The ianVisits guide to December's unusual events, tours, lectures and exhibitions happening around London.
Coronavirus: Events may be cancelled and venues closed at short notice, you are advised to check on their websites before making a trip.
Tuesday 1st December
Online events / webinars
Join Professor Maria Charalambides for Science Breaks as she discusses her work on engineering better-tasting, healthier chocolate.
12:30pm to 1:30pm
Wee Willie & the King’s Silver Trousers: A Tale of Medieval Arms & Armour from the Society of Antiquaries Library
1pm to :
This talk deals with some of the City’s top spooks, plus a few more from all over London.
2pm to 3pm
This lecture will use examples – from a report on Coronavirus to a popular soap about rural life – to explore and compare with Western beliefs.
6pm to 7pm
Emma Chapman will tell us what happened after the Big Bang what it can teach us about the Universe today.
7pm to 8:30pm
More London events on Tuesday 1st December
Wednesday 2nd December
Online events / webinars
Butchers from Borough Market’s Northfield Farm to show off different ways of preparing a classic porchetta.
1pm to 1:45pm
A talk about an iconic chair in the Emery Walker House, but was it made by a bodger?
3pm to 5:30pm
10 Years since its restoration,Michel Snodin and Carole Patey, both Trustees in 2010 and central figures in the restoration, discuss the hurdles and triumphs in rebuilding Horace Walpole’s inspirational ‘little gothic castle’.
6pm to :
This lecture looks at how this dramatic change was pushed through despite formidable opposition.
6pm to 7pm
More London events on Wednesday 2nd December
Thursday 3rd December
Online events / webinars
Join our panel of experts to address this question and discover the incredible opportunities provided by digital technologies in mitigating climate change and helping us to achieve net zero.
6pm to 7pm
Zandra will be in conversation with the Fashion Museum's Head of Exhibitions, Dennis Nothdruft.
6pm to 7:30pm
How do we investigate violent and unexpected deaths at the inquest?
6pm to 7pm
Toni Mount discusses how a Lincolnshire farm boy became one of the most influential scientists of all time
6pm to 7pm
Discover the reality of peacetime conscription and its impact on Britain with Professor Richard Vinen.
6:30pm to :
Celebrate the cultural diversity of the Arctic and its importance to us all at this special Online Late.
6:30pm to 8pm
A virtual tour to explore themes of identity, art, immigration and social change in one of London most dynamic areas.
7pm to 8pm
An evening of three talks about Stoke Newington's history from different perspectives
7pm to 8:30pm
A talk about the Limehouse hydraulic accumulator tower and the history of hydraulic power.
7:30pm to :
More London events on Thursday 3rd December
Friday 4th December
Online events / webinars
Join Dr Christopher Knowles as he looks at the roles of four British individuals shaping the British occupation in Germany following the Second World War.
12pm to :
While we can give the era a grateful nod for the Christmas tree, carols and crackers, let’s be honest - it’s really all about the food.
2pm to 3pm
Nick Hall looks at British tourists' views of the USSR.
6pm to 7:30pm
More London events on Friday 4th December
Saturday 5th December
Watch a fleet of vintage Routemaster buses on route 159
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Fulham Palace's outdoor/indoor Christmas market which includes fine foods and gifts, perfect for buying some thoughtful presents.
9am to 5pm
Fulham
A note that a steam train will run through South London in the morning, returning later in the afternoon.
11am to 5pm
Fun and fascinating walk through Spitalfields' hidden history
11am to 12:30pm
Whitechapel
Southwark Cathedral invite all amateur and professional photographers to spend an atmospheric evening in the Cathedral during advent.
6pm to 8:30pm
Southwark
Online events / webinars
10am to 5:30pm
Get behind the scenes at IWM as two curators discuss their new books and share their experience of diving into the collections.
3pm to 4:30pm
More London events on Saturday 5th December
Sunday 6th December
Fulham Palace's outdoor/indoor Christmas market which includes fine foods and gifts, perfect for buying some thoughtful presents.
9am to 5pm
Fulham
Better than half price entry to the Painted Hall on the first Sunday of the month.
10am to 5pm
Greenwich
Monthly opening of London's original international airport - in Croydon.
10am to 4pm
Croydon
More London events on Sunday 6th December
Monday 7th December
Online events / webinars
This lecture will consider the prevention and treatment of these cancers.
6pm to 7pm
A panel of expert scientists explore the science behind the pandemic, and discuss what it is about this particular virus that makes it so infectious and potentially life-threatening on an unprecedented global scale.
6:15pm to 7:15pm
This illustrated online talk will delve into the wonderfully rich world of Christmas customs and folklore, past and present.
7pm to 8pm
The story about the crashed test flight for a revolutionary new radar system during WW2.
7:30pm to 9pm
More London events on Monday 7th December
Tuesday 8th December
Online events / webinars
A talk and live experiment, where author and historian Jessica Borge will recreate some of the 1960s consumer tests of condoms.
5pm to 6pm
A glimpse into secret tunnels, abandoned stations and haunted lines running under our great city.
6:30pm to 7:30pm
Dame Sally Davies and Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard discuss the future of public health
7pm to 8:30pm
More London events on Tuesday 8th December
Wednesday 9th December
Online events / webinars
This Virtual Private View will launch the Petrie Museum’s brand new Entrance Gallery and tell the story of the cast of characters who were influential in creating the museum.
3pm to 4pm
Is Santa really Dutch? Were Christmas Trees introduced by Prince Albert? Was Christmas once a time of faith, rather than riotous feasting?
6pm to 7pm
Find out how James Bond got his style from the tailors of Westminster.
6:30pm to 7:30pm
A seminar on the possible technical challenges of a manned space mission to Mars.
7pm to 8:30pm
More London events on Wednesday 9th December
Thursday 10th December
Free Satanic Winter Fayre
Dark Arts & Crafts, bizarre bric-a-brac, macabre merchandise, tarot reading, illustration, toys, pyrography, embroidery jewellery, comix and witch vintage.
12pm to 6pm
Soho
A note that a fireworks display will take place this evening or tomorrow evening.
5pm to 5pm
South Lambeth
Online events / webinars
This event focus is primarily on students, early career, young professionals with the presentation focus being aimed at this audience.
1pm to 2:30pm
Join Ian Baker, author of Tibetan Yoga: Principles and Practices, alongside Tibetan Buddhist teacher and traditional doctor Nida Chenagtsang, for an exploration into this lesser-known tradition.
2pm to 3pm
Join the authors of 'Repurposing the Green Belt in the 21st Century', including The Bartlett's Peter Bishop, as they discuss their new work.
5pm to 6pm
Join Claire and the rest of the panel as they explore the impact that social and political adjustments have had on their own lives and what they’d like to see in the future to increase accessibility in society.
6pm to :
This lecture shows how Ord built on Arthur Mann’s pioneering work with King’s Choir and created a singing style that transformed choral performance internationally.
6pm to 7pm
David Hu shows how animals have adapted and evolved to traverse their environments, taking advantage of physical laws with results that are startling and ingenious.
7pm to 8:30pm
An unusual opportunity to hear tales of some of the most fascinating and inspirational people in history who are buried at Highgate Cemetery
7pm to 8pm
£5.00 The Wassail
Apples Wassails, Doll Wassails, Visiting Wassails & the Bowl will be discussed in an online slideshow followed by a Zoom session with storytelling & song.
8pm to 10pm
More London events on Thursday 10th December
Friday 11th December
Hampton Court Palace courtyards and East Front gardens will be transformed into a food-lover's Christmas wonderland.
10am to 4:30pm
East Molesey
Free Satanic Winter Fayre
Dark Arts & Crafts, bizarre bric-a-brac, macabre merchandise, tarot reading, illustration, toys, pyrography, embroidery jewellery, comix and witch vintage.
12pm to 6pm
Soho
A note that a fireworks display will take place this evening or tomorrow evening.
5pm to 5pm
South Lambeth
Late-night opening of the museum along with the Derek Jarman exhibition and a floodlit church.
5:30pm to 8pm
Southwark
Leave thoughts of the pandemic and misery at the Cemetery Park gates and immerse yourself in gritty, warts-and-all East End history.
Starts at 5:30pm
Bow
Online events / webinars
David Hammond explores the role and influence, both cultural and military, of British Army music between the two world wars.
12pm to :
This presentation will also touch upon five decades of change since and how far Everest links are to be found in the City and surrounding areas.
2pm to 3pm
More London events on Friday 11th December
Saturday 12th December
The new Midland Pullman will make its maiden journey from St Pancras station.
All Day
Hampton Court Palace courtyards and East Front gardens will be transformed into a food-lover's Christmas wonderland.
10am to 4:30pm
East Molesey
Free Satanic Winter Fayre
Dark Arts & Crafts, bizarre bric-a-brac, macabre merchandise, tarot reading, illustration, toys, pyrography, embroidery jewellery, comix and witch vintage.
12pm to 6pm
Soho
A note that a steam train will leave Victoria station at lunchtime and loop around south London, returning later in the day.
12:15pm to 4:10pm
Leave thoughts of the pandemic and misery at the Cemetery Park gates and immerse yourself in gritty, warts-and-all East End history.
Starts at 5:30pm
Bow
Online events / webinars
Fun and fascinating walk showcasing Bermondsey's hidden history
11am to 12:30pm
More London events on Saturday 12th December
Sunday 13th December
Hampton Court Palace courtyards and East Front gardens will be transformed into a food-lover's Christmas wonderland.
10am to 4:30pm
East Molesey
Free Satanic Winter Fayre
Dark Arts & Crafts, bizarre bric-a-brac, macabre merchandise, tarot reading, illustration, toys, pyrography, embroidery jewellery, comix and witch vintage.
12pm to 6pm
Soho
A wide variety of stalls sited around the park will be selling gifts produced by local makers.
12pm to 3:30pm
Brixton
Leave thoughts of the pandemic and misery at the Cemetery Park gates and immerse yourself in gritty, warts-and-all East End history.
Starts at 5:30pm
Bow
A mind-bending musical voyage through space and time, set to a soundtrack inspired by the great unknowns of the Universe.
8pm to :
Barbican
Online events / webinars
Fun-filled walks uncovering Fleet Street's hidden history
11am to 12:30pm
More London events on Sunday 13th December
Monday 14th December
Unfortunately, there seems to be nothing special happening today. Sorry about that!
More London events on Monday 14th December
Tuesday 15th December
Online events / webinars
Their conversation will explore the historic destruction of libraries and archives, many of the names of which are written into the walls of the library of exile.
5:30pm to 6:30pm
Jonathan Slaght, conservationist, researcher and expert on Blakiston's fish owl, tells the story of how he saved the world's largest owl.
6pm to 7:30pm
A virtual tour of Art Deco New York with author Anthony Robins
6:30pm to 7:30pm
From the edge of our solar system to battling an artificial intelligence takeover, we will see the point of mathematics after all.
7pm to 8:30pm
More London events on Tuesday 15th December
Wednesday 16th December
Online events / webinars
Lucy Worsley is joined by food historian, Richard Fitch and Public Historian, Charles Farris for a whistle-stop tour of Christmas traditions through the ages.
7pm to :
More London events on Wednesday 16th December
Thursday 17th December
A notice that the Thames Barrier and the Barking Barrier will have their monthly test closures today.
8:30am to 11:10am
Online events / webinars
Learn more about the history of the Bank of England, and find out how their work has changed since they were founded in 1694.
12:30pm to 1:30pm
A tour which takes you from Vincent Van Gogh's workplace in 1873/4 to his lodgings, exploring what London would have been like then.
3pm to 4pm
Julia Black, as she interviews former Governor of the Bank of England and UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance, Mark Carney.
5:30pm to 6:30pm
A talk about the war beneath the trenches in which an ancient method of warfare was revived on a massive scale using modern technology and a highly skilled civilian workforce.
6:30pm to :
An unusual opportunity to hear tales of some of the most fascinating and inspirational people in history who are buried at Highgate Cemetery
7pm to 8pm
The talk will include some of the often hilarious threats from one magician to the other, as well as examine magic's enormous popularity in the nineteenth century until Barney's dramatic finale in 1858.
7pm to 8pm
Enjoy a specially-curated tour of the five-star exhibition from the comfort of your home.
8pm to :
More London events on Thursday 17th December
Friday 18th December
This NLA Breakfast Talk presents the plans to refresh Regent Street that are currently underway to improve this key historic street of the West End.
8:30am to 9:30am
Euston
Leave thoughts of the pandemic and misery at the Cemetery Park gates and immerse yourself in gritty, warts-and-all East End history.
Starts at 5:30pm
Bow
Online events / webinars
To mark the International Migrants' Day, this talk explores how emigration affects those left behind
6:30pm to 7:30pm
More London events on Friday 18th December
Saturday 19th December
Free The London Artisan
The London Artisan lets you meet, and buy from Designer Makers. Support an independent business this Christmas.
11am to 6pm
Whitechapel
Rummage through a selection of salvaged treasures from over 30 handpicked vintage traders.
11am to 6pm
Stoke Newington
Every Sat & Sun in December, there will be free horse and carriage rides around Chelsea.
12pm to 4pm
Belgravia
Online events / webinars
Leave thoughts of the pandemic and misery at the Cemetery Park gates and immerse yourself in gritty, warts-and-all East End history.
Starts at 6:30pm
Join three tour guides after a nightmare year as we take a look at one of London's top tourist destinations, suitably lubricated
8pm to 10pm
More London events on Saturday 19th December
Sunday 20th December
Free Croydon Vegan Market
The market will feature up to 40 stalls selling a wide variety of vegan food, cosmetics, ethical clothing and locally made arts and crafts.
10:30am to 4pm
Croydon
Free The London Artisan
The London Artisan lets you meet, and buy from Designer Makers. Support an independent business this Christmas.
11am to 6pm
Whitechapel
Rummage through a selection of salvaged treasures from over 30 handpicked vintage traders.
11am to 6pm
Stoke Newington
Every Sat & Sun in December, there will be free horse and carriage rides around Chelsea.
12pm to 4pm
Belgravia
Online events / webinars
Join letterpress enthusiast Simon Trewin via zoom in his Brixton studio and explore his collection of historic vintage printing presses, wooden type and metal illustration blocks.
4pm to 5pm
More London events on Sunday 20th December
Monday 21st December
Online events / webinars
A light-hearted look at Christmas from its origins as a pre-Christian festival right up to the modern-day commercialised celebration.
12:30pm to 1:30pm
More London events on Monday 21st December
Tuesday 22nd December
Online events / webinars
Free Winter Fairy Tales
These snowy stories come from Russia, Germany and Scandinavia, and will fill you with the magic of Christmas.
4pm to 5pm
More London events on Tuesday 22nd December
Wednesday 23rd December
Unfortunately, there seems to be nothing special happening today. Sorry about that!
More London events on Wednesday 23rd December
Christmas Eve
Unfortunately, there seems to be nothing special happening today. Sorry about that!
More London events on Thursday 24th December
Christmas Day
To watch only - an annual tradition of a cold morning swim in the Serpentine Lake.
9am to :
Kensington
London Fields Lido and the West Reservoir will open on Christmas morning for those wishing to brave an invigorating morning swim.
10am to 12pm
Hackney
More London events on Friday 25th December
Boxing Day
Every Sat & Sun in December, there will be free horse and carriage rides around Chelsea.
12pm to 4pm
Belgravia
More London events on Saturday 26th December
Sunday 27th December
Every Sat & Sun in December, there will be free horse and carriage rides around Chelsea.
12pm to 4pm
Belgravia
More London events on Sunday 27th December
Monday 28th December
Unfortunately, there seems to be nothing special happening today. Sorry about that!
More London events on Monday 28th December
Tuesday 29th December
Unfortunately, there seems to be nothing special happening today. Sorry about that!
More London events on Tuesday 29th December
Wednesday 30th December
Unfortunately, there seems to be nothing special happening today. Sorry about that!
More London events on Wednesday 30th December
Thursday 31st December
Unfortunately, there seems to be nothing special happening today. Sorry about that!
