Looking for things to do once Christmas Day is out of the way? Wondering what's open between then and New Year? Just want to get out of the house and away from the Monopoly/cheese board?
CHRISTMAS TRANSPORT: Before you make any plans for the upcoming week, check the Christmas transport situation in London. As well as those ongoing strikes, there are a couple of big station closures to know about.
ICE SKATING: London's festive ice rinks remain open throughout the Christmas period and into January. Somerset House, Battersea Power Station and Hyde Park are just some of the places you can take to the ice this year — here's a full ice skating guide.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Similarly, London's Christmas lights stay on after the big day, illuminated every evening until early January. Have a read of our guide to London's Christmas light displays for tips on seeing them, either on foot or by bus.
WINTER WONDERLAND: Huge festive fair Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is all-systems-go throughout the festive season, closing only on 25 December. Fairground rides, markets, food and drink stalls, circus shows and an ice rink are all part of the fun — just bear in mind that you need to book your entry in advance to get in.
PANTO: From classic Mother Goose at the legendary Hackney Empire, to Cinderella with an Egyptian twist, via Snow White, Robin Hood and Jack and the Beanstalk, London's panto scene is absolutely thriving this year. There's even a Sinderfella, strictly for the adults. Read our guide to London's pantomimes this year to choose your show.
FESTIVE THEATRE: Elf, The Snowman, It's A Wonderful Life. Nope, not a list of Christmas films, but rather a selection of the festive productions taking place on stage in London this year. From ballet to circus to musicals, take a look at these fantastically festive theatre shows in London, and book yourself a seat this Twixtmas.
AFTERNOON TEA: If turkey and cheese stocks are running low in your house by the middle of this week, why not treat the family to a festive afternoon tea instead? Restaurants, hotels and cafes all over town offer a Christmas twist on the traditional afternoon tea, with most of the limited edition menus only available until late December or early January.
LIGHT FESTIVALS: Wrap up warm and head out to one of London's ongoing light festivals. At time of writing, tickets are available for Lightopia at Crystal Palace, Light Fantastic on the Epping Ongar Railway, Illuminature in Barnes, Enchanted at Eltham Palace, Christmas at Kenwood, and Palace of Light at Hampton Court Palace this week.
WEEKEND WALKS: This week is practically one long weekend anyway, so grab your walking boots and head out on one of our weekend walk routes. See a part of London you haven't visited before, and best of all, it's free — unless you stop in a pub for a pint or two...
DUVET DAY: Can't be bothered with the outside world? Stock up on mince pies, kick back and work your way through the videos on our YouTube channel.
DAY TRIPS: Want to get out of London for a day? Browse some of our favourite day trips and weekend breaks from from the capital (just remember that train services are a bit hit-and-miss this week). Perhaps leave the seaside trips until the summer, but why not visit a new town, city or museum?
CHRISTMAS EVE: Instead of pacing the floor by the fireplace waiting for Santa to come, get out and enjoy London this Christmas Eve. Here's our guide to things to do in London on 24 December.
CHRISTMAS DAY: Yep, we've got a guide for that to. Here's our pick of things to do in London on Christmas Day.
BOXING DAY: You guessed it — we've already covered that too. Aren't we good to you? Here's the lowdown on Boxing Day events in London.
NEW YEAR'S EVE: Whether you're looking to get glammed up and go out on the town, or usher in 2023 in a more sedate manner, we've got it all covered.
Current exhibitions
If you're got some free time, why not spend it seeing one or two of the exhibitions that you've been meaning to see all year? Note that gallery and museum opening times may vary over this week, but all of the ones listed here are open at least some days between Christmas and New Year — check with individual venues before you travel. For further inspiration, check out our art critic's guide to the biggest exhibitions to see in London this winter.
DIPPY AT NHM: You've only got until 2 January t0 see Dippy Returns at the Natural History Museum, before Dippy leaves again. The replica diplodocus skeleton is back on display after touring the UK. FREE, until 2 January
GINGERBREAD CITY: Festive favourite Gingerbread City is open in Belgravia, displaying five mini cities made of gingerbread and edible decorations. Architects and civil engineers are behind the designs, which feature buildings, bridges and a working train set. Until 2 January
ALEXANDER THE GREAT: A fascinating look into the legends behind Alexander the Great, a man who continues to captivate, at British Library. Until February
IN PLAIN SIGHT: What's it like to be blind? A VR experience at In Plain Sight, Wellcome Collection's latest exhibition, aims to demonstrate this, along with art and historic artefacts on the topic of vision. FREE, until February
HIEROGLYPHS: The British Museum's densely curated Hieroglyphs exhibition tells the story of the Rosetta Stone, the slab of granodiorite that unlocked the mystery of Egyptian hieroglyphs. Until February
EXECUTIONS: Museum of London has now closed, but its easterly sibling, Museum of London Docklands remains firmly open, including its Executions exhibition, which covers the history of capital punishment here in the, er, capital. Until April
ELMER THE ELEPHANT: One for families with younger children, Elmer and Friends at Horniman Museum is an interactive look at the characters created by late author David McKee. Not Now, Bernard, Mr Benn, and King Rollo also feature, meaning there's something familiar for parents and grandparents too. Until April
SCIENCE FICTION: Science Museum's latest blockbuster exhibition is Science Fiction: Voyage to the Edge of Imagination, which displays some of the most iconic treasures of film and TV. Until May
