Things to do in London in between Christmas and New Year 2018

While it’s tempting to spend the days in between Christmas and New Year cradling an unavoidable food baby on the sofa, there's plenty on to tempt Londoners outside.

Save the box sets for January and make the most of the final festive days in the capital.

Here’s the best of what to get up to in London post-Christmas and pre-New Year.

Sing-along with Back to Black: Celebrating Amy at Blues Kitchen Camden

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Where better to celebrate the life and career of Amy Winehouse than in her old stomping ground, Camden? The Blues Kitchen is laying on a night to pay homage to the late star, with performances from the house band of her legendary tracks from Rehab and You Know I’m No Good, to Valerie and beyond.

111-113 Camden High St, NW1 7JN, tickets can be purchased here.

See the lights at Christmas at Kew​

Catch the final days of this horticultural wonderland's after-dark experience. Visitors can enjoy more than one million sparkling lights as well as art and sound installations from a plethora of international artists. Those not quite ready to bid farewell to festive treats will be pleased to hear the trails are scented with the smells of roasted chestnuts and mulled cider. A truly multi-sensory experience for the whole family.

Richmond TW9 3AB, kew.org​

Visit the Prince Charles Cinema

For those wanting to venture outside without engaging in anything too strenuous, this independent cinema is the perfect escape from reality. This wildcard venue in Leicester Square has an electric mix of showings, from newer releases and cult classics to indie and lesser-known flicks. In the last few days of December it will screen award-winning films including Moonlight and Call Me By Your Name as well as age-old favourites like When Harry Met Sally and Die Hard — bundle together the leftover Quality Street and head on down.

7 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BY, princecharlescinema.com

Check out the Food Glorious Food: Dinner with Dickens exhibition

The festive period has a rather Dickensian feel to it — so it seems fitting to round off December by visiting a museum dedicated to the author. This exhibition explores how food fuelled Dickens’ imagination and features household culinary items used by the writer as well as letters and first-hand accounts from his very own dinner guests.

48 Doughty St, WC1N 2LX, dickensmuseum.com

Explore Alice in Winterland in Southwark Park

More than 160 giant lanterns and 29 interactive scenes bring Lewis Carroll’s classic to life in Southwark Park. Held in the northern section of the park, the experience showcases a five-metre tall Alice alongside flamingos, illuminated playing cards and other familiar faces from the story. Don’t forget to bring the camera for this one.

Southwark Park, SE16 4RS, aliceinwinterland.co.uk

Visit Circus 1903

Experience the daredevil entertainment of a turn-of-the-century circus at this Southbank Centre show. The lively production sees acrobats, contortionists, jugglers, trapeze and high-wire performers take to the stage, alongside life-sized elephants operated by the puppeteers from War Horse.

Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX, southbankcentre.co.uk

See a panto

Panto season is almost over — oh yes it is — but before we bid farewell to celebrity casts for another year there's a final flourish of shows to catch in between Christmas and January. The Palladium’s production features a star-studded cast, including Dawn French as the Wicked Witch and Julian Clary as the man in the mirror. Meanwhile, Richmond Theatre’s production of Peter Pan stars Olivier Award-winner Robert Lindsay in his pantomime debut as Captain Hook.

Across London

Tuck into a festive afternoon tea

Christmas may be over but culinary indulgence needn’t stop – well, not until January hits, at least. Make the most of the final days of December by visiting one of the capital’s festive afternoon teas. Dominique Ansel Bakery has crafted each sweet treat to look like a bauble or tree decoration while afternoon tea hotspot, The Savoy, is serving spiced apple baubles and chestnut and Cassis Christmas trees on their cake stands. Dig in.

Across London, read our pick of the best here