7 Things We Know You Weren’t Planning To Do This December In London

Georgie Jones • 4 December, 2015

Yes – Christmas markets may be lovely, yest – we do love mulled wine and mince pies and yes – we get that warm fuzzy feeling when we see the Carnaby Street Christmas lights…BUT it’s only the first week of December and, to be honest, we don’t want to wear ourselves thin in the run up to the big day – a Christmas overload is never good. So, if you’re like us and want to preserve a little ‘Christmas energy’ for the end of the month, then you should definitely check out these alternative things to do around London.

1. Ghost Bus Tours

Ok, we admit that this one’s a little Christmassy, but its spooky twist is sure to frighten away any overtly festive feelings. The Ghost Bus has adapted their usual terrifying tour, which reveals the murderous and dark side of London. This month, the tour is inspired by Dickens’ ghost of Christmas past, present and future. With onboard live actors, sound and lighting effects and the use of cameras, the Ghost Bus team create a truly immersive experience. It’s a great idea when planning group events over December, so gather your friends/colleagues and be prepared to get spooked. Download Fever to book tickets!

2. Club de Fromage on Ice

alternative-things-december — [Club de Fromage]

Jazzing up the ice skating season, Club de Fromage bring their disco skates to the rink at Alexandra Palace’s winter wonderland. Brought to you by ‘The Legendary Fat Tony’ who plans to take us back to the golden days of nightclubbing, this is definitely a night to grab your boys and girls and get a bit silly on the (icy) dance floor… but not too silly, we take no responsibility for injuries. The next event is on Friday 11th December.

3. Yung Club Immersive Yoga

It’s yoga like you’ve never seen it before! The Yung Club are breathing new life into the spiritual, mental and physical practice, through vibrant background music, lively movements and thrilling sound-reactive light displays. During the hour long session you’ll be immersed into a world that combines the escapism and self-awareness of yoga, with an added burst of energy and exercise. The themed classes currently offer four different experiences, including ‘Sea’, ‘Wild’, ‘Space’ and ‘City’, each created through sound, animation and scent. These sessions are a great way to get moving before the festive food intake increases. Classes are popular and can get busy but you can book your place in advance here.

4. The Funny Side of Soho

alternative-things-london — [The Funny Side: Shem Pennant]

If you’re a sucker for hilarious and slick improvisation, alternative comedy acts and swearing puppets, then The Funny Side comedy clubs will definitely have a show for you! They run monthly comedy clubs across various locations in London and are back in Soho’s Freedom Bar on Sunday 13th December. Three acts will grace the stage; Glitch – an improvised adult puppet show, The Laughter Academy – Lee Tearrell, John Oakes and Benjy Adams perform a hilarious (again improvised) sketch and The Funny Side’s in-house impro team perform a selection of scenes and monologues. Because of the nature of the show, it is heavily based on audience suggestions (you even get to come up with the title for Glitch), so the talented folk on stage are pretty on the ball! Tickets are usually £12, but you can buy them for only £8 on Fever!

5. The Glam Clam Pop-Up

Combine a delicious seafood menu created by the best-selling food author, Gizzi Erskine, with live jazz music from the sassy Collette Cooper and her band and you’re guaranteed to get an evening of 1920’s glamour (and a satisfied stomach!). Set in North London’s iconic music room, ‘The Dome’, sit back and indulge in five courses of ‘clam’, while being entertained by the old-school, eccentric ‘glam’ on stage. Tickets are £92.50 for both the food and entertainment, but you can buy tickets for the music alone for £32.50.

6. BUMP Roller Disco

If you think blades are too hazardous and want to avoid the rinks altogether, why not try your gliding on some wheels at BUMP Roller Disco? Part of the Southbank Centre’s Winter Festival, it’s open from 11am-11pm daily, so you’re sure to find the time to get wheeling. Adult tickets are £10 on weekdays Sundays and £12-16 on Friday and Saturday club nights. For more details, check out The Southbank Centre.

7. Lady Chastity’s Reserve, The Four Thieves

Lady Chastity’s Reserve is an immersive team game brought to you by Handmade Mysteries that will get both your head and heart racing…think Crystal Maze-meets-Punchdrunk and you’ll have a rough (very rough) idea of what you’re letting yourself in for. The attention to detail, fantastical theme and storyline, and the hilariously brilliant (and helpful ?), game host, Gabriel, makes for a fun-filled thrill of an evening. Solve the puzzles of the promiscuous Lady Chastity within the hour and win yourself a bottle of her aphrodisiac wine…which you can open and enjoy in the bar after! But don’t take the clues too lightly, you’ll be surprised what pressure (and the prospect of free wine) can do to people… Download the Fever App to get your tickets cheap (it’s on Fever every Tuesday), put on your thinking caps and head down to The Four Thieves – this is immersive fun as you’ve never seen it before.

51 Lavender Gardens, SW11 1DJ

Featured Image Credit: Steph Style

Tags: activity