Things To Do Today In London: Wednesday 5 December 2018
CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION: Painting, photography, sculpture, digital art and other mediums are all on display at The London Group's Christmas exhibition. The visual arts collective showcases work by around 60 of its members. The Cello Factory (Waterloo), free entry, just turn up, 5-14 December
CHRISTMAS TALES: This family-friendly festive show uses puppets, singing and dancing to entertain young Londoners (and their parents). Aimed at ages 0-7. Chickenshed Theatre (Cockfosters), £10, book ahead, 5-30 December
VICTORIAN HOLLOWAY: Holloway used to be known as "the Oxford Street of the north". On this guided walk, find out what the area was like in its Victorian heyday, when it was a shopping and entertainment district home to gin palaces, tea rooms, theatres, banqueting halls and early department stores. Nags Head (Holloway), £12/£9, book ahead, 11am-12.30pm
COLOUR JUNGLE: It's the final day of this photography exhibition, showing the work of Matthew Durrant. The 12 photos tell the story of his battle with the effects of anxiety, and how he overcame it. Camden Image Gallery, free, just turn up, 11am-6pm
PALACE TOUR: Not many people realise that the impressive Fulham Palace is free to visit. Today, there's a free festive tour too — see the palace decorated for Christmas, and learn what the festivities would have been like when the Bishops of London were living there. Fulham Palace, free, just turn up, 2pm-2.45pm
CAROLS: BBC Radio 4 and St Martin In The Fields partner up for a carol service raising money for homeless and vulnerable people, as part of a wider festive charity appeal. St Martin In The Fields (Trafalgar Square), £20, book ahead, 6.30pm. Hope and Homes For Children also has a charity carol concert today — more information and tickets here (7pm).
FILM QUIZ: Swot up on your knowledge of silver screen couples — Barbican's Film Quiz is back, and the theme this time is on-screen romances. They won't feature in all of the questions, but expect a 'modern couples' bonus round. Barbican, £3, book ahead, 6.45pm
1000 LONDONERS: The Windrush Generation is the focus of 1000 Londoners' latest project. Watch a series of short films about the lives of Londoners with Caribbean heritage, including Jocelyn, an equality campaigner who persuaded shops on Oxford Street to let black women work on the shop floor. Followed by a Q&A with director Rachel Wang. Curzon Soho, £16.50/£14, book ahead, 6.45pm
BREXIT COMEDY: It takes a brave person to perform a comedy show about Brexit in the current political climate, but comedian Matt Forde used to be a political adviser, so he's probably had tougher audiences. Brexit Through The Gift Shop takes the stance that there's only one person who can sort the Brexit mess out... but nobody knows who. Southbank Centre, £17.50, book ahead, 8pm
LIVE MUSIC: Cambridge-based folk band The Willows take to the stage tonight, their impressive vocals and acoustic sound offering some variety from the many carol concerts around at this time of year. The Half Moon (Putney), £13/£15, book ahead, 8pm
Good cause of the day
Bearded comedian Joe Wilkinson headlines tonight's Laugh Till It Hurts, a comedy show raising money for charity. Stephen Grant, Sally Anne Hayward and others join him on stage, with proceeds going to Children With Cancer UK.
