what’s on in and around islington 8th – 14th Dec 2025
THE DEFINITIVE WEEKLY CULTURAL GUIDE: ISLINGTON, NORTH & EAST LONDON
8β14 December 2025
Your essential roadmap to theatre, festivals, nightlife, gigs, food, fitness, markets & festive magic.
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I. Introduction: The Week North & East London Truly Comes Alive
From Monday 8th to Sunday 14th December, London officially enters its golden festive stretch.
Streets glow, theatres roar into life with new productions, alsoΒ Christmas markets spill into public squares, and our local cafΓ©s, pubs and venues feel warmer and more inviting than ever.
Predominantly Across Islington, Highbury, Angel, Clerkenwell, Shoreditch, Hackney, Dalston, Kings Cross and Farringdon, this week feels like a cultural festival in motion. Expect:
Β Prestige theatre premieres
Β Candlelit concerts
Β Indie, folk & post-punk gigs
Β 24-hour club marathons
Β Festive markets, mulled wine pop-ups
Β Community choirs, dog-friendly screenings
Β Art installations along the canal
Β Big brunch energy & legendary Sunday roasts
Therefore Whether youβre planning a date night, meeting friends, alsoΒ exploring with family, or looking for a solo cultural escape β this guide curates your perfect week.
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II. Editorβs Weekly Highlights: The Unmissable Five
- Matthew Bourneβs The Red Shoes β Sadlerβs Wells (All week)
Magnificent, cinematic, unforgettable. - Christmas Day β Almeida Theatre (Opens Tue 9 Dec)
The seasonβs most anticipated new play. - AURORA β Union Chapel, Highbury (Wed 10 Dec)
Spellbinding vocals under candlelight. - Continuum β Fabric, Farringdon (13β15 Dec)
A global pilgrimage for techno fans. - Big Country + Toyah β Islington Assembly Hall (Sun 14 Dec)
A high-energy heritage gig to close the week.
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NEW FEATURED SECTIONS
Date-Night Recommendations Across the Week
Romantic & Atmospheric
- Porte Noire, Coal Drops Yard β Wood-fired dishes + terrace lights
Pair with: The Red Shoes @ Sadlerβs Wells - German Gymnasium, Kings Cross β Deco glamour & cocktails
Pair with: Heartworms @ Scala - Oui Madame St Pauls road β romantic setting
Pair with: Christmas Day @ Almeida
Cozy & Cultural
- Union Chapel Concert β Then mulled wine at The Compton Arms
- Evening Canal Walk Angel β KX β End at Vinotheca Farringdon
Festive
- Coal Drops Yard Christmas Market
- Hot chocolate cabins
- Granary Square fountains + winter street food
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Sunday Roast Recommendations
Islington / Highbury
- The Albion β Georgian beauty, open fires
- The Drapers Arms β Michelin-praised
Kings Cross / Camden
- Rotunda β Waterside beef perfection
- The Lighterman β Canal views
Hackney / Dalston
- Prince Arthur (London Fields) β Legendary
- The Scolt Head β Comfort heaven
Clerkenwell / Farringdon
- The Eagle β The OG gastropub
- The Peasant β Traditional & heart-warming
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Brunch Spots Across North & East London
Islington: Granger & Co | Brother Marcus
Kings Cross: Caravan KX | Dishoom
Dalston / Hackney: Brunswick East | E5 Bakehouse
Shoreditch: The Breakfast Club | Lantana
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Best Places to Meet Friends
Relaxed:
Coal Drops Yard β’ Exmouth Market β’ Broadway Market (Sat)
Buzzing:
The Cross London β’ The Lighterman β’ Old Queenβs Head
Creative:
Spiritland (KX) β’ Jujuβs (Brick Lane)
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Whatβs On at Coal Drops Yard & Granary Square (8β14 Dec)
Β Coal Drops Yard
- Winter Markets (indie crafts + design)
- Christmas cabins: mulled wine + artisan gifts
- Seasonal showcases at Aesop, Wolf & Badger, Samsung KX
- Live choirs & street performers
Β Granary Square
- Nightly fountain light show
- KERB festive street food
- House of Illustration exhibitions
- βFestive Forestβ canal-side installation
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Group Fitness, Wellness & Social Workouts
Kings Cross
Frame KX β’ Sweat by BXR β’ Regentβs Canal Parkrun (Sat 13 Dec)
Islington / Angel
Rowbots β’ CycleBar
Dalston / Hackney
Blok (Shoreditch/Clapton) β’ London Fields Lido socials
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THE DAILY GUIDE
III. MONDAY 8 DECEMBER
Β Live Music
The Raveonettes β O2 Academy Islington
Dreamy noise-pop with a cult following.
Date pairing: Oldroyd β gig.
Brunori Sas β Union Chapel
Italian songwriting in candlelit serenity.
Heartworms β Scala, Kings Cross
Dark, atmospheric post-punk.
Β Theatre
The Mask Policy β Hen & Chickens
Offbeat and intimate.
Β Evening Social
Hen & Chickens Bar β post-show pints welcome.
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IV. TUESDAY 9 DECEMBER
Β Major Opening
Christmas Day β Almeida Theatre
Top-tier acting, bold new writing.
Β Gigs
Hazlett & Hans Williams β Union Chapel
Everyone Says Hi β The Lexington
Β Nightlife
SNEAK β XOYO
Β Community
Old Queenβs Head β Weekly Pub Quiz
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V. WEDNESDAY 10 DECEMBER
Β Headline Concert
AURORA β Union Chapel
A transcendent, ethereal midweek masterpiece.
Β More Live Music
The Clause β The Garage
Hard Skin β The Lexington
Β Community
Pub Quiz β Islington Townhouse
Β Late Night
Final CUT β Egg London
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VI. THURSDAY 11 DECEMBER
Β Live
Andrea Vanzo β Union Chapel
Hard Skin β The Lexington
Β Food, Drink & Sports Bars
OβNeillβs Kings Cross
Parcel Yard (St Pancras)
Dinerama (winterproofed)
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VII. FRIDAY 12 DECEMBER
Β Nightlife
Fabric, Egg & The Lexington all buzzing.
Β Festive Concert
Eliza Carthy & John Bodenβs Wassail β Union Chapel
Β Social Hotspot
The Cross London β cocktails, dancing, rooftop city views.
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VIII. SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER
Β Superclub Marathon Begins
Continuum @ Fabric (13β15 Dec)
FAMILY & THEATRE: HACKNEY EMPIRE TAKES THE SPOTLIGHT
Cinderella β Hackney Empire
A riot of colour, music & comedy β the East London Christmas staple you canβt miss.
Perfect for families, groups & festive dates.
Β Family Arts
Union Chapel Choir
Storm Whale Workshop
Β Markets
Broadway Market β vibrant, festive, full of indie makers.
Β Dog-Friendly Christmas
Pooches & Popcorn β Dog-friendly Christmas cinema.
Β Brunch Picks
Lantana (Shoreditch)
Brunswick East (Dalston)
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IX. SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER
Β Big Gigs
Big Country + Toyah β Islington Assembly Hall
Shake Some Acton β The Lexington
Β Comedy & Family Theatre
Six Degrees of Improvisation β Hen & Chickens
Cinderella β Hackney Empire (Matinee + Evening)
Β Outdoors
Clissold Park Winter Trail
Granary Square festive lights
Β Markets
Columbia Road Flower Market β iconic festive edition
Β Sunday Roast
The Albion β’ Rotunda β’ Prince Arthur
Β Nightlife
Continuum Part 2 β Fabric
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X. Conclusion: Your Week of Culture Starts Here
From Hackney Empireβs dazzling pantomime to candlelit concerts at Union Chapel, from late-night techno at Fabric to winter markets by the canal, this is one of the richest cultural weeks of the year.
Wrap up warm, book ahead, and explore something magical.
Thereβs something unforgettable waiting for you in every corner of Islington, Hackney and beyond.