1 THE CENTRAL TOUR OF LONDON

Six-mile guided morning bike ride through the city centre, taking in the Tower of Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, along with the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. The London Bicycle Tour Company, Gabriel's Wharf, SE1 (www.londonbicycle.com 020-7928 6838), Sat, Sun & Dec 27, 28

2 CHRISTMAS DELIGHT AT COVENT GARDEN

See the market building transformed into a winter palace. Covent Garden, WC2 (www.coventgardenlondonuk.com), until New Year's Day

3 NEW YEAR'S DAY PARADE & FESTIVAL

Traditional parade to see in the New Year, plus a series of special fundraising concerts. Starts at Parliament Square, London (www.londonparade.co.uk 020-8566 8586), New Year's Day (from noon)

4 HENRY VIII'S CHRISTMAS

Experience a Hampton Court Christmas as it might have been during Henry's reign, plus ice skating. Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey (www.hrp.org.uk 0844 4827799), Dec 27-New Year's Day

5 THE FRAGMENTED ORCHESTRA

A geographically distributed musical structure, the Fragmented Orchestra will mirror the function of the human brain and the way it processes sound - with the help of the public! FACT, Liverpool, and 24 sites across the UK and online (www.thefragmentedorchestra.com), until Feb 22

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• London Microguides