All week
A HACKNEY AUTOBIOGRAPHY: Discover a fascinating slice of 20th century East End history at this new photography exhibition. Portraits from A Hackney Autobiography tells the story of Centerprise: a radical bookshop, café, legal advice centre and community space in Dalston that from 1971 to 2012 provided a place for residents to read, write and share their own narratives. Stour Space (Hackney), free, just turn up, 9am-5pm, until 21 November
RECONSTRUCTED ROMANTICISM: How's this for digital disruption? Take a cursory glance at a artwork by Jane Ward and you might mistake it for a simple Romanticism-inspired landscape painting. Upon closer inspection, though, realise that it's actually an incredibly intricate digital collage. James Freeman Gallery (Islington), free, just turn up, until 24 November
ATELIER E.B: Indulge in a bit of dressing up at this exhibition that is part retail experience, part World Fair pavilion, and part dreamscape. The brainchild of designer-artist duo Atelier E.B., Passer-by interrogates the figure of the mannequin and explores the future of retail display. Window shopping has never been so arty. Serpentine Gallery (Kensington Gardens), free, just turn up, until 6 January
BONFIRE NIGHT: If it's fireworks you're after, we've got you covered. There's plenty of free displays in our Bonfire Night round-up.
Monday 5 November
BOOGIE WONDERLAND: Dancing is a pretty odd human act when you really think about it — so why do we do it? And what can it teach us? Find out at this evening lecture. Old Building, LSE (Houghton Street), free, just turn up, 6.30pm-8pm
LET THEM EAT JAKE: Brighten up our Monday night with some naughty-but-nice stand up courtesy of Jake Howie. Fair warning, things might get a bit raunchy. The Bill Murray (Islington), £5 to reserve a seat/pay what you want OTD, 6.45pm-7.45pm
VACCINE PSYCHOLOGY: Thanks to anti-vaxxers, measles have made a serious comeback. But what is causing people to refuse immunisation? Health psychologist Richard Clarke explores the role of risk perception, uncertainty, social influence and trust. The Monarch Bar (Camden), free, just turn up, 7.30pm
Tuesday 6 November
CHRISTMAS IS CALLING: It may only be November, but the festive season has well and truly arrived on Oxford Street. To mark the iconic lights switch on, the shopping mecca is hosting a night of in-store gigs, giveaways, and discounts. Oxford Street, free, just turn up, from 6pm
NAUGHTY NIPPLE TASSEL MAKING: Searching for that perfect Christmas gift for your significant other? How about a pair a sparkly nipple tassels, made by your own fair hands? All it'll cost you is your time. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), free when you buy a drink, just turn up, from 6pm
WEIRD WIDE WEB: The London Fortean Society explore the alleged occult roots of personal computing in a talk that touches on the psychedelic utopianism of the 1960s, and how modern VR and AI technologies invite the odd, mythic, and supernatural. The Miller (Borough), £5, book ahead, 7.15pm
Wednesday 7 November
CANINE CUDDLES: Feeling stressed? A cuddle with some gorgeous therapy dogs will sort you right out. Give a hound a hug at Everyone Active gym before being treated to a free head and shoulder massage. Everyone Active (Various locations), free, book ahead for some events, from 7am
LITERARY SALON: Find your new favourite far-flung author and see the other side of the world in a whole new light at this Oceania-themed literary salon. Five leading voices from the Pacific read from their work. Penthouse, New Zealand House (St. James's), free, book ahead, 6.30pm-9.30pm
RCN FELLOWS LECTURE: The Royal College of Nursing pay tribute to the centenary of women's suffrage at their annual Fellows lecture. Find out female healthcare impacts women's rights around the globe with Women of the World founder Jude Kelly. Royal College of Nursing (Marylebone), free, just turn up, 5pm-7pm
NO ENEMIES: Love, poetry, political rebellion — it's all in this one-night-only performance inspired by the work of the late Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo and his widow Liu Xia. National Poetry Library (Southbank Centre), free, book ahead, 8pm
Thursday 8 November
SHROUDS OF THE SOMME: Pay tribute to the 72,396 servicemen killed in Britain's deadliest battle on the centenary of the the First World War's end at this sobering art installation. Artist Rob Heard created all 72,396 shrouds himself — one dedicated to every serviceman killed in the battle of the Somme. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (Stratford), free entry/donations welcome, just turn up, 10am-7pm, until 18 November
NEGOTIATING NORTH KOREA: From state-mandated haircuts to alleged unicorn sightings, it's safe to say we've all heard some pretty madcap stories about the North Korean regime. But what is North Korea's endgame? Glyn Ford offers and provocative insider account that challenges certain media narratives. Bookmarks (Bloomsbury), free, book ahead, 6.30pm
FAKE NEWS: We all like to think of ourselves as pretty savvy but how gullible are you — yes, you — really? Find out at City University's evening lecture dedicated to the latest research behind misinformation and its impact on humans. City University (Clerkenwell), free, book ahead, 6.30pm
QUEER ATTRACTION LAB: Part scientific experiment, part matchmaking night, part drag show — welcome to the Queer Attraction Lab. Intrigued? Join ShayShay and Dr Lust for a night exploring the rules of attraction. The Glory (Dalston), £5, book ahead, 8pm-9.30pm
Friday 9 November
WINTER AT SOUTHBANK: With Halloween and Bonfire Night practically a distant memory, that can only mean one thing... Christmas is coming! Get into the festive spirit at the Southbank Centre's Winter Market, which launches today. Get there after dark and be the first to see the cultural hub's iconic buildings lit up in a spectacular kaleidoscope of colour. South Bank, free entry, just turn up, 11am
STATES OF FEAR: See Michael Peel's iconic screen-print posters at this brand new exhibition. Not only is it a chance to discover a pioneer of UK visual culture, it also offers a fascinating glimpse of 20th century social history — with works exploring 60s hedonism, the political upheaval of the 70s and 80s, and the dawn of the information age. Standpoint Gallery (Hoxton), free, just turn up, 12pm-5pm, until 8 December
CONCERT FOR THE UNREMEMBERED: Pay tribute to the often forgotten heroes of the First World War — the Labour Corps — at this free concert. The City of London Brass Band treat you to some tunes at a stunning church designed by Christopher Wren. St Mary-at-Hill Church (Eastcheap), free, just turn up, 7.30pm-9.30pm
DISCO SAGA: Dig out those flares, because Camden Assembly take you down to Funkytown with a disco dance party inspired by the sounds of Studio 54. Camden Assembly (Chalk Farm), £5, book ahead, 9.30pm-3am
Saturday 10 November
ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL: It's the Lord Mayor's Show today, which means it's your one chance this year to explore Christopher Wren's baroque masterpiece for free. Adult tickets normally cost £18 a pop, so this really is a steal. St Paul's Cathedral (St Paul's), free, just turn up, 8.30am-4.15pm
OLD FORD LOCK OPEN DAY: Here's one for the canal geeks. Bring the whole family to admire the wonderful craftsmanship of Old Ford Lock as the Canal & River Trust demonstrate how they repair the gates. Old Ford Lock (Victoria), free, just turn up, 10am-4pm
DIGITAL WEEKENDER: Go on an audio-visual adventure in west London at Watermans Art Centre's annual weekender. They've got the best new digital art and performance under one roof. Watermans Arts Centre (Brentford), free, just turn up, 11am-6pm, until 11 November
THE MUDDY CHOIR: This play follows three young soldiers serving in the first world war, but it's more than a war drama — it's also about growing up and the humanising power of music. National Army Museum (Chelsea), £5, book ahead, 2.30pm-3.30pm
Sunday 11 November
ART AND ANATOMY: Art and medicine converge at The Heart of The Matter, an exhibition created by artist Sofie Layton and bioengineer Giovanni Biglino. See it today before it's gone. The Copeland Gallery (Peckham), free, just turn up, 11am-5pm
FILM AFRICA FAMILY DAY: Storytelling, arts and crafts, and diverse kids' books — that's what's on the agenda and Film Africa's much loved Family Day. Got little ones? Don't miss the free screening of Thomas the Tank Engine's African adventure. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), free, book ahead for some events, 11am
ROH REMEMBERS: With pop up ballet and opera performances, upcycling poppy-making workshops, and a family tea dance, the Royal Opera House presents a day of poignant artistic responses to the first world war. Royal Opera House (Covent Garden), £5, book ahead, 2.30pm-5pm
