Words by Charlotte Cox
Is that the sound of jingle bells we hear? Yes, it seems Christmas is a-coming, with festive pop-ups aplenty kicking off this weekend. And for those of you who remember it’s STILL NOVEMBER, we’ve got hip new bars, even hipper new shops and a musical by Blur’s Damon Albarn. Consider it an early gift…
POP-UP: Skate at Somerset House
And Christmas is officially... Go! Which means it's time to whirl, twirl and pirouette (or cling desperately to the side) at this, London's most romantic outdoor ice rink. As well as the chance to get slip-slidey amid the fairy lights of the Somerset House courtyard, there’s a Christmas Arcade courtesy of Fortnum & Mason, and the finest in apres-skate cocktails and hot chocolate at the Skate Lounge. What’s more, on selected dates world-class DJs including Rob Da Bank, Hed Kandi and Ministry of Sound take over proceedings, turning the rink into a dance floor with a difference. The difference being, presumably, that you can fall flat on your face at any given time. Twerk with caution, people.
18 Nov-20 Jan; from £7.50
Somerset House, The Strand WC2R 1LA, 020 7845 4600
FILM: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2
To recap: in a dystopian future, coalminer’s daughter Katniss Everdeen is forced to take part in a sacrificial reality show only marginally less brutal than The X Factor, where competitors fight to the death, commentated on by a host only slightly less sinister than Olly Murs. Luckily, being quite the dab hand with a bow and arrow, Katniss wins through – unwittingly becoming the leader of a revolution along the way. Oh, and her dress is worryingly flammable (polyester?), and she must choose between the love of her Games team-mate and her childhood best friend (who is a Hemsworth, so not really a choice at all). To sum up, it’s all going off – and here comes the final instalment. Will Katniss win out over the Cowell-esque President Snow? Watch and see, folks.
In cinemas from 19 Nov
POP-UP: Winter Wonderland
You might not have heard of this small-scale, under-the-radar gathering, but... Nah! We're just kidding. It's the Christmas fair to out-merriment them all, and it's back and bigger than ever. Taking over Hyde Park, this year sees a Magical Kingdom bringing the real snow, the UK’s biggest outdoor ice rink bringing all manner of skatey fun, and an Ice Bar bringing you everything – glasses included – made of the frozen stuff. Plus, there’s roller-coasters, a giant observation wheel and two – count ’em – TWO circuses. Which, by our scientific calculations, is exactly twice as much fun as one circus.
20 Nov-3 Jan; free
Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London W2 4RU
POP-UP: South Pole Saloon
Ho ho... Whoa?! What's this? An Antarctic dive bar full of rebel elves, cigar-smoking Santas and Christmas misfits? In BRIXTON? No, we haven't been at the egg nog (yet) – for this is actually happening. Putting a surreal new twist on all things Christmassy, this new rooftop bar mixes cocktails, street food and immersive theatre. Which means you're in for boozy concoctions including Hot Tennessee Toddys and Hendricks Gin Punch, a tree-lined DJ booth, and street eats from the likes of Dip & Flip. Oh, and encounters with the Snowman, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the elves on the run from slavery in the North Pole. Things could get weird. You were warned.
20 Nov-23 Dec; £3
South Pole Saloon, Valentia Place, Brixton SW9
DRINK: Mick's Garage
Do you know what Hackney Wick needs? Another bar/street food concept, in a building not originally meant to be a bar/street food concept. And here it is! Only this new addition to the hipster scene is way better than most, coming as it does from major players Crate Brewery and Berber & Q. Expect a bar serving kombucha (that's a kind of fermented tea, btw, and tastier than that sounds), plus fresh craft beers, as the brewery is right next door. Handy. Meanwhile Berber & Q hold up their end of the bargain with the Shukshuk BBQ shack serving all that's meaty, sticky and marinatey, plus there'll be live music, DJs and supperclubs going on. All in a garage. Presumably belonging to Mick. Not sure where he's parking his car at the moment.
Opens 20 Nov
Mick's Garage, Queen’s Yard, E9 5EN
THEATRE: Wonder.land
To mark Alice's 150th anniversary, this year Miss 'In Wonderland' has had had more reinventions than the Mad Hatter’s had cups of tea. But here comes arguably the most exciting, a new musical featuring huge digital screens, a script by Moira Buffini and a score by Blur's Damon Albarn. Yes, Damon Albarn! And a very 21st century take on Alice it is too: Wonder.land becomes a psychedelic online game where 'Aly' is an avatar, the Cheshire Cat becomes a manic whirl of multicolour pixels, and the white rabbit is in a tutu. Not sure what that has to do with being hi-tech, but we do like tutus very much indeed. A must-see.
From 23 Nov; from £15
National Theatre, South Bank SE1 9PX, 020 7452 3000
FOOD: Oklava
There will be a time, we hereby posit, that what you’ll fancy for dinner will satisfyingly tender Turkish grilled meats and authentic Middle Eastern sides. And you’ll want them served in a nigh-on secret new restaurant, decked out with traditional copper plates and ceramic tiles, and cooked by a hotly tipped chef fresh from stints at Kopapa and The Providores. And for such times, may we present Oklava.
Oklava, 74 Luke Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 4PY, 020 7729 3032
FOOD: Thank Ya Papa
It's not just Christmas that's coming - Thanksgiving is too. And whether you hail from the States or just love an excuse to eat yams, that means it's time to celebrate - and celebrate BIG. Which brings us to Thank Ya Papa, a series of New Orleans-themed supperclubs where the word 'big' is somewhat of an understatement. We're talking a 10-course feast designed by Michelin chefs featuring truffled Brussels sprouts, squashcasserole, candied yams (yes!), deep-fried turkey... *pauses to loosen belt* all while listening to down 'n' dirty live jazz, soul and blues. Told you: BIG.
25-27 Nov
Styx, 25 AshleyRd N17 9LJ, slapyapapa.co.uk
SHOPPING: The Graceful Goddess
Take two leading names in vintage fashion – stylist/presenter Grace Woodward and founder of The Gathering Goddess Wilma Mae Basta – smoosh them together and what do you get? The Graceful Goddess, which (as well as being a fine bit of wordplay) is London’s hottest new pop-up up shop. Open now until 29 November, the pair have curated rails of rare vintage finds from designers both classic and niche, not to mention luxury ‘future collectibles’ to get first dibs on. From hard-to-find Alexander McQueen pieces to Tom Ford-era Gucci, plus Westwood, Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana, it’s a veritable treasure trove of pre-loved style – destined to be post-loved by us. Well, unless you get there first…
Until 29 Nov
The Graceful Goddess, 199 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London W11
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