All week
PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION: See hard-hitting photos by Giulio Piscitelli in new exhibition Wounds: When War Comes Home. The shots come from his time visiting surgical centres in Kabul and Lashkar-Gah, Afghanistan in 2018, meeting war victims and hearing their stories. Old Truman Brewery (Brick Lane), free, just turn up, 5-10 November
WINTER FOREST: As of Wednesday, Broadgate transforms into a Winter Forest once again. Dozens of snowy trees pop up at the public space close to Liverpool Street station, decked in twinkling lights and making for the ideal festive photo backdrop. Look out for special events in the forest throughout the winter, including workshops, live music and quiz nights. Broadgate (Liverpool Street), free entry, just turn up, 6 November-20 December
NINA HAMNETT: Ogle some rarely-seen sketches by writer and artist Nina Hamnett at this free exhibition, and find out about the influence the Welsh artist had on the Fitzrovia area, and the cultural legacy she left behind. The building where the exhibition takes place isn't too shabby either. Fitzrovia Chapel, free entry, just turn up, 6-17 November
Monday 4 November
WEIGHING THE UNIVERSE: We thought about trying to work out how much London weighs once (it's just the way the Londonist brain works...) but gave up pretty quickly. So imagine trying to weigh the universe. Hear astrostatistics expert Professor Roberto Trotta talk about how exact measurements of light have allowed astronomers to weigh the universe, and thereby establish the geometry of space. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 1pm-2pm
COMEDY: Comedians Joz Norris and Pope Longeran team up for a pay-what-you-want show, offering very early previews of some of their Edinburgh 2020 material. Pope debuts Pope Lonergan: Incontinence Pad Disposal, while Joz follows up to his critically acclaimed show Joz Norris is Dead. Long Live Mr. Fruit Salad. 2Northdown (King's Cross), pay what you want, book ahead, 7pm-10pm
PUB(E) QUIZ: On the first Monday of the month, London's new Vagina Museum hosts a vagina-themed quiz. Test your knowledge, to be in with a chance of winning prizes unlike those from your average pub quiz. Vagina Museum (Camden), £3, book ahead, 7.30pm-9.30pm
Tuesday 5 November
AI WEAPONS: We'll be honest, we didn't know that fully autonomous weapons existed. Find out what they are, and the advantages and issues of their existence, from artificial intelligence expert Yorick Wilks. Barnard's Inn Hall (Holborn), free, just turn up, 1pm-2pm
PIONEERING WOMEN: Find out about the pioneering women involved in the passing of the Nursing Registration Act in 1919. Dr Alison O’Donnell delves into the Royal College of Nursing archive to share the stories of College secretary Mary Rundle, co-founder Sarah Swift and founding member Rachael Cox-Davies, who fought to improve the education, status, working conditions and pay of nurses. Royal College of Nursing (Marylebone), free, book ahead, 5.30pm-7.30pm
LET'S GET QUIZZICAL: No Olivia Newton John dance moves required for monthly pub quiz Let's Get Quizzical. Instead, grab your most knowledgable mates to tackle rounds including sport, music and general knowledge. There's a £50 bar tab to be won, so worth giving it your best shot. Deli Bar (Broadgate), £3, book ahead, 6.30pm
Wednesday 6 November
WOMEN IN DESIGN: The V&A's lunchtime lecture series continues with a look at unsung women designers. Inspired by the recent centenary of votes for some women, design historian Charlotte Fiell and culture writer Clementine Fiell discuss the gender imbalance within the design industry, and the women who have overcome it. V&A Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 1pm-1.45pm
MURAL TRADITIONS: Painter Julian Bell takes a deep dive into the history of the mural in Britain. The site-specific artworks haven't always been popular in this country — find out the mental, physical and social attitudes behind this reluctance. Royal Drawing School (Shoreditch), £5/£3.50, just turn up, 6.45pm
I, DANIEL BLAKE: As Ken Loach's new film, Sorry We Missed You, hits cinemas, catch up with its 2016 spiritual predecessor, I, Daniel Blake. It's the story of a 59 year old widow who finds himself at the mercy of the UK welfare system, and this screening is followed by a Q&A with local charity Croydon Nightwatch. Harris Academy South Norwood, pay as you feel, book ahead, 7.45pm
Thursday 7 November
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Today’s the day folks — Christmas officially begins with London’s first major Christmas lights ceremonies. Carnaby’s gone for an ocean theme with an environmental message this year, and launches the lights with a shopping event tonight. Savile Row also switches its first ever Christmas lights on tonight.
MUSEUM LATES: The Royal College of Physicians Museum keeps its doors open late on the first Thursday of the month, for anyone who wants to visit. Browse the collection, including a 17th century set of human remains, and an impressive range of apothecary jars and surgical instruments. Royal College of Physicians (Regent's Park), free, book ahead, 5.30pm-8pm
PERIODIC TABLE: Gresham College celebrates 150 years of the periodic table with a free talk by astronomy lecturer Dr Stephen Wilkins. Find out about the astrophysical origins of the chemical elements, including neutron stars, which are responsible for the rarest elements including gold, silver, and uranium. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm
Friday 8 November
GLOW: Illuminating the dark winter nights, Glow light festival has a theme of illusion this year. For two nights only, the east London gardens are aglow with lanterns, projections and installations for the family-friendly event. See the other light festivals in London this winter. Eastbury Manor House (Barking), £5, book ahead, 8-9 November
WINTER MARKET: There's nothing like the glowing lights of a Christmas market to warm the cockles, and that's exactly what you'll see at Southbank Centre from today. The Winter Market opens for business, with traders from all over the world selling their wares in German-style wooden huts. There's plenty of festive food and drink to be had too. Southbank Centre, free entry, just turn up, 8 November-5 January
NANCY ASTOR: Historian Dr Jacqui Turner talks about Nancy Astor, the first female MP, who was elected in 1919, shortly after some women were given the vote for the first time. Turner covers Astor's achievements, and the path she paved for other women to follow in her footsteps. National Archives (Kew), £5/£4, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
Saturday 9 November
PEACE, POETRY AND POPPIES: Ahead of Remembrance Sunday, the National Army Museum shines a light on the soldiers who fought during the first world war. The family-friendly day of events includes poetry workshops, guided tours, an augmented reality experience, and more, all marking 100 years since the Treaty of Versailles. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, just turn up, 10am-5pm
EAST ART FAIR: Combining work by up and coming new artists with that by some of the country's biggest established names, the East Art Fair is a chance to buy one-off and limited edition prints direct from the artists, and to talk to them about their work. Old Spitalfields Market, free, book ahead, 10am-6pm
ALMSHOUSE TOURS: The Geffrye Museum is currently closed for refurbishment, but you can visit its restored almshouses on special guided tours. Step inside two rooms, designed how they would have been in the 18th and 19th centuries, and find out how the residents lived, ate and slept. Geffrye Museum (Hoxton), £5, book ahead, 11am-3pm
Sunday 10 November
ANTIQUES FAIR: Know your junk from your gems? Hunt down a bargain or two at the Adams Antiques Fair, a monthly event which brings traders and dealers from all over the UK and beyond to sell their wares. Jewellery, ceramics, paintings and other decorative items are among the treasures to be hand. Royal Horticultural Halls (Westminster), £4, book ahead, 10am-4.30pm
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT: London's fireworks season comes to an end with Light Up The Night, a free event in Wembley Park. It doubles up as a Diwali celebration, with lantern parades, giant puppets and other family-friendly events in addition to the fireworks display. Wembley Park, free, just turn up, 5pm-7pm
REMEMBRANCE: It’s Remembrance Sunday, which special services going on at churches and war memorials over the country. Whatever you’re up to, be prepared for a silence at 11am — and remember that several roads are closed, particularly around the Cenotaph and Whitehall.
