Full on: the South Bank's Winter Light festival dazzles with illuminated artworks until Jan 18 2026

The Aldgate in Winter Festival features live events on the stage by St Botolph's plus Christmas tree switch on and Friday lantern parade (Dec 4/5)

Journey to Peru's Lost City of Machu Picchu (for 55 minutes) at this interactive experience on Shepherd's Bush Green (from Dec 4)

Tate Britain's excellent retrospective of American war photographer and surrealist Lee Miller runs until Feb 2026

The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew popular annual light festival is up and running, with a trail winding through lightworks by renowned artists, Christmas food and shopping.

The Factory Dalston hosts its much-loved Japanese Christmas Market (Dec 6-7)

The Last Days of Pompeii 360-degree digital immersive experience starts at the new 2,000 square metre media venue on the ExCel Dock, Immerse LDN (until Mar 26)

It's Santacon Saturday! The cheery Christmas procession of Santas starts at 12 noon from the Tower of London (Dec 6)

Last chance to celebrate Dickens' 100th birthday at the Charles Dickens Museum on Doughty Street, which finishes its current exhibition on his life and work at the end of December.

Neigh! London's Pantomime Horse Race takes place at Greenwich Park on Dec 14.

The Design Museum collaborates with la Cinémathèque française on its new exhibition of filmmaker Wes Anderson's 30-year archive (to July 2026), adults from £22

Twinkle, twinkle...the Chelsea Winter Village rocks the Royal Hospital with illuminations and a curling club - booking fast (to 28 Dec)

'Emergency Exits: The Fight for Independence in Malaya, Kenya and Cyprus' at the Imperial War Museum explores often-forgotten post-WWII conflicts (to Mar 26)

Enjoy the Enchanted Forest and live music, Christmas Cabaret, festive bars, seating areas and surprise performances plus festive movie screenings (to Dec 31)

Tate Britain's blockbuster 'Turner & Constable: Rivals & Originals' pits the two English greats against each other (to Apr 2026), adults £24

Wildly popular: the Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year show runs to June 26

Snow Globe Climbs over the top of the O2 Arena (£44) stopping at the igloo style globe on the 52-metre summit for selfies and optional Christmas food and drink (to Jan 4)

Life beyond Earth? Find out at the Science Museum's ticketed show, with tons to see including a 4.5 billion-year-old meteorite. Suitable for 8+ (to Feb 2026)

For three flamboyant years, Covent Garden club Blitz drew the clubbers of the early 80s. The Design Museum picks over the fashion, the fun and the funk (to Mar 2026)

YUM! The annual Gingerbread City shows the sweet side of the capital's architects and designers with exhibition and workshops. Exhibition £13.50 for over-12s (to Jan 4 2026)