Whoosh!
Outdoor ice skating, nationwide
Gloves and woolly hats on, it’s that time of year when ice rinks start appearing left, right and centre. This is an excellent way to get in the festive spirit for children and adults, and a warming glass of mulled wine afterwards is highly recommended. Spinningfields in Manchester, The Ice Factor in York, and Somerset House in London are particularly splendid.
Spinningfields open now, from £7.50, The Ice Factor, York, opens today, adult £8.95, child £7.95, Somerset House from November 17, adult from £10.50, child from £7.50, enjoyengland.com
Pop goes the shop
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Pop-up Emporium, The Old Truman Brewery, East London
Avoid Christmas shopping hell and be terribly smug by getting it all done early. This pop-up Christmas emporium opens on November 26, with designer sales, independent shops and gift markets, all filled with wonderfully unique gifts in all price ranges.
Pop-up market from today, pop-up emporium from November 26, free, trumanbrewery.com
Let the sparks fly
Lord Mayor’s fireworks, River Thames, London
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If you missed last week’s firework displays around the country, fear not — more than half a tonne of pyrotechnics are set to light up the capital’s sky this evening to end the Lord Mayor’s Show.
Today, 5pm, free, www.lordmayorsshow.org
P...p...pick up a penguin
Wild in Art, Liverpool city centre
Follow this art trail around Liverpool, the European Capital of Culture 2008. Schools, artists and community groups have been busy making wonderful penguin displays using music, light, photography and video, and their creations are dotted around the city. Christmas lights will make the city sparkle every Thursday until Christmas, with an evening of carol singers, brass bands and actors performing plays.
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Every Thursday from November 19, free, liverpool.gov.uk/culture
Stir it up
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Get into the spirit of Christmas with this family day out. Learn about the history of the Christmas pudding, traditionally a chance for families to gather together to stir the mixture. A Victorian cook will invite children to stir a pudding, add an ingredient and make a wish.
Tomorrow, adult from £17.50, child from £10, blenheimpalace.com
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Watch out, Pinocchio
The world’s biggest liar contest, Santon Bridge, Cumbria
Back in ye olde days of the 19th century, a Cumbrian gentleman by the name of Will Ritson would spend many an hour entertaining the locals with such delightful porkies as the existence of turnips so huge that sheep could live inside them.
In celebration of Mr Ritson, an annual contest is held to find the biggest liar in the county. The bigger the lie, the better.
November 19, £7 , including Tattie Pot supper, www.santonbridgeinn.com/liar
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Swinging from the rooftops
Zippo’s Circus, Wembley Stadium, London
Britain’s most famous travelling company hits the capital this weekend. Love or loathe the circus, these acrobats, clowns and jugglers, mastering the trapeze, high-wire walking and Wheel of Death, are certain to put on an amazing show.
Until tomorrow, adult from £8, child from £6, www.zipposcircus.co.uk
Walk around the world
Earth from the air, Bath
Would you love to jump on board a rocket and see the Earth from space?
This outdoor exhibition features a giant floodlit world map created from large-scale photographs of natural landscapes. Walk over and jump from country to country, learning about our changing planet as you go. It’s not quite the same as launching into the sky, or walking on the Moon, but it’s bound to be fascinating nonetheless.
Until January 1, free, earthfromtheair.com
Fishy on a little dishy
Clovelly Herring Festival, North Devon
Celebrate all things fish-related at this festival and visit the Kipperland exhibition, which tells the history of the herring. Sample delicious smoked kippers and bloaters, and learn traditional fishing skills, while listening to live music and sea shanties.
Tomorrow, adult £5.75, child £3.65, www.clovelly.co.uk
Twinkle, twinkle little city
Bond Street Christmas lights, London
See the lights of the big city glow as Bond Street is turned into a winter wonderland on Thursday night, with carol singers, musicians and a mystery celebrity to flick the switch. During the day, you can hit the luxury shops — from Asprey to Gucci — for those extra-special presents.
November 19, free, bondstreetassociation.com
A Christmas carol
Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire
Wander through the illuminated arboretum as it twinkles in the evening darkness. All sorts of fun is on offer — visit Father Christmas, hear carols from local choirs, and feel seasonal with a glass of mulled wine and a bag of roast chestnuts.
Daily from November 27 to December 20, trail opens 5pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday, adult from £5, child from £2, visitbath.co.uk
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Santa’s coming to town
5km Santa Run 2009, Greenwich Park, London
You don’t have to wait until the night of December 24 to catch a peek of Father Christmas’s big red and white suit and big black boots. Pop down to the park on December 6 to cheer on hundreds of Santa Clauses as they run 5km to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation. Even better, if you’re feeling energetic, don a red suit and join in yourself (big wobbly belly optional).
Book now to run on December 6, £20 registration, www.doitforcharity.com