Things to do in London between Christmas and New Years

Going Out | Events and Things To Do

Things to do in London between Christmas and New Years

Stuck for things to do? Mike Daw gas a run-down of everything that's going on across town

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Mike Daw27 December 2023

The turkey curry is finished, the brandy bottle is empty, and the collective hangover is just about abating. That strange, slightly bewildering period between Christmas and New Year's Eve where time stands still and no one knows which way is up has arrived.

To stave off any post-Christmas insanity, and to further delay any time thinking about going back to the office, it's best to make some plans. As ever, London is well equipped to spend Betwixmas (aka “Twixmas”, “The Fallow”) in style.

There are plenty of live concerts, arty things to do, cultural happenings and family-friendly gatherings to make the most of this particularly peculiar time of year. Netflix and stale mince pies? No, thank you. Take a look at these things to do instead.  

December 27

Royal Albert Hall

The two-day hangover has surely subsided by now, and ready to face the world again, it’s time to soak up a little culture at Somerset House. It’s one of the final weeks of the stunning The Missing Thread exhibition (Strand, WC2R, somersethouse.org.uk), examining the untold story of the black British influence on fashion and design.

If a slightly more adventurous (read: outdoorsy) day is called for, the Christmas at Eltham Palace light show (Eltham, SE9, christmasatelthampalace.com) remains on until the end of the month with a series of dazzling displays on throughout the grounds. For a little highbrow culture, the hit show House of Bernarda Alba is on at the National (South Bank, SE1, nationaltheatre.org.uk) until January 6, or if reminiscing about Ryan Gosling pretending to like jazz is your idea of a good time, tickets to La La Land live at the Royal Albert Hall (Kensington Gore, SW7, royalalberthall.com) will no doubt make the day complete. 

December 28

Mark Allan

For an altogether more relaxing affair, the Aire Ancient Baths (Robert Street, WC2N, beaire.com) is one of London’s best-regarded spas and a must for those seeking to unwind after a frenetic festive week. Or, if the soothing sounds of classical music is wanted, try Beethoven’s Ninth at The Barbican (Barbican, EC2Y, barbican.org.uk). It's a concert from Raymond Gubbay’s Christmas Festival from the Royal Philharmonic that shouldn’t be missed. If after a long few days of family frivolities, a night out with mates if required, the Mi-Soul Radio Christmas Party at KOKO (Camden, NW1, koko.co.uk) looks ideal. Think two rooms of soul and house music, each with a roster of fantastic DJ talent on until about 3am. Perfect. 

December 29

Photo by Mark Douet

Following a short but successful run at the National, The Motive and the Cue (St Martin's Lane, WC2N, noelcowardtheatre.co.uk) moved to the Noël Coward Theatre and, with limited tickets in January and until the end of the run in March, Twixmas might just be the best time to see this extraordinary production. There are, however, livelier goings-on this evening with the London Cabaret Club (Bloomsbury, WC1B, thelondoncabaretclub.com) hosting one of the few nights left of Christmas Royale, the extravagant and elaborate performance with Bond as this year's theme, or the semi-secret Sofar Sounds (Hackney, E1, sofarsounds.com) who are set to host one of their signature live music gigs in Hackney. For an altogether more relaxed afternoon, the David Hockney exhibition Drawing From Life is in it’s final few weeks at the National Portrait Gallery (St. Martin's Place, WC2H, npg.org.uk). Enjoy portraiture before a quiet meal at the top of the gallery, and unwind. 

December 30

Cristina de Middel Butungakuna

For an operatic afternoon, Hansel and Gretel gets a special outing in English at the Royal Opera House (Covent Garden, WC2E, roh.org.uk) perfectly suited for a family day of culture. Elsewhere, the family theme continues out at the Epping Ongar Light Express (Ongar station CM5, eorailway.co.uk) a short, slightly magical train journey bathed in multi-coloured light. If a little culture wouldn't go amiss, A World in Common at Tate (Bankside, SE1 tate.org.uk) enters its final weeks with a stunning collection of contemporary African photography.