Staying in London over the holidays? Break up your studies by exploring the city and checking out some of the events and activities that are going on– not all of them are related to Christmas, don’t worry. 

The SOAS Spirit has also written a handy guide to holiday events in London! http://soasspirit.co.uk/features/estivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-comprehensive-guide-to-holiday-events-in-london/

International Students House organise all sorts of interesting events and activities for international students - check it out! https://ish.org.uk/

Explore London

Unseen Tours: walking tours of London led by homeless, formerly homeless, and vulnerably housed tour guides. You might have been on one of the Unseen Tours given to SOAS students in Freshers Week, they were amazing! Tickets are £7 for students - http://sockmobevents.org.uk/

‘I Know This Great Little Place in London’ – insider London tips about little known about gems and hidden treasures in the city http://www.greatlittleplace.com/

Entertainment:

Music:

Information about gigs and the London music scene!

http://www.londongigs.net/

http://www.timeout.com/london/music

Partying:

Many people see Passing Clouds as a second SOAS, with its awesome spoken word nights, film screenings, political discussions, and parties. We highly recommend you check it out! http://www.passingclouds.org/

Places to party http://www.timeout.com/london/clubs/christmas-party-venues-in-london-1

Cinema:

Two cinemas which show alternative films and cult classics!

BFI Southbank https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/

Prince Charles Cinema http://www.princecharlescinema.com/index.php

Theatre:

Old Vic: £12 tickets (including in the front row) in every performance for 25’s and under. http://www.oldvictheatre.com/your-visit/under-25s/

National Theatre: £5 tickets for under 25’s if you register for an Entry Pass (free), which also allows you to buy an second ticket for £7.50  http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/discover-more/entry-pass

£15 tickets (called Travelex) which are available for a range of new productions. This is available to people of all ages! http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/series/travelex-%C2%A315-tickets-2014

You can also find cheap tickets and deals for other theatres on websites like Time Out, Love Theatre, Discount Theatre, Theatre Tickets Direct, and lastminute.com Our favourite shows on at the moment are The Scottsboro Boys, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime, Made In Dagendham, Les Miserables and The Book Of Mormon. 

Another option is to try your luck by turning up at the theatre to see if they’re selling left over tickets for cheap. These are often available, especially at matinee (afternoon) productions on weekdays. Also don’t just look to the West End! There’s lots of small and innovative theatre companies across London putting on creative works – so keep your eyes and ears open!

You can also get free tickets to watch BBC TV and Radio shows being recorded live at the BBC website http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/tickets/

Museums & Art Galleries

The British Museum, Natural History Museum, The Science Museum, and the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A): all have free entry, but special exhibitions require you to buy a ticket (check for a student discount!).  

The National Art Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Tate Britain, Tate Modern: free entry to all.  

The Hayward Gallery on Southbank, Royal Academy of Arts, the Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House: exhibitions require you to buy a ticket (check for a student discount!).

We highly recommend the current exhibition on ‘Disobedient Objects’ at the V&A, looking at the role of objects in movements for change http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/disobedient-objects/

And our favourite Gallery of all is the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow, a beautiful designer and craftsman, and socialist activist – free entry - http://www.wmgallery.org.uk/

Christmassy things:

Christmas markets and fairs http://www.timeout.com/london/shopping/christmas-markets-and-fairs-in-london

Places to ice skate - http://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/ice-skating-in-london

Christmas Tree Maze in Vauxhall http://www.iceskatevauxhall.co.uk/attractions/christmas-tree-maze/

Southbank Centre Christmas Festival and Southbank Christmas Market http://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/southbank-centre-winter-festival-guide

Winter Wonderland http://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/winter-wonderland-15-highlights

Winterville in Victoria Park http://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/winterville

Restaurants Open on Christmas Day http://www.timeout.com/london/food-drink/london-restaurants-open-on-christmas-day

Alternative Christmas Events: http://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/alternative-christmas-events-in-london

Christmas Day at International Students House - a day of food, drinks and activities if you buy a ticket, with discounts for NUS or International Student House members - all SOAS students are members of NUS, so you should be able to get a discount as a SOAS student, but they might ask for an NUS extra card) https://ish.org.uk/event/christmas-day-at-ish/

And then of course there’s simple joys like strolling through the park on a crisp but summer winter’s day (particularly Hampstead Heath) and having snowball fights (if it actually snows…)

We hope you all have restful, relaxing holidays to recuperate from the intensity of SOAS life, but that you also get to take in some of the excitement of the city!