What's on in London in 2012

The best of London in 2012

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  Art

  Damien Hirst's first UK retrospective at Tate Modern, plus huge shows on Bauhaus, Rachel Whiteread, David Hockney, Lucian Freud and Picasso
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  Cabaret

  We look forward to new shows from Scottee, La JohnJoseph, Timberlina and Dusty Limits, plus CircusFest and the World Burlesque Games 2012
  Read full cabaret preview
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  Classical & opera

  A full Ring cycle at the Royal Opera House, seasons of Brahms and Prokofiev, plus the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela
  Read full classical preview
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  Club DJs

  See pictures of the best new DJs and producers to watch out for in 2012 as chosen by Benji B, Andrew Wetherall, The Boiler Room and more
  Read more
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  Club nights

  Huge shows from David Guetta and Swedish House Mafia, Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Awards and a new home for the fantastic Bloc festival
  Read full clubbing preview
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  Comedy

  American heavyweights Joan Rivers and Jackie Mason play huge shows and Reggie Watts, Simon Amstell and Alexei Sayle all return to the stage
  Read full comedy preview
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  Dance

  A season of ten PIna Bausch works, the return of DV8, Shobana Jeyasingh and Akram Khan, and the annual London Flamenco Festival
  Read full dance preview
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  Festivals & events

  The year will be dominated by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations
  Read full events preview
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  Film

  'The Hobbit', 'Skyfall', new films from Michael Haneke, Wes Anderson and Paul Thomas Anderson, and the rise and rise of pop-up cinema
  Read full film preview
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  Food & drink

  Desserts are going to be big - especially doughnuts - and hot restaurant openings include Nuno Mendes at Fitzroy House and Brasserie Zédel
  Read full food preview
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  Museums

  Warner Bros open up their studios to reveal The Making of Harry Potter and there are exhibitions on the Titanic, Ballgowns, Brains and Scott's last expedition
  Read museums preview
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  Music acts

  Discover the best new acts for 2012 with our critics' picks of the 10 best new bands and artists around, and listen to tracks from all the featured artists
  Read the list
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  Music gigs

  Gigs you should book for now include Feist, The Black Keys, Bruce Springsteen and Example, plus the Field Day, Lovebox and Wireless festivals
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  Theatre

  Cate Blanchett stars in 'Gross und Klein', 'Sweeney Todd' hits the West End and the World Shakespeare Festival takes over the capital this summer
  Read full Theatre preview
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  TV

  Big TV events include Sam Mendes' Shakespeare Cycle and The Olympics & Paralympics, plus there's a new adaptation of 'Birdsong'
  Read full TV preview