🦊 Chilly London

Morning, London! Happy Thursday. If you’re reading this as it hits your inbox at 8.30am, it is officially below zero degrees out there. If you’re reading it any other time, it still probably won’t be much above five… unless you’re very behind on emails and it’s now June or something. It even snowed in parts of London yesterday. Not exactly the Alps, but enough to take a video. I know you did.

In much better news, the booking link for the first Scoop dinner is live below! Don’t overthink it. It’s just a relaxed evening, good food, and a chance to meet a few other London parents who read this thing every week. If it goes well, we’ll start doing more local ones around town. Honestly, it should be great fun.

Hampton Court’s ice rink opens tomorrow, Winter by the River market is now up and running by Tower Bridge, and Royal Mail’s Letters to Santa are back too.

Let’s dive in!

. SCOOP SOCIAL .
Dinner Club!

The booking link is live, let’s do it! London parents who are up for an easy night out with friendly conversation and a few new faces. If you’re looking to expand your circle, swap stories beyond the school run, and enjoy good food with people who get the London juggle, this is for you. Relaxed, fun, and a great way to make real connections.

Here’s how it works:

🍽️ Take a quick quiz. We’ll ask about your personality, interests, food preferences, budget and a few fun bits to help match you with the right table.

📍 When and where. On Wednesday, December 3rd at 7.15pm, your group of six will meet at a restaurant in the South Bank/Waterloo area (easy and well connected). We’ll reveal the exact spot the morning of and send you all the details.

🥂 Keep the good vibes going. After dinner, all tables optionally regroup at a nearby venue for a casual drink or just good conversation!

A small booking fee secures your seat (and supports TLS). On the night, you simply pay for whatever you choose to order at the restaurant.

‼️Whether you moved here last month, or you’ve been here for decades, if you’re reading this newsletter, you already have something in common with everyone at that table!

. NORTH POLE .
Letters to Santa!

One of the sweetest Christmas traditions is back. Kids can write to Santa, send it off, and get a real reply from Reindeerland before the sleigh hits the skies. Just make sure the envelope has Santa’s address written clearly, a proper stamp, and your child’s full name and address on the back so the elves know where to send the magic.

Deadline is Wednesday 10 December, so no last-minute chaos, please.

📍 Send letters to:
Santa or Father Christmas
Santa’s Grotto
Reindeerland
XM4 5HQ

More Info

. LONDON SNIPPETS .
Bits that caught our eye

🎄 Regent Street Goes Full Festive Mile. On Saturday 6 December, Regent Street will ditch the traffic and turn into a car-free Christmas playground for the first time since 2020. From Oxford Circus to Piccadilly, expect street food, roaming performers and plenty of room to panic-buy in peace. Full story

📖 Cambridge’s Word of the Year Is.. Parasocial (a one-sided, imaginary relationship where a person feels a strong connection to someone they don't know) as its Word of the Year, which is great news for anyone who thinks they and Dua Lipa would really click if they ever actually met. It’s all about those one-sided relationships with people who have no idea you exist. So basically, most of the internet. Full story

🎄 The Christmas Market That Never Was. An AI-generated ad has tricked tourists into flocking to a non-existent Christmas market outside Buckingham Palace. Expecting mulled wine and twinkly stalls, visitors are instead greeted by puddles, pigeons and a royal amount of disappointment. Even the Grinch would feel a bit smug. Full story

. EVENTS SCOOP .
What’s on this week?

📮 Letters to Santa @ Royal Mail
Date & Loc: Until Dec 10, UK-wide
A festive tradition where children can write to Santa and get a personalised reply. Just include their full name and address so the elves know where to send it.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🔥 The Hunger Games: The Stage Show @ Troubadour Canary Wharf
Date & Loc: Ongoing, Canary Wharf E14
Big debut. A gripping new stage adaptation that brings the world of Panem to life with high-stakes drama, bold staging and plenty of tension for older teens.
Age: 12+ | Price: from £30 | Info

🐛 The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show @ Radlett Centre
Date & Loc: Nov 20 (Thu), Radlett WD7
Faithful puppet adaptation of Eric Carle’s beloved stories.
Age: 2+ | Price: from £14 | Info

🎭 Ballet Shoes @ National Theatre
Date & Loc: Nov 20 onwards, South Bank SE1
A playful stage adaptation of Noel Streatfeild’s classic story, following three adopted sisters as they chase their passions with heart and determination.
Age: 7+ | Price: varies | Info

✨ Wendy & Peter Pan @ Barbican Theatre
Date & Loc: Nov 20-22, Barbican EC2Y
The RSC reimagines JM Barrie’s classic in Ella Hickson’s witty retelling. Join Wendy and Peter in this high-flying mix of fairy dust, sword fights and heart.
Age: 7+ | Price: from £25 | Info

🎅 How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? @ Unicorn Theatre
Date & Loc: Nov 20–Jan 3, London Bridge SE1
A playful Christmas caper mixing physical comedy, music and festive mayhem, based on Jon Klassen’s adored picture book.
Age: 2+ | Price: from £12 | Info

🎭 The Firework-Maker’s Daughter @ Polka Theatre
Date & Loc: Nov 20–Jan 18, Wimbledon SW19
Philip Pullman’s award-winning adventure bursts to life with music, magic and a brave heroine chasing her dream to become a firework-maker.
Age: 6–12yo | Price: from £10 | Info

✨ Time by Luxmuralis @ Old Royal Naval College
Date & Loc: Nov 20–22, Greenwich SE10
A stunning light and sound installation transforms the Painted Hall into a cosmic journey through time. Expect dazzling projections, immersive music and plenty of festive wonder.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £12 | Info

🎄 Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas @ Lyric Hammersmith
Date & Loc: Nov 20–Dec 27, Hammersmith W6
A gentle, magical stage adaptation bringing Briggs’ festive classic to life for little ones.
Age: Under 6s | Price: £14 | Info

🧙 Wicked Witches: A Popular Panto! @ Pleasance Theatre
Date & Loc: Nov 21 (Fri), Islington N7
A lively, family-friendly panto packed with music, magic and a festive trip down the Yellow Brick Road.
Age: Everyone | Price: £10 | Info

⛸️ Ice Rink @ Hampton Court Palace
Date & Loc: Nov 21–Jan 4, Molesey KT8
A picturesque open-air rink set against the palace’s historic backdrop, with festive lights and a smooth new ice surface for all ages.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £13.50 | Info

🎄 The Twelfth Night of Christmas @ Chiswick House
Date & Loc: Nov 21–Jan 4, Chiswick W4
Step inside Chiswick House for a self-guided festive journey through opulent Georgian-inspired rooms, dramatic installations and magical Christmas tableaus.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £14 | Info

⛵ Sea Shanty Festival 2025 @ Cutty Sark
Date & Loc: Nov 22 (Sat), Greenwich SE10
A full day of maritime music, sea shanties and family-friendly workshops celebrating the Cutty Sark’s 156th birthday.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £11 (under 4 free) | Info

🎶 Mrs H and the Singalong Band Christmas @ Big Penny Social
Date & Loc: Nov 22 (Sat), Walthamstow E17
Join the interactive family-friendly singalong show with Mrs H and her band; full of theatrical fun and lots of audience participation.
Age: Everyone | Price: £6 | Info

🎵 Aga Khan Music Programme @ Royal Festival Hall
Date & Loc: Nov 22 (Sat), Southbank SE1
A free afternoon takeover featuring percussion workshops and live showcases from students and artists of the Aga Khan Music schools, part of the London Jazz Festival.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🐷 Baby Evie’s First Christmas @ Hamleys
Date & Loc: Nov 22 (Sat), Regent Street W1B
Meet Peppa Pig, George, Mummy Pig and Baby Evie as they celebrate her very first Christmas with festive meet-and-greet moments throughout the day.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🕯️ A Gothicly Grand Magic Lantern Christmas @ Charles Dickens Museum
Date & Loc: Nov 22–23, Bloomsbury WC1N
A Victorian-style magic lantern show with festive visuals, old-school storytelling and a touch of Dickensian spookiness.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £10 | Info: Info

🌈 Family Festival: Imaginary Worlds @ British Library
Date & Loc: Nov 22 (Sat), King’s Cross NW1
Step into a day of stories, music and creativity inspired by the power of imagination. Expect author readings, craft workshops and performances for all ages.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

💃 Family Day @ William Morris Gallery
Date & Loc: Nov 22 (Sat), Walthamstow E17
A lively creative dance session for families inspired by the gallery’s collections. Move, groove and make art together in this fun-filled morning.
Age: 4+ | Price: no cost (book req.) | Info

🏡 Evim (My Home) @ Grand Junction
Date & Loc: Nov 22 (Sat), Paddington W2
A magical dance-theatre piece inspired by Rumi and the whirling dervishes. Three travellers twirl in search of belonging in this wordless, visually stunning show for young audiences.
Age: 1–7yo | Price: from £4 | Info

⛄ The Snowman @ Peacock Theatre
Date & Loc: Nov 22–Jan 4, Holborn WC2A
The beloved Christmas tale returns with enchanting music, festive magic and a soaring Walk-in-the-Air moment for the whole family.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £18 | Info

🐥 The Ugly Duckling @ artsdepot
Date & Loc: Nov 23 (Sun), North Finchley N12
A gentle interactive take on the Hans Christian Andersen tale, with Dotty the duckling searching for where she belongs.
Age: 2–7yo | Price: from £13.75 | Info: Info

🎻 NCO Winter Concert @ Fireworks Factory
Date & Loc: Nov 23 (Sun), Woolwich SE18
Hear some of the UK’s most talented young musicians in a dynamic programme performed by the National Children’s Orchestras’ eldest players.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £7.50 | Info: Info

🚂 The Polar Express @ Discover Children’s Story Centre
Date & Loc: Nov 24–Jan 4, Stratford E15
Step aboard a festive adventure inspired by the beloved tale. Enjoy storytelling, creative play and a magical journey to the North Pole.
Age: 1–6yo | Price: from £5 | Info

🛶 Tots at the Docks @ London Museum Docklands
Date & Loc: Nov 26 (Wed), Canary Wharf E14
Free monthly play sessions for under-5s inspired by Docklands history, with hands-on activities and imagination-fuelled fun.
Age: under 5s | Price: no cost | Info

🎄 Christmas Films in an Enchanted Forest @ Backyard Cinema
Date & Loc: Nov 26–Dec 31, London Bridge SE1
Step into a twinkling woodland cinema and enjoy festive film favourites under the stars. Hot chocolate, cosy blankets and Christmas magic guaranteed.
Age: 7+ | Price: from £15 | Info

🎨 Family Takeover: Shaping Patterns @ Camden Art Centre
Date & Loc: Nov 29 (Sat), Finchley Road NW3
A free day of art-making inspired by the Acts of Creation exhibition. Families can experiment with colour, texture and pattern in drop-in workshops led by artists.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎄 Wimbledon Winterfest @ Wimbledon Quarter
Date & Loc: Nov 29–30, Wimbledon SW19
A weekend of festive fun with live performances, roaming Christmas characters, kids’ workshops, Santa’s Grotto, face painting and an outdoor ice rink.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🪵 Pinocchio: Family Workshop @ Shakespeare’s Globe
Date & Loc: Nov 29-Dec 20, Bankside SE1
Step into the world of Pinocchio through games, storytelling and playful theatre activities designed for young imaginations and their grown ups.
Age: 5–8yo + grown ups | Price: £12 | Info

🌌 Univers @ The Pit, Barbican
Date & Loc: Dec 3–13, Barbican EC2Y
A gentle sensory show with live music and movement, giving babies and toddlers space to explore a magical, ever-changing universe.
Age: 0–2yrs | Price: from £11 | Info

🎄 Christmas Carols @ Coin Street
Date & Loc: Dec 6 (Sat), South Bank SE1
Join a joyful evening of carol singing on the South Bank with live music, mince pies and festive lights by the river.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🧚 The Magic Flute @ The Place
Date & Loc: Dec 17–24, Euston WC1H
A joyful dance-theatre spin on Mozart’s classic, packed with music, magic and festive fun. Join Papageno and Prince Tamino on a playful adventure to rescue Princess Pamina. Top choice this Christmas!
Age: 5+ | Price: from £12 | Info

🎥 The Enchanted Cinema @ Horniman Museum
Date & Loc: Dec 20-21, Forest Hill SE23
Settle in for magical short films and animations projected in the Horniman’s gorgeous conservatory, with live musicians bringing every scene to life.
Age: 4-12yo | Price: from £10 | Info

⛸️ Disney On Ice @ The O2
Date & Loc: Dec 26–Jan 4, North Greenwich SE10
Join Moana, Elsa, Ariel and more as Disney’s most beloved heroes glide onto the ice in a dazzling live show full of music, adventure and skating magic.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £30 | Info

🎡 Winter Wonderland @ Hyde Park
Date & Loc: Ongoing, Hyde Park W1
London’s ultimate festive fairground returns with rides, food and ice skating.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £5 | Info

🎨 Make Studio: Beauty @ Tate Modern
Date & Loc: Ongoing, Bankside SE1
Create art inspired by the idea of beauty in this free, hands-on studio space for families. Experiment with colour, texture and materials while exploring Tate’s galleries.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🐧 Me... @ Little Angel Theatre
Date & Loc: Ongoing, Islington N1
A heartwarming show based on Emma Dodd’s picture book about a tiny penguin finding his place in the big, snowy world.
Age: 2–5yo | Price: from £8.50 | Info

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. SPREAD THE LOVE .
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