The Culture List

Lockdown lifted this week, and while we’re still facing a number of restrictions to our activities in December, we at least have the option to get out and enjoy some engaging events in the run-up to Christmas if we want to.

Whether you’re keen to get out and about or are happier staying at home, we’re here to help you enjoy your free time with our pick of the best physical and online events from around the country, from a festive performance of a Dickens favourite to wreath-making masterclasses.

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While standard online shopping has allowed us to keep stocked up with essentials and luxuries even at the height of lockdown, it’s not the same as a bit of in-person retail therapy. Luckily, Browns has come up with the perfect solution by making its Personal Shopping team available for private virtual styling appointments, offering an experience tailored to every customer. Then just sit back and wait for your designer picks to arrive at your door.

As Christmas approaches, many of us will be looking forward to putting the trials of 2020 behind us and enjoying some festive pleasures – and they don’t come much more festive than Christmas at Kew. Follow the winter trail across Kew Gardens, through the Temperate House and Rose Garden and over the treetop walk while enjoying magnificent sculptures, light displays and glittering tunnel of bells. Finish it all off with a treat from the street food vendors or Kew’s Botanical restaurant. Christmas at Kew runs from 4 December to 17 January.

Charles Dickens’ wintery favourite is on its way as part of the online Old Vic: In Camera season. Long-time favourite of stage and screen Andrew Lincoln stars as the archetypal miser Scrooge as he’s visited by three ghosts and comes face-to-face with the many mistakes of his lonely life – and is offered a chance at redemption. Matthew Warchus directs This is England writer Jack Thorne’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol, which is performed in the Old Vic auditorium and available to stream live wherever you are across various dates from 12-24 December.

Among the many things that symbolise the Christmas period, perhaps nothing is as beautiful and welcoming as a lovely wreath hanging from your front door. Petersham Nurseries is offering you the opportunity to get a bit of personalisation into your wreath this year with a series of Covid-safe masterclasses, as well as a touch of their signature dramatic floristry style. Attendees will be provided with everything they need to create their wreath, along with refreshments to cap off your outing. Classes at their Richmond and Covent Garden locations are available up until 15 December.

Historic Royal Palaces chief curator and TV history maven Lucy Worsley is joined for this online event by HRP public historian Charles Farris and food historian Richard Fitch to explore festive traditions throughout the ages. From the origins of modern standards – many popularised by Queen Victoria and her family – to some weird and wonderful royal favourites from times past, there’s loads to learn. We’re promised the traditional recipe for mince pies may put you off for life – consider yourself warned!

Just because you can’t get out as much as usual this December doesn’t mean you can’t bring some serious flair to staying at home. Berry Bros & Rudd will deliver four deliciously Christmasy and carefully selected clarets to your door for a luxury online wine tasting event on 16 December. An expert host will guide you through wines from Pauillac, Pessac-Léognan, Margaux and Côtes de Castillon. And as no tasting would be complete without a selection of artisan cheeses, they’ve partnered with Paxton & Whitfield to provide the accompaniment.

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