Unmissable Things to Do In London in December 2020
Despite it all, we’re back with our festive list of unmissable Things To Do in London this sodding December.
(Please, please, please STAY SAFE! Follow your local Coronavirus guidelines which, for London – for now – means Tier 2. Please check with event organisers before heading to an event, in case of changes or cancellations.)
The Show Must Go On!
Pod | Online @ Guildhall School of Music & Drama | 1 & 2 December | 2pm (1 December Only) & 7:30pm | FREE
An ambitious online immersive production from Guildhall School of Music and Drama’s students and professional theatre makers.
FRAMES of REPRESENTATION | Online @ ICA | Until 13 December | Times Vary | £6
ICA presents its groundbreaking film festival tackling representation through film.
Winter Exhibitions | Tate Britain | From 2 December | From FREE
Book a ticket after dark to the the magnificent neon temple created by Chila Kumari Singh Burman, and then pay to see the incredible paintings of Lydia Yiadom Boakye.
Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote | The Prince Charles Cinema | 3 December | 5:40pm & 8:30pm | £13.50
The only Christmas-themed Murder She Wrote episode is worth venturing to Soho’s Prince Charles Cinema for.
Textile Month @ The Biennale of Western Balkans | Online | 3-23 December
Textiles from the Balkans are showcased online.
Leila Alaoui: Rite of Passage | Somerset House | From 3 December | Tue – Sun, 12-6pm | £PWYC
The first major UK retrospective of works from the celebrated French-Moroccan photographer, video artist and activist Leila Alaoui.
Cult Classic Collective: Female Trouble | Genesis Cinema | 3 December | 6:30pm | £7.50
A spoiled schoolgirl runs away from home, gets pregnant while hitch-hiking, and ends up as a fashion model for a pair of beauticians who like to photograph women committing crimes.
Indie Made Christmas | Deptford Does Art | 3-6 December | 10am-5pm
The ultimate Christmas makers market can be found in the Aladdin’s Cave that is Deptford Does Art. With 12 very talented artists, INDIE MADE CHRISTMAS is the best place to support local makers & artists.
Antarctica 3D | IMAX @ Science Museum | 9-11 & 16 December | 11am & 1pm | £12
Cute penguins and seals galore in this must-see film at the Science Museum’s revamped IMAX cinema, The Ronson Theatre.
Death Drop | Garrick Theatre | From 4 December | Times Vary | From £20
Drag’s finest – Monet X Change, Courtney Love, Vinegar Strokes and comedienne Kemah Bob – collide in this sickening drag murder mystery.
Friday Late: Nabihah Iqbal | Online @ V&A | 4 December | 8pm | FREE
Hot-to-trot musician, producer, DJ and broadcaster Nabihah Iqbal-takes over the V&A’s Instagram for their Friday Late event series
INFERNO Summit | Online @ ICA | 5 December | 11am | FREE
INFERNO is usually a queer techno rave and community performance art platform that offers a space for emerging and established LGBTQ+ artists, performers, musicians and DJs. But this time it’s a great vibe to get to grips with the dearth of queer nightlife this year and regroup for the future.
Twentyin2020 Festival | Online | 5 December | 2pm | From £5
Discover twenty new essential black British writers.
Last Gasp WFH | Online & La Mama | Until 12 December | On Demand | From $5
A profound and moving tale of 40 years of provocation and care in performance with Split Britches. Do not miss.
Carrot’s Christmas Spread! | The Karaoke Hole | 10 December | 6pm | From £18 (for two)
A Christmas Cabaret from rising drag superstar Carrot.
Astrology Bingo with Figs in Wigs & Friends | Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club | 10 December | 6pm | From £37.50 (for three)
Get your kooky advent astrology themed fix from Figs in Wigs.
Christmas Pop Up Cinema | Rivoli Ballroom | 10-13 December | Times Vary | From £7
The perfect Christmas films – including Muppets Christmas Carol and Die Hard – in the sumptuous 1920s dance hall that is Rivoli Ballroom.
The Bridge After Dark | The Bridge Theatre | 11-12, 15, 17-19, 28-29 December | 9:15pm | From £12
Cabaret specials take over the reconfigured Bridge Theatre.
Razed and Confuzed Goes Digital 2.0 | Online | 11 December | 7pm | £6.50
A new work showcase from Something to Aim For.
Beyond “There’s always a black issue Dear” – Screening and Q & A | Two Brewers | 14 December | 7pm | £8 (for two)
Screening of the multi-award winning ‘Beyond “There’s always a black issue dear”‘, a unique documentary exploring the rich history of Queer black artists in British culture.
The White Plague: a binaural play | Online | 17 December | 7:30pm | FREE
A chance to experience the five star dystopian sensation from home.
Electronic: From Kraftwerk to The Chemical Brothers -The Virtual Tour | Online @ The Design Museum | 17 December | 8pm | £7.99
The exhibition of the year goes online for a one-off behind the scenes special.
Croydon Vegan Market | Surrey Street | 20 December | 10:30am-4pm
40 stalls (hopefully) of animal-free yum.
Did we miss any offbeat things to do in London? Leave a comment below – and have a SAFE and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I am Joint Editor at To Do List. I like free, cheap & offbeat London, especially: cabaret, art, theatre, pop-ups, eating out, quirky films, museums, day trips, social enterprise & much more.
