Morning, London! Happy Thursday! December is just around the corner, and London is already in full Christmas mode—hard to miss, isn’t it? 🎄 A big welcome to the hundreds of new subscribers who’ve joined us over the past two weeks! With so many of you on board, it feels like my responsibility to actually be useful is growing by the minute. 😊

Jokes aside, I hope this email helps you discover new things, spark ideas, or make enjoying London a bit easier. To keep it manageable, I’ll focus on events during busy weeks and save longer pieces for quieter ones.

London’s big, and every family is different, so keep the feedback coming—I read every message. Now, let’s dive in!

Here’s what we’ve got for you today:

• 🎙️ London Snippets: Bits that caught our eye

• 🎁 Giveaway: A little thank you

• 📅 Readers’ Favourite: Family events this week

• 🎅 Special Edition: Where to meet the Big Guy?

• 🧠 Casual Einstein: Two new playground-worthy facts

But first, the weather—because it always gets the blame—even when there’s a bug going around London making everyone unwell!

LONDON SNIPPETS

Bits that caught our eye

🔥 Wicked fever hits London. From Greenwich Market’s Emerald City makeover (now cheekily dubbed ‘Green Witch’) to themed walking trails and dazzling light shows at Greenwich Observatory, Wicked is everywhere. Even Liberty’s has joined the fun with a floral Glinda and Elphaba display, while Hamleys has gone all out in green and pink. Add to that the ads plastered across buses, the Tube, and department stores, and it’s safe to say the musical has completely taken over London! So, will you be taking your kids? Full story

🎆 London’s New Year's Eve Fireworks 2024. London’s iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks return on 31 December, lighting up the Thames with fireworks, lasers, drones, and Big Ben’s chimes. The second and final batch of tickets goes on sale at midday on Monday, 2 December via Ticketmaster. They’ll go fast, so set a reminder! I always wonder how many in the crowd are actually Londoners and how many are tourists. Full story

📸 Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Let’s face it—our phones have turned us all into amateur photographers (especially when it comes to the 500 daily pics of the kids). But wildlife photography? That’s a whole different beast. The Natural History Museum’s prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year has revealed 25 jaw-dropping shots for the People’s Choice Award. And here’s the cherry on top: four of them are by photographers from the UK. Full story

CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY!

🦊 Little something

With Christmas just around the corner, I wanted to spread a little holiday cheer and say a big thank you for keeping me company on this journey (and for putting up with my terrible jokes)! The London Scoop is now reaching thousands of London families (all thanks to you!), and that’s something worth celebrating. So, I’m giving away three adorable Scoopy foxes—our friendly mascot 🦊and a hardcopy of London: A Guide for Curious Wanderers, a Sunday Times bestseller.

No strings attached! Just fill out the quick form below to enter. Winners will be announced next week so I can get them shipped out in time!

EVENT SCOOP

What’s on this week?

🎅 Meet & Greet Santa and his Elf @ Merchant Square
Date & Loc: Nov 28th, Paddington
Create unforgettable memories as little ones share their Christmas wishes, take photos, and receive a special treat from Santa himself. No need to book.
Age: Family | Price: Free | Info

🎭 Hansel & Gretel @ Shakespeare’s Globe
Date & Loc: Nov 28th-Dec 1st, Bankside
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Hansel and Gretel, as a new version of The Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage transforms the Globe Theatre with poetry, songs and hope this winter.
Age: 5+ | Price: From £5 | Info

🍸 Mayfair Christmas Market @ Novikov!
Date & Loc: Nov 28th-30th, Mayfair
Carol singers, roving minstrels, DJs and Santa Claus make Mayfair Christmas Market a merry and magical celebration for all.
Age: Everyone welcome | Price: Free | Info

🎭 Jack And The Beanstalk @ Beck Theatre
Date & Loc: Nov 28th-Dec 1st, Hayes
Step into a world of enchantment and laughter with Jack and the Beanstalk, Redbridge Creates Theatre Company's magical pantomime that brings the classic fairy tale to life like never before.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £18.5 | Info

✨ Fulham Palace Light Display
Date & Loc: Nov 28th – Dec 22nd, Fulham
Enjoy a festive walk through the Palace’s garden in this light trail.
Age: Everyone | Price: From £6.95 | Info

🎭 Sparkle in the Park
Date & Loc: Nov 28th-Dec 1st, Greenwich
The Royal Borough of Greenwich’s festive light trail, Sparkle in the Park, is back for a fifth year this Christmas. No need to book.
Age: Family | Price: Free | Info

⛸️ Epsom on Ice
Date & Loc: Nov 28th – Jan 1st, Surrey
Ice skating for the whole family with fun guaranteed!
Age: Everyone | Price: From £10 | Info

🎭 Rosie Robins @ Little Angel Studios
Date & Loc: Nov 28th - Jan 26th, Angel
Blending puppetry, physical performance and song, this gentle, magical, heart-warming show tells the story of one tiny Robin determined that no one is forgotten this Christmas.
Age: 2-5y | Price: from £15 | Info

🎭 A Christmas Carol (ish) @ Soho Place
Date & Loc: Nov 28th - Jan 5th, West End
Join double Emmy-award nominee Nick Mohammed as his critically acclaimed alter-ego Mr. Swallow, alongside a star-studded cast for an all-singing, all-dancing comedy retelling of Dickens’ festive classic.
Age: 10+ | Price: from £36 | Info

🎭 Singing Mermaid @ Little Angel Studios
Date & Loc: Nov 28th - Jan 5th, Angel
Fun, warm-hearted musical adventure this Christmas as this joyful and charming family favourite returns to LAT, following a hugely successful national tour.
Age: 3-8y | Price: from £15 | Info

🎭 Captain Sandy & The Sea Monster @ The Puppet Barge
Date & Loc: Nov 30th-onwards, Little Venice
UK’s only floating puppet theatre. In the little village of Rocky Snore, all the fisherfolk are in a mess, where have all the fish gone? There are no fish to fish! Join Captain Sandy on her adventure to try and find out what happened!
Age: 4-10 | Price: from £10 | Info

🎭 Magic Lantern Christmas @ Charles Dicken Museum
Date & Loc: Nov 30th - Dec 1st, Southgate (North London)
Step into a world of wonder and enchantment this Christmas with our Magic Lantern shows, brought to you by internationally acclaimed maestros, Jeremy and Carolyn Brooker.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £10 | Info

🎭 Christmas Tales @ Chickenshed Theatre
Date & Loc: Nov 30th - Dec 30th, Southgate (North London)
Once upon a time, in a land where Christmas magic shimmered, the Shed became a place of wonder and joy. Step into this enchanting world this holiday season, where classic fairy tales come to life with all your favourite Tales characters and festive music.
Age: 0-7y | Price: from £9.50 | Info

🎭 Alice in Wonderland @ Brixton House
Date & Loc: Nov 21st - Jan 4th, Brixton
After an explosive argument with Mum at Brixton Underground Station, eleven-year-old Alice leaps onto the tube seconds before the doors hiss shut.
Age: 7+ | Price: from £15 | Info

🎭 Pinocchio @ Stratford East
Date & Loc: Until Jan 4th, Stratford
Join wooden puppet Pinocchio, and his poor toy maker father Geppetto in Stratford this Christmas!
Age: Everyone | Price: from £10 | Info

🎻 Bach to Baby: Family Concert
Date & Loc: Nov 28th-Dec 5th, Blackheaht/South Ken/Reading/Wimbledon/Notting Hill/etc
Classical concert series for families to enjoy live music together.
Age: 0-5yo | Price: £15 | Info

🌹 Friday Froglets @ London Wetland Centre
Date & Loc: Nov 29th (every Friday), Barnes
Play in nature, learn new songs and share stories, make nature crafts and finish with quiet time around a fire! Fun for children and adults alike.
Age: Family | Price: From £5 | Info

🎭 The Smartest Giant in Town @ St Martins Theatre
Date & Loc: Nov 29th - Jan 5th, West End
A Little Angel Theatre and Fierylight co-production Based on the bestselling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Age: Everyone | Price: from £10 | Info

🎭 Odd & the Frost Giants @ Unicorn Theatre
Date & Loc: Nov 19th - Dec 31, London Bridge
It's going to take a very special kind of boy to defeat the most dangerous of all the Frost Giants and rescue the mighty Gods. Someone cheerful and infuriating and clever. Someone just like Odd...
Age: 7+ | Price: from £10.5 | Info

🎭 Huddle @ Unicorn Theatre
Date & Loc: Nov 22nd - Dec 31, London Bridge
During the long, cold winter, Mr Penguin carefully guards his egg. Now this new dad needs to look after his newly born chick on his own and he’s not feeling confident. How will father and baby work it out together?
Age: 2-5 | Price: from £14.5 | Info

🎭 The Nutcracker @ Polka Theatre
Date & Loc: Nov 16th - Jan 26th, Wimbledon
When squabbling siblings Clara and Fritz receive a mysterious Nutcracker toy from their flamboyant Aunty Drosselmeyer, Clara is certain that she doesn't want her accident-prone younger brother anywhere near it!
Age: 5-12 years | Price: from £12.5 | Info

🎭 A Christmas Carol @ The Old Vic
Date & Loc: until Jan 4th, Waterloo
A magical retelling of Charles Dickens' classic tale, where the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge embarks on a transformative journey through past, present, and future with the help of three ghosts, rediscovering the true spirit of Christmas.
Age: 8+ | Price: from £10 | Info

🎭 The Lightning Thief @ Other Palace
Date & Loc: Nov 22nd - Mar 2nd, Victoria
Musical! When New York City teenager Percy Jackson discovers that he is the half-blood son of the Greek god, Poseidon, his life takes a dramatic turn as he is plunged into a world much bigger than he could possibly have imagined.
Age: 8+ | Price: from £26 | Info

🎭 The Snowman @ Peacock Theatre
Date & Loc: Nov 23rd-Jan 4th, Holborn
Join the Boy as his Snowman comes to life and they embark on a magical adventure far across the world. Meet a host of woodland creatures, an assemblage of international Snowmen, and even a dancing Pineapple.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £18 | Info

🧞‍♂️ Aladdin @ Lyric Hammersmith
Date & Loc: Nov 16th – Jan 5th, Hammersmith
Buckle up for a whirlwind ride above the streets of Hammersmith as Aladdin and Jasmine embark on a hilarious, high-flying adventure packed with magic, mayhem, and mischief.
Age: 6+ | Price: From £15 | Info

🎭 Father Christmas @ Lyric Hammersmith
Date & Loc: Nov 20th - Dec 28th , Hammersmith
Join Santa as he awakes from a dream of sun, sea and sand only to find it is the busiest day of the year: Christmas Eve.
Age: Under 6 | Price: from £14 | Info

🎭 Room on the Broom @ Lyric Theatre
Date & Loc: Nov 22nd - Jan 5th, Shaftesbury Ave
Jump on board the broom with the witch and her cat in Tall Stories’ fun-filled adaptation of Room on the Broom, the best-selling picture Info by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
Age: 3+ | Price: from £10 | Info

📚 The Holly King & The Oak King @ Battersea Arts Centre
Date & Loc: Nov 29th-Dec 24th, Battersea
Inspired by the old Celtic folk tale, The Holly King and the Oak King, this brand-new festive adventure invites you on an unforgettable journey across the seasons.
Age: 4+ rec (all welcome) | Price: from £16.5 | Info

🎁 Christmas @ The Tower of London
Date & Loc: Nov 29th - Jan 5th, Tower Hill
This Christmas, explore a royal celebration at the Tower of London with specially created displays that showcase how kings and queens of the past celebrated the festive period.
Age: Family | Price: from £17.40 (under 4 free) | Info

✨ Ashridge House Illuminated
Date & Loc: Nov 29th – Jan 1st, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire’s biggest Christmas light trail. Experience an enchanting evening with 20+ magical light displays.
Age: Everyone | Price: From £12 | Info

✨ Churchill in Cartoons @ Imperial War Museum
Date & Loc: Nov 29th – Feb 23rd, Lambeth
This free exhibition at IWM London marks 150 years since Winston Churchill’s birth, uncovering how satirical cartoons influenced public perception during Churchill’s lifetime, and how they shape our understanding of his role in history today.
Age: Everyone | Price: Free | Info

🎭 Cinderella @ King’s Head Theatre
Date & Loc: Nov 30th - Jan 5th, Islington
In drizzly London, it’s hard to find romance these days - everyone is so busy! Cinderella needs help to leave her life of drudgery and explore a world full of adventures.
Age: Family | Price: from £10 | Info

🎭 Robin Hood & The Christmas Heist @ Rose Theatre
Date & Loc: Nov 30th - Jan 5th, Kingston
Join Robin Hood and his Merry Band for a spectacular festive heist!
Age: Family | Price: from £15 | Info

🍭 The Gingerbread City @ The Gaumont
Date & Loc: Nov 30th - Dec 29th, Chelsea
Visit The Gingerbread City and discover a sweet futuristic city constructed from gingerbread, candy, and frosting alongside real architectural building models, all designed and built by 50+ architects and designers.
Age: Family | Price: from £15 | Info

🐷 Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out @ Haymarket
Date & Loc: Nov 29th - Jan 5th, West End
Join Peppa, along with her family and friends as they go to the zoo and also the beach for a special party- it’s going to be an exciting and fun packed day.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £10 | Info

🎷 The Multi-Story Orchestra @ South Bank Centre
Date & Loc: Dec 1st, Southbank
Get the whole family together for an interactive classical musical experience from innovative ensemble The Multi-Story Orchestra.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £8 | Info

🎭 The Gruffalo’s Child @ Pentland Theatre
Date & Loc: Dec 3rd-5th, North Finchley
Join the Gruffalo’s Child at artsdepot on her adventurous mission in Tall Stories’ enchanting adaptation of the much-loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
Age: 3+ | Price: From £12 | Info

Ongoing events:

🎄 London Christmas Markets
Date & Loc: ongoing
Many of London's best Christmas markets are now open! Some of our favourites include Kingston, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Southbank Centre, Hyde Park, Christmas by the River (London Bridge), Camden Town, Selfridges, King’s Cross, and more!
Age: Family | Price: Free | Info

🌳 Glow @ RHS Garden Wisley
Date & Loc: ongoing, Wisley
Enjoy an enchanting festive trail at these beautiful RHS gardens. Brand new route; Christmas stalls and festive music.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £11.75 | Info

🎄 Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Date & Loc: Nov 21st - Jan 5th, Hyde Park
A festive extravaganza featuring ice skating, thrilling rides, live entertainment, and bustling Christmas markets. Perfect for all ages, it’s a magical destination to celebrate the holiday season in the heart of the city.
Age: Family | Price: Free (off-peak) - £5 | Info

⛸️ Skate @ Somerset House
Date & Loc: ongoing, Temple
Hailed as one of the capital’s favourite winter experiences, Skate at Somerset House signals the start of the festive period with unrivalled skating, contemporary music and tasty food and drink.
Age: Family | Price: From £12 | Info

🎄 Christmas @ Kew Gardens
Date & Loc: ongoing, Kew Gardens
As one of the UK’s leading and most acclaimed illuminated trails, Christmas at Kew is an unmissable opportunity to herald the start of Christmas or welcome in the New Year.
Age: All | Price: From £16 | Info

⛸️ Glide at Battersea Power Station Ice Rink
Date & Loc: ongoing, Battersea
Skate around three interconnecting rinks with Thames views, twinkling lights, and a 30ft Christmas tree.
Age: All | Price: From £10.50 | Info

🎄 Christmas @ Blenheim Palace
Date & Loc: ongoing, Blenheim Palace
The magical Christmas light trail returns, featuring Neverland® in the Palace and The Great Skate.
Age: All | Price: From £40 | Info

🎅 Magical Christmas @ Bocketts Farm
Date & Loc: Nov 21st – Dec 24th, Fetcham
Hop on board the Santa Express to meet Father Christmas in his traditional workshop. Enjoy a Christmas trail, reindeer food, craft corner, and a giant snowglobe!
Age: Everyone | Price: £10-£45 | Info

As always, we appreciate you giving us feedback on this section to keep making it better and more useful:

SANTA’S GROTTOS

Special Edition: Where to meet the Big Guy?

For those who joined us this week, we’ve had a great special edition running for the past few weeks. To keep the email light (thanks, Gmail!), you can check it out here this week.

CASUAL EINSTEIN

2 for 1: Outsmart your 3rd grader & out-fact the other parents

Here are two cool facts to help you sound like the smartest parent on the playground:

Fun Fact: Most people can’t lick their elbows. (Yep, we see you trying. Don’t worry, we won’t judge!) 😄

London fact: The British Library in London is the second largest library in the world by the number of items cataloged, with an estimated collection of 170–200 million items, second only to the Library of Congress in the United States.