Liv Leftwich

If colourful bath bombs are your go-to stocking filler, you’ll love this festive shopping pop-up from eco-friendly and cruelty-free cosmetics brand Lush. Parking up outside Battersea Power Station this weekend, the Cosy Cup van will be giving away testers of its seasonal Yog Nog and Posh Chocolate shower gels, as well as offering Christmas shoppers a free cup of hot chocolate. Just download the Lush app or buy something from the van’s curated edit of good-enough-to-eat smellies – think Crème Brulée candles, sticky date body spray and cardamom coffee perfume – to claim your cosy cup of cocoa on the house. Get ready for full-on festive sensory overload. 

When you think of Islington, quirky theatres, diverse dining, fancy boutique shops and a vibrant arts scene likely come to mind. A new opening in the borough sounds like it will fit right in: Holloway Road is getting a new neighbourhood record shop. Named One Eighty One, the venue will serve coffee and craft beer as well as vinyl records – an ideal combo for music lovers seeking extra refreshment. By day it will be a chilled record shop and café, and by night it will transform into a vibey venue for collectors, artists and local residents. The venue sits about midway between two stations: Holloway Road (on the Piccadilly line) and Highbury and Islington (on the Victoria, Windrush and Mildmay lines). One Eighty One is the first permanent venue from Rod ‘Spin Doctor’ Gilmore, a long-standing London promoter. He said of the opening: ‘Islington has a rich musical heritage, and I am excited to now be the next part of that in the area I’ve called home my entire life.  ‘With quality on all fronts, whether that is drink, records, food or DJs, this will be an unpretentious friendly hangout spot for all of London.’  For over 30 years, Gilmore’s parties, club nights and live events have helped shape London’s music scene, spanning everything from warehouse sessions in Shoreditch to The Royal Albert Hall. His shop will deliver a diverse selection of records both old and new, with a focus on hip-hop, house and soul. Photography: One Eighty One The official opening is Friday December 12.

Alexandra Palace and darts go hand in hand. The north London darting destination is practically a Christmas staple: every December, fans come together for the PDC World Darts Championships, which dates back to 1963 but has been held at Ally Pally since 2007.  And now it’s been confirmed that the PDC tournament is staying in north London. A five-year deal has officially been agreed at the ‘Palace of the People’, meaning Ally Pally will host the World Darts Championship until at least 2031.  The tournament welcomed 125,000 fans in its 2025 edition, with 18-year-old Luke Littler winning his first world title. It’s also become something of a global phenomenon, with people travelling from all over the world to attend the event and don their best festive fancy dress.  Matt Porter, PDC (Professional Darts Corporation) chief executive said: ‘The venue has become synonymous with the World Darts Championship. ‘Ally Pally at Christmas is the identity of the tournament – its atmosphere is unmatched anywhere in sport.’  According to Porter, demand for tickets for the championship has never been higher. If you’ve never managed to get your hands on ’em, we have good news: from 2026, even more fans will be able to attend. The event is moving from the West Hall into the venue’s Great Hall, which will increase the total tournament capacity to 180,000. Lucy Fenner, Commercial Director at Alexandra Palace said: ‘We’re delighted so many fans will have the opportunity to experience an electric atm