Pear Tree Christmas Market, Battersea Park
It’s not Christmas without a festive market and this one is right on the doorstep. 30 vendors will be setting up shop along the Pear Tree café terrace, counting Rococo Chocolates, Good and Proper Tea and cured meats specialists Cannon & Cannon amongst their delectable ranks. A BBQ will be on the go from midday and there’s a Raclette stand and a Marshmallow Fire Pit – plenty to keep you going until carol singers launch into heavenly chorus in the evening. There’s also everything from handwoven rugs to quirky stationery for sale if you’re thinking with more than just your stomach.
2 – 3 December, peartreecafe.co.uk
Santa Dash, Clapham Common
This annual 5k or 10k run is as festive as a reindeer drinking eggnog and it’s for an excellent cause, raising vital funds for Great Ormond Street children’s hospital. Whether you stroll, jog, dash or dance the routes, there’s only one rule: participants must be dressed in their finest Santa get up. Beards optional, of course.
3 December, gosh.org/get-involved
Trinity cinema series, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’, Clapham Common
This Christmas classic marks the end of Royal Trinity Hospice’s 2017 series at Clapham Picturehouse. When selfless, community-man George Bailey (James Stewart) suffers a string of bad luck, it takes divine intervention in the form of Clarence Odbody (Henry Travers) to prove what life in his home town would be like without him. Poignant and thoughtful, this is guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit.
4 December, royaltrinityhospice.london
Bridget Christie at Battersea Arts Centre, Battersea
Bridget Christie is one very talented – and very funny – lady. Winner of the Rose D’Or and the Edinburgh Comedy Award, her last show was awarded No 1 Comedy of the Year 2016 by The Guardian and she is a regular fixture on our screens on shows like Have I Got News For You. This is your chance to see her new show, ‘What Now? Work in Progress’ live and up close, and you won’t regret it.
6 – 16 December, bac.org.uk
The Turn of the Screw, Clapham Old Town
If you’re looking for something a bit darker this Christmas, you can’t go wrong with Strange Fish’s production of this classic Henry James ghost story. When a governess arrives at an isolated manor, she soon realises her young wards, an orphaned brother and sister, are not all that they seem. A battle for their very souls ensues… but are the spirits that haunt her real, or all in her head?
7-9 Dec and 14 -16 Dec, omnibus-clapham.org
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Elf at The Exhibit, Balham
Do we need to give you the synopsis of Elf? Really? All you need to know is that after outgrowing his own Elfish community, Buddy (Will Ferrell) is sent on a mission to uncover his true identity. The rest you will need to see for yourself, which is lucky as The Exhibit in Balham is putting on a Christmas screening. Throw in dinner and you’ve got yourself a night out for £16.
16 and 17 December, theexhibit.co.uk
Winterland, Fulham
In the summer, this outdoor oasis on Battersea Bridge Road was Neverland; for December it has transformed into a winter wonderland (the clue is in the name, really) complete with enchanted forest, curling lanes, alpine mini golf and heated igloos. Snuggle up with a hot toddy and count down the days.
Until 22 December, winterlandlondon.com
The 2017 London New Year’s Eve Ball at The Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park
Not made plans for New Year yet? Don’t panic: bag yourself a ticket to this brilliant Battersea ball and enjoy a canapés reception, four course feast, breath-taking entertainment – and so much more besides. At £180, tickets are a little on the costly side, but there’s free parking and a free shuttle to Victoria at the end of the night, plus a magnificent fireworks display to ring in 2018 in style. Besides, it’s only New Year, well, once a year.
31 December, eventbrite.co.uk
Metro’s Alpine Ski Lodge, Clapham Common
This stalwart Italian has been treating the diners of Clapham for years and for 2017 it’s going Christmas crazy. The restaurant has transformed into an alpine ski lodge, complete with Christmas trees, twinkling lights and s’mores galore. Even better, it is open into the New Year.
Until 1 January 2018, thisisclapham.co.uk
The Big London Bake, Tooting
Not made your Christmas Cake yet? Need to brush up on your figgie pudding? Grab your mates and batter up for a session in The Castle’s own version of the famous white tent.
Various, thebiglondonbake.com
