Discover London: Festive Magic, Future Exhibitions & City Life

The “Best Of Londonist: 15-21 December 2025” offers a comprehensive weekly roundup of London's vibrant news, features, and upcoming events, spanning cultural highlights, festive celebrations, and local community updates. The publication outlines major attractions for 2026, including highly anticipated exhibitions featuring Tracey Emin, Lucian Freud, and samurai, alongside the opening of two new museums. Adventurous visitors can look forward to climbing Ally Pally's roof from February for unparalleled views, while unique cultural experiences include exploring Amersham's enchanting Fair Organ Museum and a fun exhibition marking 40 years of the soap opera EastEnders, located right beside its filming site. A quirky historical feature delves into a Victorian dinner party inside a dinosaur, serving unusual dishes like mock turtle and pigeon pie.

For the festive season, Londonist captures the magic of Christmas 2025 with “Santa's-Eye View” aerial photos and a look back at “London's Greatest Christmas” in December 1843. Art enthusiasts can observe the Connaught Hotel's bizarre AI-generated Christmas tree by Urs Fischer, adding a macabre touch to Mayfair. The guide also provides essential details for the London New Year's Day Parade 2026, including route and timings, alongside a comprehensive list of other activities for January 1st and the preceding Christmas week (22-28 December 2025).

Community and urban life updates reveal the concerning news of the famous Rowans Bowling Alley being under threat, while celebrating the resurgence of “The Knowledge” among taxi drivers, with applications up by 68% over three years. Nature lovers can anticipate Sir David Attenborough's new TV show, “Wild London,” exploring the city's fauna and flora. Other notable mentions include the story of Mike, the British Museum's beloved cat, fundraising efforts for a blue plaque for Black boxers Bill Richmond and Tom Molineaux, and a new comedy about the Highgate Vampire. Practical advice on finding affordable eats under £15 in Central London rounds out the diverse offerings, showcasing London's dynamic blend of history, entertainment, and daily life.

(Source: https://londonist.com/london/best-of-london/best-of-londonist-15-21-december-2025)