Things to do today in London is sponsored by Westfield. Scroll down to discover why it's about more than the shopping.
Things to do
NEW DESIGN MUSEUM: The Design Museum reopens today in Kensington. Its first permanent display, Designer Maker User, features a plastic chair, a £5 note and a Coca-Cola can — demonstrating the impact everyday items have on our lives. Free, just turn up, 10am-6pm
THANKSGIVING IN ROTHERHITHE: Head over to Rotherhithe village for a special Thanksgiving. It marks the Mayflower ship taking the first pilgrims from Britain to the Americas. Activities include film screenings, a lantern procession and a history talk. Free, just turn up, some activities require pre-booking, from 4pm
FLOATING CHRISTMAS TREE: Feeling the festive mood? St Katherine Docks kicks off its festive season with 14,000 lights on its 45ft floating Christmas tree today. Free, just turn up, from 5pm
KEATS HOUSE: Get cosy and warm on this winter's night with the Keats House by Candlelight tour. See the museum decked out for the festive season. Lovely. £15, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm
SECONDHAND FIRST: Get trendy with TRAID's late-night charity shopping event at TRAID Dalston. With a wide range of designer, vintage and second-hand clothing and shoes for men women and children, you can be fashionable for a good cause. Free, just turn up, 6.30pm-9pm
INDIAN AND CHINA: Explore the differences between two nations in India and China: Modern Travels in Ancient Civilisations. Historian Michael Wood explains all at the Royal Geographical Society. There's an Indian-style bazaar too. £20, book ahead, 6.30pm-9.30pm
CELEBRATING ANGELA CARTER: Discover a new face of Angela Carter's outlandish stories at the British library for Angela Carter: A Celebration. Join Edmund Gordon as he talks about his changing perception of the author. Various prices, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
TRULY UNTOLD: Four characters at a school reunion have has their lives coloured by a single mistake. The Space continues its season of Bangla Drama. From £10, book ahead, from 7.30pm
AMERICAN MAN: Following up on his critically acclaimed one-man show, 2014's American Boy, Hetain Patel returns to the stage with the world premiere of American Man. The one-man show, set in the not-to-distant future, explores race, gender and language. £17, book ahead, from 8pm
THE SMALL GLORIES: Folk duo The Small Glories, Cara Luft and JD Edwards, are playing at Cecil Sharp House tonight. From £10, book ahead, from 7pm
Sponsor message
Add myth to the mix with Westfield's festive cocktail pop-up
It's official – the big day is getting near and time is running out to get all that gift-buying ticked off the list.
Why not make a day of it, and head to Westfield, where along with the huge selection of shops, there are Christmassy events lined up to get you even more excited. Kids will enjoy the Elf Yourself station at Westfield Stratford City, with festive crafts and activities, and can sing-along to carols at the daily Bandstand concerts choirs.
If you're ready for a break from shopping, visit Beyond the Waterfall at Westfield London: A Cocktail Odyssey, a grown-up's adventure featuring mixology and mythology, for a well-deserved cocktail and sit down.
With fantastic events and activities at both Westfield sites, now the question is, which one will you choose?
Good cause of the day
LAUGH TILL IT HURTS: Book ahead for Laugh Till It Hurts, in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support. With comedy from the likes of Kevin Day, Mae Martin, and Felicity Ward, you can not only have a great night, but give to a great cause. £15, book ahead, 30 November, from 7.30pm
BOB DYLAN PAINTS: Bob Dylan trades in his songwriting pen for a paintbrush. The works on the large part feel very amateurish. A few paintings of the open road stand out, but the rest are leaning on the celebrity name behind them. Bob Dylan: The Beaten Path at Halcyon Gallery, 144-146 New Bond Street, W1S 2PF, free. 5 November - 11 December ★★☆☆☆ [Monday-Sunday]
404
