Things To Do In London This Weekend: 5-6 November 2016

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Things to do in London this weekend is sponsored by Alexandra Palace.

All weekend

Renegade Craft Fair come to the Old Truman Brewery

FIREWORKS: From Blackheath to Richmond, Victoria Park to Alexandra Palace, there are plenty of fireworks displays around the capital — check out our guide to see where to mark Guy Fawkes night.

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS: For those who like their festivities to arrive early, the Spirit of Christmas Fair comes to Olympia, with 750 independent traders selling everything from jewellery, food and drink to any bauble you could ever want. Various ticket prices, 31 October-6 November

ROAD CYCLING: Calling all cycling fanatics: meet cycling legends, preview the latest developments in bike technology, and pick up new merchandise at The Road Cycling Emporium. £40-£135, book in advance, 3-5 November

LUXURY TRAVEL: London is the best city in the world, but if you fancy a break from the Big Smoke, do it in style — find out how and where to go at the Luxury Travel Fair. £14.50/£15.50, book in advance, 3-6 November

REVOLUTIONS WEEKENDER: To tie in with the V&A's current exhibition You Say You Want A Revolution?, there's a Revolutions Weekender with live music, DJs and theatrical performances inspired by the swinging 60s. Free, just turn up, 4-6 November

WORLD PRESS PHOTOS: The World Press Photo exhibition returns to Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall, showcasing some of the best press photographs from around the world over the past year. We've previewed the exhibition, but be warned, some of the images are quite shockingly graphic in nature, Free, just turn up, 4-21 November

LITERATURE FESTIVAL: It's the first weekend of this year's Richmond Literature Festival, which has an impressive programme of events for adults and kids, including author talks, a podcast workshop and more. Various prices, book in advance, 4-27 November

TRUMAN BREWERY: Kick-start the festive season with the Renegade Craft Fair at the Old Truman Brewery in Brick Lane. Expect gift ideas, craft workshops, food & drink and festive music. 5-6 November

MAPS EXHIBITION: Maps affect the world and the world affects maps. See everything from the original London Underground map to the satellite imagery of the 90s at the British Library's new exhibition. £12, just turn up, 4 November-1 March 2017

Saturday 5 November

The Regent Street Motor Show returns. Photo: vierimaa

RICHMOND PARK: Deer, greenery and great views... Richmond Park has it all. Explore its beauty on a guided tour with the Friends of Richmond Park. Free, just turn up, 10am

SUPERFOOD BRUNCH: Forget that greasy fry up — dine on a beautiful selection of healthy brunch items that are not only tasty but good for your body —think warming cacao and a nut cheese platter. £18/£25 (+booking fee), book in advance, 10am

PHOTO TOUR: Learn how to take beautiful photos of this beautiful city with a seven-hour photo tour covering everywhere from Green Park to Greenwich. £49, book in advance, 10am-5pm

MOTOR SHOW: More than 100 cars from the past 120 years are taking over Regent Street for a free-to-view vintage car display. The street will be closed to traffic for the event. Free, just turn up, 10.30am-4pm

AMERICANS OF MAYFAIR: From US presidents to Hollywood Stars, find out about Mayfair's American history with a walking tour around the area. £12, book in advance, 11am

BRUNCHTIME LECTURE: Head to Kensington Palace for a lecture about the Victorian mania for stories by Charles Dickens's great-great-grandaughter Lucinda Hawksley. Why were penny dreadfuls, novels and serials so popular in this era? Ticket includes entry to Kensington Palace and a drink. £15/£12, book in advance, 11am-12.30pm

DEBAUCHED LONDON TOUR: Discover the cockfighting, bear baiting and hedonistic past of the Southbank with a two-hour walking tour. Free, book in advance, 2.30pm

MEATBALL MASTERCLASS: Learn how to make juicy meatballs, and get the technical know-how, at this Italian cookery class near Chelsea. £36, book in advance, 4.30pm-6pm

WEST AFRICAN SUPPER CLUB: Get a taste of West Africa without leaving Clerkenwell... Tonight's menu at Jason's Little Kitchen features suya cod and Ghanaian tea bread. £36, book in advance, 6pm

COMEDY NIGHT: Head to SLAM King's Cross for a night of dark and surreal sketch and character comedy, courtesy of duo Norris & Parker, followed up by electronic music by Wyles & Simpson. £9.08, book in advance, 7.30pm


Last chance to get your tickets to Alexandra Palace’s spectacular fireworks display

Time is running out to get your tickets for the ultimate firework night at Alexandra Palace. For the first time, the popular display will take place over two nights (4 and 5 November), and promises to be much more than just fireworks — this is a full-on festival. Ally Pally will have ice skating to wear you out, and bonfires to warm you up, as well as a full-scale German Bier Festival inside the palace, and a fully immersive Day of the Dead Parade. Fill up on street food and craft beer, and indulge in a glass of mulled wine to take the November chill away. A high tech laser display will take place before the star of the show — an incredible firework spectacular against the beautiful London skyline.

Adult tickets are £11, children under 10 go free – book yours here to avoid disappointment.


Sunday 6 November

Sara Pascoe's Literary Salon returns to The Book Club

VETERAN CARS: Hundreds of veteran cars are taking over the roads for the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run — pick a spot along the route of Hyde Park Corner, The Mall and Westminster Bridge to see the procession. Free just turn up, from 7.04am

10K RUN: If you fancy working up an appetite before your Sunday roast, head to Greenwich Park for a 10k run. £16/£18, book in advance, 9.30am

ART EXHIBITION: Fresh from her exhibition at the V&A, Helen Manning displays over 40 of her unseen artworks in Greenwich. Inspired by blossoming plants and both urban and natural landscapes, her bright works are sure to brighten your day. Free, just turn up, all day from 10am

TOWER BRIDGE ENGINEERING: Discover the room that controls Tower Bridge, the huge bascule chambers under the river, and get stunning panoramic views of London on an engineering tour of Tower Bridge. £50, book in advance, 10.30am

BRUNCH RUN: Take a gentle jog around the parks and canals of Fitzrovia, then refuel with a healthy brunch at The Old Dairy Café. £15, book in advance, 10.30am

KARL MARX: Explore the Soho locations where Marx lived and developed his famous ideas, and see how London shaped him as the man he was. £9, book in advance, 11am

VINTAGE FAIR: Channel 50s glamour or 70s boho chic with garments picked up from Frock Me at Chelsea Old Town Hall. £4, 11am-5.30pm

CROYDON AIRPORT TOUR: Explore Croydon Airport and learn about the world's oldest air traffic control tower. Before you go, find out 11 amazing facts of the airport here. Free (donations welcome), just turn up, 11am-4pm

FORAGING BERMONDSEY: Discover how to find nuts, herbs and berries in the capital without needing to visit a supermarket on a foraging tour of Bermondsey. £15, book in advance, 2pm-3.30pm

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: The first of this year's Christmas light switch-ons is Oxford Street. Craig David is pressing the button this year, with performances from The Vamps, Louisa Johnson and Nathan Sykes. From noon, the street will be transformed into a giant Monopoly board, with a chance to win £200 for passing 'Go'. Free, just turn up, from 6.15pm (although we'd recommend getting there early if you want to see anything).

LITERARY SALON: Comedian Sara Pascoe's Literary Salon returns to The Book Club in Shoreditch. She'll be reading new stories, and guests and audience members can get up and perform their work too. £5.50, book in advance, 6.30pm

FREE EVENING VISIT TO THE MUSICAL MUSEUM. The Musical Museum opens its doors for a  concert of Mozart & Dvorak piano quartets by Maiastra preceded by the opportunity to view and have demonstrated its collection of antique self-playing musical instruments. Free (collection for Aidan Woodcock Charitable Trust), just turn up, from 6.40pm

TOWER AT TWILIGHT: Halloween may have passed, but the gruesome sights and stories of the Tower of London definitely live on. A yeoman will lead you around the tower sharing tales of royal gossip, scandalous secrets and ghoulish sightings. £27.50, book in advance, 7pm

CHAMBER CHOIR: Head to St Paul's Church in Covent Garden for a relaxing evening of live choir music with the theme of Brahms in Love. 7pm