Chilly innit? I’m in that space where I’m kind of looking forward to snow and kind of dreading it. But don’t let the weather stop you from making the most of this weekend. A feast in Islington, winter wonderlands all over town and a proper knees-up in Greenwich. Lots of festive fun for London kids and families!
Thu-Sun: Feast Islington Square, former North London Mail Centre, Studd St, N1 (Highbury & Islington tube)
Festive foodies gather at this winter festival to savour a selection of top chefs including hot restos Mishkins, Gordon Ramsay’s York & Albany and Ceviche as well as street food favourites Big Apple Hot Dogs, Lucky Chip and Yum Bun plus more. 6-11pm (Thu-Fri), 12-11pm (Sat), 12-8pm (Sun); £10 (Dec 6-9)
Fri-Sun: Taste of Christmas at ExCel Centre, 1 Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Doc, E16 (Custom House DLR)
Get inspiration for your Christmas dinner at this annual exhibition featuring cookery theatre and masterclasses, tastings, boutique market and more than 200 producers. 10am-6pm; adult £18.50 adv-£23.50 door/child ages 6-14 £12/under 6s FREE (Dec 7-9)
Sat: Winter Open Day at Vauxhall City Farm, Spring Gardens, SE11 (vauxhall tube)
Shop handmade and homemade goods at artisan stalls, watch wool spinning and jam making demos, plus mince pies, mulled wine and Santa’s grotto. 11am-4pm, FREE (Dec 8)
Sat: Family Christmas Cabaret at Greenwich Dance, the Borough Hall, Royal Hill, SE10 (Greenwich DLR)
Enjoy live dance showcases including tap and hip hop companies, quirky comedy, circus performance and a family disco. 4.30pm start, £10/concs. £7.50 (Dec 8)
Sat-Sun: Winter Festive Weekend at Mudchute Farm and Park, Pier St, Isle of Dogs, E14 (Crossharbour DLR)
There’s a living nativity scene among the lambs and cows, along with falconry demos, storytelling tours, market stalls, woodworking, Father Christmas meet and greets, tea cup carousel and Christmas trees for sale. 11am-3pm, FREE (Dec 8-9)
Sat-Sun: Winter Wonderland Weekend at London Wetlands Centre, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes, SW13 (Hammersmith tube)
All aboard for huskies sleigh rides and a trip to Santa’s grotto, along with a chance to explore exotic geese, ducks and other wildlife and watch a conservationist take on A Christmas Carol. Plus wine-tasting for grown-ups! 10am-4pm, adult £9.99/child £5.55/under 4s FREE (Dec 8-9)
Sat-Sun: Christmas Fayre at Horniman Museum, 100 London Rd, Forest Hill SE23 (Forest Hill overground)
Visit the popular location for a weekend of wintry fun including shopping for gifts from stalls, face painting and mini manicures, making Christmas crackers and 2 rousing carol concerts on the Sunday. 10.30am-5.30pm, entry FREE (Dec 8-9)
Sun: Sleeping Beauty at Fulham Palace, Bishop’s Avenue, SW6 (Putney Bridge tube)
The enchanting tale of Aurora, put to sleep by a wicked witch and awoken from her 16-year-old sleep by a dashing prince casts a spell over a younger audience in this engaging pantomime for kids up to age 14. 1pm; £10/family £36. Booking via Lyric Hammersmith 020 8741 6850 (Dec 9)
Local Pick
Sun: Santa’s Special Sunday at London Canal Museum, 12-13 New Wharf Rd, N1 (King’s Cross tube)
Catch up with old Father Christmas on a brief ride through the tunnels on a canal boat. Limited spaces available, booking essential. Late morning until 4.30pm (rides 20-25 minutes); £10 – child ticket includes gift (Dec 9)
We also like
Intriguing theatre company Echoa in Wandsworth (Thu-Sun); Little Charley Bear is live at the Ambassadors Theatre (Thu-Sun, until Christmas Eve); countdown with the Giant Lego Advent Calendar in Covent Garden (until Dec 24)
Picture via London Wetland Centre web site
