Seven things to do in London over the New Year Hiatus
» (Monday) » Alexandra Palace Open Day: A rare opportunity to look inside the TV studio from which the world's first high definition television service was broadcast way back in 1936 (that's pre-iPlayer, kids, and well historic). The not-very-restored Victorian Theatre will also be open, with tours from 10am to 3pm. (Thanks to John for the tipoff) (Martin's taken some photos so the rest of you can see what you missed) » (Tuesday) » Museum in Docklands: Rare amongst London museums because it costs money to get in, which is probably why you haven't been. But this Christmas the entire place is free to enter, at least until next Sunday, so this might be a great time to finally go. » (Wednesday) » New Year Fireworks: If you enjoy standing like sardines for hours, then watching featureless pink smoke drifting towards you for ten minutes, then battling your way home through hordes of drunken revellers until you finally find a tube station that's still open, head for the Embankment around 10pm. Me, I'm giving it a miss this year. » (Thursday) » New Year Parade: Believe it or not I've never been. Maybe this is the year I wake up in time to watch the inflatables (and the Coulsdon Old Vehicle Engineering Society and the Isle of Sheppey St John Ambulance Band) waving down Piccadilly. Or more likely not. (A much better option, suggested by Debster and Geoff, would be to celebrate 250 years of Kew Gardens with free entry all day on New Year's Day) » (Friday) » Late at Tate: Where to go on a post-hangover Friday? Maybe to Tate Britain for their "first Friday" event, which this month features a bit of an artistic hotchpotch including zinesters Savage Messiah, synthpopsters Petit Mal and a selection of award winning contemporary films from Romania. Or go down the pub and get drunk again. » (Saturday) » Winter Wonderland: Imagine a tacky over-priced funfair with disappointing rides, a Biggish Wheel and a fake German market. Imagine not, it's up and running in Hyde Park until Sunday. (unless, perhaps, the event's got a lot better than last year, but somehow I doubt it) » (Sunday) » Geffrye Museum: Sunday's the last day to see the museum's period rooms decked out in all their traditional Christmas finery. And then on Twelfth Night (Tuesday) there's the annual burning of the holly and the ivy accompanied by carols, mulled wine and cake.
