Upcoming events in London - 12.04.06

Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree Lighting An annual ceremony where the tree donated by the people of Norway to London for Britain’s support in World War 2 is lit. It takes place on Thursday 7 December at 6pm and is free to attend. There’s a band and a choir singing Christmas carols and the lights are switched on by the Crown Prince and Princess of Norway and the Mayor of Oslo.

The London Motorsport Show A two day show for petrol heads at ExCel London with over a hundred exhibitors and a karting track for visitors. If you’re a fan of Karting, Rallying or Formula 3, or want to become involved this is the place to meet the experts. On from 9-10 December, 10am-5pm each day. Tickets are £8 advance, £10 on the door. Custom House on the DLR is the nearest station.

The Great Christmas Pudding Race The Pudding Trophy’s up for grabs as teams of competitors in fancy dress race over an obstacle around Covent Garden’s Piazza while carrying a Christmas pudding on a tray. The 26th race takes place on 9 December between around 10am-1pm, free to watch.

Championship Boxing A chance to witness some of Britain’s most disfunctional boxers in action at ExCel London on 9 December. Audley Harrison, the 6′5″ former Olympic Super Heavyweight Champion from Sydney 2000, stumbles from hyped fight to hyped fight but is still unwilling to get hit or engage his opponent. He was meant to be up against lard bucket Matt Skelton, but he’s injured his hand, so replacement lard bucket Danny Williams (whose career highlight was beating a washed up Tyson) steps in.
Scott Harrison, who’s just spent five weeks in a Spanish jail, fights Nicky Cook for the WBO World Featherweight title. The class fighter on the bill is 20 year old undefeated lightweight Amir Khan. There are other fights on the card and the whole thing starts at 5pm, tickets avaiable from £44-162.

The BlackRock Masters Tennis On at the Royal Albert Hall from 5-10 December, this is the final event of the year on the Merrill Lynch Tour of Champions and as well as older players like John McEnroe and Pat Cash features younger guys such as Mark Philippoussis, Tim Henman and Marcelo Rios. Tickets from £25-£95. The Albert Hall is on Kensington Gore across from Hyde Park, the nearest stations are Gloucester Road or South Kensington.

Pre-Christmas Designer Menswear Warehouse Sale An annual event taking place at The Worx photographic and film studio complex in Parsons Green, west London. If you’re into your Armani, Dolce & Gabbana and other designer gear this is the place to go for a bargain, on from 9-11 December, entry £2. The Worx is on Heathman’s Road, between Fulham Road and New Kings Road, come out of Parsons Green station (District Line) and turn right.