8 Ways To Get Your Culture Fix Over The Festive Season

Culture

Don’t give in to lethargy during the long winter nights. Stroll through enchanting gardens, daydream to the smooth sounds of Koop or snuggle up to holiday classics in a backyard cinema

Words India Stobbs

Koop Oscar Orchestra at Jazz Café

Kick off 2017 with some fresh aural energy at the iconic Camden Jazz Café. This intimate live show from electronic jazz duo ‘Koop,’ with tunes composed by Oscar Simonsson, promises favourite tracks and exclusive new material.
5 Jan  £15

Trainspotting at The Vaults

Fed up of Elf? Go underground in your entertainment tastes this Christmas and descend into the tunnels of The Vault in this raw, full throttle stage production of Trainspotting. The audience becomes part of the show as a group of friends live through the Edinburgh heroin scene of the 80’s. Just remember to Choose Life.
Until 15 Jan   £20-£35

New Years Eve with DJ Koze

If you’re bothering to go out for NYE, you may as well do it properly. Head to Shoreditch to ring the changes at one of London’s biggest nightclubs, XOYO, and go wild to the techno house beats of German DJ and music producer Koze – one of the most important artists in today’s dance scene.
31 Dec  £38.50

Christmas at Kew

Channel your inner child as you watch brightly coloured laser beams dance over water, wander through a magical tunnel of lights and explore a scented fire garden after dark. The enchanting mile-long path through Kew’s Botanical Gardens is sure to charm even the most miserable Grinch.
Until 2 Jan  From £10

Malick Sidibé Photography at Somerset House

Expand your cultural horizons at Somerset House with the first solo exhibition of the late Malian photographer, Malick Sidibé. 45 stunning and original black and white prints chart the joys and challenges of life in Mali after the country’s independence in 1960.
Until 15 Jan  Free

Backyard Cinema Winter Night Garden

Enter a magical, snow-dusted forest setting, grab a mulled wine and a minced pie, snuggle under a blanket and prepare to enjoy a couple of hours watching the best Christmas films of all time. After the year we’ve had, a dose of feel-good escapism is the only way to see it out.
Until 6 Jan  £16.50

Red Market Winter Special

This winter, London’s original street food market, Last Days of Shoreditch, returns to the junction of Old Street and Great Eastern Street. Fully covered and heated, it’s a cosy way to sample fantastic street food, listen to the non-stop festival playlist and dance the night away on the newly improved dancefloor.
Until 17 Dec  Free Thursday. £5 after 7:30pm on Friday and Saturday

Stafford Terrace Twilight Tours

18 Stafford Place is a fine Kensington town house that once belonged to Punch illustrator Edward Sambourne. Transport yourself back to the Victorian middle classes with a special monthly costumed tour, based on The Sambourne Diaries. It’s dripping with atmosphere, with a dash of social history to boot.
Ongoing  £12

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