What To Do Over The Festive Period

There’s a new arcade in St Paul’s where you can race your mates on F1 simulators. Created by the team behind Flight Club and Hijingo, the venue offers bespoke simulators and new games so you can compete against your mates or take on a solo challenge. Users receive a personalised driver profile to keep track of PBs and enter competitions. For a pit stop, there are tacos, burgers and steaks at the on-site restaurant and F1-inspired drinks from the bar – we like the sound of the ‘Heat Cycle’ made with tequila, green papaya, jalapeno and lime. 

1 New Change, St Paul’s, EC4M 9AF

Visit F1Arcade.com

Beckenham Place Park in Lewisham has opened a light trail featuring a series of large-scale installations. Revealed this week as the finale to the area’s year as London Borough of Culture 2022, the installations will be on display today and tomorrow. There’s a large-scale illuminated puppet which will move around the park, as well as light displays projected onto Beckenham Place Mansion. Take the kids on Thursday 22nd December to see the lights before visiting the family friendly fair and stopping for pizza and mulled wine at The Homestead Café Courtyard. 

Beckenham Hill Road, Beckenham, BR3 1SY

Visit WeAreLewisham.com

East End BBQ restaurant Smokestak is serving a festive sharing menu until the new year (£50pp). A great option for groups, guests can start with a warm spiced malbec, followed by small plates like smoked mackerel pâté on sourdough, chicken liver parfait, and mushrooms on toast with beef fat gravy. Then it’s onto smoked meats like dry-aged beef with chimichurri, beef brisket, and pulled pork with pickled cucumber – all served with honey and thyme roasted parsnips, fennel and citrus salad, and charred greens. If you’ve still got space, there’s an apple tarte tatin with custard for dessert.

35 Sclater Street, Shoreditch, E1 6LB

Visit Smokestak.co.uk 

British installation artist Luke Jerram has opened an exhibition at the Old Royal Navy College focusing on the moon. Set in the college’s grand Painted Hall, there’s a large-scale installation of the satellite created using Nasa imagery. Visitors can lean back on daybeds to look at the installation’s intricate details, accompanied by music on a surround sound system by Bafta-winning composer Dan Jones. Tickets cost £12.50.

Visit ORNC.org 

Interactive shooting bar Clays has opened a second outpost in Canary Wharf. Made for city folk who want to let off steam, there are eight pegs for simulated clay pigeon shooting, plus a treehouse-style DJ booth. On arrival, one of the hosts will take you to your peg to pre-order small bites, cocktails and beers from the bar so there’s no queuing. You can then compete with your mates on interactive clay target games on huge screens. Each peg accommodates up to 20 for 60 or 90-minute sessions.

One Cabot Square, Canary Wharf, E14 4QJ

Visit Clays.Bar

Fujifilm’s studio and exhibition space House of Photography has opened its first winter installation to transport visitors to the Arctic. Head to the first floor to find broken ice protruding from the ground and reflected by lights. Stop here for a photo before moving onto the ‘Winterscape’ room with its snowy backdrop to see a light show. There’s also a cool installation that mimics the Northern Lights, a life-sized snow globe, and an interactive yeti’s den for kids. Tickets are free.

Visit Fujifilm-HouseOfPhotography.com

On the tenth floor of the Standard hotel, Decimo is one of our favourite spots in the capital for Mexican food, with dramatic views across London. On New Year’s Day, it’s throwing a hangover brunch from noon to 4pm with live music from DJ Harv. Tuck into brunch dishes like huevos la flamenco, gambas rojas tortilla and baja fish tacos with a few spicy margaritas – a tidy hangover cure.

10 Argyle Street, King’s Cross, WC1H 8EG

Visit Decimo.London