We are ushering December in this weekend, and with that our Christmas playlist is officially on in the office and we are looking forward to going all out this festive season. From afternoon teas with the chance of snowmen and reindeer to a new cabaret experience to check out and of course, great shopping deals- these are some fun things to do this Black Friday weekend.

Attend a new cabaret experience

If you’re looking for a special night out, head to Manzi’s new cabaret nights which are curated by cabaret star, Betsy Rose. Enjoy a fabulous performance while you dig into a delicious meal with a selection of Manzi’s specials including dressed Dorset crab with brown crab mayonnaise to start, or Bateman’s lobster roll with fries and Thousand Island dressing.

when: every thursday
Where: 1-8 Bateman’s buildings, Soho, London W1D 3EN
Website: www.manzis.co.uk

Shop some great Black Friday deals

It’s officially the best time of the year to shop. Harvey Nichols is the perfect place to snap up some great deals on fashion, electronics, beauty and more. Whether you’re looking to revamp your wardrobe or you’re keen to get your Christmas shopping done well in time, this is the weekend for retail therapy. We found some fabulous deals on iconic winter outfits that will definitely take us through party season, so if you still haven’t found that Christmas dress, this is the place to shop.

It’s officially the best time of the year to shop. Harvey Nichols is the perfect place to snap up some great deals.

Where: 109-125 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RJ
Website: www.harveynichols.com

Challenge your friends to a game of table tennis

Situated in the heart of the iconic Battersea Power Station, Bounce Battersea is a great place to test out your skills and challenge your friends to ping pong. Expect the latest technology, games and infamous Games Gurus to entertain you, plus there’s a special Christmas package which includes pizza and a drink. Take your friends, take your family – this one looks like a fun day out with a group or even for some post-work winding down.

Where: Battersea Power Station Level 1, Turbine Hall B, 342 Circus Road South, London, London, SW11 8DD
Website: www.bouncepingpong.com

Explore a beautiful winter installation

Luke Jerram’s spellbinding Mars installation at the Old Royal Naval College’s Painted Hall is a must-see this winter if you’re looking for something different. Measuring 7m in diameter, this spellbinding artwork features detailed NASA imagery of the Martian surface recreated to scale. Slowly rotating against the spectacular backdrop of the Painted Hall, this unique pairing will bring two breathtaking works of art together, merging science with history, myth and allegory.

Luke Jerram’s spellbinding Mars installation at the Old Royal Naval College’s Painted Hall is a must-see this winter.

When: 23rd November to 20th January 2025
Where: Old Royal Naval College, London SE10 9NN
Website: www.ornc.org

Indulge in a festive afternoon tea

If you’re looking for a special treat this weekend, go all out and try London’s famous afternoon teas -and this time of the year they come with a seasonal twist. At Brown’s Hotel, settle into a ruby-red armchair in The Drawing Room and enjoy an indulgent menu of seasonal dishes from the winter citrus cake with lemon thyme to roast bronze turkey and cranberry with cream cheese sandwiches. Each handmade delicacy is created to embrace the flavours of the season – don’t miss the stunning Palet D’Or – Golden Medal, created in homage to Golden Goose.  

where: THE DRAWING ROOM, brown’s hotel, ALBEMARLE STREET
website: www.roccofortehotels.com

Catch a screening of this award-winning foreign film

This film has been winning awards and hearts around the world, and it comes from Payal Kapadia, the first Indian filmmaker to win the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival. A poetic portrait of three women navigating life in Mumbai, the film sees Prabha, a nurse whose absent husband moved abroad shortly after their arranged marriage, Anu, her younger roommate and colleague involved in a clandestine relationship, and the widowed Parvati, to whom Prabha lends a sympathetic ear. The women’s stories, challenges and joys intertwine as Kapadia details the unspoken layers of yearning that weave through life in a bustling nocturnal city. Expect some magical cinema with All We Imagine As Light.

when: 29th November to 1st december
Where: BFI Southbank, London SE1 8XT
Website: www.whatson.bfi.org.uk

Try this indulgent Friday-only meal

For an end-of-week indulgence, head to Kanishka by Atul Kochhar, for their Flavourful Fridays menu. From signature bites like prawn with sesame and vermicelli, vegetable samosas, jalpari chaat angoori, hand-dived Orkney scallop with grape must chutney, and grilled lamb chops and keema pie, expect an Indian feast on your plate. To complete the meal, there is an assortment of fresh breads as well as butter pudding to end. Plus, you can choose a wine pairing to go with it.

when: every Friday
Where: 17-19 Maddox Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 2QH
Website: www.kanishkarestaurant.co.uk

Book ahead for a pop-up dedicated to an iconic band

There’s a three-day pop-up this week to plan ahead for which features previously unseen photographs of The Rolling Stones – that are actually available to buy. There’s a 20% discount on all prints ahead of Christmas, alongside complimentary framing and delivery, making it a great place to head to if you’re looking to gift something special to a music lover in your life. There’s a big demand for spaces, so to attend you’ll need to book your spot on the website.

when: 3rd to 5th December
where: 59 Greek Street, Soho, London, W1D 3DZ
website: www.baylissbooks.co.uk

Visit London’s most festive restaurants

London’s restaurants are all dressed up this season to celebrate the festive season, and there are some incredible decorations and menus we’ve spotted across the city. We’ve got our eyes on The Pem, a magical oasis away from the hustle and bustle of city life that has award-winning chef Sally Abé at the helm.

London’s restaurants are all dressed up this season.

The space has been transformed into a Christmas haven, complete with traditional trees, red and green decor and plenty of crackers to go around.

when: till 5th January 2025
where:22-28 Broadway, SW1H 0BH 
website: www.thepemrestaurant.com

One to travel for:

Stay at a gorgeous new hotel in Brighton

Freshly opened this month, No. 124 Brighton is the latest launch from GuestHouse, an independent brand of hotels with locations across Bath, York and Margate. One of 2024’s most exciting new UK hotel openings, this is a lovely seaside getaway which embraces the GuestHouse’s signature laidback luxury and borrows a bit of Brighton’s quirky but cool kid personality. Perfectly positioned to all of Brighton’s best attractions, the hotel makes the perfect weekend away.

Where: 124 Kings Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 2FY
Website: www.guesthousehotels.co.uk

Culture, Weekend Guide

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