Discover our pick of events in London this week: 11 – 17 December 2023.

The Oval Christmas Market

Launching this week at the famous Oval Space in East London, The Oval Christmas Market brings together over 20 independent British brands and foodie favourites like Pophams and Kricket. This indoor market promises a festive atmosphere, offering unique products, workshops, late-night DJ sessions, drinks, and shopping on Friday and Saturday. Beyond celebrations, the market supports Hackney Night Shelter, spreading warmth and joy during the holiday season.

 Date: 15 – 17 December 2023. Opening hours:  15 – 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm, 16– 10:00 am – 9:30 pm, and 17– 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Location: LOCK Warehouse, 29-32 The Oval, London E2 9DT. Price: Early bird tickets £4, purchase here.

 The Christmas Sandwich Festival

Covent Garden welcomes back the Christmas Sandwich Festival, spanning from the Market Building to Seven Dials. Explore unique twists on the classic Christmas Sandwich at various dining destinations. Din Tai Fung offers limited edition Tom Yum Xiao Long Bao Dumplings with a hot, flavuorful broth and indulgent Chocolate Lava Buns. Ole & Steen presents the 'Turkey Roasted Toastie' and a vegan alternative, 'Merry Squash-mas,' both on fresh focaccia. For a collaborative treat, Chick 'n' Sours and The Cheese Bar introduce 'The Festive Fromage Frenzy,' a fried chicken sandwich seasoned with seaweed crack, Ogleshield Raclette, and a cranberry, yuzu & chili sauce!

Date: until 17 December 2023. Location: Covent Grarden.

Festive Film Club

Join the Festive Film Club at Covent Garden Hotel this December for beloved classics like 'It’s A Wonderful Life' and 'Love Actually' in their cosy screening rooms. Tickets include complimentary popcorn. Before the movie, treat yourself to a three-course meal or Afternoon Tea, with an option to add a glass of Champagne. Other Firmdale Hotel locations in the city also offer new releases like 'Mastreo,' 'Saltburn,' and 'Napoleon' in their screening rooms.

Date: until 24 December 2023. Location: Covent Garden Hotel,10 Monmouth St, London WC2H 9HB. Click here for more on Firmdale film club.

The House with Chicken Legs

Experience the enchanting tale of Marinka, a girl coping with her house that has chicken legs and constantly moves. Adapted from Sophie Anderson's beloved novel, this show blends puppets, projection, and live music to follow Marinka's quest for stability in an ever-moving home. Co-produced by Les Enfants Terribles and HOME Manchester, the performance humorously and thoughtfully explores the complexities of loss from a unique perspective.

Date: 13 –⁠ 30 December 2023. Location: Queen Elizabeth Hall,Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Price: £20 ⁠–⁠ £40. Book now.

E.T. in Concert with the Philharmonia Orchestra

Join E.T. and Elliott on their incredible journey as the beloved family movie comes alive in E.T. in Concert, accompanied by the Philharmonia Orchestra. Feel the magic of the heartwarming 1982 classic as John Williams' Academy Award-winning score fills the air, perfectly synchronised with the film on a massive HD screen.

Date:13 December 2023. Time: 7pm. Location: Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX. Price: £30 - £67.50.  Book now.

Champagne and Perfume Discovery Evening with Searcys and Creed

Searcys Champagne Bar and The House of Creed present an exclusive evening of Champagne and Perfume Discovery at Battersea Power Station this week. Join for a Champagne tasting uncovering the secrets of this iconic drink, followed by a Perfume Discovery led by Creed's expert, exploring the brand's rich heritage and showcasing a range of fragrances, including new releases and iconic classics. Tickets at £60 per person include a £30 voucher redeemable at the Creed pop-up until 7 January 2024.

Date:14 December 2023. Time: 6.30pm. Location: Circus Rd W, Nine Elms, London SW11 8DD. Book now.

Planet Baesianz presents: Lucy Hardcastle x Baesianz

Artist Lucy Hardcastle and Baesianz present an evening focused on exploring digital design from an Asian perspective. Join for engaging discussions and workshops led by respected figures in film, art, and digital design. Guests include Sino-Malaysian architect and designer Natalie Liu, moving image artist Zaiba Jabbar, and filmmaker/musician Lawrence Lek, offering valuable insights into the world of digital creativity.

Date: 13 December 2023. Time: 6pm - 9pm. Location: Multiple locations across Greenwich Peninsula. Website: greenwichpeninsula.co.uk.

The Passage Christmas Carol service

The Passage will host their annual Christmas Carol Service this week at St Margret’s Church, Westminster Abbey. Guests are invited to partake in a festive evening, lighting candles, singing Christmas classics with St Margaret’s Choir, and enjoying readings by celebrity guests including Alice Beer, Michael Fenton Stevens, Sonali Shah, Geraldine James, and Pandora Christie. The event aims to raise vital funds for The Passage's work supporting London's homeless population.

Date:14 December 2023. Time: 6pm. Location: St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey, SW1P 3JX Price:They kindly ask for a donation of £25 per person, to help prevent and end homelessness in London. Book now.

Christmas in Tinseltown

Christmas in Tinseltown features the London Philharmonic Orchestra, with Mark Kermode as the host, performing beloved themes from popular Christmas films like Elf, The Holiday, The Grinch, and Miracle on 34th Street.

Date: 14 December 2023 Time: 7.30pm. Location: Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX. Price: £30 ⁠–⁠ £60. Book now.

Christmas Classics with Philharmonia Orchestra

Join host YolanDa Brown for a festive sing-along in "Christmas Classics" with a magnificent symphony orchestra. The Philharmonia Orchestra, featuring the Philharmonia Chorus, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, with the London Philharmonic Choir, will perform on different days. They are joined by the London Youth Choirs and West End singer Marisha Wallace for a truly enchanting experience. Don't miss these musical celebrations of the season.

Date: 15-17 December 2023. Location: Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX. Price: £30 – £60. Book now.

Mulled Wine in London

Mulled wine season is upon us, and we're here with a timely reminder of places where you can enjoy a great glass of mulled wine in the city. From cosy pubs to festive light trails, here are some of our favourite spots to sip on mulled wine in London this Christmas.

Arts & Culture

#FLOFAVOURITEs: THIS WEEK

Paul Cocksedge: Coalescence

Coalescence, a creation by designer Paul Cocksedge, debuts in London at the Old Royal Naval College. Composed of 2,500 coal pieces, mirroring the yearly consumption of a 200W bulb, prompting contemplation on our reliance and connection to fossil fuels.

Date: until 4 February 2024. Location:Old Royal Naval College, London SE10 9NN.Price: £15. Book now.

Cătălin Marius Petrișor Hereșanu: It's all in your vivid imagination

Elizabeth Xi Bauer Gallery showcases Cătălin Marius Petrișor Hereșanu's diverse artistic journey in the exhibition, It's all in your vivid imagination. The display traces Petrișor's evolution from semi-realistic to bold, fragmented, and woven artworks, exploring themes of rhythm, fabric-like illusions, and ascending consciousness. Among the standout pieces is 'A Gentle Persuasion,' inspired by Genesis, portraying a poignant narrative of creation and reconciliation.

Date: until 20 January 2024. Location: Fuel Tank, 8-12 Creekside, SE8 3DX. Price: Free.

Francesca DiMattio: Wedgwood

Francesca DiMattio's Wedgwood exhibition at Pippy Houldsworth Gallery transforms the space into a fusion of contemporary and historical elements. With wallpapers and flooring as backdrops, her sculptures recontextualise everyday objects alongside historical references, blurring boundaries between modern utility and classical aesthetics. The trompe l’oeil flooring challenges perceptions of art and space, while shifting decor elements defy expectations. DiMattio's artistry interlaces meticulous details, merging Wedgwood molds with organic materials, collapsing temporal boundaries through motifs and textures. This amalgamation empowers the decorative, challenging traditional artistic hierarchies.

Date: until 23 December 2023. Location: 6 Heddon Street, London W1B 4BT. Price: Free.

James McQueen: If You Ever Leave Me I’m Coming with You

James McQueen's latest exhibit, If You Ever Leave Me I’m Coming With You, at Mayfair's Halcyon Gallery, showcases bold and satirical paintings inspired by vintage Penguin Book covers. Working under a pseudonym, McQueen's art, rich in layered paint and domestic imperfections, merges playful sentiments with personal depth. This exhibition represents his most experimental work yet, redefining the Penguin cover motif.

Date: 7 January 2024. Location: Halcyon Gallery, 148 New Bond Street, London W1S 2RL.Price: Free.

Conor Murgatroyd: Through the Looking Glass

Copeland Gallerys and Chen Projects present an exhibition showcasing the latest works of London-based artist Conor Murgatroyd. Murgatroyd unveils fifteen vibrant canvases, each a testament to his inspiration drawn from personal experiences and memories within the city.

Date: until 14 December 2023. Location: Copeland Gallery, Unit 9, Copeland Park, 133 Copeland Rd, London SE15 3SN. Price: Free.

Cinema

Saltburn

Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi star in a darkly comedic thriller by Emerald Fennell, set in an opulent upper-class estate. Oliver (Keoghan) finds an unexpected friendship with Felix (Elordi), leading to a summer at the aristocratic Saltburn estate filled with eccentric characters. The stellar cast, including Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, and Carey Mulligan, delivers a thrilling portrayal of privilege and desire. It will be on show at the Barbican until Wednesday and nationwide for a longer duration.

Date: until 13 December 2023. Location:  Cinema 1, Barbican Centre, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: £13 + booking fee. Book now.

Pop-ups & Venues

Debenhams hosts three exclusive beauty events

Debenhams is hosting three exclusive beauty events from this week at its Soho Beauty Club in London, featuring renowned brands like Lancôme, YSL, and Trigwell. Each event offers insights and masterclasses by industry experts. Lancôme's event on 11 December focuses on winter skin prep and festive makeup looks, with tickets at £20 redeemable for Lancôme products. YSL's event on 12 December offers an interactive masterclass on Christmas makeup looks for £20, redeemable for YSL products. Finally, Trigwell's event on 14 December, priced at £10, involves a beauty masterclass with founder Zoe Trigwell, featuring Trigwell Cosmetics' products, redeemable against purchases at the event. These sessions are part of Debenhams' 'Wonderland is Waiting' campaign, aiming to help customers get party-ready for the festive season.

Date: 11 - 14 December 2023. Location: The Debenhams Beauty Showroom, Soho, W1F 9NB Price: £10 - £20.

#FLOFavourites: Pick of the Week

FREE EVENT OF THE WEEK

Friday Lates at the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery.

The National Gallery will be hosting their final Friday Lates of 2023. On offer will be a chance to experience a live soundscape by artist Hannah Catherine Jones, festive reflections by Jon Sleigh, and life drawing by 2b Or Not 2b Collective. Explore the various exhibitions, including the works of Frans Hals. When you are finished at the National Gallery, head along to the National Portrait Gallery, which is open until 9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Date: 15 December 2023. Location: The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN.

Interview of the week

In conversation with Jemma Powell

Jemma Powell, an Oxfordshire-based artist, originally from Sussex, is known for her observational landscapes. She is also an accomplished actress having featured in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, The Secret Garden, The Stranger, and Foyle’s War to name just a few. Click here for the full interview.

Food of the week

Half Cut Market

We recently explored the local gem, Half Cut Market known for its curated organic wine collection. Beyond its focus on wines, Half Cut delivers warm and welcoming service, complemented by a menu offering delectable gourmet bites like house-made focaccia and fresh pasta.

Location: Half Cut Market, 396 York Wy, London N7 9LW. Instagram: @halfcutmarket.

Click here for our pick of restaurants to dine at during the festive period.

 

Cause of the week

TP Caring Spaces

Turner Pocock, a UK-based interior design studio, expanded their services during the pandemic by launching TP Caring Spaces. Founders Bunny Turner and Emma Pocock used their design skills to create spaces offering comfort amid sickness and stress, particularly for hospital workers and charities. To support this cause, they're organising a special fundraising event at St Luke’s Church in Chelsea on 18 December.

Click here for more information on how you can attend the fundraiser.

Website: tpcaringspaces.co.uk.