisation Emergency Exit Arts and is free to attend. This immersive art installation is a maze of neon installations accompanied by a seasonal soundscape. At the centre of it all you'll discover The Hourglass, an audio-visual sculpture standing at four metres tall and bringing original artwork to life through sound and animation.

Embark on an enchanting stroll through Fleet Street Quarter and step into the heartwarming narrative of Raymond Briggs' timeless tale, The Snowman™, with this magical winter sculpture trail. Twelve unique sculptures are scattered throughout Fleet Street Quarter, each an ode to The Snowman, drawing inspiration from the Twelve Days of Christmas. Crafted by individual artists, these sculptures pay homage to both the animated holiday classic and Raymond Briggs' beloved picture book. Resting on recyclable plinths made from repurposed plastic, each figure is paired with a plaque detailing the artist's inspiration, with hidden sculptures along quaint streets like Chancery Lane, Carter Lane, Ludgate Hill, and Fleet Street.

On 17th November, one of the most famous winter funfairs in the world turns on the lights, fires up the grills, plugs in the merry-go-rounds, and throws open its doors to countless masses seeking festive cheer. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is a Christmas bucket-list item, the ultimate holiday destination whether you're young or old, on your own or coupled, with family or friends. And even though mid-November might seem a bit early for going all-out on sweets, rides, and jingling bells, you'll get a head start on the holiday crowds if you go now.

Grosvenor Square in Mayfair is hosting the Ever After Garden for the fifth time this winter, featuring over 25,000 glowing white silk roses as a serene tribute to those who have passed away. The garden was initiated by designers in memory of a friend and allows visitors to add their own dedications to loved ones with handwritten markers placed on the roses. Each dedication includes a suggested minimum donation of £10, with all proceeds going to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

We're past the mid-November mark, which means it's time to lace up your skates and venture out on the ice. Though London boasts several indoor ice rinks offering ice skating all year round, it's the winter season when this fun activity really comes into its own. Outdoor ice rinks pop up all over the city, usually offering convenient access to hot choc, mulled wine, and other festive pick-me-ups. Find the best ones in our guide.

The Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize is a prestigious competition that highlights emerging talent in the field of photography, attracting both amateurs and professionals. This year's exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery features 58 winning portraits by 51 artists, showcasing a diverse range of characters, moods, and global locations through traditional and contemporary photographic approaches. 

As part of its 10th anniversary season, the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare's Globe is staging a controversial production from the 19th century for the first time. Written by renowned playwright Henrik Ibsen, “Ghosts” caused uproar back in the day with its themes of euthanasia, incest, and religion. The play still has the power to shock today and is on at the theatre from 10th November until 28th January.

Southbank Centre Winter Market is back for another frosty rendezvous along the Thames. Explore cosy riverside snowglobes at Jimmy's Winter Lodge for cheese fondue or sample truffle burgers, duck wraps, Thai and Mediterranean treats, and cheese toasties at nearby huts. Enjoy mulled wine while shopping for unique gifts, jewellery, and decorations by independent designers with riverside views.

Somerset House is hosting a showcase of Black British fashion's evolution since the 1970s, revealing how Black fashion has been moulded by 20th and 21st-century cultural, political, and socio-economic factors and its impact on mainstream fashion, music, art, and design. While celebrating the significant contributions of Black creatives, it also brings to light the challenges they faced in the industry. 

A free exhibition at London's Imperial War Museum, “Spies, Lies and Deception” takes you behind the curtain to learn about the spies who changed history – and how they managed it. Covering the past century of espionage and intrigue, the exhibition features spy gadgets and tricks that would make even James Bond green with envy, along with fascinating stories about the people and operations that shaped the history of the world without anyone being the wiser.

The Royal Academy of Arts is hosting a major retrospective covering the decades-long career of one of the world's greatest performance artists, Marina Abramović. Through sculpture, video, installation, and performance art, the exhibition highlights key moments from the pioneering artist's oeuvre, including recreations of her most iconic works by the next generation of artists trained in her method.

The Rumble in Jungle Rematch immersive experience takes you across space and time to 1974 Zaire, when two of the greatest boxers in history, Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, clashed in an epic boxing match. At the Dock X event space in Canada Water, you'll be able to explore Kinshasa, attend the fighters' media conference, watch a precisely choreographed recreation of the historic bout, try Congolese food and drink, dance to live music, and more.

The Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington is hosting an exhibition celebrating iconic performers who have redefined public perceptions of what it means to be a diva. Ranging from opera singers of old to film stars and pop superstars such as Marilyn Monroe, Whitney Houston, Lizzo, and Elton John, the DIVA exhibition presents a fascinating collection of costumes, photographs, artwork, and other items.

A blockbuster exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum, “Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto” presents the legacy-defining work of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, one of the most influential fashion designers of all time. The opulent exhibition features some of Chanel's most iconic creations and is already sold out until the end of February, but you can visit for free as much as you like if you sign up as a V&A Member.

The festive season officially begins with the legendary Carnaby Christmas light switch-on on 8 November. They brighten up Carnaby Street until early January, ensuring ample time to experience their magic. Discover the chic shops, boutiques, and restaurants that define this trendy London neighbourhood as you enjoy the festive display.