No leaving your Christmas shopping to the last minute this year, because the Southbank Centre Winter Market, situated picturesquely between Westminster & Waterloo Bridges, opens this week.

Intimate Soho venue Dram Bar is marking the Day of the Dead with a pop-up party devoted to mezcal from artisan brand Zacal, creative cocktails, games of pool & “good stories & good company”.

Learn about a lesser-known early Nazi eugenics programme targeting disabled people at this illuminating discussion at the Wiener Holocaust Library, & catch this exhibit (which ends on Weds) while you’re there.

Admire the work of up-and-coming theatre makers & puppeteers at this Wimbledon College of Art postgrad showcase, including one show that’s described as an “immersive dive into the complexities of modern dating”.

For its latest community film screening, Somerset House is showing Lowland Kids, a documentary following two Louisiana teenagers as their home is destroyed as a result of the climate crisis.

Poets of Colour is a very new organisation dedicated to performers from the global majority. Join them at Theatre Deli to hear an eclectic range of poetry & spoken word (this is only their second ever event!).

Christmas has come early at Ole & Steen – the Danish bakery has just launched its new festive menu, featuring treats like the Gingerbread Social, the Christmas Tree Muffin & the Good Food award-winning Turkey Toastie.

To celebrate, we’re giving one lucky Cheapskate reader the chance to win a £50 voucher to spend at Ole & Steen stores across London.

To be in with a chance of winning, get someone you know to subscribe to Cheapskate by sending them this link (it contains your personalised referral code): {{rp_refer_url}}. Once they’ve signed up, you’ll be entered into a draw, then we’ll pick a winner at random. Good luck! 🤞

Just a reminder that members of our Cheapskate club get automatically entered into all of our competitions! Join here 🧡

Christmas officially (?) begins this Thurs, with the switch on of Regent Street & Carnaby Street’s festive lights. The former is one of London’s most treasured Christmas displays & will feature around 300,000 lights.

Fashion rental fave By Rotation is hosting a pop-up at 61 Brook Street, dedicated to the iconic ‘Zap Pow’ Terry de Havilland platform heels. First 50 guests will receive a VIP goodie bag (heels not included).

Explore an inspiring mix of art from around the world at the Highgate Art Fair (adults £10; concessions £8; free for under-16s). Get creative in hands-on workshops for all ages/skill levels (including drop-in zine making from 11.30 - 1pm on Sat, & a screen printing session with Hackney Dave & EDiT from 1-4pm, also on Sat). Plus, there’s a brand-new “Children’s Art Exhibition”. Get tickets here!

It’s the last weekend for this free pop-up celebrating Guillermo del Toro’s new Frankenstein film at Selfridges. Explore rare books, costumes, jewellery & artwork used in the film – tickets are going fast for this one!

The first dedicated queer theatre season took place 50 years ago in 1975, so to mark the occasion London Performance Studios is hosting an exhibit charting the history of alternative LGBTQ+ theatre.

As part of the wider Being Human Festival, The Albany arts centre in Deptford is playing host to a variety of performances & workshops which celebrate the resilience & creativity of migrant communities.

For the first time in over 800 years, it’s a Lady Mayor’s Show this year rather than a Lord Mayor’s. Get ready to line the streets of the City of London this Sat to see the parade of more than 7,000 floats from all over the world.

One of the best things about Christmas is the parties, so head to Fortnum & Mason for a festive cocktail tasting where you’ll have the chance to try limited-edition Reverend Hubert Christmas liqueurs.

To celebrate 250 years since Jane Austen’s birth, Keats House is hosting a poetry reading themed around Sense & Sensibility & how different authors have treated the idea of the rational versus the emotional.

Next Monday marks the launch of The Jazz Social, the pop-up EFG London Jazz Festival hangout that’s just round the corner from the Barbican Centre. Expect intimate live performances (many are under £15 or FREE), a record shop, a pub quiz, kids’ activities, & much more. Open for two weeks until Nov 23rd. Find out more here!