Strap on your skates this weekend as two of London’s most beautiful ice skating rinks open for the festive season, or for something a bit more magical Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter will be blanketed in snow from 15 November.
London’s Best Ice Skating Rinks
There are plenty of places to scrub up your Dancing on Ice skills in the capital this winter, but two of the most iconic locations, namely Somerset House (14 Nov) and The Tower of London (16 Nov), open this weekend. Tickets start at £8.75 at Somerset House and £11.50 at the Tower of London. Until 5 Jan
Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter is going festive from 15 November. The castle and sets will all be redecorated using the actual props from the Christmas scenes in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Fans can also see Harry’s first ever Christmas present – his invisibility cloak – and the hand-knitted jumpers that Molly Weasley gave Ron and Harry. 15 Nov-6 Jan
Christmas at ZSL London Zoo
The Christmas events keep coming this weekend as London Zoo rolls out Santa and his sleigh from 16 November. Kids can meet Santa and his reindeers, decorate gingerbread and prepare special treats and presents for the zoo’s other animals. Tickets to meet Santa are £25.50 for children aged 3-10 and £15.50 for ages 11-16. 16 Nov-24 Dec
Southbank Centre Christmas Market
Adults and children will both appreciate the treats on offer down at the Southbank Centre from Saturday onwards. More than 80 wooden chalets will set up along the river for the festive period, offering hand crafted gifts and traditional German market fare, including Glühwein, bratwurst and even chestnuts roasting on an open fire. 16 Nov-24 Dec
Hello, My Name is Paul Smith at the Design Museum
If it feels a bit too early to be getting into the Christmas spirit there are some great exhibitions opening this weekend, including an insight into the career of British fashion designer Paul Smith at the Design Museum. Adult tickets start at £11.75. From 15 Nov
Large Hadron Collider at the Science Museum
For a more educational outing, the Science Museum launches its latest big exhibition on 13 November. Guests can immerse themselves in the world of CERN scientists, buried deep beneath the Swiss-French border in an effort to discover the elusive Higgs boson particle. Adult tickets are £10. From 13 Nov
Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and Disney’s Fantasia
Finally, you can revisit the weird and wonderful world of Disney classic Fantasia at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday as the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will accompany a restored version of the original 1940 cut, dancing broomsticks and all. Tickets from £30.50-45. 14:30 and 19:00 on 16 Nov