What To Do This Weekend 5.12.24

Though the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is just ten years old, its grand interiors, penchant for classic plays and candlelit ambience transport you back in time. It’s currently showing All’s Well That Ends Well, a Shakespeare comedy directed by rising talent Chelsea Walker in her Globe debut. The play follows Helen, who, after curing a dying king, is granted a wish to marry any man she desires. Rejected by her true love, she’ll stop at nothing to win him over in this twisted tale of obsession, manipulation and deceit.

Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT; until 4th January 

Visit SHAKESPEARESGLOBE.COM

Chrissie Hynde, best known as the lead singer of The Pretenders, is also an accomplished artist – her work has appeared on album covers and in Vivienne Westwood collections. This month, her pieces will be on display at Cromwell Place in Hynde Sight. The exhibition features over 60 works, ranging from still life to abstract pieces, with nods to Picasso and Hockney. Also included are self-portraits and portraits of friends like Brian Eno and Paul Weller.

4 Cromwell Place, South Kensington, SW7 2JE; until 14th December

Visit CROMWELLPLACE.COM

The Royal Albert Hall never disappoints with its Christmas showcase, and this year is no exception. Celebrating 150 years of festive magic, the venue is bringing back some beloved classics, including Jamie Cullum’s The Pianoman at Christmas. Joined by a talented big band, Jamie will deliver his Christmas hits, plus some special covers. There are limited tickets left – so move fast to secure a seat.

Kensington Gore, South Kensington, SW7 2AP; 6th December, 7:30pm

Visit ROYALALBERTHALL.COM

Old Spitalfields Market is hosting a Hot Chocolate Trail this week. Among 15 indulgent, hot chocolate-inspired dishes and drinks, treats include Ferrero-inspired hot chocolates, mochis, churros and Nutella marshmallow pizza. There’s also a free chocolate-themed workshop and a kids' chocolate hunt around the market. No tickets needed – just turn up.

ADDRESS TBC; until 8th December

Visit OLDSPITALFIELDSMARKET.COM

High above the hubbub of the Christmas shopping crowds, the 1864 Rooftop Bar & Kitchen on the sixth floor of John Lewis & Partners has been transformed into a winter haven. With views of the festive lights, you can cosy up in heated igloos or chalet-style huts while enjoying a festive menu of morcilla pigs in blankets, butternut squash and truffle risotto, and braised beef cheek with creamy polenta. For drinks, the bar has partnered with Grey Goose to serve winter cocktails – we’re eyeing the Chocolate Orange Martini.

1864 Rooftop Bar & Kitchen, John Lewis, 300 Oxford Street, West End, W1C 1DX

Visit 1864ROOFTOPBAR.CO.UK

Soho Home, the spin-off interiors brand from the Soho House members club, sells everything from vintage rugs to avant-garde lighting and candles. This weekend, it’s hosting a sample sale, offering up to 70% OFF across all its collections. Soho House members can get exclusive access to the first day of the sale, otherwise it’s open to the general public on Saturday and Sunday – just book a slot to secure your place.

Protein Studios, 31 New Inn Yard, Shoreditch, EC2A 3EY; 6th-8th December 

Visit SOHOHOME.COM

If the thought of Christmas cooking is stressing you out, leave it to the pros: Dishpatch and Waitrose have teamed up with Michelin-starred chefs Michel Roux and Angela Hartnett to deliver everything straight to your door. Roux’s menu includes beef fillet wellington, champagne and saffron soup, and celeriac and potato dauphinoise with heritage carrots and chestnut. Meanwhile, taking inspiration from her kitchen at Cafe Murano, Hartnett goes big on Italian comfort food, with dishes including slow-roasted porchetta, gnocchi with squash and spinach, and panettone pudding with pistachio custard. The dishes are pre-bookable for home delivery or collection from Waitrose, and come fully prepared with just a few simple steps to finish.

Order by 15th December for delivery or collection between 22nd and 24th December

Visit WAITROSE.COM

Top bakery Toklas hosts its annual Christmas Market this Saturday. For one day only, it will transform into a winter wonderland, featuring festive workshops and a selection of artisanal gifts from independent producers. Expect brands like Pump Street Chocolate, Edd Kimber, Kouttone and Quite Nice Clothing. Headed by Claudia Forsbrey, the Toklas team has also crafted a festive menu for the event, including Todolí citrus-packed mince pies, Christmas kimchi and Lincolnshire poacher toasties, plus a quince and almond frangipane tart – all served with mulled wine. Meanwhile, independent Brick Lane jeweller Amy Madge will host a decoration-making workshop, where guests can design and emboss five tree decorations. The workshops are £35 and can be booked via the Toklas website.

Toklas Bakery, 9 Surrey Street, Covent Garden, WC2R; 7th December 

Visit TOKLASLONDON.COM

Onitsuka Tiger has teamed up with French brand Patou for a cool pop-up at its global flagship store. The space is designed around the idea of two teenagers from Paris and Tokyo sharing a small apartment, fusing both cultures in a playful mix of pinks, frills and unapologetically girly details. Look for Onitsuka Tiger's classic Mexico 66s reworked in Patou's signature baby pink, alongside the new Mexico 66 Ballerina featuring a double strap. There's also a selection of hoodies, t-shirts and accessories to shop.

249-251 Regent Street, Oxford Circus, W1B 2EP; until 22nd December

Visit ONITSUKATIGER.COM & @PATOU

The annual Gingerbread City exhibition is back for its eighth year. Created by the Museum of Architecture, it challenges architects and designers to reimagine a city, but in dough form. There will be over 70 gingerbread buildings – from intricate houses and museums to moving trains – all forming a sprawling metropolis, with some iconic London landmarks in the mix. This year’s theme, ‘Recycled City’, shows how buildings can be transformed into something new while maintaining their heritage. Adult tickets are £13, children’s £8, with daily gingerbread house-building workshops available too (£90).

The Gaumont, 196-222 King's Road, Chelsea, SW3 5XP; until 29th December

Visit THEGINGERBREADCITY.COM

Legendary British jewellery house Boodles and Michelin-starred Pavyllon London have combined fine diamonds with fine dining for a special gifting experience. At the Four Seasons Hotel London, the exclusive package comprises a diamond viewing at Boodles, a Be Boodles gold diamond pendant and a six-course tasting menu from chef Yannick Alléno. For £2,996, treat someone special – or get someone to treat you – to an unforgettable dinner, featuring dishes like poached langoustine, confit seabass, seared venison and decadent desserts. 

Pavyllon London, Four Seasons Hotel London, Hamilton Place, Park Lane, W1J 7DR 

Visit BOODLES.COM & PAVYLLONLONDON.COM

The Ardour Clinic, next to Harley Street, is ahead of the curve when it comes to skincare. For the festive season, its Ardour Express facial offers a quick yet luxurious skin refresh. In just 30 minutes, it treats dull, dry skin with a professional-grade PCA Skin chemical peel, cleansing and retinol boosters, leaving you with an immediate glow and no downtime. Perfect for the busy season, it detoxifies, reduces inflammation and leaves your skin looking radiant. One treatment is £175, or three for £450.

Elliott House, 28a Devonshire Street, Marylebone, W1G 6PS

Visit THEARDOURCLINIC.COM

If a few glasses of wine and a wreath-making class sound like your perfect way of catching up with friends or family, you’re in luck. Cloudy Bay is bringing a taste of Marlborough to London’s Winter by the River festival at The Glasshouse. One highlight is Cloudy Bay’s wreath-making workshop. Guests can enjoy a glass of sauvignon blanc or pinot noir before learning to create bespoke Christmas wreaths, guided by an expert florist. The workshops take place on 8th, 15th and 17th December, and are priced at £85.

The Glasshouse, The Scoop at More, London Bridge, SE1 2AA 

Visit DESIGNMYNIGHT.COM

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake debuted nearly 30 years ago, revolutionising the dance and theatre world with its bold, rule-breaking reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet. For Christmas 2024, the show returns revamped and with a new generation of performers. For those seeing it for the first time, this isn’t your traditional Swan Lake – Bourne’s version is a darker, twisted take on the Russian classic, filled with hallucinations and sinister characters, with all-male swans replacing the familiar female ensemble. Amid the intensity, Tchaikovsky’s sweeping score and moments of levity – like a disenchanted burlesque dancer – infuse the production with humour and charm.

Rosebery Avenue, Angel, EC1R 4TN; until 26th January

Visit SADLERSWELLS.COM

From immersive installations to legendary art pieces from the pre-internet age, Tate Modern is set to open an exhibition that explores digital art from the 1950s to the 1980s. Electric Dreams highlights pioneering artists who pushed the boundaries of perception, blending science, technology and creativity to create immersive sensory experiences. Visitors can explore psychedelic environments and see how artists embraced early digital technology in the 70s and 80s, experimenting with machine-made art and home computing systems. 

Bankside, SE1 9TG; until 1st June

Visit TATE.ORG.UK

After a string of successful pop-ups, Italian fine jewellery brand Atelier VM has unveiled a permanent UK flagship in Burlington Arcade. Designers Marta Caffarelli and Viola Naj-Oleari draw inspiration from their personal memories and travels, creating a collection of rings, earrings and necklaces, as well as charms so you can make each piece your own. For those who want something truly personal, the L’Essenziale service offers the chance to have a gold bracelet welded around your wrist, creating a piece to wear and cherish forever.

51 Piccadilly, Mayfair, W1J 0QJ

Visit ATELIERVM.COM