December 2008

London lights up at Christmas. From carols concerts, Christmas lights and services to pantomimes and ballets there's enough to keep you going through the whole of this festive month.

Matthew Bourne's Edward Scissorhands

Sadler's Wells, EC1R 4TN
3rd December 2008 - 17th January 2009

When the film was released in 1990, Tim Burton's sinister fairytale became a worldwide blockbuster, catapulted Johnny Depp to international stardom and found a place in every Goth's video collection. It tells the story of a gentle boy created by an eccentric inventor, who dies leaving him to survive in suburban America with only scissors for hands. Brilliant choreographer-dancer Matthew Bourne, who created this show, is the brains behind the routines for the hit West End musical 'Mary Poppins' as well as celebrated versions of 'Swan Lake' and 'The Nutcracker', picking up a handful of Olivier awards along the way. He's yet to put a foot wrong in his unique fusions of classic ballet with the verve and energy of popular music. This venture proved a perfect project for him, with ample opportunities for the extravagant sets and costumes that characterise his productions and music adapted from the sinister score of the original movie.

More info: Edward Scissorhands Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree and Carols 2008

Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DS
4th December 2008 - 5th January 2009 *(dates to be confirmed)

For over half a century Trafalgar Square has been adorned with a majestic Christmas tree - an annual gift from the people of Oslo, thanking us for support and friendship during World War Two. The tree - perhaps the most famous in the world - is an integral part of Christmas in London. The evergreen is always a prime specimen, a giant pine, decorated with white lights. Singing groups and passers-by join around the tree every evening to sing carols and soak up the Christmas cheer and on some evenings the voices of the St Martin in the Fields choir lead the tune. A special dedication of the crib service takes place on Sunday 7th December (dates to be confirmed), starting at 5.30pm with a torch-lit procession from Martin-in-the-Fields church to the square. The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is lit on Thursday 4th December at 6.30pm (dates to be confirmed) and from then on the lights remain turned on from noon until midnight daily throughout the festive season. The tree remains at Trafalgar Square until 5th January 2009. The turning on ceremony is preceded by carol-singing by the Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields, and traditionally also involves a flash-in-the-pan pop celebrity whose career disappears completely over the next 12 months.

More info: Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree and Carols Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Donmar West End: Twelfth Night

Wyndhams Theatre, WC2H 0DA
5th December 2008 - 7th March 2009

The second play in the Donmar Warehouse's Wyndham's Theatre season is Shakespeare's seasonal comedy of cross-dressing twins and their confused lovers. The fame of the Donmar name, and the unblemished record of director Michael Grandage, has lured 70-year-old Sir Derek Jacobi back to the boards, to play the foolish butler Malvolio, the villain and victim of the piece. Though the venue is much larger than their usual home, tickets for Donmar productions sell out very fast, and you should probably register on their website if you want to be sure of getting one.

More info: Donmar West End: Twelfth Night Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

The BlackRock Masters Tennis

Royal Albert Hall, London, SW7 2AP
5th December 2008 - 10th December 2008

The highlight of the seniors' tennis circuit is definitely this event at the Royal Albert Hall, which John McEnroe describes as "our Wimbledon". To play in the tournament players must, at one time, have been the world Number One, a Grand Slam finalist or a player on a winning Davis Cup side - so that means top quality. These guys might have lost a few ounces of speed and stamina over the years but they retain all the guile, poise and determination that made them champions in the first place. The game's greatest characters - including headband hero Pat Cash, amiable playboy Henri Leconte and louche Croatian Goran Ivanesevic - usually feature, so the games are full of banter and fun. Of course, there's not so much at stake as on the main tour, but the players get very competitive, unwilling to bow out to an old rival.

More info: The BlackRock Masters Tennis Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Great Christmas Pudding Race 2008

Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 8RF
6th December 2008 *(date to be confirmed)

You're familiar with the egg and spoon race. Well how about the Christmas Pudding Race? Covent Garden Piazza swells with spectators as about 150 contestants don fancy dress and race around a course strewn with flour-filled balloons, foam jets and other obstacles - all while trying to balance a Christmas pudding on a flimsy plate! The race has been going on every year since 1980 and it raises money for Cancer Research. At this time of year Covent Garden is a great place to be, with shops full of Christmas decorations and street entertainers putting on some diverting shows before and after the main event. The perfect way to break up a day of Christmas shopping in Covent Garden's collection of stylish stores.

*NB: DATE TO BE CONFIRMED.

More info: Great Christmas Pudding Race 2008 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Royal Albert Hall Christmas Carol Singalong 2008

Royal Albert Hall, London, SW7 2AP
14th December 2008 - 24th December 2008 *(dates to be confirmed)

Get involved and help raise the roof at this annual, audience participation, festive extravaganza. Every year an ebullient crowd join in and give their lungs a good workout as they belt their way through a stack of traditional, Christmas tunes. Organised by Raymond Gubbay and taking place throughout most of December (start date to be confirmed), right up until Christmas Eve, this is an informal, lighthearted event, which is traditionally full of lively atmosphere. The Royal Albert Hall is a fabulous venue for a concert. Opened by a speechless Queen Victoria in 1871, the celebrated amphitheatre and dome have played host to hundreds of triumphant performances, including the The Proms for over fifty years. This is always a staunchly populist 'greatest hits' set, taking in anything from religious staples like 'O Come All Ye Faithful', to 'Rocking Around the Christmas Tree' and Bing Crosby's 'White Christmas'. Tickets for this London favourite always sell out fast so book in early.

*NB: DATES TO BE CONFIRMED.

More info: Royal Albert Hall Christmas Carol Sing-Along 2008 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

London International Horse Show 2008

Olympia, London, W14 8UX
16th December 2008 - 21st December 2008 *(dates to be confirmed)

London's annual equestrian fiesta graces Olympia once more for a full week of galloping, jumping and pinpoint dressage steps. There's enough to please everybody, with the UK's only World Cup dressage qualifier, spectacular show-jumping competitions, and some fantastic equestrian shopping opportunities. As well as the elegant steeds trotting around, there are some dog-related competitions too, including a canine agility contest. The grand finale is an enormous festive parade with hundreds of horses, costumes and music combining to a spectacular climax. It was a sell-out last year, so get booking those tickets soon.

Photo: Olympia - The London International Horse Show

*NB: DATES TO BE CONFIRMED

More info: London International Horse Show Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Midnight Mass at St Paul's Cathedral

St Paul's Cathedral, EC4M 8AD
Christmas Eve, 24th December 2008

Built by Sir Christopher Wren after the fire, St Paul's is viewed by many as the spiritual home of Great Britain. It's also a very popular place to experience the more traditional side of Christmas and escape the mad rush that threatens to overtake us all as December 25th approaches. Demand is so great that St Paul's puts on a series of Christmas celebrations throughout December but the high point has to be the Midnight Mass service. The cathedral's famous dome, which peaks over the top of London's skyline from miles around, fills with the soaring sounds of the Cathedral Choir. In candlelit, majestic surroundings in the middle of the city this is the perfect place to usher in Christmas Day before wrapping up warm and making your way home through the magically deserted streets.

More info: Midnight Mass at St Paul's Cathedral Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Peter Pan Cup Swimming Race

Serpentine, London, W2 2UH
Christmas Day, 25th December 2008

This lot are a hardy bunch but tradition is tradition and members of the Serpentine Swimming Club have been plunging themselves into the lake's icy waters every Christmas Day since 1864. At temperatures of below four degrees Celsius in winter, the swimmers will want to get a wiggle on so it's lucky that they are all in hot pursuit of the prestigious Peter Pan Cup. The name of the 100-yard race dates back to 1904 when J.M Barrie, the creator of the boy who refused to grow up, presented the first cup. While most of us are still tucked up in bed or delving into our stocking as the competitors line up (and pretend not to shiver) for their 9am start, a jolly crowd gathers to witness the spectacle. It's a great way to get some fresh air on Christmas morning and you'll feel like you've earned your post-lunch snooze. Behind you, Hyde Park offers a wonderful wintry landscape and, if you want to continue the Peter Pan theme, why not nip across to see the famous statue in Kensington Gardens.

Note: You must have competed in the entire Winter Series to take part. Spectators are welcome and the race starts on the south bank of the lake close to the Lido Cafe.

More info: Peter Pan Cup Swimming Race Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

New Year's Eve Fireworks 2008

London Eye, Jubilee Gardens, London, SE1 7PB
31st December 2008

The annual display, launched from the foot of the London Eye and from rafts on the Thames, is visible from most of central London: the basic rule is that if you can see the London Eye, you'll be able to see the show. They cram enough firepower for an hour-long display into ten explosive minutes, lighting up the sky for miles around. The best views are from Victoria Embankment, the South Bank, and Westminster and Waterloo bridges. Hungerford Bridge is closed after 20:00, and there's also no entry to Westminster Bridge after 20:00.

Photo credit James O Jenkins.

More info: New Year's Eve Fireworks 2008 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube