Central London

18 July 2009 to 23 January 2010

O2 Academy Islington 2 N1 0PS[map]

Misery loves company, so cry your eyes out (or just dance) with fellow miserablists at London's Feeling Gloomy. Saturdays

20 November 2009 to 28 November 2009

Royal Opera House WC2E 9DD[map]

See emerging performers at the Royal Opera House, including dance, circus and more, for just £5. 20-28 Nov

16 October 2009 to 19 January 2010

The Courtauld Gallery [map]

See powerful paintings of post-war London building sites at The Courtauld Gallery in London. Until 19 Jan

3 December 2009 to 1 February 2010

Royal Academy of Arts [map]

Pioneering contemporary artists explore the issue of climate change at London's Royal Academy of Arts. 3 Dec-31 Jan

5 November 2009 to 24 January 2010

National Theatre SE1 9PX[map]

Richard Griffiths stars in Alan Bennett's play about Benjamin Britten and WH Auden at London's National Theatre. 5 Nov-24 Jan

11 December 2009 to 19 December 2009

Various venues [map]

Celebrate the Jewish festival of Hanukkah in London this year. 11-19 Dec

24 February 2010 to 15 August 2010

Tate Britain SW1P 4RG[map]

See more than 150 Henry Moore sculptures at this major exhibition at Tate Britain. 24 Feb-15 Aug

26 November 2009 to 11 April 2010

Wellcome Collection NW1 2BE[map]

A fascinating free exhibition about human identity comes to London's Wellcome Collection. 26 Nov-11 Apr

30 September 2009 to 31 May 2010

Southbank Centre SE1 8XX[map]

Hear some of the world's greatest opera singers in this series of roof-raising concerts at the Southbank. 30 Sep-31 May

16 December 2009 to 10 January 2010

Southbank Centre SE1 8XX[map]

ZooNation's hip-hop dance musical comes to London's Southbank Centre this winter. 16 Dec-10 Jan

6 December 2009 to 27 December 2009

Barbican Cinema EC2Y 8BQ[map]

Catch the gentle comedy of French director Tati's film's at the Barbican cinema in London. 6-27 Dec

13 October 2009 to 10 January 2010

Tate Modern SE1 9TG[map]

See more than 130 works by Californian artist John Baldessari at a major retrospective at London's Tate Modern. Until 10 Jan

Vinopolis SE1 9BU[map]

Get merry at Vinopolis Laughter Lounge. The last Friday of the month has a cracking comedy line-up. 27 Nov

18 November 2009 to 7 March 2010

Design Museum SE1 2YD[map]

Find out why Dieter Rams inspired your favourite gadgets at Less and More at the Design Museum. Until 7 Mar

1 January 2010

Various venues [map]

The New Year's Day Parade features more than 10,000 performers representing 20 countries world-wide. 1 Jan

Open all year Tue - Sat 1:00 PM

National Gallery WC2N 5DN[map]

Brush up on your art knowledge with a series of free lunchtime talks at the National Gallery. A different theme each day

3 July 2009 to 8 February 2010

Madame Jo Jos W1F 0SP[map]

Catch a little magic in London's West End. See magic, comedy and cabaret at Madame JoJo's every first Friday of the month

Every Sun 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

National Gallery WC2N 5DN[map]

Every Sunday is Family Sunday at the National Gallery with art workshops and storytelling sessions

Daily 10:00 AM - 5:50 PM

The Natural History Museum SW7 5BD[map]

Journey through volcanoes and get up close to dinosaur teeth with the Natural History Museums Discovery guides