Things To Do In London This Weekend: 12-13 November 2016

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All weekend

Get your Christmas shopping done early at Liberty. Photo: Name102.

LONDON DRUM SHOW: Have a *banging* time at The London Drum Show... See Stereophonics' Jamie Morrison and Rudimental's Beanie behind the kit, take masterclasses from the industry's best and peruse the latest drum equipment. £20-£35, book in advance, 12-13 November

DULWICH LITERARY FESTIVAL: 1875 exposé of British society The Way We Live Now is the theme behind this year's Dulwich Literary Festival, where speakers including Harriet Harman, Nick Clegg and Joanna Trollope. £40-£75, book in advance, 11-13 November

STORIES OF WAR: From the Suez Canal to the 50 degree heat of the Sinai desert, see the first world war through the eyes of South Asian men and women at the Royal Geographical Society. Free, just turn up, 5-13 November

Saturday 12 November

Lord Mayor's Show. Photo: Anton C

LORD MAYOR'S SHOW: Watch the new Lord Mayor float down the Thames, see the famous procession through the streets of London, and finish the day with fireworks — check out our guide here. Free, just turn up, 9am-5.15pm

WOMEN'S CONFERENCE: Be inspired by speakers like MP Stella Creasy, Women’s Hour presenter Dame Jenni Murray and journalist June Eric-Udorie at The Fawcett Society's Spirit of Women Changemakers Conference. There'll be panel discussions, interactive workshops and art too. £25, book in advance, 10am-5pm

DULWICH CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: Head to St Barnabas Church Hall in Dulwich Village for all your Christmas shopping needs. Pick from knitted cushions, homemade jams, woodwork crafts and much more. Free, just turn up, 10am-5pm

FAMILY MUSIC: Find out if your little one is the next Mozart with an under 4's music class at JW3. £8/child (must be accompanied by an adult), book in advance, 10.30am

FURNITURE UPCYCLING: From sanding to waxing, painting to repairs — literally update your wardrobe in Shepherd's Bush Green. £35, book in advance, 1pm

SLOW-MOTION WALK: How often do you actually stop and look at the London streets you walk through? Rosie's tour around central London's famous (and hidden) gems encourage you to pause and look at the city's architectural triumphs. £18, book in advance, 2pm

SCRAPBOOKING FOR ADULTS: Paperchase Tottenham Court Road is hosting a scrapbook masterclass so you can record your memories in the style they deserve. £20, book in advance, 4pm

WEST PAPUAN INDEPENDENCE: See the story of Nobel Peace Prize-nominated West Papuan independence leader Benny Wenda and ask the man himself questions after the screening at St Margaret's House. Free, book in advance, 6.30pm (screening starts at 7.30pm)

80s Vs 90s: Make your way to central London's ultimate retro venue, Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes, for a battle of the decades. This Saturday sees the ultimate retro night of 80s and 90s tunes for those of you who really can't decide which decade is best. From £4.95, 9pm


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Sunday 13 November

Clissold Park. Photo: Velurajah Selliah

WAR AND WANDSWORTH: Firefighting, rationing and imprisoning — find out from Wandsworth local Jack the role the area played in the second world war. £12, book in advance, 10am

BREAKFAST CLUB: Feast on a brunch created by Masterchef champion Ping Coombes at Chi Kitchen on Oxford Street. £20/£25, book in advance, 10.30am

GLUTEN-FREE PASTA: Mamma mia! Discover how to make gluten-free pasta from scratch in a workshop in Shepherd's Bush. £35, book in advance, 10.30am

CHRISTMAS AT LIBERTY: Liberty is open outside of normal business hours so you can pick up Christmas presents without the hassle of all the weekend shoppers. There are complimentary breakfast nibbles (to sustain your energy while you shop) and 20% off too. £10 (redeemable against purchases), book in advance, 10am-noon

LITERARY COVENT GARDEN: Hear the words of Jane Austen and Samuel Pepys as you stroll around the coffee houses, theatres and pubs of Soho, learning about the area's literary past. £12, book in advance, 11am

SOHO'S MUSIC CLUBS: From the rock'n'roll of the 50s to the punk of the 70s, discover the legendary music venues of Soho with a walking tour. £12, book in advance, 11.30am

INDIAN FOOD TOUR: Tantalise your taste buds with fresh mango lassis, spicy curries and syrupy sweets, to experience the flavours of India without leaving north west London. £25 (+booking fee), book in advance, noon

WINTER FOOD CLUB: Have a glass of mulled wine and get into the Christmassy spirit with a hearty three-course meal at Goldfinger Factory. £25, book in advance, 1pm/3pm

ARCHIVE TALK: In the impressive drawing room of Clissold House, Stoke Newington, discover the locals' fierce campaign in the 1880s to save this architectural treasure. £5, book in advance, 2pm

STORYTELLING: Take your kids to hear tales of wonder and wisdom, and kings and queens in Willesden Green. £10, book in advance/just turn up, 2.45pm

WOMEN ON SCREEN: From women's rights activists to the meaning of friendship, see a selection of short films from London's best female filmmakers. The screenings at Hackney Picturehouse are followed by a panel discussion. £7 (+booking fee), book in advance, 6pm

BULGARIAN MUSIC: Journey along the Danube without leaving Conway Hall — pieces include Dohnányi’s String Trio and Vladigerov's Vadar. £10 (or free if you're under 25), book in advance 6.30pm