Chocolate, gift shopping, carols and a brekkie with Santa. It’s beginning to look a lot like… a very Christmassy weekend. Enjoy!
FREE PICK
Fri-Sun: More London Christmas Market, Tooley St area, SE1 (London Bridge tube)
More than 30 handpicked traders from UK and overseas will be selling jewellery, crafts, design, fashion and seasonal food. Enjoy live music, mulled wine and mince pies and glide on the free ice rink. 10am-6pm, FREE (Dec 9-11)
TASTY CHOICE
Fri-Sun: Christmas Chocolate Festival at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Waterloo tube)
Browse for gifts for your favourite chocoholics or just induge your own senses at this popular festival where chocolate artisans from all over show off their skills and wares. 11am-8pm (Fri-Sat), 11am-6pm (Sun); FREE (Dec 9-11)
Fri: Carol Concert with the Animals at Spitalfields City Farm, Buxton St, E1 (Shoreditch High St overground)
Belt out festive anthems amongst the beastly backing ‘singers’, followed by mulled apple juice, hot chocolate and mince pies. 5-7pm, FREE (donations welcome) (Dec 9)
Sat: Mini Maestro Family Christmas Carols by Candlelight at St Martins in the Field, Trafalgar Square, WC1 (Charing Cross tube)
Vivamus Choir presents a fun programme of sweet choral singing, merry organ playing and rousing trumpets. 4-5pm; call box office +44 207 766 1100 to reserve (Dec 10)
Sat: Festive Lanterns and the Pom Pom Club at Somerset House, the Strand, WC2 (Charing Cross tube)
Get in the seasonal mood at this drop-in workshop to craft paper lanterns and decorate with pom poms and all things sparkly. For all ages. 11am-1pm & 2-4pm; FREE (Dec 10 & 17)
Sat-Sun: Duckie Christmas Market at Barbican Centre, Silk St, EC2 (Barbican tube)
Over the holiday period, the Barbican foyer is transformed into a bazaar with stalls by retro hawkers and. There’ll also be food, pop-up performances, workshops and a host of seasonal bonhomie. 2-9.30pm (Sat-Sun), 6-9.30pm (Tue-Thu), 6-11pm (Fri Dec 16), dates and times vary; FREE (Dec 10-30)
Sun: Breakfast with Santa at Hard Rock Cafe, 150 Old Park Lane, W1 (Green Park tube)
Feast on an all-American brunch buffet at the popular diner and the kids can bag a visit with Santa, and emerge with photos and a goody bag.10am-12pm; menu prices vary (Dec 11)
Sun: The Wonderful World of Captain Beaky and his Band at Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 (High St Kensington tube)
Follow the adventures of Timid Toad, Reckless Rat, Artful Owl and Batty Bat in this festive concert in aid of UNICEF. With surprise guests and intro from Roger Moore. 6pm, £20-£75 (Dec 11)
Local Pick
Fri-Sun: Angel Christmas Fair Candid Arts, 3 Torrens St, EC1 (Angel tube)
50 artists and designers showcase and sell affordable works in photography, crafts, textiles and more. Plus seasonal eats to keep you in the mood. 6-9pm (Fri, preview); 10am-6pm (Sat-Sun); FREE
For more Family Weekend Activities including the Winter Wonderland at London Wetland Centre, and the Shop West End VIP weekend, check out our Babes Christmas Guide
Also see Top Christmas Shows for Under Fives
Have you entered our 12 Days of Xmas Giveaways? Don’t miss out!
