December in London 2012

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. 

The famous ballet classic Sleeping Beauty hits the London stage in Matthew Bourne's re-imagining of the iconic classic. The choreographer is renowned for his revolutionary adaptations of classic works and this production of Tchaikovsky's 1889 ballet is no different as the heroine of the piece, Aurora, wakes up in 2011 and, in a radical twist on the original tale, doesn't fall in love at first sight. Bourne describes the modern age that she wakes up in as "a world more mysterious and wonderful than any fairy story". He has also produced modern versions of Swan Lake and Nutcracker! and the Sleeping Beauty revival will be part of the 25th anniversary of his company.

For a refreshing and alternative shopping experience in the lead up to Christmas then try the annual East London Design Show at Shoreditch Town Hall. Forget the humdrum conformity of the high street and seek out some stylish surprises from over one hundred of the best independent product, interior and jewellery designers in London - all under one roof. The wares range from ceramics to clothes, to jewellery and furniture, and there's also stationary, children's toys, lighting, art and homewares, plus the requisite array of zany gimcracks and cheerios. Expect something a little sleeker, funkier and less folksy and dated than the craft goods you'll find in the German Markets around town. Who knows, you might even be buying a future design classic. Shopping is the main event, but there's also a bar/cafe and workshops on sustainable gift-wrapping, hat making and toy making.

England take on New Zealand in the last of four QBE Autumn Internationals at Twickenham in 2012. England will be on the back end of a very tough autumn period, with games against Samoa, Australia and South Africa and this match against the world champions will be the hardest of the lot. The All Blacks won the World Cup in nerve-wracking style in 2011, with an 8-7 victory France in the final just seeing them home. Their coronation at the top of the world game was arguably merely the confirmation of what many had known for years - the All Blacks have been the world's finest side for a long time. Packed wall to wall with world class players, they play rugby that is on a different plane of existence to any of the turgid play sometimes produced by England at their lowest. In Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu and Israel Dagg, they possess exceptional talent that can rip any team to shreds. Whether a new look England side will be able to pose a threat at Twickenham is difficult to predict.

It's one of those crazy British Christmas traditions that no one can quite fathom: every year, swimmers around the UK take a festive plunge in icy waters all in the name of a bit of bravado and exhilaration (not to mention hypothermia). The annual freezing dip into Parliament Hill Lido takes place on the first Saturday of December. The December Dip, formerly known as the 'Plum Pudding Plunge', is the first swim of the season organised by the Outdoor Swimming Society, who each year organise festive swims as far away and chilly as Scotland. With mince pies to dispel the inevitable goosebumps, a hot tub, chattering teeth and general merrymaking, all swimmers, donning Christmas hats, will be encouraged to attempt two widths of the lido, with the most intrepid aiming for four or six.  Swimmers can register for the event, which costs £15, at the Outdoor Swimming Society website. Make sure you bring some warm clothes, a woolly hat, a swimming costume / trunks and a lot of courage. They say it's good for the circulation...

When Green Day's Grammy award-winning multi-platinum album American Idiot was released in 2004, the unique 'rock opera' format drew many to lament the fact that it wasn't actually a stage production. Well, worry no longer. Based around songs from both American Idiot and the subsequent album 21st Century Breakdown, the show tells the captivating story of three lifelong friends and their quest to escape the safety of post 9/11 suburbia. The show has been described by The New York Times as "thrilling" and "emotionally charged" and there's even a feature film version in development, produced by Tom Hanks.

The highlight of the ATP Champions Tour is definitely the AEGON Masters Tennis event at the Royal Albert Hall as blasts from the past battle it out in London's prettiest indoor arena. 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 (with exception of certain invited players) - 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. Last year, American John McEnroe won his fifth Masters title as he battled to a 6-2, 6-4 win over former Wimbledon finalist Pat Cash on a stage usually reserved for Brahms, Beethoven and the Beatles. Expect a few days of competitive tennis with a healthy splash of fun as these past masters take to the court once again.

Join hundreds of other Santas on a festive run through Greenwich Park before relaxing afterwards with mulled wine and Christmas cake. No previous experience is needed for this fantastically festive day. Simply register, turn up on the day, collect your free Santa outfit and tackle the 5km run. The spirit of the event is to be decided solely by the participants, meaning you can decide to walk, jog or run as fast or as slow as you like. Why will everyone be dressed as Santa? Well, ignoring the obvious (the time of year), proceeds from the run will be donated to Home-Start, who help children get the best possible start in life. If you've ever fancied a fun run through London whilst dressed as Father Christmas (and let's face it, who hasn't?) then this is the one for you.Note: The date for this event is still to be confirmed.

Katherine Jenkins has successfully broken down the barriers between opera and the public and has become one of Britain's favourite singers. The beautiful star has sold millions of albums, won a Brit award and performed worldwide with acclaimed artists including Andrea Bocelli and Placido Domingo. This December, Katherine will be taking to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall for a special Christmas concert. Accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra and London Philharmonic, the singer will perform songs from her new album as well as a number of Christmas carols. Special guests The band of the Welsh Guards and The Boy Choristers of St George's Chapel will also feature.

Unless your name's Ebenezer Scrooge, this glittering production of E.T.A. Hoffman's The Nutcracker cannot fail to get you in the Christmas spirit. As sure as putting up fairy lights, filling Christmas stockings and having too much mulled wine at the office party, watching Clara dance in front of the Christmas tree at the Royal Opera House is a truly festive thing to do. It's hard to imagine a production more indulgently sumptuous than Wayne Eagling's choreography to Tchaikovsky's famous score. From the heart-warming family party of the opening scene to the appearance of the magical kingdom, the action beckons you in. This is pure spectacle but The Royal Ballet pulls it off with such beauty and style that it's a Christmas cracker...

The Southbank Centre's weekly Real Food Market turns festive in the lead up to Christmas - an ideal chance to pick up some last-minute culinary delights. Located in the square on the Waterloo Station side of the Southbank Centre, the Christmas Real Food Market will boast a whole range of seasonal produce such as wild game, ham, charcuterie, pies, cheeses, chutneys, pickles, cakes and chocolates, as well as Christmas staples in mince pies and mulled wine. This is high quality but affordable stuff - and with kind staff from carefully selected producers, plus a taste-before-you-buy policy, it's a relaxed place to make your unique Yule time food purchases.

HG Wells' epic science fiction drama The War of The Worlds comes (almost literally) to life at the O2 this December. Jeff Wayne's musical recreation of the story has had huge success on the stage and now, thanks to modern technology, gets even better as it arrives in 3D holography in London this Christmas. The story will be accompanied by full live band, strings and state-of-the-art special effects and illusions. Internationally adored Irish actor Liam Neeson leads the new cast and acts as George Herbert, the stories narrator. Following in the great footsteps of Richard Burton, who starred in the original cast over thirty years ago. Neeson will appear in 3 forms, as a full body hologram interacting with live actors, as an 11-foot holographic head floating over the stage and finally, projected onto a humongous 100-foot wide 'animation wall.' It promises to be a truly spectacular sight and a really unique chance to see this classic story told in its most technologically advanced state to date. With generations of devoted fans, this ground-breaking modern interpretation is sure to dazzle audiences of all ages and looks set to be a silver-screen sell-out. Tickets go on sale at 9am on the 25th November 2012.

With more than 30 million albums sold globally and a string of sell-out tours under his belt, Andre Rieu is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated classical artists of our time. Known for his animated and jubilant concerts Rieu's audiences are often found out of their seats and waltzing in the aisles. The Dutch musician arrives in town with his 60-piece Johann Strauss Orchestra and his trusty 1667 Stradivarius violin to give fans two unforgettable evenings at the world's largest dome this December. Rieu created the Johann Strauss orchestra in 1987 and has been performing and touring the world with them ever since. He has become one of the world's most respected and renowned violinists and conductors. A second date at the O2 Arena has already been added due to popular demand for the show.

Sir Christopher Wren's magnificent St Paul's Cathedral, viewed by many as the spiritual home of Great Britain, is a wonderful place to be on the night before Christmas when the Choir of St Paul's Cathedral is joined by Barbican Brass to mark the first Eucharist of Christmas. This is one of many Christmas celebrations held at the cathedral throughout December. Demand is so great that St Paul's puts on a series of special events 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. All you need is a fresh coating of snow to settle...

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. 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.

The annual New Year's Eve Fireworks 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 Bridge and Waterloo Bridge. Hungerford Bridge is closed after 8pm and there's also no entry to Westminster Bridge after this time.