Spare time is sparse come December, but if you're one of the lucky few who has some, here are five fun things to do in London this week, December 12-18. 

1 Making Modernism, Royal Academy

Take a break from the Christmas frenzy, and slip into this delightful exhibtion that looks at the women artists working in Germany in the early 1900s. Spanning self-portraiture, landscapes, represenations of the female body and more, this exhibtion explores the female artists who were no less ground-breaking than their male counterparts, but perhaps less well-known. 

Dates: On until February 12, 2023

Tickets: From £17

Address: Burlington House, W1J 0BD

Website: royalacademy.org.uk

 

2 Christmas at Battersea

The newly opened Battersea Power Station has plenty of family festive fun this Christmas. Its ice-skating rink is up and running, complete with vintage-style faiground rides, an alpine takeover of The Coaling Jetty, craft workshops, Santa, and the Battersea Power Station Community Choir will perform December 11-15. There's also Lift 109 which will shoot you up to the top of the north-west chimney for 360-degree views of London.

Website: batterseapowerstation.co.uk

3 London Christmas Beer Festival, Tobacco Dock 

From the London Craft Beer Festival team comes this festive, yeasty festival. A bumper two-day celebration, more than 100 bars and stalls will be packed with your favourite festive treats, which you can enjoy with your mates then and there, or (and) order ahead in time for Christmas. The market features brews from UK’s finest indie breweries, food from a selection of fab restaurants and food vendors, a drag queen and a live Christmas gospel choir.  

Dates: December 16-17 

Time: 11.30am-11pm 

Tickets: Entry £20, includes a tasting glass and tote 

Address: Tobacco Dock, Wapping E1W 2SF 

Website: londonchristmasbeerfestival.com 

4 Get Stuck into Etaly's Panettone Cart, Liverpool Street

If you're done with festive afternoon teas, but still want an indulgent sweet afternoon feast, Eataly's Pasta e Pizza resturant has rolled out the panettone cart for the festive season. On it, a selection of Eataly's best panettones which are served with your choice of decadent toppings - from chocolate cream to mascarpone. 

Address: 135 Bishopsgate, EC2M 3YD

Website: eataly.co.uk  

5 Chelsea Christmas Grotto, Sloane Square 

Created in collaboration with Underbelly, this traditional Grotto comes with al fresco seating, festive food and drink and a Bavarian curling rink. A Fir tree-line path takes you to the Chelsea Christmas Grotto, for story time and for meeting Santa. Children will receive a small gift by Santa’s elves and adults can bask in the scent of it all, which is brought to you by renowned parfumerie Diptyque.  

Dates: On until December 24 

Address: Sloane Square, SW1W 8 

Website: chelseachristmas.co.uk

Read More: 12 of London's Best Winter Terraces & Rooftops For Alfresco Hangs