With Christmas and New Year’s Eve both mid-week, there are fewer unique events than usual on in London this weekend. However, with the opening of the January sales, spectacular new theatrical productions such as Fuerzabruta and the usual wide range of attractions, it’s still very hard to get bored!

January Sales

Although they’re traditionally called the January sales, most shops actually start discounting their goods very shortly after Christmas. This weekend there are fantastic bargains to be had at famous department stores such as Harrods, Selfridges and Fortnum and Mason, although be warned that, for the most sought-after items, it’s very much a case of ‘the early bird catches the worm’! Take a look at our January Sales 2013 guide for tips and sale dates.

Ice Rinks

Head to London’s many ice rinks for a frosty seasonal treat that the whole family will enjoy. The city’s largest ice rink is at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, which also contains rides, shows, seasonal refreshments and the enchanting Magical Ice Kingdom. Elsewhere, lots of ice rinks are conveniently located within other great attractions – why not combine skating with shopping at Westfield London, a trip on the London Eye or a visit to the Natural History Museum?

Museums and Galleries

Most of London’s fantastic museums and galleries are open this weekend, giving you the chance to catch up on some of the great exhibitions that have opened in recent months. You could see stunning works by Pre-Raphaelite painters at Tate Britain (£14), see Mario Testino’s photographs of the Royal Family at the National Portrait Gallery (free), or browse fascinating exhibitions on medicine and death at the Wellcome Collection (free). The Tower of London is also running special Charles Dickens-themed events this weekend, check this flyer for full details.

Theatre & Pantomimes

As ever, London is full of great theatrical productions. Why not celebrate Girl Power at the Spice Girls musical Viva Forever, see the hotly anticipated return of mind-blowing Argentinian show Fuerzabruta, or super-size your theatrical experience at Walking with Dinosaurs at The O2? If you’re in the mood for something more frivolous, you can indulge your silly side at a traditional pantomime in London: find out more about these hilarious, celebrity-filled shows on our dedicated panto page.

Walks 

If you’ve over-indulged at Christmas, a guided walk around London is a great way to burn off some of the calories – not to mention learn something new about our great city! London Walks have a fantastic range of sightseeing tours on everything from The Beatles to Jack the Ripper, and you can view the full schedule by visiting the London Walks website.

The Southbank Centre Christmas Market

This popular German-style Christmas market returns to the Southbank for a fifth year. Between the London Eye and Waterloo Bridge you’ll find more than 60 traditional wooden chalets, selling everything from unusual Christmas gifts to warming Glühwein. Fairground rides, festive lights and seasonal music complete the magical atmosphere. 16 Nov-24 Dec

UK Chilli Stand Off 2012, Hackney

Fire up your tastebuds at this spicy festival, which sees eight top chefs competing to be crowned chilli champion. Participants include Gizzi Erskine, Tim Anderson and Tom Parker-Bowles, with Masterchef’s John Torode in the enviable position of judge. Visitors will be able to sample all eight chillis, alongside a range of drinks and even chocolate chilli ice cream. Tickets are £40, visit the event’s website to secure a place at one of two tasting sessions. 17 Nov

Light from the Middle East: New Photography, at the Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum presents a rare opportunity to view the best of contemporary Middle Eastern photography at this new exhibition. Thirty artists are represented, and their photographs not only highlight fascinating variations in technique and perspective, but also provide a timely insight into recent events. Entry is free. 13 Nov-7 Apr 

A Bigger Splash: Painting After Performance, at the Tate Modern

Explore the relationship between painting and performance at this reverse-engineered exhibition at the Tate Modern. Featuring work by artists such as Jackson Pollock, David Hockney and Cindy Sherman, it contrasts painters who use theatrical techniques with those who use the human body itself as a canvas. Tickets are £10 for adults. 14 Nov-1 Apr

Skate at Somerset House Ice Rink

This seasonal ice rink, set against the exquisite backdrop of Somerset House, just keeps getting better and better. Not only can adults and children learn to skate in dedicated classes, but budding ice dancers can also show off their moves at late night sessions, accompanied by music from top DJs. Adding to the glamour is the new pop-up shopping arcade, which allows you to buy British artisan gifts for your loved ones after a spin on the ice. 16 Nov-6 Jan

The Bar of Aero

Enter The Bar of Aero, a pop-up world of chocolate, bubbly fun at the Dray Walk Gallery, Truman Brewery. The fun includes a peppermint-scented playground, orange and green bubble waterfall and a movement reactive Aero hot chocolate dispenser. Entrance is free with prizes and free chocolate up for grabs. 16-18 Nov, 12-7pm

More events in London

Remember, remember, the fifth of November. And the second, third and fourth for that matter, as this whole weekend is packed full of exciting Bonfire Night celebrations. If bright lights and big bangs aren’t your thing however, there’s plenty of fun to be had in the shape of historic cars, ice skating and digital creativity.

Bonfire Night, Various Venues

Marking the failed attempt of Guy Fawkes to blow up the Houses of Parliament, Bonfire Night is a traditional celebration that features huge bonfires, seasonal treats  and, of course, spectacular fireworks. London is renowned for hosting some of the UK’s best displays: check out events at Bishops Park, Richmond and Southwark Park, or see more sparkling ideas. Admission ranges from free to £10 depending on the venue. 2-5 Nov

Barbican Weekender: Natural Circuits 

Unleash your creative side with a free weekend of digital-themed workshops, talks and activities at the Barbican. Exploring the combined power of nature and human ideas, this weekend allows you to become a Tweet poet, hack your t-shirt or contribute to a digital museum of memories. 3-4 Nov

The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run

See 500 automobiles made before 1905 at this spectacular event, which is the world’s longest-running motoring celebration. The cars will depart from Hyde Park Corner at sunrise on Sunday, driving through the centre of London and along a 60 mile route south to the seaside town of Brighton. If you don’t feel like getting up early, Saturday’s Regent Street Motor Show allows you to see all the vehicles – and some of their drivers – up close between 10am-3.30pm. Both events are free. 3-4 Nov

Ice Skating at Canary Wharf and the Natural History Museum

The first of London’s many festive ice rinks open this weekend, and if you’re in the mood for frosty family fun the Natural History Museum (from 2 Nov) and Canary Wharf (from 3 Nov) are both great destinations. Both venues have refreshments available, and this year Canary Wharf also boasts London’s first skate path. Ticket prices and opening times vary. Until Jan

UK Jewish Film Festival, Various Venues

Cinemas around London host many of this prestigious festival’s events, and this weekend kicks off the 16th UK Jewish Film Festival with a wide range of premieres and screenings in the capital. You can see films covering a diverse mix of subjects, ranging from documentaries and hard-hitting wartime dramas to romantic comedies and shorts. See the website for full details and ticket prices. 1-18 Nov

We love stuart_matthews‘s photo of skaters enjoying the ice rink at Somerset House.

If your new year’s resolutions include getting fit, there’s still time to head to one of London’s ice rinks – it’s more fun than the gym!

Get everything on your Christmas wish list (for once!) on a festive shopping spree at Westfield.

Enter our competition and you’ll win a £250 gift card to spend at Westfield London or its sparkling new sister mall, Westfield Stratford City.

And thanks to Westfield’s hands-free concierge service, you won’t have to lug your bags around – just pick them up on your way out.

After you’ve indulged in all the fantastic shops Westfield has to offer, you and a friend can skate under the twinkling fairy lights of Westfield London’s ice rink or under the stars at Westfield Stratford City’s outdoor rink – for free.

This competition closes on 8 December 2011 - just six days away – so enter now, before it’s too late…

Enter now to win a Christmas shopping spree at Westfield

Littleblom shared this great photo of the ice rink at Somerset house with our Flickr group.

If you’ve stuffed yourself with mince pies and had your fill of Christmas telly, book a skating session at one of London’s ice rinks now.

Don’t forget your camera – share your photos of London with us by entering our Only in London Flickr photo competition. Add them to our Flickr group and tag them onlyinlondon2010 and you could win a night for two at the Thistle Marble Arch with champagne and top price tickets to Jersey Boys.

It was a bitterly cold night but as I left the train station and saw the palace colourfully illuminated for the occasion, I was very glad I’d made the journey.

It really was a spectacular setting. There was a brass band playing carols, hot chocolate, mulled wine and mince pies to snack on in the café and of course, the chance to ice skate in front of Hampton Court Palace.

Check out some (rather brief and grainy) footage of the rink below:

Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink. Open until 9 Jan 2011. Book Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink tickets here

“What a great view,” my ice skating buddy said on Friday night at the launch of the Tower of London ice-skating rink.

We had just enjoyed a winter warmer (for Dutch courage) and a mince pie, had popped on our skates (no laces make it very easy), and were watching the professionals demonstrate how it should be done.

Once the display by Natalia Pestova and Alexei Kislitsyn from the Russian Ice Stars was over, we crept onto the ice – me gripping desperately on to the side, as I had totally forgotten how to skate.

The rink marshals were very encouraging though and were helping the first timers out around the rink as well as ensuring everyone was going in the same direction.

After a couple of laps of the rink I picked it up again, and was able to stop looking at my feet, and look up and to see how beautifully illuminated the Tower of London and Tower Bridge look on a clear London night.

As the group of eight year olds lapped me again (always good for the confidence!), I noticed how popular the rink was with families as well as couples and friends.

They also have an ice-skating related film playing while you skate (which you can see from the viewing gallery) – I have to say the penguins on the screen made it look a lot easier than it is, and I have a new-found respect for the celebrities on Dancing on Ice who seem to pick it up really quickly.

The Tower of London Ice Rink is open until 9 January 2011. Book tickets here

Sharron Davies MBE officially opened the Canary Wharf Ice Rink on Friday.

Olympic swimmer Sharron performed a a stunning on-ice display, the first since she did so well on ITV’s Dancing on Ice show. She was joined by The Imperial Ice Stars, some of the world’s leading theatrical ice performers, renowned for their breathtaking on-ice acrobatics.

Sharron says, “This is a dramatic setting beneath the iconic Canary Wharf skyline.

“Coupled with all the new bars, restaurants and shops here, it is one of the most exceptional places to skate. I encourage you all to get your skates on and get into the Canary Wharf festive spirit!”

The Canary Wharf Ice Rink is back for its sixth year beneath the tall towers of London’s newest business and shopping district. The organisers promise brand-new sharpened, high-quality skates for hire for this winter, and remind punters about the Alpine Café Bar offering warming drinks and tasty snacks.

Where else in the world can you skate above 200 shops, including the newly-opened diamond-lovers’ paradise, Tiffany & Co?

The Canary Wharf Ice Rink is open until 20 Feb; Mon-Sat 9.45am-11pm, Sun 9.45am-7.30pm. Last skate session begins 1 hour before closing. Prices start from £7.50. Book tickets here

January is a tough month. The fun and feasting is over, we’re all back at work and the detox dullness has begun to bite. Meanwhile, while The Big Freeze means most are heartily sick of cold things, this morning I actively sought the ice, attending a lesson at Somerset House Skate School.

The school is held on the Somerset House Ice Rink on weekdays from 8.30-9.30am for adults, and there’s also Penguin Club, which teaches kids how to skate.

The skate school class consisted of about 15 (adult) pupils, who were split into two groups – absolute beginners and slightly more advanced. After booting up (skate hire is included), we stepped out onto the rink.

I was nervous – I’ve skated before but not often and it’s been a while. I started with the beginners, clutching the barrier, but soon got the hang of it enough to glide across, triumphant, to join the advanced group. Here we practiced the basics of skating forward and backwards, as well as stopping, crouching down, skating on one leg, sharp turns and even a little jump!

My instructor, Lucy, was friendly, helpful and calm. Skating backwards is something I thought I’d never even attempt, but I managed it, albeit with a helping hand from Lucy. My poor balance meant the one-legged glide, while less scary, was a lot more difficult and, oddly, the hardest bit is stopping.

The thing is, though, once you get going, you don’t want to stop because skating is such fun. Throw in the gorgeous backdrop of London’s Somerset House and a small group of friendly people that ensures you’ve got room to move and it’s a lovely start to a frosty morning. I’d recommend this for anyone who’s a bit nervous on the ice or who wants to learn new moves and brush up their technique. I’m sure, like me, you won’t be able to stop either!

Somerset House Ice Rink is open until late January and there are still a few places available at Skate School. Tickets are also available for the afternoon and evening sessions, including late skates accompanied by a DJ.

Other London ice rinks open now include Canary Wharf, Broadgate and the Natural History Museum. Plus there’s permanent ice rinks at the Lee Valley Ice Centre, Alexandra Palace and Queensway Ice & Bowl.