Christmas - Latest news and reviews

Earlier this morning, the annual Christmas Eve auction took place at Smithfields.

OK, it's actually the International Space Station, but if you are dragged awake at an ungodly hour by the kids, then why not go out and watch "santa" rehearsing his present delivery run?

Good news for meat lovers and lovers of a meaty bargain as the exceptionally good fun Christmas Eve auction will return to Smithfield this year.

This year marks the 600th anniversary of the earliest known reference to a Christmas tree. Maybe.

An annual tradition is being continued this Christmas, with a powerful performance of Handel’s Messiah in St Paul’s Cathedral.

Each year the streets are littered with dead and dying Christmas trees dumped by uncaring families who can't be bothered to dispose of them properly.

With many people taking an extended break over Christmas, it helps to know which museums are going to be open so that you can have some ideas of where to visit.

We've barely taken down the lights, and plans for Christmas are already under way - with an open competition to design Oxford Street's 2018 lights.

A rare map of the Arctic Ocean held at The National Archives may contain some of the earliest colour images ever produced of Father Christmas.

A 17th century recipe for Mince Pies that's recently been found in The National Archives calls for a loin of fat mutton to be minced with a leg of veal.

People love photos of cats playing in front of Christmas trees, so here's my own take on that popular genre.

There's a corner of docklands that is forever nightime, where boats are mended, a pub serves no one, and shops sell nothing - and now it's festive time.

On the First day of Christmas my true love sent to me:

The Geffrye Museum has, as is now traditional for them, decorated its collection of historic rooms as if they are set for Christmas.

An annual tradition is being continued this Christmas, with an uplifting rendition of Handel's Messiah in St Paul's Cathedral.