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Things to do in London: December edition

By Lucy Brooks on 29/11/2016

Along with the inevitable festive feasting and fun, this December in London brings feminist theatre, sci-fi rom-coms and sleek new architecture

Hedda Gabler, National Theatre

'Just married. Bored already.' it could be many a modern housewife narrative... but this is Henrik Ibsen's momentous 1891 tragedy, in a fresh new version of Hedda Gabler directed by rule-breaker Ivo van Hove and starring Ruth Wilson.

WHEN

05 Dec 2016 – 11 Feb 2017, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

WHERE

National Theatre
South Bank, London, SE1 9PX

Image courtesy of Science Museum and Zaha Hadid Architects

Zaha Hadid Architects design the new Mathematics Gallery, Science Museum

A gallery not the first thing you think of when you think of mathematics? Well, you’ll think again when you see that the Science Museum has teamed up with architect firm set up by the late Zaha Hadid to create a new wing of the Science Museum celebrating design, geometry and numbers.

WHEN

08 Dec 2016 – 31 Dec 2020, 12:00 AM

WHERE

Science Museum
Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2DD

Colin firth talk, Helen Bamber Foundation 2016

Colin Firth and Emma Thompson, Refugee talk for 5x15

Homegrown Hollywood A-listers Colin Firth and Emma Thompson use their star power for good this winter. The actors will join a panel of journalists to discuss the pertinent topic of refugees seeking asylum.

WHEN

On 08 Dec 2016, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM

WHERE

Emmanuel Centre
SW1P 3DW

Southbank Centre Tove Jansson exhibition 'Adventures in Moominland'

Adventures in Moominland, Southbank Centre

Who can resist the Moomins? Along with Alice and a certain silly old bear, they heroes of children's literature. The two parts hippopotamus, one part polar bear residents of Moominvalley descend upon the South Bank this winter in an immersive, interactive exhibition that's sure to leave you feeling warm and fuzzy.

WHEN

16 Dec 2016 – 23 Apr 2017, Weekends and holidays Every 15 minutes between 10am – 6pm, Midweek – OFF PEAK Daily, on the hour at 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm & 6pm Thursdays and Fridays only, an additional tour at 7pm for adults only

WHERE

Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX

Moira Shearer in The Red Shoes: new ballet Matthew Bourne, Sadler's Wells 2016

Matthew Bourne: The Red Shoes, Sadler’s Wells

“Time rushes by, love rushes by, life rushes by. But the red shoes dance on.” So runs the ballet fable at the centre of The Red Shoes film (1948), now to be adapted by popular choreographer Matthew Bourne for his latest dance spectacular. Expect a cinematic dance spectacle.

WHEN

06 Dec 2016 – 29 Jan 2017, Matinees on the 10, 11, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 30 & 31 December, and 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 26, 28, 29 January. Times vary.

WHERE

Sadler's Wells
Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4TN

Passengers film

This new winter blockbuster takes festive escapism out of this world. Think screwball rom-com meets sci-fi. A guy and girl wake up 90 years too early on an intergalactic voyage. What better backdrop for romance? And it looks like Jennifer Lawrence might have finally found her perfect goofy-but-gorgeous match in Chris Pratt.

WHEN

23 Dec 2016 – 23 Jan 2017, Times vary

WHERE

Various Locations

The Art of Dining at Sutton House, Christmas Dinner 2016

The Art of Dining, Christmas Dinner 2016

Tis the season to eat, drink, eat some more, and be merry. And this year supper club specialists The Art of Dining serve up festive classics with an alternative twist (roasted quail, red-wine-poached pears and bay leaf ice cream) in the historical Tudor surroundings of Hackney's Sutton House. All the fun and food of a dinner party, in an awesome setting - with no washing up!

WHEN

14 Dec 2016 – 22 Dec 2016, Times and dates vary

WHERE

Sutton House
2-4 Homerton High St, Hackney, E9 6JQ

Saint Joan, Donmar Warehouse

The original feminist, mistress of war, performer of miracles and martyr is reimagined in a visionary revival of Bernard Shaw's play Saint Joan. Director Josie Rourke is not one for flat, faithful revivals of canonical classics and Gemma Arterton can certainly command a stage. We're excited.

WHEN

09 Dec 2016 – 18 Feb 2017, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

WHERE

Donmar Warehouse
41 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, London, WC2H 9LX

Christmas at Kew Gardens ★★★★★

As night falls this winter, Kew gardens transforms into a glittering festive wonderland, with a sparkling path that winds its way one mile through the world-famous botanic gardens, lit by thousands of Christmas lights. Of all the winter wonderlands in London, this is our favourite.

WHEN

23 Nov 2016 – 02 Jan 2017, 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM

WHERE

Kew Gardens
Kew, Richmond, , Surrey, TW9 3AB

Image by Graham Lacdao, St Paul’s Cathedral

St Paul's Cathedral Christmas Carol Service 2016

Spend the not so silent nights before Christmas singing all your favourite carols, with all your heart. St Paul’s Cathedral is at its most magical during the festive season. Its Christmas schedule is full of concerts and events, culminating in the cathedral’s world-famous carol services.

WHEN

23 Dec 2016 – 24 Dec 2016, Doors open one hour before

WHERE

St Pauls Cathedral
St. Paul's Churchyard, London , EC4M 8AD

Things to do in London: December edition

Along with the inevitable festive feasting and fun, this December in London brings feminist theatre, sci-fi rom-coms and sleek new architecture

Hedda Gabler, National Theatre

Zaha Hadid Architects design the new Mathematics Gallery, Science Museum

Colin Firth and Emma Thompson, Refugee talk for 5x15

Adventures in Moominland, Southbank Centre

Matthew Bourne: The Red Shoes, Sadler’s Wells

Passengers film

The Art of Dining, Christmas Dinner 2016

Saint Joan, Donmar Warehouse

Christmas at Kew Gardens ★★★★★

St Paul's Cathedral Christmas Carol Service 2016

Christmas 2016

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