Things To Do In London Between Christmas & New Year

Go To The Races

Head to Kempton Park for the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival, which boasts 12 top-quality races over two days. A packed schedule includes some of the jump season’s biggest races, such as the King George VI Chase, the Christmas Hurdle and the Desert Orchid Chase. Tickets are selling fast – book now to avoid disappointment.
 
Staines Road East, Sunbury-on-Thames, TW16 5AQ; 26th & 27th December
TheJockeyClub.co.uk

Watch An Old Movie

From Boxing Day right through to New Year’s Eve, the Prince Charles Cinema will play anti-Christmas movies. Had your fill of all the TV Christmas specials? Head to Leicester Square and take your pick from classics such as The Matrix, Trainspotting, Fight Club, Goodfellas and Taxi Driver.
 
7 Leicester Place, West End, WC2H 7BY
PrinceCharlesCinema.com

Catch Some Comedy

’Tis the season to be jolly, of course, and you’ll find all the laughter you can handle at the Comedy Store – from Boxing Day right through to New Year’s Eve. Arrive early to bag your seats, take advantage of happy hour and load up on jugs of beer before the live comedy begins. Tickets start at £17.
 
1a Oxendon Street, West End, SW1Y 4EE
TheComedyStore.co.uk

Head To The Pub For The Cricket

Head to the Pavilion End pub in the heart of Square Mile to watch England’s cricket team take on South Africa. The first Test from Centurion runs from the 26th to 30th December. Joe Root’s men will be keen to bounce back from their recent 1-0 Test series defeat to New Zealand. The four-test series will be shown on Sky Sports and the pub is opening specially to accommodate the early start time. Bloody Marys all round.
 
23 Watling Street, City, EC4M 9BR
PavilionEndPub.co.uk

Take In Some Art

The capital’s art galleries should be a little quieter than usual at Twixmas. In Holborn, Sir John Soane’s Museum is displaying the darkly satirical work of 18th-century British great William Hogarth. Hogarth: Place and Progress unites all of the paintings and engravings in Hogarth’s famous series; some of the canvasses are displayed on the same style of easel on which they appeared at the same museum’s 1884 exhibition. The current exhibition ends in early January, so this is your best chance to catch some of the definitive works of this progressive artist.
 
13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Holborn, WC2A 3BP; until 5th January
Soane.org

Visit A Top Secret Exhibition

Top Secret: From Ciphers To Cyber Security spans over a century of communications intelligence from World War One to the present day. The exhibition includes hand-written documents and declassified files, covering the evolution of gadgets and devices such as the Enigma code from the archives of both the Science Museum and GCHQ.
 
Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2DD; until 23rd February
ScienceMuseum.org.uk

Listen To The Finest Film Music

Even if you don’t recognise his name, you’ll know the music of John Williams. He is the man behind the epic themes of ET, Jaws, Star Wars, Superman, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Head to the Barbican and experience the London Concert Orchestra’s take on his iconic film scores.
 
Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS; 27th December
Barbican.org.uk
 

Dine Out In Soho

10 Greek Street keeps its doors opens between 27th and 30th December. Try Galloway cotes de boeuf, with new potatoes and spring greens; chicken liver parfait, grilled peach and watercress; and chocolate terrine, salted caramel, cherries & pistachio. As ever, head chef Cameron Emirali uses the freshest produce and the best-quality meat from artisanal suppliers – expect fresh and unfussy dishes delivering unforgettable flavours that will keep you in the celebratory mood right through to New Year.
 
10 Greek Street, W1D 4DH; 27th-30th December
10GreekStreet.com

Watch Some American Football

The Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday 29th December – and the whole game is being screened live at Lola’s Bar within Leicester Square’s Hippodrome Casino. Enjoy the ultimate American football experience on a 10m x 2.5m screen and sample an epic American food menu. Tickets are waiting for price confirmation

Leicester Square, WC2H 7JH; 29th December
Jaguars.co.uk

Celebrate The New Year

Not strictly an event to attend during Twixmas, the London New Year’s Day Parade (LNYDP) is a great option for those who are in the capital for New Year. It takes place at noon on 1st January on the streets of Piccadilly, with over 8,000 participants from the US, UK and Europe, musicians and floats. Tickets cost £40 and the spectacle attracts an audience of over 650,000 – book now to guarantee your spot and expect a seriously electric atmosphere.
 
Piccadilly; 1st January
LNYDP.com

Watch Darts Live

The William Hill World Darts Championship is the biggest tournament in the sport. It is also one of the biggest parties to hit Ally Pally over the Christmas season. Featuring a £2.5m prize fund for the 96 players battling it out to win the prestigious Sid Waddell Trophy, it’s an event not to be missed. Tickets are selling fast – if you’re thinking of going, book now.
 
Alexandra Palace Way, Wood Green, N22 7AY
AlexandraPalace.com