What To Do This Weekend 05.12.20

CREATE YOUR OWN SHOW-STOPPING WREATH HERE: Ronny Colbie’s Wreath-Making Workshops

With the holidays just around the corner, join celebrity florist Ronny Colbie and his team for a fun and festive Christmas wreath-making workshop. Whether it’s for an early Christmas present or just a merry activity in the run-up to Christmas, the team will teach and demonstrate the professional techniques required to create a beautiful wreath. Kicking off from Thursday 5th November, the Christmas wreath workshops will run every Thursday (6pm-8pm) and Saturday (5pm-7pm), with the last instalment on Saturday 19th December.

Visit RonnyColbie.com

BOOK IN FOR A FESTIVE TREAT HERE: A Christmas Carol 

With London firmly back in Tier 2, the Bridge Theatre has confirmed it will resume performances of A Christmas Carol with immediate effect. A scary, joyful, spooky, hilarious, furious, beautiful and triumphant story, this production stars three outstanding actors – Simon Russell Beale, Patsy Ferran and Eben Figueiredo – all of whom come together to tell the classic tale, and play all the parts. The Bridge’s artistic director and co-founder Nicholas Hytner directs. Only 90 minutes in length with no interval, it’s the ideal afternoon or evening out for children, with ticket prices starting from £15.

Visit BridgeTheatre.co.uk

LEARN HOW TO MIX FOUR NEW COCKTAILS HERE: Fever-Tree Virtual Masterclass

Throughout the month of December, join the experts from Fever-Tree for a series of festive-inspired virtual masterclasses to guide you through the world of mixing. The brand’s mixologists will guide you through four perfectly paired drinks that will be delivered straight to your door, with a host of tips and tricks along the way. Kicking off at 6pm every Thursday, and lasting an hour in total, participants will receive their masterclass box ahead of time, containing all the key ingredients required, as well as specific recipe cards to help you master the technique. All you'll need is your favourite glassware (the team recommends a large wine or balloon glass), plenty of ice and a good internet connection. Tickets cost £25 and participants must be aged 18 or over.  

Buy your ticket here

TUCK INTO A LIMITED-EDITION DESSERT HERE: Ding Dong Merrily In Mayfair

34 Mayfair has launched its exclusive Nyetimber Golden Bell dessert. A chocolate creation in collaboration with Nyetimber – one of England’s finest wine producers – guests will be able to enjoy the treat surrounded by one of London’s most spectacular Christmas installations, ‘Miracle at 34’ – approximately 14,000 decorations, including 8,400 glittering and colourful baubles by designer Jane Wadham.. Inspired by the chimes of Christmas bells, the dessert (priced at £12.50) includes a dark chocolate bell with edible gold powder, filled with dark chocolate mousse and a Nyetimber and cherry compote filling. Featuring the Nyetimber shield using white chocolate, the festive special is served with cherry sauce, alongside cherry crispies, jelly cubes of Nyetimber and mint, finished with elegant gold leaf.

Visit 34-Restaurant.co.uk

WATCH THIS OSCAR-WORTHY FILM HERE: Mank

Available to stream on Netflix, and already generating Oscar buzz, this new film from director David Fincher follows the real-life story of Herman J. Mankiewicz as he wrote Citizen Kane, and the problems that arose with its star, Orson Welles, during production and leading up to the film's release. With an all-star cast including Gary Oldman (as Mankiewicz), Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins, Charles Dance and Tom Burke, the entire film – just like Citizen Kane – has been shot in black and white to evoke the time in which it is set. Having enjoyed a limited theatrical release last month, critics are already tipping the film for a slate of Academy Awards, particularly for cinematography and performances by Oldman and Seyfried. 

Available to stream on Netflix now.

LEARN A NEW SKILL HERE: ‘Twinkle Of Christmas’ Masterclasses

Twinkle of Christmas, hosted by the Design Centre in Chelsea Harbour, may be a little different this year, but its organisers are determined to extend the feelgood factor throughout December with a series of online masterclasses promising to engage and inspire. Design enthusiasts can access specialist know-how from the best in creative talent within the comfort of their homes. World-renowned artist Megan Hess will host a fashion illustration masterclass, Brooke Giannetti of Patina Farm will share her holiday plans from her Californian home, while celebrity florists John Carter and Tony Marklew will inspire with festive tables and wreath making. There will also be sessions on Christmas home styling, gift-wrapping, calligraphy and advice from Daylesford’s nutritionist on eating well this season, alongside Last Supper’s cocktail masterclass to get you in to the festive spirit. All events are free.

Visit DCCH.co.uk

PICK UP SOME NEW FASHION HERE: Free People London Store Launch

Free People is launching its first dual apparel and activewear concept store, this week in Notting Hill. Situated on the iconic Westbourne Grove, the new 177 sqm retail space showcases the signature Free People aesthetic – think an homage to creativity and nature, embellished with handmade fixtures and unexpected materials.Offering a rare opportunity for its customers to join and become a defining voice in an ever-growing community, this hub is designed to allow its customers a place to express showcase Free People's winter collection – where festive favourites meet timeless classics. Think sequin embellishment, velvet layered with ultra-soft knits and cosy-chic co-ords in a palette of winter whites and mood-boosting brights. Signature denim will feature iconic flares, wide-legs, skinnies and more, while the lower ground floor will be home to ‘FP Movement’ activewear. 

188 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, London W11 2RH  

Visit FreePeople.com/UK

GET AN INSIDE LOOK AT THIS MUSIC LEGEND’S LIFE HERE: Taylor Swift, The Long Pond Sessions

At the end of July, Taylor Swift dropped a surprise album, Folklore, which she claimed to have created in isolation with long-time collaborators and producers Aaron Dessner and Jack Antonoff. Now considered a critical and commercial hit, with five Grammy nominations and eight weeks at the top of the Billboard 200, Swift, Dessner and Antonoff decided to come together to play the full album for the first time in the same room. The result was the documentary (and live album) Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions, which is available to stream now on Disney+. Live performances of the album’s most recognisable songs are peppered with chats, wine and revelations about how the album was made – including the fact that a mysterious co-writer named only as William Bowery is, in fact, Swift’s boyfriend Joe Alwyn. Fans of the singer will appreciate this honest and deep look into her song writing process (admittedly at a time when she is fighting to retain control of her back catalogue) while those new to Swift’s music should start with Netflix’s behind-the-scenes look at her life, Miss Americana. 

Taylor Swift, The Long Pond Sessions is available to stream on Disney+ now. 

Visit DisneyPlus.com

SATISFY A FESTIVE SWEET TOOTH HERE: Ole & Steen Christmas Menu

Danish bakery Ole & Steen has created their most delicious Christmas menu ever – including, for the first time, a festive take on the iconic Social Slice – with everything now available for takeaway, delivery and click & collect. Top of our list has to be the Christmas Social – cinnamon social dough filled with custard and orange jam, topped off with chocolate icing, gold-dusted flaked almonds and crispy white chocolate pearls. There are also Christmas Tree Marshmallow Whips with coconut marshmallow covered in white chocolate and green coconut, and topped with a gold chocolate star; Danish mince pies filled with mincemeat and persipan and topped with an almond crumble; Danish stollen (Kløben Brød) studded with Christmas raisins, orange and lemon candied peel and gently spiced with cardamom; and Apple & Caramel Spandauer, a festive twist on the Ole & Steen favourite with custard, apple compôte, flaked almonds and a caramel drizzle. Christmas treats are available in all of Ole & Steen's London bakeries now, as well as the new Notting Hill branch from early December.

Visit OleAndSteen.co.uk

MAKE YOUR OWN VEGAN CHRISTMAS FEAST HERE: Detox Kitchen's Vegan Festive Veg Box

Detox Kitchen's latest launch contains everything you need to make the perfect vegan Christmas meal: a nut roast, vegan gravy, Seedlip Garden 108 & Cucumber Tonic, cacao truffles and all the  fresh veg you need to create a Christmas lunch with recipes to guide you through. Plus, you'll even find some Trussell Trust Christmas crackers included, to really get the party started. With deliveries available now and taking place right up until Christmas Eve, use it as the main event or share it with housemates or family in the run-up to the festivities. Each box costs £55 and contains enough ingredients to feed four. Deliveries are made Thursday-Saturday throughout December across London, between 3am-7am (boxes can be left on your doorstep or in a safe place). 

Visit DetoxKitchen.co.uk