Liv Leftwich

Blame it on the criminally forgotten 2001 movie Barbie in the Nutcracker, but ever since childhood, I’m absolutely convinced that sugar plum fairies and toy soldiers are an integral part of Christmas.  More famous as a ballet, the classic tale comes with nostalgia, magic, and best of all – a superb score from Tchaikovsky. If you’re not a ballet lover, don’t fret: aside from Barbie‘s stab at it there have been numerous non-dance interpretations, most pertinently this one from Olivier-winning theatre company, Little Bulb. Directed by Alexander Scott, this playful production aimed at children ages five to 12 was originally seen at the Polka Theatre, and has now transferred to St Martin’s Theatre for the season.  Pantomime meets puppet show in a bright and bold spectacle that is full of life and laughter. There are plenty of Christmas bangers to sing along to – plus the Tchaikovsky score playing in the background – and above all there’s an abundance of enthusiasm from the brilliant cast.  Sam Wilde’s set design is quirky and inventive. Cardboard boxes are transformed into creative moving parts such as a Christmas tree, a car and much more – all highlighted by Joshua Pharo’s clever use of lighting. Dramatic colour variations change the atmosphere at pivotal moments in the performance; from moody blues to ominous reds at the arrival of the dreaded Mouse King (played by Clare Beresford). The entire production has a DIY feel to it, which feels fresh, successfully capturing the imagin

If colourful bath bombs are your go-to stocking filler, you’ll love this festive shopping pop-up from eco-friendly and cruelty-free cosmetics brand Lush. Parking up outside Battersea Power Station this weekend, the Cosy Cup van will be giving away testers of its seasonal Yog Nog and Posh Chocolate shower gels, as well as offering Christmas shoppers a free cup of hot chocolate. Just download the Lush app or buy something from the van’s curated edit of good-enough-to-eat smellies – think Crème Brulée candles, sticky date body spray and cardamom coffee perfume – to claim your cosy cup of cocoa on the house. Get ready for full-on festive sensory overload. 

Calling all animal-loving Londoners! Soon you’ll be able to spot more than just pigeons, seagulls and the odd rat in the capital, as a new rewilding project is bringing back two rare animal species to the city. The project is called Rewilding East London, and it’s taking place in Eastbrookend Country Park in Dagenham. After going extinct as breeding birds in the 1400s due to overhunting and habitat loss, white storks are coming back to the capital – but that isn’t all. The Mayor of London-backed scheme will also reintroduce beavers to the area. White storks are distinguished by their lanky legs, monochrome feathers and large stature (standing up to 1.5m tall). The birds’ return to the capital will be quite the occasion – and not just for bird-nerds. While white storks are native to the British Isles, up until now they have mostly been breeding across central and southern Europe.  Beavers aren’t so unheard of in London. The creatures, famed for building dams and lodges all with their teeth, already feature at Paradise Fields in Ealing, which is the UK’s only publicly accessible urban beaver site.  Photography: Nick Upton Cornwall Wildlife Trust The goal of Rewilding East London is to boost biodiversity and improve access to nature and green spaces in Dagenham. But how will these animals be looked after in the capital? Well, as well as restoring wetland habitats, the project will boast a purpose-built aviary – or in layman's terms, a ‘bird house’ – for the storks (and hopeful

When you think of Islington, quirky theatres, diverse dining, fancy boutique shops and a vibrant arts scene likely come to mind. A new opening in the borough sounds like it will fit right in: Holloway Road is getting a new neighbourhood record shop. Named One Eighty One, the venue will serve coffee and craft beer as well as vinyl records – an ideal combo for music lovers seeking extra refreshment. By day it will be a chilled record shop and café, and by night it will transform into a vibey venue for collectors, artists and local residents. The venue sits about midway between two stations: Holloway Road (on the Piccadilly line) and Highbury and Islington (on the Victoria, Windrush and Mildmay lines). One Eighty One is the first permanent venue from Rod ‘Spin Doctor’ Gilmore, a long-standing London promoter. He said of the opening: ‘Islington has a rich musical heritage, and I am excited to now be the next part of that in the area I’ve called home my entire life.  ‘With quality on all fronts, whether that is drink, records, food or DJs, this will be an unpretentious friendly hangout spot for all of London.’  For over 30 years, Gilmore’s parties, club nights and live events have helped shape London’s music scene, spanning everything from warehouse sessions in Shoreditch to The Royal Albert Hall. His shop will deliver a diverse selection of records both old and new, across plenty of genres. Photography: One Eighty One The official opening is Friday December 12. There’ll be DJs

Alexandra Palace and darts go hand in hand. The north London darting destination is practically a Christmas staple: every December, fans come together for the PDC World Darts Championships, which dates back to 1963 but has been held at Ally Pally since 2007.  And now it’s been confirmed that the PDC tournament is staying in north London. A five-year deal has officially been agreed at the ‘Palace of the People’, meaning Ally Pally will host the World Darts Championship until at least 2031.  The tournament welcomed 125,000 fans in its 2025 edition, with 18-year-old Luke Littler winning his first world title. It’s also become something of a global phenomenon, with people travelling from all over the world to attend the event and don their best festive fancy dress.  Matt Porter, PDC (Professional Darts Corporation) chief executive said: ‘The venue has become synonymous with the World Darts Championship. ‘Ally Pally at Christmas is the identity of the tournament – its atmosphere is unmatched anywhere in sport.’  According to Porter, demand for tickets for the championship has never been higher. If you’ve never managed to get your hands on ’em, we have good news: from 2026, even more fans will be able to attend. The event is moving from the West Hall into the venue’s Great Hall, which will increase the total tournament capacity to 180,000. Lucy Fenner, Commercial Director at Alexandra Palace said: ‘We’re delighted so many fans will have the opportunity to experience an electric atm