Things to do in London this week: 30 November – 6 December 2020

"Стоит только поверить, что вы можете – и вы уже на полпути к цели." Теодор Рузвельт

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We’re rounding up some of the best things to do in London as the capital emerges from lockdown on Wednesday 2 December, from the outdoor restaurants to book to the exhibitions to tune into and the markets to visit.

What to do in London this week

  • Things to do in London this week: 30 November – 6 December 2020

    1. Take a pottery class

    As it falls under an educational facility, East London’s SkandiHus was able to continue teaching pottery classes in London throughout the second lockdown. Interest in upskilling seems greater than ever, and now the school has introduced brand-new courses. Channel your inner Demi Moore with six- and 12-week courses, learning everything from hand-building and wheel-throwing to surface decorating and glazing. The courses are suitable for both beginners and intermediate, but if you want to test it out before you commit try a taster class, consisting of a short introduction to the materials and techniques, plus your own piece glazed and fired to take home (in eight weeks).

    Address: SkandiHus, Studio 4, Tilia Road, Clapton, London E5 8JB


    Website: skandihus.co.uk


    Price: Taster classes from £45; courses from £180

    2. Support the West End at some of London’s best theatres

    One of the worst-hit industries in 2020, theatre is starting to rise from the ashes. Some of the city’s best-loved West End productions have finally been able to announce new dates, including historical show Six, coming-of-age musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and, of course, festive favourite A Christmas Carol, this year starring comedian Brian Conley.

  • Things to do in London this week: 30 November – 6 December 2020

    3. Choose a Christmas staycation with Onefinestay

    Offering an escape for anyone bored of their own four walls, Onefinestay has a selection of hand-picked homes available to rent and is now launching a festive option. There’s a curated experience with Christmas touches such as a private tour of the capital’s prettiest decorations and celebrations, a virtual visit from Santa, a hamper delivered to your door and decadent tablescaping from Alice Naylor-Leyland for a merry dinner. New additions to the portfolio include this elegant three-bedroom sanctuary in Belgravia and this sleek, open-plan home in Primrose Hill.

  • Things to do in London this week: 30 November – 6 December 2020

    4. Enjoy a festive supper in a giant igloo

    As sad as we are that Somerset House’s legendary ice-skating rink is not opening this year, there’s an equally festive substitute to make up for it: supper served in toasty, heated igloos dotted across the courtyard. Four to six guests can book in for lunch and supper, with dishes including burrata with scorched clementines and caramelised hazelnuts, mushroom, beetroot and walnut parfait, juicy pork belly with glazed winter carrots and cider gravy, and fish pie with buttered peas and leeks. Or opt for afternoon tea with freshly made sandwiches and Champagne.

    Address: Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA


    Website: somersethouse.org.uk


    Dates and times: 3 December 2020 – 1 January 2021


    Price: Afternoon tea is £37.50; lunch is from £39.50; and a three-course dinner is £49.50

  • Things to do in London this week: 30 November – 6 December 2020

    5. Join a Christmas cookalong for charity

    It’s fair to say most of us are pretty fed up with cooking by now – so what better way to change things up than with a charity cookalong? Comedian Dara Ó Briain and chef Richard Corrigan are hosting a virtual cookathon in aid of The Irish Youth Foundation charity, an organisation helping disadvantaged young Irish people and their families. Live-streamed from Corrigan’s renowned London restaurant, Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill, supper will consist of his famous shellfish cocktail, treacle soda bread and Christmas ham. The hosts will be joined by several other Irish special guests including Ronan Keating, Laura Whitmore, Adrian Dunbar, James Nesbitt, Ed Byrne and Saoirse-Monica Jackson, and auction prices announced throughout the evening include Corrigan preparing a three-course menu at the winner’s home and a week’s stay at the Ritz-Carlton Abama in Tenerife.

    Website: To join the Christmas cookalong visit iyf.org.uk on Monday 30 November at 7.25pm

  • Things to do in London this week: 30 November – 6 December 2020

    6. Visit London’s most festive Christmas markets

    The government has announced that London is ending lockdown and entering Tier 2 on 2 December, which means it is officially Christmas-market season. Most notable of them all has to be a new market run by Selfridges. As well as its yearly uber-kitsch window displays, the department store is bringing street food, sparkling lights, fair-ground rides, gift stalls and even a place to pick out your Christmas tree to the mews hidden behind the building. Feast on burgers, fresh pasta and currywurst, washed down with mulled wine. Find out more about the best Christmas markets in London with our edit of the ones to know.

    Address: Selfridges Market on the Mews, Edwards Mews, London W1U 1AE


    Website: selfridges.com


    Dates and times: 4–9pm on weekdays and 12–9pm at weekends, 2 December 2020 – 3 January 2021


    Price: Free entry

  • Things to do in London this week: 30 November – 6 December 2020

    7. Book into an outdoor restaurant

    Throw down those oven gloves and take off that apron – in Tier 2, you can eat indoors with members of your household, or book tables in restaurants that have outdoor spaces with friends and family who live separately. Many of London’s best restaurants have adapted to the new normal with creative and weather-proof outdoor dining options, including sustainable spot Fallow and a favourite Soho stalwart Quo Vadis. Tables are being snapped up quickly, so take a look at this round-up of the best outdoor restaurants to book now, or for more outdoor inspiration, see our edit of the best winter terraces in London plus the best things to do outside in London.

  • Things to do in London this week: 30 November – 6 December 2020

    8. Check out some of Africa’s best art

    West Africa’s premier international art fair was postponed after the tragic events at the #EndsSARS protests in Nigeria, and is now taking place from the 2 to 9 December. The theme surrounding much of the exhibitions is resilience and creativity; making the most of a difficult year. The online fair is showing 200 works contributed by the continent’s leading galleries, including Bloom Art (from Nigeria), Nubuke Foundation (Ghana) and Galerie Cécile Fakhoury (from the Ivory Coast). Since it launched in 2016, the fair has become a hugely important event in the art world, and 2020’s virtual exhibition is no different.

  • Things to do in London this week: 30 November – 6 December 2020

    9. Check out Accidentally Wes Anderson’s pop-up exhibition

    The viral Instagram account has teamed up with The Old Bank Vault in East London to create an immersive online and real-life pop-up gallery in celebration of the recently released book. Delve into the eponymous director’s aesthetic as you view some of the coolest locations around the world, including a bubblegum-pink fire station in Texas and a mustard-yellow royal palace in Rajasthan. The Old Bank Vault is also selling copies of the book as well as limited-edition A1 prints.

    Address: The Old Bank Vault, 283 Hackney Road, London E2 8NA


    Dates and times: 4 – 23 December 2020


    Website: theoldbankvault.com


    Price: Free entry

  • 10. Make the most of Black Friday deals before it’s too late

    This year lots of holiday companies went all out for Black Friday. Most savings will be ending over the next few days so be sure to take advantage of them while they last. We’ve rounded up the best Black Friday travel deals, from sun-soaked getaways in the USA and Caribbean to a city break in Europe, so you can treat yourself to an epic 2021 trip. For those trying to get their Christmas shopping done early, take inspiration from what the editors are buying this Black Friday, or check out our gift guides.

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