Chloe Lawrance

Even after a couple of vintage years for new music, 2025 has been special. Sure, we didn’t get a clear-cut ‘song of the summer’, but artists have been instead putting out defining works in a longer format. The past 12 (well, 11) months have featured all manner of extraordinary album releases.  Belted-to-the-rafters country pop, plunderphonic majesty, ecstatic dance music, intimate electronic world-building, history-collapsing art rock, triumphant hip-hop… these are just a few of the sounds and styles that have been executed marvellously in 2025. Here are the year’s finest 25 albums, chosen by Time Out editors and contributors.

The most important thing about Christmas is here: the festive sandwich. So pure. So dense. So carby. This year, the staff of Time Out London have taste-tested seasonal sarnies from 10 independent bakeries, delis and street food stalls across London in order to find the jolliest Christmas sandwich in town. From vegetarian cheese feasts to meaty marvels and vegan sourdough wedges, these are the very best Christmas sandwiches in London. RECOMMENDED: For more festive fun here’s our guide to the best Christmas markets in London.  And don’t miss the best Christmas events, either. 

You think you know Switzerland? Cheese with holes in it. Gstaad with the fancy-schmancy palace. And chocolate – all the chocolate. But have you heard of Jungfrau, pronounced ‘Yoong-frow’ and home to a peak nicknamed the ‘top of the world’, before? It’s one of Switzerland’s most iconic alpine destinations, but also one of its best-kept secrets – until now. The Jungfrau Travel Pass is your ticket to ride as often as you like with unlimited travel on the mountain railways, cable cars and boats that make traversing the terrain and waterways simple and stress-free. From the soaring peak of Jungfraujoch, boasting Europe’s highest-altitude railway station, to the ice palace and the Aletsch Glacier, no snow-covered corner of this winter wonderland is off-limits. Just bring your pass – and a taste for adventure. Here’s our expert guide.

As the nights draw in and the temperature drops, it's time to embrace the festive season with full force. After all, Christmas has a way of making the December evenings a whole lot more special - particularly when those evenings are spent enjoying festive live performances inside one of London’s most iconic buildings.  We are, of course, talking about the Royal Albert Hall, where there’s something for everyone going on this Christmas. From performances of John Williams’ charming music in Home Alone to Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score in The Nutcracker, via nights of soul, gospel and jazz – there’s plenty of winter warmers to discover. Whatever your vibe, pick the live performance that best suits your personality with our seasonal guide, sure to get you in the festive spirit.