🦊 Merry Christmas London!

Morning, London! Merry Christmas🎄 That’s it. Last week of December. The city is quieter, the Tube is suspiciously calm, and half of London is wearing new jumpers it didn’t ask for..

Whether you’re surrounded by family, friends, wrapping paper, or just enjoying the rare quiet, I hope today feels kind to you. London isn’t always the easiest place to live, raise kids, or get from A to B without losing patience but doing it together definitely helps. Thanks for all the messages, tips, replies and encouragement throughout the year. I’ve read every single one, even if I’m still catching up on replies.

No long edition today. Just a big thank you for being here and for letting The Scoop be part of your weeks.

Enjoy the day.

. LONDON SNIPPETS .
Bits that caught our eye

Still no London news snippets this week. The intern is still missing. Hopefully back in 2026.

. BRAIN BITES.
Wow your kid, and outsmart the other parents

Fun Fact: Reindeer eyes change colour in winter. 👁️🦌 In summer, their eyes are golden. In winter, they shift to a deep blue to see better in low light. Built-in night vision for the Arctic, or flying through foggy skies with a red-nosed colleague.

London Fact: Oxford Street’s Christmas lights were once powered by footsteps. ✨👣 In a short-lived trial, special pressure pads were installed so each shopper’s step helped light the displays. It didn’t last, but for one season, London’s sparkle was literally people-powered.

. EVENTS SCOOP .
What’s on this week?

🎭 Festive Play Saturdays @ Young V&A
Date & Loc: Dec 27 (Sat) & Jan 3 (Sat), Bethnal Green E2
A drop in family session focused on movement, music and imaginative play, led by Young V&A’s Play Champions in The Stage space.
Age: Families | Price: No cost | Info

📣 Operation Ouch: Quest for the Jurassic Fart! @ Southbank Centre
Date & Loc: Dec 26-Jan 2, Royal Festival Hall SE1
Join TV’s favourite doctors for a dino-mite science adventure to uncover the most dangerous, most powerful, most important fart in history.
Age: Families | Price: £24 | Info

🎟️ The Nutcracker @ Royal Albert Hall
Date & Loc: Dec 29–Dec 31, South Ken SW7
A proper Christmas classic at full scale, snowflakes, Sugar Plum Fairy, the whole deal.
Age: All ages | Price: from £17 | Info

🐾 Bluey’s Big Play @ Southbank Centre
Date & Loc: until Jan 11, Royal Festival Hall SE1
The hugely popular Bluey stage show returns, bringing Bluey, Bingo, Bandit and Chilli to life in a live theatre production made especially for younger audiences.
Age: All ages | Price: from £17 | Info

🧵 The Elves and the Shoemaker @ Dugdale Arts Centre
Date & Loc: Dec 27 (Sat), Enfield EN2
A festive stage retelling of the classic fairytale, brought to life with puppetry, music and storytelling. Additional performances run later in the week.
Age: Everyone | Price: £13 | Info

🕯️ Candle Decorating @ Battersea Power Station
Date & Loc: Dec 27 (Sat), Nine Elms SW11
Drop in workshop where kids decorate their own candle using wax paints and simple embellishments.
Age: Everyone | Price: £14 | Info

🩰 Nutcracker @ London Coliseum
Date & Loc: until Jan 11, Covent Garden WC2
A sparkling Christmas tradition: over 100 dancers and musicians bring Clara’s magical adventure to life in English National Ballet’s beloved festive classic.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £15 | Info

🎨 Celebrate Saturnalia @ London Mithraeum
Date & Loc: until Jan 4, City of London EC4
A hands-on family drop-in inspired by the Roman festival of Saturnalia, with simple crafts and games inside the atmospheric London Mithraeum.
Age: Families | Price: no cost | Info

🎄 Family Workshops @ Battersea Power Station
Date & Loc: Dec 19–Dec 31 (Wed), Battersea SW11
Festive crafts all through the holidays, from gingerbread house decorating to Christmas crackers, slime, candles and more.
Age: Families | Price: no cost | 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

✨ Design Club (11–14) @ Young V&A
Date & Loc: Dec 30 (Tue), Bethnal Green E2
A drop-in workshop where 11–14 year olds design and make bio-sequin patches using biodegradable materials, exploring sustainable fashion and design.
Age: 11–14 | Price: no cost | Info

🎇 Christmas Light Trail @ Headstone Manor & Museum
Date & Loc: until Dec 30, Harrow HA2
Headstone Manor’s historic grounds glow with twinkling light installations, festive displays, food trucks and winter warmers; a brand-new Christmas light trail for the area.
Age: Everyone | Price: £12 | Info

🎅 How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? @ Unicorn Theatre
Date & Loc: until 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 Twelfth Night of Christmas @ Chiswick House
Date & Loc: until 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

⛄ The Snowman @ Peacock Theatre
Date & Loc: until 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

🐷 Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show @ Theatre Royal Haymarket
Date & Loc: until Jan 4, Haymarket SW1Y
Peppa Pig’s brand new festive theatre show, packed with songs, fun and muddy-puddle joy for little ones and their grown-ups.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £10 | Info

🎄 Christmas Films in an Enchanted Forest @ Backyard Cinema
Date & Loc: until 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

👠 Cinderella @ The Radlett Centre
Date & Loc: until Jan 3, Radlett WD7
A glittering family pantomime packed with music, costumes and plenty of audience participation from Upstage Productions.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £20.50 | Info

🚂 The Polar Express @ Discover Children’s Story Centre
Date & Loc: until 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

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