Things to do this weekend is sponsored by the Foundling Museum.
All weekend
MICHAEL PALIN: It's your last chance to see into the archives of writer and actor Michael Palin. The British Library's free display about Palin includes his own scripts, diaries and photos relating to his work, from Monty Python's Life Of Brian to lesser-known comedies and plays. British Library (Euston), free, just turn up, until 25 November
JAZZ FEST: The EFG London Jazz Festival — apparently London's largest music festival — winds up this weekend, with a wealth of events across multiple venues, from jazz shows for toddlers to performances by the London Jazz Orchestra, as well as the BBC Young Jazz Musician 2018 Final. See the full Saturday and Sunday programmes. Various locations and prices, booking required, 16-25 November
EAT & DRINK FESTIVAL: See Rosemary Shrager stuff a four-bird roast, Theo Randall whip up a chestnut risotto, and learn how to make a vegan Christmas feast at this festive outing of Eat & Drink Festival. The food festival covers all things Christmas, from artisan ingredients to fancy kitchen equipment, alongside those celebrity chef demos. Olympia London, £19-£21, book ahead, 21-25 November
WINTER WONDERLAND: It's the first weekend of this year's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. The usual funfair rides, food stalls, bars, Christmas market and ice rink are all back, along with special screenings of The Snowman, circus shows, and a magical ice kingdom. We'd advise avoiding weekends altogether if possible, as it gets very busy, but if it must be a weekend, earlier in the season is better. Hyde Park, free entry (charge and booking required for some attractions), 23 November 2018-6 January 2019
ENCHANTED WOODLAND: There are still some tickets remaining for the final weekend of this year's Enchanted Woodland. The family-friendly mile-long route winds around the ornamental lake where the trees are illuminated in all colours, before finishing in the historic arboretum. Syon Park, £5-£12, book ahead, final weekend 23-25 November
CHELSEA CHRISTMAS MARKET: A botanic garden isn't the obvious November destination, but Chelsea Physic Garden keeps the visitor numbers up with its Christmas Fair. More than 100 stands sell gifts and produce, many with a botanical theme, and there's a present-wrapping masterclass too. Chelsea Physic Garden, £6, book ahead, 24-25 November
Find out about the other Christmas markets and fairs around the capital.
MEET 'FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE': Young Londoners and their families can learn more about the ‘Lady with the Lamp’. An actor plays the role of the famous nurse, telling stories about why she went to Crimea and what she experienced there. Florence Nightingale Museum (Waterloo), included in admission, just turn up, 24-25 November
ICE SKATING: Winter Wonderland isn't the only place to get your skates on this weekend; seasonal ice rinks are now open at locations around the capital, including Somerset House, Natural History Museum and Canary Wharf. Here's our complete guide to London's winter ice rinks.
LIGHTS FESTIVALS: Kew Gardens, Chiswick House and London Zoo are all illuminated for their light festivals this weekend. Light tunnels, animal lanterns and a giant supermoon all feature, so have your camera ready.
Saturday 24 November
TUBE POSTER TOUR: One to get your tube geek juices flowing — London Transport Museum's Acton depot hosts tours of its art and poster stores, aimed at those with an interest in design and transport. See posters that have appeared on tubes, in stations and at other places around the transport network in years gone by. Acton Depot, £12/£10, book ahead, 11am-1pm/2pm-4pm
TRACING THE TUDORS: Wolf Hall fan? Join this guided walk to visit some of the locations linked to the real-life Tudor turbulence and turmoil that took place — much of Tudor London was wiped out in the Great Fire, but tour guide Mark Rowland knows a spot or two. Blackfriars station, £9-£12, book ahead, 11am-1pm
CHRISTMAS FAIR: Antique handbags, vintage jewellery and clothes are just some of the items sold at Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice's fundraising Christmas fair. The Hospice (Abbey Wood), free entry, just turn up, 1pm-4pm
CAMDEN ROCKS: Missing your summer festival fix? Camden Rocks brings the music into a more weather-appropriate venue for a rock'n'roll all-dayer. Enjoy live music from Black Sixteen, Chasing Ghosts, Fire Red Empress, The Silver Bayonets, Imaginary Dreamers and more. The Monarch (Camden), £8, book ahead, 1.30pm
MUSIC OF LONDON: This afternoon concert consists of music directly associated with London — think Elgar's The King's Way and Walton's A Song For The Lord Mayor's Table, performed by the London Mozart Players. King's Place (King's Cross), £38.50, book ahead, 2pm
RIBA TOUR: You'd expect a building full of architects to be impressive, no? Find out, on this tour of RIBA headquarters, focusing on the decor of the Grade II* listed Art Deco building. RIBA (Oxford Circus), £10, book ahead, 2.30pm
PRISCILLA SINGALONG: Cast members from the original West End production of Priscilla the Musical bring their talents to this restaurant for a cabaret-style singalong performance. Archer Street (Soho), free entry, just pay the cost of your meal, book ahead, 4pm-7pm
SOUTHBANK CENTRE TOUR: What's the similarity between Royal Festival Hall and an egg box? Find out on this behind the scenes tour of Southbank Centre, a building which dates back to 1951. See the areas usually reserved for staff and performers, and find out about the day to day running of the venue, as well as stocking up on trivia. Southbank Centre, £10/£9, book ahead, 6pm
SEAFOOD SUPPER: Book yourself a plaice for this seafood supper and help a good cause at the same time. Tuck into a sustainable three-course meal, served at communal tables so you can get to know your neighbours, and money raised goes to local charity Quaggy Development Trust, which supports families and children. Quaggy’s Cafe (Greenwich), £25, book ahead, 6.30pm-10pm
KINGSTON CAMARADE: Students, staff and alumni from Kingston University take to the stage to perform new poetry and prose works, written in pairs for the event. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), free, just turn up, 7pm
PARTY LIKE IT'S 1999: With the Spice Girls back on tour, extend that 1990s feeling at this 1999 themed party night. Dig out your dodgy denim outfit and dance the night away to Christina Aguilera, Nirvana and Britpop. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), free entry, just turn up, 10pm-2am
Sponsor message
The hidden heroines of the UK's first children's charity
For nearly 300 years, London's Foundling Hospital looked after the city's most vulnerable children. From its pioneering 18th century beginnings to the fostering of its last pupil in 1954, women have been an integral — if overlooked — part of the charity's fabric.
Now, on the centenary of women's suffrage, you're invited to discover their remarkable stories (and faces) at a landmark exhibition. Ladies of Quality & Distinction features portraits of the 21 duchesses whose helped bring the charity to life, as well as the women who kept this forward-thinking institution running, day in and day out.
Ladies of Quality & Distinction is free with admission to the Foundling Museum (£10). Until 20 January 2019.
Sunday 25 November
MUSEUM SHOP SUNDAY: British Museum, Cutty Sark, Hampton Court Palace and the Postal Museum are just a tiny selection of the London museums, galleries and cultural institutions participating in Museum Shop Sunday. The national initiative sees special offers, events, tastings, book signings, craft activities and more taking place in museum gift shops, encouraging the public to venture into them and perhaps make a start on the Christmas shopping.
CALLIGRAPHY: Ditch your usual scrawl for beautiful flowing calligraphy at this beginners' workshop. All equipment and materials are provided, to take you from your first stroke to writing beautiful quotes worthy of wall space (or Instagram likes). Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), £55, book ahead, 10.30am-1pm
OLIVER TWIST: This walking tour by the Charles Dickens Museum visits the locations which inspired him to write Oliver Twist, including streets which use to house the worst slums in London, and former sites of courts, prisons and executions. Charles Dickens Museum (Bloomsbury), £10, book ahead, 11am-12.30pm
HAMPSTEAD AT WAR: See the spots where soldiers and cadets trained and where injured soldiers were cared for around Hampstead during the first world war. The walking tour also visits the war memorial and graves of fallen soldiers. Hampstead station, £9-£12, book ahead, 11am-1pm
KINDER TALK: Bernd Koschland was one of the children who arrived in London on the Kindertransport, a Jewish refugee fleeing the Nazi regime at just eight years old. Hear him talk about his experiences and how they impacted on his faith. Jewish Museum (Camden), free, book ahead, 11am
WINTER FAIR: Help a good cause and get your Christmas shopping done at this Winter Fair, selling books, decorations, gifts, plants and more. Have a dabble on the raffle too — you could win yourself a fancy meal out, or X-Factor tickets. Marie Curie Hospice Hampstead, £2 entry adults (kids free), just turn up, 11am-4pm
CHRISTMAS BOOK FESTIVAL: Soak up all the book-y goodness you can at Waterstones Finchley Road's Christmas Book Festival. 13 authors and illustrators are in store to sign copies of their books — and let's face it, a book with a personalised dedicated makes for a great Christmas present. Waterstones Finchley Road, free entry, just turn up, 11am-5pm
TROPICAL CONSERVATORY: A tropical conservatory in the City of London, you say? Yep, meet Barbican's conservatory. Only open on Sundays, the glass structure is home to 2,000 species of plants and trees, plus fish and terrapins. You can even book afternoon tea in there. Barbican, free, just turn up, 12pm-5pm
A CRITICAL EYE: Our Visual Arts Editor Tabish Khan talks about what makes good art — does such a thing even exist? — whether there's a right way to appreciate art, and whether anyone can appreciate it. He's a man with strong opinions and an even stronger knowledge of the art world, so well worth hearing from. Fitzrovia Chapel, free, book ahead, 1pm-1.30pm
NEW ZEALAND STRING QUARTET: The New Zealand String Quartet — which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary — has chosen Conway Hall as the first location on its UK tour. The concert consists of three of Beethoven's works. £10-£12, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm
