🦊 Winterish Vibes

Morning, London! Happy Thursday! (and Happy Thanksgiving to our US crowd!). Hear me out: we’ve officially completed 90 percent of the year. I’m calling time-travel.

Early forecasts already saying snow is unlikely over Christmas. Classic. Time to prepare a new lineup of no-snow Christmas films on Netflix.

Oh and tip of the week. M&S sells lip balm at petrol stations at 11pm. Don’t ask me how I know. Apparently it absolutely could not wait until morning.

And if you’re in the mood to make some new friends, the first Scoop dinner is next Wednesday. Easy and friendly. Come on. Details below.

Let’s dive in.

. SCOOP SOCIAL .
Dinner, New Faces, New Friends. You In?

Time to book your seat for next week! 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!

. MUSIC FOR GOOD .
Echoes of Peace

Music has a way of bringing people together, and Firefly International are doing exactly that with Echoes of Peace. This special event marks 30 years of the charity’s work supporting children affected by war through education, art and community projects, and it promises a meaningful night out.

Children can go for free 🙂 It is designed to spark curiosity, inspire compassion and bring a little of the true Christmas spirit into the mix. Expect uplifting global sounds from One World Orchestra, a stunning performance by Syrian violinist Bassel Hariri, and a moving short film, The Score, by Bosnian filmmaker Aleksandra Bilić.

🗓️ Saturday 13 December 2025, 6.00 to 8.15 pm
📍 St Columba’s Church, Kensington SW1X
More info

. LONDON SNIPPETS .
Bits that caught our eye

🎄 Trafalgar Square’s Giant Tree Is En Route from Norway. The 79th Trafalgar Square Christmas tree has officially begun its journey from Norway to London. The 20 metre spruce, nicknamed “Ever Oslo,” was felled with fanfare and will take pride of place for the annual switch-on this December. Same tradition, slightly fresher tree name. Full story

🎅 Santa Stampede Returns to London. Thousands of red-suited Londoners will be dashing past the city’s landmarks next week for Santa in the City, back for its 10th year. The festive fun run takes place on December 2, 3 and 4. Expect jingle bells, beards, and questionable athleticism. Full story

🐌 The Race to Save London’s Hairy Snail. A new conservation project is under way to protect one of the UK’s most endangered molluscs, the delightfully named German hairy snail. Found in damp riverside patches along the Thames, the tiny fuzzy-shelled snail is getting a helping hand from Citizen Zoo and ZSL. Not the most glamorous Londoner, but definitely one of the rarest. Full story

. FLASHBACK .
A Little Trip to 1950s London

🍦 Londoners queued for ice cream like it was gold. Rationing was still in place in the early 50s, which meant proper creamy ice cream was basically a legend. When it finally came back in 1953, Londoners formed queues so long you’d think Liam Gallagher was handing out the cones herself.

🚗 Traffic wardens didn’t exist yet. The early 50s streets were a glorious free-for-all. No traffic wardens, no parking meters, no CCTV waiting to pounce. You could basically abandon your car anywhere that wasn’t an active fire. Blissful chaos.

🚇 The Tube still had a “Ladies Only” carriage. Until the mid-50s, certain Underground carriages were reserved for women during rush hour. The idea was to give them a calmer commute, though judging by the whistling, smoking and general 50s energy, “calm” was probably optimistic.

. EVENTS SCOOP .
What’s on this week?

📮 Letters to Santa @ Royal Mail
Date & Loc: Until Dec 10, UK-wide
Last call!! 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

🎄 Winter Late @ William Morris Gallery
Date & Loc: Nov 27 (Thu), Walthamstow E17
An after-hours festive evening with a Christmas tree light-up, live choirs, hands-on crafts, a pop-up market and seasonal cheer throughout the gallery.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | 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

🎅 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: Nov 27–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

🎭 BACCÉS Dick Whittington @ The Beck Theatre
Date & Loc: Nov 27–30, Hayes UB3
A lively, charity-supporting panto from the British Airways Cabin Crew Society, packed with music, mischief and classic Dick Whittington mayhem.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £20 | Info

⛄ The Snowman @ Peacock Theatre
Date & Loc: Nov 27–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

🎄 Christmas Films in an Enchanted Forest @ Backyard Cinema
Date & Loc: Nov 27–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

🍬 Christmas Candy Grotto @ Woolwich Works
Date & Loc: Nov 28-Dec 22, Woolwich SE18
A first-look preview of the colourful Christmas Candy Grotto, with Santa, festive surprises and a playful sugar-themed setup for families.
Age: Everyone | Price: £6 | Info

🎅 Victorian Santa’s Grotto @ London Museum Docklands
Date & Loc: Nov 28–Dec 23, Canary Wharf E14
Meet Santa in a Dickensian-style grotto set inside the museum’s Sailortown gallery, complete with festive decorations and a Victorian-inspired gift to take home.
Age: Families | Price: from £14.50 | Info

🌲 Stick Man @ artsdepot
Date & Loc: Nov 28–30, North Finchley N12
A lively stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s classic tale, filled with puppetry, music and festive family fun.
Age: 3+ | Price: from £15 | Info

🎩 A Christmas Carol @ The Old Vic
Date & Loc: Nov 28–Jan 10, Waterloo SE1
Jack Thorne’s acclaimed, atmospheric retelling returns with music, lanterns and a spine-tingling dose of festive magic.
Age: 8+ | 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

📚 Family Station: Explore and Play @ British Library
Date & Loc: Nov 30 (Sun), King’s Cross NW1
A relaxed, drop-in creative space with sensory toys, crafts and playful activities for families to explore together.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎨 The Merry Makers Series @ Fulham Pier
Date & Loc: Nov 30 (Sun), Fulham SW6
A festive drop-in crafting afternoon at Riverside Market, featuring Scruffs Christmas Adventure Puppet Making as part of Fulham Pier’s Merry Makers Series.
Age: Everyone | Price: £5 | Info

🎄 Baby Broadway Christmas @ artsdepot
Date & Loc: Nov 30 (Sun), North Finchley N12
A festive, family-friendly concert packed with musical numbers from Christmas films and West End hits, performed by professional singers. Expect bubbles, puppetry and plenty of singing along.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £13.75 | Info

🐷 Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show @ Theatre Royal Haymarket
Date & Loc: Dec 1–Jan 4, Haymarket SW1Y
Peppa, George and friends return for a fun, gentle festive stage show perfect for little theatre-goers.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £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

🎄 Trafalgar Tree Lights Switch-On @ Trafalgar Square
Date & Loc: Dec 4 (Thu), Trafalgar Square WC2N
The annual lighting of London’s iconic Norwegian Christmas tree, with choirs, live music, readings and plenty of festive atmosphere as the lights switch on at 6pm.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

⛸️ Sleeping Beauty on Ice @ Alexandra Palace
Date & Loc: Dec 4–8, Alexandra Palace N22
A sparkling, family-friendly retelling of the classic fairy tale performed on ice, featuring glittering costumes, graceful choreography and talented local skaters.
Age: 3+ | Price: from £11 | Info

🐷 Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show @ Theatre Royal Haymarket
Date & Loc: Dec 5–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 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

👠 Cinderella @ The Radlett Centre
Date & Loc: Dec 6–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 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

🛶 Tots at the Docks @ London Museum Docklands
Date & Loc: Dec 17 (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

🎥 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

🚂 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

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

⛸️ Ice Rink @ Hampton Court Palace
Date & Loc: Ongoing, 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

🎡 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

🔥 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

🐧 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

🎭 The Firework-Maker’s Daughter @ Polka Theatre
Date & Loc: Ongoing, 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

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. SPREAD THE LOVE .
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