Rock the boat
The traditional European Christmas comes to Portsmouth in Britain's first international festival of Christmas. Nearly 50 stalls will be selling hot chestnuts, rocking horses, dolls, ceramics, glassware and wine.
Sat/Sun, 10am-8pm. £6/£4 including entry to ships and attractions. The Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth (023-9286 1512).
Hidden art
Now in its seventh year, Hidden Art is Britain's leading open studios event. Buy or commission direct from designers, for work ranging from furniture to fine art.
Prices from 20p to £750,000. Sat Dec 2 (10am-6pm). Sun 3 (12pm-6pm). Mazorca Projects, Charity House, 14/15 Perseverance Works, 38 Kingsland Road, London E2 (020-7729 3301).
Court in the act
When the Queen Elizabeth II Great Court opens at the British Museum, the restored 19th-century Reading Room will be open to the public for the first time. The Great Court will house a new education centre, new galleries and visitor services.
Open daily 10am-5pm (Sun 12pm-6pm). Great Court opens Dec 7. Free. Great Russell St, London WC1 (020-7636 1555).
Palatial shopping
The season of retail therapy gets underway at the Christmas craft fair at Alexandra Palace. Around 350 craftsmen will display and sell crafts alongside London's largest pre-Christmas food and drink show.
Sat/Sun 10am-5.30pm. £7/£3, under 12s free. Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 (01273 833884).
Christ's mass
Children can take part in scenes from the story of St Nicholas or join the nativity cast at Framlingham Castle, while adults examine the roots of ceremonies like mumming plays and Yule logs.
Sat/Sun from 11am. £3.70/£1.80. Framlingham, Suffolk (01728 724189).
Wall power
Hadrian's Wall - A Winter Guide puts together a selection of days out around the World Heritage site, with details of walks, bus links and interpretive displays.
Details from local tourist information centres or phone 01434 322 002.
Just dessert
Covent Garden's 20th Great Christmas pudding relay race involves celebrities and others in fancy dress dodging obstacles while carrying a Christmas pudding, all for cancer research.
Sat Dec 2. Fancy dress parade and activities from 11.30am, race 12.30pm. East Piazza, Covent Garden, London.
Seeing Santa
Father Christmas is taking orders from children, who can also enjoy storytelling and make Christmas decorations.
Dec 2/3, 9/10, 16/17; 12pm-4pm. £3/£1.50. Deal Castle, Deal, Kent (01304 372762).
