Interesting and unusual things to do in London for £5 or less this week.
All week
MULLED WINE FESTIVAL:
London's first ever mulled wine festival will have pretty much every variation of mulled wine you can imagine. 12-14 November, Covent Garden Piazza, free (you just have to check in on the Yelp App), 12noon-9pm
TINTIN, HERGE'S MASTERPIECE:
This new exhibition will explore Herge's work and will include pencil sketches, watercolours, character drawings and artwork of his most well-known character Tintin and his dog Snowy. Somerset House, free, opens 12 November-31 January, 10am-6pm (last entry 5.15pm)
10 YEARS OF LOUD AND QUIET:
The music magazine celebrates its 10th birthday with an exhibition of photographs of artists from the last decade including The xx, The Horrors, Metronomy and others. Also includes photos of David Lynch in his home. Oslo, Hackey, free, 12 noon until late, runs until 13 November
GLOBE ROAD POETRY FESTIVAL:
Celebrating the diverse local and global poetic traditions of London's ever-changing East End, Globe Road Poetry Festival offers three days of live readings, music, debates and screenings, plus workshops on creative coding and artificial intelligence experiments. Events are mostly free, Queen Mary University of London, 13-15 November
Monday 9 November
WHERE IN THE WORLD:
Photographer Troy Pickersgill is interested in the many nationalities and ethnicities of the people of London. Featuring over 15 countries including Japan, Italy, Portugal and the USA, this exhibition combines street and landscape photography focusing on the people and the backdrops that give their countries their distinctive characteristics. Rich Mix, Bethnal Green Road, free, open until Tuesday, 6pm-8pm
SEB COE Q&A:
He’s won four Olympic medals, set eight outdoor and three indoor world records and headed the successful London bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics. Newly elected President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Seb Coe will be talking about his experience, followed by an audience Q&A. China Exchange, £5, prebook, 6pm-7pm
Tuesday 10 November
LIARS LEAGUE:
Come and listen to five fantastical stories at this spoken-word night themed around Alice and Wonderland, which celebrates the 150th anniversary of the novel. Try the 'eat me' and 'drink me' surprises, and win prizes. Downstairs at The Phoenix, Cavendish Square, Marylebone, £5, 7pm doors, 7.30pm start
NIGHT HOWLS COMEDY:
A great line up of award-winning performers including critically acclaimed Beth Vyse and Alison Thea-Skot whose show was a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe. The Betsey Trotwood Pub, 56 Farringdon Road, free, doors 7.45pm, show starts 8pm
Wednesday 11 November
HIP HOP TRIBUTE FILM WEEK:
'Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap', (2006) directed by Ice-T is a documentary on the making and rise of rap music as part of a week-long tribute to Hip Hop film culture. Catch the screening at House of Vans, Tunnel 2 — Cinema Screening Room, free, showing 5pm and 7pm
BUSKER NIGHT:
London buskers play a song for a pint, and you never know who might walk on stage. The Birds Nest, Deptford, free, 7pm
Thursday 12 November
BEING HUMAN FESTIVAL LAUNCH DAY:
The Being Human Lab will bring together researchers, artists and technologists to explore the issues facing humanity (and how the humanities can help). The festival launches with an afternoon and evening of interactive workshops, tours and discussions. The University of London, Senate House, 12.30pm onwards
ADVENTURES IN GIBBON-OLOGY:
It's Gibbon Week at UCL, celebrating the rarest ape in the world, the Hainan Gibbon. Head to the Darwin Lecture Theatre to hear Professor Helen Chatterjee MBE talk about these apes, and conservation efforts to save them. Free, 6.30pm-9pm
BISCUIT SOMMELIER:
Alwin Solanky, biscuit sommelier, headlines this evening of art, music and comedy. The line up is a mixed bag of comedy treats with spoken word, live music and of course, biscuits. The Montague Arms, Peckham, £5/£4, and only biscuits carriers will be entitled to discounted entry, prebook, 7.30pm
Friday 13 November
LIVE INDO JAZZ:
Leading performer on the UK and international jazz scenes, Arun Ghosh, will be performing an evening of his creations, which combine South Asian raags (scales) and taals (rhythms) with jazz, rock, hip hop, blues and dance inspired by his British upbringing. The Arun Ghosh Quintet will perform as part of the V&A India Festival. V&A Cafe, Gamble Room, free, 8pm-9.30pm
LONDON DREAMTIME:
Halloween is over, but come and celebrate the darkness with spooky storytelling and music, terrifying urban legends and tales; after all, it is Friday the 13th. Dress warm and don't forget to bring a candle. Secret location in Peckham, email [email protected] to book, £3, 9pm
Saturday 14 November
LORD MAYOR'S SHOW AND FIREWORKS:
Celebrating its 800th year, the annual traditional parade to welcome the newly elected Lord Mayor of London will be extra special this year. The procession can be watched between Bank and Aldwych for 3.5 miles between 11.30am and 2.30pm followed by a riverside fireworks display at 5.15pm. Free, all day
NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM DIWALI CELEBRATION:
To celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, there will be fun activities for the whole family and you'll have the chance to learn about the history of Diwali in Britain. National Maritime Museum, free, 11am-4pm
Sunday 15 November
RENEGRADE CRAFT FAIR:
Instead of the usual boring Christmas gifts of socks and jumpers, this is your chance to get a unique present early this year. Over 200 designers and makers will sell their wide variety of creations including stationery, jewellery, toys, prints and hanging baskets. Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, Saturday and Sunday, 11am-6pm
GOSPEL SUNDAYS:
The Blues Kitchen Choir brings you an evening of gospel songs to brighten up your Sunday while you enjoy a drink or dinner. Blues Kitchen, Shoreditch, free, 7.30pm
