Christmas 2009 in London

Things To Do at Christmas in London This Year

The market shops, restaurants and businesses on Columbia Road, E2 (and Erza Street) will be open between 5-9pm on four special festive Wednesday evenings: 2/9/16/23 December 2009.

Enjoy an early evening of free festive cheer on Friday 18 December at 6pm at The Scoop at Moore London when the West End Kids will provide an hour of Christmas cheer and entertainment. One of London's leading youth music theater groups will be performing music and dance routines plus a mass choir of 100 children will lead the singing of well know Christmas songs and traditional carols.

Each year an different acclaimed artist is commissioned to create a Christmas tree for the entrance of the museum, with last year's pedal-powered one illuminated only by visitors cycling on bikes. This year's chosen artist is Tacita Dean.

11-23 December 2009. Free.

• Tate Britain Visitor Guide

From Saturday 12 - Wednesday 23 December you can meet Father Christmas in his secret Victorian grotto in 19th century Sailortown at Museum of London Docklands. Tell him about your seasonal hopes and dreams then take home a special gift to kick off the festivities!
£5 (excluding photo which can be obtained at an additional cost)
Book in advance.

Premiering at Sadler's Wells in 1995, Matthew Bourne's triumphant modern re-interpretation of Swan Lake turned tradition upside down, taking the dance world by storm. This Christmas the multi award-winning hit returns to the theatre where it all began for a strictly limited run.

Now firmly crowned as a modern-day classic, this iconic production is perhaps best-known for replacing the traditional female corps de ballet with a male ensemble. Matthew Bourne blends dance, humor and spectacle with extravagant, award-winning designs by Lez Brotherston, to create a provocative and powerful Swan Lake for our times.

Dates 10 December 2009 - Sunday 24 January 2010

The Royal Albert Hall has an array of seasonal music concerts, including:

• Rufus Wainwright with Boy George and more guests - Wed 9 Dec
• Christmas Carol Singalong - Sun 13/Thurs 17/Sat 19/Mon 21 Dec
• Messiah - Sun 13 Dec/Fri 18 Dec
• BT Christmas Concert with indoor fireworks - Tues 15 Dec
• Carols by Candlelight (performed in full period costume) - Sat 19/Sun 20/Wed 23/Thurs 24
• Santa's Christmas Cracker (for all the family) - Tues 22 Dec/Wed 23 Dec

From Saturday 14 November to Wednesday 23 December take the children to Santa's Wish Kingdom at Westfield. All advance tickets have now been sold but there are a number available each day, for free, but you need to get there early. There's a short film in the enormous grotto and a chance to sit with Santa and have your photo taken.