What's On
After being built at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2019 and popping up in Canary Wharf in 2021, The Greenhouse Theatre is back in London with a Christmassy residency in Spitalfields. The pop-up theatre is the UK’s first zero-waste performance space and is made entirely from recycled materials – it doesn’t use any electricity either. This year, the Greenhouse will debut a new play, The Lost Library of Spitalfields Market, which tells the story of Isla (played by Ronay Poole) who stumbles upon a secret library hidden in Spitalfields Market while looking for a Christmas present for her mother. That’s not all, as the Greenhouse will also host a range of other festive events in the run-up to Christmas, including carol sing-alongs, festive pub quizzes, wreath-making workshops, scavenger hunts and much more. And while you’re there, warm up with a mulled wine or hot cider from the theatre’s zero-waste bar.
STORY KNITS
Every year, Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day campaign raises funds to transform the lives of children globally and in 2023, they’re hosting a seasonal sweater pop-up in Covent Garden to mark the initiative’s 12th edition. The Story Knits store is open for a week, as of Fri 1st December, and is stocked with pre-loved jumpers provided by beloved vintage clothing brand Beyond Retro. Each jumper in the curated range is priced at £30 and has been named after a child, accompanied by a label telling their story. And 100% of the proceeds go towards supporting Save the Children’s work in providing children in need with food, healthcare and education.
THE CROWN PROPS AT BONHAMS
Following the release of the sixth and final season of historical drama The Crown, auction house Bonhams is hosting an exhibition of sets, costumes and props from each season, which will be followed by two auctions. The exhibition, which has also toured New York, Los Angeles and Paris, is being held at the Bonhams’ New Bond Street site for just over three weeks across January and February and entry is free. Expect to see reproductions of some of the Royal Family’s most recognisable outfits and artefacts, with highlights including the Coronation ordaining regalia, Princess Diana’s engagement ring and ‘revenge’ dress, and the Gold State Coach.
Flea London getting festive with a spesh Christmas market running for one weekend at Vinegar Yard. The outdoor (but covered) market will feature over 40 stalls from local and indie traders, selling a range of handcrafted gifts, plus there’ll be mulled wine and street food to keep you toasty while you shop.
BABEL AT JEALOUS GALLERY
Thank goodness for ALO, the London-based street artist bringing joy and colour to the streets of London for us to enjoy – much like a modern-day, art-school-chic Robin Hood. If you’ve not yet caught his work in the enclave of East London, head over to Jealous Gallery, which is ending 2023 with a bang with a display of the artist’s remarkable works in a new exhibition titled BABEL. ALO’s muses, which he often refers to as ‘London’s unseen’, take centre stage as the artist continues his exploration of the human form. Exaggerated and distorted figures stand powerful in bold, vibrant colour, each created using an array of mixed media techniques. The result? A seriously eye-catching, thought-provoking, ever so slightly spooky (it’s the eyes) exhibition that is definitely a must-see.
Also on show is the artist’s new screen print ‘Morgana’, created in the Jealous Print Studios this year and seen for the first time at Woolwich Print Fair in October. If East London isn’t your regular haunt, ALO’s given us a reason to head over.
DIRECT FROM GRACELAND | ELVIS
Immersive events space Arches London Bridge has debuted its latest major exhibition – and this one’s all about Elvis. Direct From Graceland boasts more than 400 artefacts, many of which (as the name suggests) have been shipped to London straight from Elvis’ Memphis home and over half are being displayed in the UK for the first time. Expect to see some of the most recognisable objects from the legendary singer’s career, including his gold lamé suit, Las Vegas-era jumpsuits and aviator sunglasses, alongside more personal pieces such as a gold-plated telephone, his wallet and go-to cologne. Plus, mega fans can even select the ‘White Glove Experience’ when booking for the chance to hold Elvis’ international belt and gold microphone used in Las Vegas in 1969. If you’ve always wanted to make that trip to Graceland but never quite got round to it, this is the next best thing.
If you’ve been strolling around Covent Garden lately and caught your reflection in a giant mirrored box, then you’ve also spotted the Marc Jacobs pop-up shop. The brand’s first ever UK pop-up has landed on the Piazza to promote the new Resort collection and it’s just as shiny inside with crystal canvas tote bags, other bags in silver, rhinestone and pearl finishes, and sparkly jewellery on display. Appropriately, as it’s one giant mirror, there’s a dedicated photo op spot at the back of the space.
GWYNETH GOES SKIING
The public loves a celebrity trial and when Gwyneth Paltrow was sued over a skiing accident at the beginning of the year, the internet had an absolute field day. The legal dispute (nicknamed ‘Ski Court’) started off on a fairly ridiculous basis as Gwyneth, who was being sued by retired optometrist Terry Sanderson for $300,000, was countersuing the claimant for just $1. But over the course of the two-week case, it became a full-on farce, with thousands live-tweeting all the most bizarre moments along the way. The lines between this court case and a comedy skit were already a bit blurry, but they’re about to disappear completely as a comedy musical based on the trial has landed in London. Gwyneth Goes Skiing comes from the same minds behind Diana: The Untold & Untrue Story and How to Live a Jellicle Life (Awkward Productions) and will see the Pleasance Theatre transformed into the Deer Valley Ski Resort.
Harry Styles is bringing his beauty brand Pleasing back to London – just in time for the holidays. The pop-up is taking over The Corner Shop at Selfridges on Oxford Street until Sat 9th December with plenty of Pleasing nail polishes (with a few exclusive shades added in), cosmetics and clothing. Plus, guests will have the chance to shop the brand-new perfume range and sample the scents at the pop-up’s ‘ticket booth’. There’ll also be live performers and custom-made confectionery, and, if you buy a perfume, you’ll get a free matching tote. The space itself looks very aesthetically pleasing too, so there’ll be plenty to snap for socials while you shop for Christmas gifts.
Forget gingerbread houses, there’s an actual gingerbread city at Westfield London. Created by the Museum of Architecture, this is the seventh year of the project and this time, the theme for the exhibition is ‘Water in Cities’. The aim is to explore how cities could be designed to be more water resilient (something that’s becoming more and more pressing each year), only doing it through the mediums of biscuits, sweets, cakes, and icing. Not only is this a sweet way to help get the public excited about architecture and innovative, sustainable design, but a little holiday cheer never hurt anybody.
ASOS is going IRL in London this month and just in time for party season. The online retailer is opening the ASOS Pop-Up, its first-ever in-person shop, in Fitzrovia and it’s gonna be filled with an A/W edit featuring some of the biggest brands on the platform, including ASOS Design, ASOS Edition, Topshop, Nike, New Balance and more. The free events, including a Luxegen styling session, skincare 101 with The Ordinary and New Balance running club, are all fully booked but there’ll be space for walk-ins for Charlotte Tilbury and Drybar beauty treatments. Plus there’ll be DJs spinning at the store and a whole load of freebies on offer, so if you’re an ASOS obsessive, you won’t wanna miss it.
DALLOWAY TERRACE
Dalloway Terrace has been transformed into a glamorous wonderland this winter, inspired by the home of Perrier-Jouët Champagne, with deep red foliage, berries, fairy lights and sheepskin blankets. Toast to the festive season with a champagne cocktail and dishes like Black Angus beef tartare with Melba toast, grilled tiger prawns with smoked garlic butter & samphire, and wild mushroom & Sharpham spelt risotto with truffle & parmesan crisps.
CHRISTMAS IN LEICESTER SQUARE
Christmas is coming back to Leicester Square for another year. Expect a whole host of food, drink and Christmas gift stalls, so you can feast on bratwurst and gluhwein and shop til you drop. Plus, a vintage Spiegeltent will be taking over the square with performances from the award-winning cabaret La Clique.
LOWER STABLE STREET CHRISTMAS MARKET
The Lower Stable Street Market is back in Coal Drops Yard this Christmas with a rotating selection of traders across food, art, fashion, books, craft and more.
It’s not Christmas in London without Winter Wonderland and it’s back in Hyde Park once again. You can slip n’ slide your way around the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink; immerse yourself in the Magical Ice Kingdom; hang onto the edge of your seat at Zippos Christmas Circus, the Edelweiss Funhouse and Cirque Beserk; take a spin on the big wheel; or spend the day strolling through the Bavarian Village with hot ciders in hand.
MALTBY STREET MARKET FESTIVE FRIDAYS
It’s Friday, you’ve just left work in SE1 and you realise you’ve completely forgotten to get into the Christmas spirit. There’s only one thing to do – head to Maltby Street’s seasonal night market. The cobblestone streets are decked (think trees, wreaths and LOTS of fairy lights), the street food stalls have rolled out the festive specials, gifts abound and there’s live music, so it’s sure to have you feeling merry. Warm yourself by a barrel of mulled wine and treat yourself to dinner at one of the restaurants in the arches that are staying open late just for the occasion.
MARKET HALLS VICTORIA WINTER ROOF GARDEN
Market Halls Victoria’s roof terrace has been cosied up for winter with covers, heaters, blankets, and twinkly lights. The bars on the roof are serving up mulled wine, chocolate orange espresso martini, and winter warmer cocktails, and you can feast on winter specials from the market’s resident traders like Butchies, DF Tacos, Hotbox and Eggslut.