You have reached the limit of free articles.
To enjoy unlimited access to Culture Whisper sign up for FREE.
Find out more about Culture Whisper
Thanks for signing up to Culture Whisper.
Please check your inbox for a confirmation email and click the link to verify your account.
If you click «Log in with Facebook» and are not a Culture Whisper user, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and to our Privacy Policy, which includes our Cookie Use
Essential
Dance
English National Ballet’s brand new Nutcracker is fresh, surprising and full of magic, artistic director Aaron S Watkin tells Culture Whisper
Preview
Immersive
Once again the Southbank Centre is bathed in Winter Light this festive season, brightening up the river with a dazzling exhibition of light art alongside its regular Christmas market
Preview
Dance
Lost Dog's Ruination at the ROH Linbury Theatre offers the perfect alternative to the sugar and spice of the Christmas season
Preview
Dance
Matthew Bourne's iconoclastic Swan Lake with its corps of aggressive male swans is Sadler's Wells's offering this festive season
Tried and Tested
Dance
Carlos Acosta’s much anticipated Nutcracker in Havana has opened in Norwich - in advance of its London run, Culture Whisper was at the glittering Theatre Royal premiere
Essential
Themes
Carlos Acosta talks to Culture Whisper about his decision to transport the Christmas ballet to his native Cuba and turn it into Nutcracker in Havana
In the Know
Netflix
From the final season of The Crown with Imelda Staunton to the latest BBC Agatha Christie adaptation Murder is Easy starring David Jonsson, here's our Christmas TV 2023 guide
Tried and Tested
Dance
Scottish Dance Theatre’s Pirates! – a zany, swashbuckling dance theatre adventure for the whole family – is this year’s Christmas offering at The Place
Tried and Tested
Opera
The ultimate children's storybook on stage has all our favourite characters, brought together for a Christmas family show
Tried and Tested
Dance
Edward Scissorhands, Matthew Bourne’s stage adaptation of Tim Burton’s emblematic movie, is charming audiences at Sadler’s Wells this Christmas season
In the Know
TV
Writers Harry and Jack Williams swiftly return to the BBC with The Tourist series 2, in which Jamie Dornan and Danielle Macdonald swap the Australian outback for the Irish countryside
In the Know
Festival
A very topical exhibition tracing the origins of Santa Claus from his earliest manifestations to the present day is now open at Wembley Park
Essential
Themes
We round up our favourite tools and treats for every gourmand in your life
Book Now
Festival
London's most popular Christmas highlights will sell out year after year. Here is what you need to book now to have the best Christmas in town
Essential
Shopping
The Christmas tablescaping trends to try at home
Preview
Dance
December means Nutcracker and more
Essential
Shopping
Inspiring gifts for your friends and your family
Things To Do
Shopping
Find unique gifts and support independent businesses: these Christmas markets give us what we love from the festive season
In the Know
Festival
The streets of London are twinkling once more. Here are the loveliest Christmas light displays to catch this year
Essential
Shopping
We round up our favourite pieces for party season, from rhinestone long skirts to glittering eyes and chunky, comfy heels
Book Now
Immersive
Secret Cinema returns to London with Wishmas: a Yuletide immersive experience promising family-friendly, sugar-coated escapism
In the Know
Things to do
From a cosy alpine lodge to a kitsch cocktail den transporting guests back in time, we round up London’s festive pop-ups to hunker down in this winter
Essential
Opera
Handel's Messiah dominates the month's great music, but there is also Bach, passionate Italian opera and a German fairy tale
Book Now
Cinema
From the enormity of the BFI Imax to The Luna Cinema's return to Kensington Palace, we round up the best Christmas film screenings London 2023 has to offer
Essential
Shopping
The 2023 luxury advent calendar might feel too indulgent, but if you choose wisely, it can be a clever way of investing in great beauty and wellbeing essentials.
Book Now
Theatre
Jack Thorne's absorbing and atmospheric A Christmas Carol returns to The Old Vic for the seventh year, with Doctor Who's Christopher Eccleston as Scrooge
In the Know
Netflix
The concluding episodes of Harry and Meghan's Netflix documentary have now been released, detailing their mental struggles after the royal wedding
Book Now
Festival
Wondering where to go to see out 2022? From glossy parties to elegant dinners, here are some of the most exciting ways to spend New Year's Eve in London
Essential
Cook
Mince pies are a must at Christmas, but they don't have to be stodgy and sugary. Here's a lighter version of the traditional recipe from Culture Whisper's healthy food guru
We love
Cook
A healthy, festive ginger biscuit recipe to share with friends and family from Culture Whisper's resident foodie
We love
Cook
Treat yourself this Christmas season with our exclusive Culture Whisper recipe for deliciously nutty Vanillekipferl biscuits
Tried and Tested
Kids
An updated version of the children's classic tale pits environmentalists against a mega corporation