Welcome listeners to Things to Do in London with your globe-trotting sport nut Oly Bennet, beaming in from a crisp, wintry capital where the air’s cold, the coffee’s hot, and the Christmas lights are putting in a gold-medal performance across the West End. London’s in full festive mode: think twinkling streets, bundled-up commuters, and that classic “is it too early for mulled wine?” debate already settled in favour of yes.

Let’s kick off with today’s standout events. The Independent highlights Christmas at Kew Gardens, where a 3km light trail turns the botanical gardens into a neon fairy-tale, complete with toasted marshmallows and spiced drinks. Over in Hyde Park, Winter Wonderland is roaring along with roller coasters, the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink, and enough churros to carb-load a whole Olympic team. London Theatreland reports that ABBA Voyage is still rocking out in Stratford tonight, with digital ABBA putting on what might be the world’s most stylish time-travel disco. For comedy fans, AXS lists Jimmy Carr’s Laughs Funny with Special Guests at the OVO Arena Wembley, serving up rapid-fire jokes for your Friday night. And for something more reflective, Eventbrite highlights RE:TURN:ME at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Holland Park, a bilingual musical-theatre-style journey through identity and healing.

Now, a quick lap through local news vibes. According to Transport for London’s regular winter bulletins, listeners should expect the usual cold-weather quirks: allow extra time on the Tube and check for minor delays on busy lines during the evening rush, especially heading to hotspots like Hyde Park, Waterloo, and the West End. Around town, VisitLondon and Time Out both point out that seasonal pop-ups continue to bloom: think Christmas markets along the South Bank and in Covent Garden, plus cosy food stalls near Battersea Power Station, making it a prime night to graze your way along the Thames.

So what should you actually do today? For a classic move, pair a spin on the London Eye with a wander to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery—Tripadvisor notes both as top family-friendly hits, and they’re walkable in one smooth, scenic stride. For a hidden-gem feel, swing by the Southbank Centre’s riverside area: its public art, book stalls, and winter bars make it perfect for people-watching with a hot drink in hand. If you’re a history geek, the immersive Last Days of Pompeii experience at Immersive LDN, flagged by London Theatreland, lets you time-travel via VR without ever leaving Zone 1.

Local tip from your pal Oly: when you’re hopping around central London, walking often beats the Tube for short hops. Between Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Soho, and the South Bank, you’re rarely more than a 10–12 minute stroll away, and you’ll catch surprise street performers, impromptu light displays, and those tiny alleyway pubs that never show up on the big tourist lists.

Before I sprint off, keep an eye on tomorrow’s calendar: sites like IanVisits and Londonist are already teasing more Christmas markets, ice rinks, carol concerts, and family events as the weekend kicks in. Tune in next time as we scout fresh London adventures, from glow-in-the-dark gardens to the city’s quirkiest festive traditions.

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