Things To Do This Week In London: 8-14 January 2024

All week

TITANOSAUR: Natural History Museum's blockbuster exhibition, Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur stomps its way out of South Kensington this weekend. It's a chance to get right up close to the biggest dinosaur species ever known to have existed (well, a cast of its skeleton, anyway), and learn about how it managed to survive. Until 14 January

LAST CHANCE ICE SKATING: Most of London's pop-up winter ice rinks have already closed for the season, but you've still got this week to go for a twirl at Somerset House. Take to the rink in the beautiful courtyard, with food and drink options available in the vicinity. Until 14 January

ALAN TURING: Second world war codebreaking genius Alan Turing is celebrated in Alan Turing - A Musical Biography at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith. The loss of his closest friend, his romance with a fellow worker, the moment he realised how to beat the Germans and the growing awareness of his homosexuality all feature in the show, which has a three-week run. 8-27 January

PAY WHAT YOU WANT: From this Monday until the end of January, The Golden Hinde is offering Pay What You Want entry, instead of its usual set entry fees. Moored on Bankside, it's a replica of the Elizabethan galleon ship of the same name, the first English ship to circumnavigate the globe. 8-31 January

ANTARCTIC PHOTOGRAPHY: The Royal Geographical Society opens a new, free exhibition of the Antarctic photography of Frank Hurley and Herbert Ponting. Both took part in expeditions to the Antarctic in the 1910s, including Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance and Captain Scott’s Terra Nova expeditions, making their images among the first, and most famous, ever taken in the region. FREE, 8 January-1 February

TUBE PICTURES: Barbican Library has a free, ongoing exhibition of collages, paintings, reproductions and digital composites depicting life on the tube. Artist Martin Church creates the works based on sketches he makes live on Metropolitan line trains. FREE, until 29 January (closed Sundays)

EAT OF THE WEEK: "You're shrimply the best!" Maybe that's what you'll be singing after a visit to Streatham's just-launched restaurant, Shrimp Shack — a gloriously messy looking experience, where you tucked into freshly grilled seafood slathered in sauce. Prepare to have fishy fingers.

PLAY OF THE WEEK: A comedy play set on the tube train, called Cockfosters? Sounds right up our Piccadilly Line. Its run starts at Battersea's Turbine Theatre on Tuesday, and if you want to further whet your appetite, check out this article that playwright Tom Woffenden penned for us. 9-20 January

Monday 8 January

WILKIE COLLINS: Biographer Andrew Lycett, Caroline Radcliffe of the University of Birmingham, and broadcaster Paul Lewis of the Wilkie Collins Society join forces for an online talk about Wilkie Collins. The British Library hosts the event, which delves into the life and work of the author and playwright. 7pm

MAGIC WORKSHOP: Learn how to read someone's mind, make objects disappear and reappear and do all sorts of tricks with playing cards. Big Penny Social hosts an adults-only magic workshop, led by professional magician Tom Brace, where you can pick up a few tips and tricks of the trade. 7.30pm-8.30pm

OLD ROPE (NEW MATERIAL): The Comedy Store in Leicester Square has its regular Old Rope (New Material) night, where several comedians including some familiar faces try out new material for their acts. Performers TBC. Age 18+. 8pm

LOST FOOTBALL GROUNDS: Get the lowdown on the lost football grounds of London — from the comfort of your own home. Footprints of London guide Rob Smith offer a virtual tour of London locations where football was played, from West Ham's former Boleyn Ground, to lesser-known kickabout spots, formerly home to some of the capital's very first football teams. 8pm-9pm

MONDAYS IN LONDON: Looking for something else to do, today or any other week? Take a look at our guide to things to do in London on a Monday — we've gathered together live music venues, comedy and cabaret clubs which keep going on what is usually the quietest day of the week, along with guided walks and tours scheduled on a Monday, and a few special offers too.

Tuesday 9 January

OPEN ALL HOURS: 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning in Herne Hill hosts free group art exhibition, Open All Hours. It explores the idea of a 24/7 culture, and the pressurised relationship we have with time, productivity, and the pace of our modern, increasingly digital, society. FREE, 9-21 January

GAMES NIGHT: Gatsby's Champagne Bar at The Beaumont Hotel in Mayfair hosts a dedicated Games Night. Gather in groups of between two and six people and play games including chess, backgammon and cards, 1920s-style. Cocktails and snacks are available to buy throughout the evening. From 6pm

AI DIAGNOSIS: Debate rages about how best to harnass AI technology, but one arena where it can surely help is in medical diagnostics. In today's Gresham lecture, Dr Richard Sidebottom discusses how AI is set to revolutionise radiology and cancer screening. FREE, 6pm

GREAT BRITISH PARKS: Author, landscape architect and parks manager Paul Rabbitts delves into the history of British public parks, in an online talk hosted by the Victorian Society. Find out when and how they started, why they were needed, how they became so popular in Victorian times, and see photos of parks from across the UK. 7pm-8.30pm

VERTIGO: 1958 film Vertigo, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring James Stewart, Kim Novak and Barbara Bel Geddes, is shown at the Castle Cinema in Hackney. It's part of the Cine-Real programme, a film club which exclusively plays films from original 16mm prints.7.30pm

21st CENTURY TOLKIEN: Nick Groom, author of Twenty-First-Century Tolkien What Middle-Earth Means To Us Today, takes part in an online discussion hosted by the British Library. He's joined by Dimitra Fimi (Professor of Fantasy and Children's Literature at the University of Glasgow), John Howe (an illustrator who has created imagery for many works of J.R.R. Tolkien) and author and professor Adam Roberts, to talk about how Middle-Earth and its inhabitants have captured the imagination of millions of people around the world. 7.30pm-8.45pm

Wednesday 10 January

ONE SPECIES OF HUMAN: We are the only species of human alive on the planet today, but that hasn't always been the case. Tonight's Gresham College lecture is given by Professor Robin May, who talks about why Neanderthals, Denisovans and other species died out. Watch in person at Barnard's Inn Hall, or online. FREE, 6pm

DIET STARTS MONDAY: Laura Adlington (GBBO 2020 finalist) and Lauren Smith host a live recording of their body image and confidence podcast, Go Love Yourself, at Waterstones Piccadilly. In it, Smith interviews Adlington about her new book, Diet Starts Monday, which delves into how detrimental diet culture is to health. 6.30pm

DINOSAUR TALK: Titanosaur is closing this week (above) but Natural History Museum keeps the dinosaur fun alive with Dig Deeper, a series of science talks. Tonight, palaeontologist and author Steve Brusatte tells the 250-million-year story of the dinosaur. Find out where they came from, how they came to rule the planet, and which ones survived when most were wiped out by that asteroid. Watch in person at the museum, or online. 6.30pm

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA: Kennington Bioscope is a regular cinema event featuring live accompaniment to silent films, and tonight it screens the rarely-seen 1925 version of Phantom of the Opera, with live piano accompaniment. It's preceded by a selection of short films, and takes place at the Cinema Museum. 7.30pm

COMEDY WIP: Comedians James Dowdeswell and Michael Akadiri test out new material and show off their current Work In Progress at the Amersham Arms in New Cross, hosted by Sion James. 8pm

Thursday 11 January

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: Cirque du Soleil's latest show, Alegria: In A New Light, comes to the Royal Albert Hall. It's an update of a Cirque show now marking its 30th anniversary, telling the story of a power struggle between the old order and youth, with typical Cirque flair. 11 January-3 March

CRUEL INTENTIONS: Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical opens at The Other Palace, marking the 25th anniversary of the film of the same name. '90s songs from the likes of Natalie Imbruglia, The Verve and Britney Spears soundtrack the story of two step-siblings who set out to destroy an innocent girl. 11 January-14 April

COCO CHANEL: Tying in with the current (sold out) Chanel exhibition, the V&A offers a free lunchtime lecture about Gabrielle Chanel's subtly subversive approach to fashioning gender, class, and luxury in her designs. It's given by the exhibition's co-curator, Connie Karol Burks. FREE, 1pm-1.55pm

ANCIENT GREECE: This Gresham lecture explores ancient Greek aspirations to justice — and how they fell short — as a call for recurrent interrogation of the terms governing power and vulnerability. FREE, 6pm

RESTORING GREENWICH PARK: You may have heard about the work going on in Greenwich Park, but what's it all about? Royal Parks offers a free online talk by Daniella from the Greenwich Park Revealed project, focusing on what's happening there and why, and what changes you can expect to see in the coming years. FREE, 6.30pm-7.30pm

SKATE LATES: In the final week of this year's Somerset House ice rink, East London DJ Donnie Sunshine takes to the decks for Skate Lates, a late-night adults-only skating session with music. There's another Skate Lates tomorrow night — the final one of the season. 8pm

Friday 12 January

CARIBBEAN TO COVENTRY: The Two-tone (or 2 Tone) music genre is the subject of a new exhibition at Barbican, opening today. Not familiar with the genre? The exhibition explains what it is and how it came to Britain, a story that spans France and Belgium during the first world war, through to 1980s Coventry. FREE, 12 January-25 May

ST JAMES'S PARK: Exotic royal pets, a King's mistress, and a dark underbelly all feature in the history of St James's Park, which is revealed on this guided walking tour. That's followed by a chance to meet members of the park management team and ask questions about the wildlife that lives there. 1.15pm-2.45pm

CLASSICAL CONCERT: BBC New Generation mezzo soprano Helen Charlston and historical keyboard player Terence Charlston join forces for a classical concert at Dulwich Picture Gallery. It's inspired by the current exhibition, Rubens & Women, with pieces by Rubens' contemporaries including John Dowland, Henry Purcell, Francesca Caccini, Barbara Strozzi and Claudio Monteverdi. 6.30pm-7.30pm

DRAG COMEDY CABARET: Drag comedian Lady Bushra hosts Drag Comedy Cabaret at the Queen of Hoxton — an evening of humour from a South Asian perspective, in a theatre-style setting. 7pm

PINK FLOYD EXPERIENCE: Tribute show UK Pink Floyd Experience rocks up at The Broadway In Barking for an evening of Pink Floyd songs performed live, along with a light show. The setlist is based on the band's Pulse live album. 7.30pm

JEFF STELLING: Football TV presenter Jeff Stelling is joined on stage by his Sky Sports colleague Bianca Westwood, for an evening talking about his 30-year career. Hear anecdotes from his time on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, followed by a Q&A session. VIP meet and greet tickets are also available. Takes place at Fairfield Halls in Croydon. 7.30pm

Saturday 13 January

RUPAUL'S DRAGCON: More than 175 queens are on the line-up at RuPaul's DragCon at ExCeL Centre, including stars from 13 international franchises of the show such as Canada, Spain and Thailand. Full schedule TBC at time of writing, but expect appearances and performances on both the main stage and pink carpet. 13-14 January

BRUNCH: EVE, the rather flashy eastern and southern Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in Kensington, has got a brand new Saturday brunch on the go, featuring warm allspice tulumba pastries; and shakshuka with za'tar flatbread, eggs and charred avocado. Unlimited cocktails are also available in boozy and non boozy incarnations. 11am-4pm

MIDNIGHT APOTHECARY WASSAIL: The Midnight Apothecary — the pop-up rooftop bar at the Brunel Museum — begins its year with a spot of wassailing, the traditional way to mark Twelfth Night. After a drink or two, join a procession to the apple tree in the lower garden, and sing some wassail carols led by the Butler of the Ceremony and the Wassail Queen, along with Greenwich-based folk musicians GreenTrad. 6pm-10pm

SCIENCE PROGRAMME LAUNCH: The Royal Institution launches its 2024 public science programme with an event questioning what defines science. Expect to see a series of live experiments, in an evening of scientific philosophy. 7pm-8.30pm

PAINTING AND PROSECCO: Have a go at creating your own version of Annie Dalton‘s Lady With A Fan painting, aided along by a drink or two. All art materials are provided, and a professional artist is on hand to offer tips and guidance as you create your masterpiece. Takes place at London Art Bar in Holborn. 7.30pm-10pm

BEYONCÉ PARTY: The Grand Clapham celebrates all things Queen Bey with The Grand Goes Beyoncé: A Renaissance Party. Drag Race UK superstars Tayce, Cara Melle, Tomara Thomas, drag icons Paige Three, Kiki Snatch, and two more surprise acts make appearances, with DJs Mark Ashley Pope and GalPals playing nothing but Queen Bey and friends all night. 9pm-2.30am

Sunday 14 January

THE LITTLEST YAK: Take the kids along to Artsdepot in North Finchley for The Littlest Yak, a musical adaptation of the children’s book of the same name, with puppetry and catchy songs thrown in. Aimed at age 3+. 11am/2pm

FLEA MARKET: If you're in the vicinity of London Bridge today, why not swing by Vinegar Yard's flea market, where you can peruse all manner of vinyls, books, antiques and more. 11am-5pm

THAMES BLESSING: The Blessing of the River Thames takes place in the centre of London Bridge today. The short service brings together the clergy and congregations from Southwark Cathedral and St Magnus the Martyr — churches sitting either side of the river bank. The bells of St Magnus peal, while prayers are offered to bridge and river users, as well as those who have died in the Thames, and a wooden cross is tossed into the waters. FREE, 12.30pm

NATIVE OYSTERS: Put some colour in your January, with music from the Native Oysters, who bring New Orleans vibes to the Pelton Arms in Greenwich, with their funky, horn-laden choons. The pub, as it happens, has the Londonist seal of approval too. From 5pm

SUNDAY CONCERT: Pianist Andrew Brownell, flautist Sam Coles and cellist Tim Lowe join forces for today's Sunday concert at Conway Hall, where they perform works by Weber, Haydn and Hummel. 6.30pm-8.30pm

TS ELIOT PRIZE: The 10 poets shortlisted for this year's TS Eliot Prize read their work at Southbank Centre, in an event hosted by poet and broadcaster Ian McMillan. Jason Allen-Paisant, Jane Clarke, Fran Lock and Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin are among this year's shortlist. 7pm

Good Cause of the Week

Fancy a bit of outdoor volunteering? Cody Dock on the River Lea is always looking for people to help out. Roles include conservation work, surveying the Lea for invertebrates and other wildlife, gardening and restoration, and other volunteering opportunities. Find out more here.

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