Looking for something fun to do today? Something eye-opening to watch tonight? Something delicious to eat tomorrow? Our guide to things to do this week in London is personally curated, ensuring there's always a diverse range of events for you to choose from. Get stuck in!
All week
ALDGATE LANTERN TRAIL: Ahead of the main Aldgate in Winter Festival (4-5 December), a free lantern trail opens in the area on Monday, giving you a cheeky preview of some of the large-scale lanterns which'll be used in the annual lantern parade. FREE, 24 November-15 December
SNOOPY TRAIL: Speaking of free trails, a reminder that the Snoopy sculptures are now in situ in the area around Fleet Street, forming a free, canine-centric art trail throughout the festive season. FREE, until 16 January
PUNCH: Following a sell-out run at the Old Vic, Punch is at the Apollo Theatre, telling the true story of a young man who threw a life-changing punch on a night out, leading to a prison sentence and the subsequent quest to find direction. Until 29 November
EXISTENTIAL: The Spitalfields Crypt Trust holds its annual exhibition of artworks by artists with lived experience of homelessness and addiction. They were created by students taking part in SCT’s art sessions, which use creativity to aid them in their addiction recovery journey. This year's exhibition also marks 60 years of the charity, and is held at Cob Gallery, Liverpool Street. FREE, until 4 December (closed weekends)
ICE SKATING: By the end of this week, all except one of London's pop-up winter ice rinks will be open for the season. They'll only get busier as we get closer to Christmas, so if you're keen to skate at palaces, power stations or on rooftops, book your slot soon.
LIGHT FESTIVALS: Southwark Cathedral's glow-up (below) isn't the only illuminating event in London this winter. There are several light trails and festivals, including the excellent Christmas at Kew, and a trail around a farm. Have a look at your options and get booking.
GOOD CAUSE OF THE WEEK: Hackney's wonderful MOTH Club — which operates one of the best comedy nights in town, alongside a slew of gigs and dance nights — continues to fight its corner against developers. Spare a minute to sign this petition against the construction of housing in such a manner that would threaten the livelihood of the club.
DRINK OF THE WEEK: South African-inspired cocktails are on the docket at newly-opened Smokey Kudu in Marylebone. To name but two: the Saffra-Rita (chilli, El Rayo tequila, Supasawa, Cointreau, lime juice) and the Yebo Mandela (vodka, Amarula, Frangelico, Borghetti espresso liqueur and espresso). Bat bites include biltong, and smoked prawn cruller.
EAT OF THE WEEK: Detroit pizza — a thicker, spongier, squarer cut of 'za — seems to be all the rage right now, as evidenced by Ria's, a new Soho joint specialising in said Detroit pizza (as well as natural wines). Toppings include garlic wild mushroom, and a special vegan recipe featuring fried basil and vegan cheeses.
Today's events: Monday 24 November
THE ANGELS ARE COMING: Light show wizards Luxmuralis take over Southwark Cathedral with The Angels Are Coming!. Described as a "magical, modern celebration of Christmas" in the run up to Advent, it fills the cathedral with projections, light displays and music. 24-26 November
TO SIR, WITH LOVE: Guyanese novelist E.R. Braithwaite's memoir To Sir, With Love has been reimagined for the stage, giving an insight into the politics of race and class in postwar London through new music. Braithwaite, a Black engineer from British Guiana, struggled to find work after the Second World War and ended up teaching in a secondary school in the East End of London. Lulu, who starred in the 1967 film, revives her role on stage at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. 2.30pm/7.45pm
MIRIAM MARGOLYES: Actor Miriam Margolyes is at Waterstones Piccadilly this evening, signing copies of her new book, The Little Book of Miriam. It's a collection of her stories and anecdotes in an A-Z format. Even with a ticket, be prepared to queue on arrival. 6pm
MUSICAL MOVIE MAGIC: The Royal Albert Hall hosts Showtime – a night of musical movie magic, a fundraising concert in aid of Barnardo's. The charity's President, TV presenter Natasha Kaplinsky hosts as 23 choirs of young people from around the country come together to sing well-known songs from stage and screen musicals. 6.30pm
AI DEBATE: Will AI make us better off? That's the topic of a debate at the British Library, with a panel of experts discussing whether AI has the ability to transform our economy, and our personal economic prospects, weighing up factors such as increases in productivity, and potential job losses as AI becomes more prevalent. 7pm
Today's events: Tuesday 25 November
TIME-TRAVELLING TART: Max Norman presents a work-in-progress staging of Coco The Time‑Travelling Tart at Golden Goose Theatre in Camberwell. Described as a "glitter-soaked comedy romp through the ages", it touches on eras from Ancient Greece to the Tudors, via glamorous gods and raunchy royals. 25-27 November
NUTCRACKER NOIR: Tchaikovsky's festive classic is reimagined in The Nutcracker Noir, a theatrical banquet dining experience in which the character's from Clara's toy box come to life around you as you dine on a five-course menu. It opens at Protein Studios in Shoreditch today. 25 November-21 December
GROWLED: One of our picks for best pantos in London this year - though strictly for adults only - Growled opens at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern today, offering an X-rated take on Beauty and the Beast. Disney this most certainly isn't... 25 November-3 January
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY: London Museum Docklands opens new, free display By Appointment Only: Romani Art, Culture & Heritage. View the work of British Romani artists who share their identity and experiences through visual activism, including Corrina Eastwood (co-curator of the display), Delaine Le Bas and Dan Turner. The exhibition takes its name from the 'Travellers by Appointment Only' signs which used to be seen in pubs and restaurants. FREE, 25 November-31 January
AI FUTURE: Everyone's asking if AI is becoming more human, but Prof Matt Jones asks if humans are becoming more machine-like. That's the crux of his Gresham College talk on the future of AI. FREE, 6pm
WHY SOIL MATTERS: As part of its Living With The Planet series, the British Academy digs down into why soil matters. A panel of experts including fungal biologist Merlin Sheldrake reveal the role that soil plays in our ecosystem, and the threat it faces from pollution and overuse. FREE, 6.30pm-7.45pm
Sponsor message
London's festive one-stop shop opens this week
Time's running out to get your tickets for Ideal Home Show Christmas, a huge festive extravaganza coming to the capital for just five days.
Opening this Wednesday, Ideal Home Show Christmas transforms Olympia London into a winter wonderland, with hundreds of exhibitors from artisan makers to big-name brands offering all you could need in the way of beautiful decorations and unique gifts this festive season. Imagine having your Christmas shopping all wrapped up before December's even here!
Beyond shopping opportunities, it's a fantastic festive day out with celebrity guests and experts sharing tips to make your festivities go smoothly at The Christmas Theatre and The Christmas Kitchen. Learn a new skill such as wreath-making at the Tipsy Workshops, where you can enjoy a drink as you craft. Your ticket also gets you access to The Eat & Drink Festival and The Cake & Bake Show, happening at the same venue on the same dates. Sweet!
Ideal Home Show Christmas is at Olympia London, 26-30 November 2025. Tickets are selling fast - get yours before they're gone.
Today's events: Wednesday 26 November
SCOTTISH LIT: This festival of Scottish literature and culture is just the place to find the perfect Christmas present. St Andrew's Book Festival assembles the very best in emerging and established talent, including high-profile names like Nicola Sturgeon, Irvine Welsh, Val McDermid and Dougie Donnelly. With talks, readings, book signings, family events including Cressida Cowell, and food by Auld Hag, it's the biggest celebration of Scottish culture in London. Various London venues, 26-30 November (sponsor)
EBONY SCROOGE: One of several takes on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol in London this Christmas, Ebony Scrooge opens at Sadler's Wells East today. With a hip-hop soundtrack, it's the story of the formidable head of a fashion empire who has cancelled Christmas for her landmark fashion show. 26 November-4 January
CHRISTMAS WEDNESDAYS: The first of Columbia Road's Christmas Wednesdays takes place tonight, when the independent businesses on the charming east London street stay open late for Christmas shoppers. Note there's no road closure or carol singers this year. 5pm-9pm
TRY TYPOGRAPHY: Artist Theo Hersey runs a free typography and collaborative print-making workshop at Southbank Centre. Draw and carve your own letterpress blocks, before using your blocks and those of others to create beautiful, text-based prints, learning the basics of typography, letters, presses, inks and tools as you go. FREE, 6pm
BOROUGHS OF LONDON: Londonist Editor-at-Large Matt Brown will be at Enfield Church Street Waterstones tonight to sign copies of new book The Boroughs of London, along with coauthor/cartographer Mike Hall. It makes a great Christmas present for anyone who loves London. And Matt's well up for the pub afterwards if anyone wants to share a pint. 6pm-8pm
NEPALESE SUPPER CLUB: Kokum Indian restaurant in East Dulwich hosts a Nepalese supper club, with Nepalese chef Sundar taking the reins for the night. Dishes include Chicken Chopsuey, a Nepalese-Chinese favourite of noodles with chicken and bok choi, in a Himalayan spiced chicken broth, and Lamb Choila (lamb marinated in a blend of Nepalese spices, flame roasted in the tandoor). 7pm
COMEDY AND CURRY: Head to Sai Restaurant in Raynes Park for a two-course Indian buffet, to be enjoyed while you watch live comedy from three performers. Shazia Mirza, Stefano Paolini and Callum Mackenzie take to the stage, each performing a short set. 7pm
Today's events: Thursday 27 November
THANKSGIVING: Thanksgiving falls on the last Thursday in November, which happens to be today, with plenty of London restaurants serving up traditional feasts for American expats, and anyone else who fancies getting in on the action. Read our pick of where to celebrate Thanksgiving in London this year. 27 November
TURNER AND CONSTABLE: Celebrate the lives and work of two of Britain's greatest landscape painters, 250 years since their births, at Tate Britain. J.M.W. Turner and John Constable, who were rivals, expressed the changing world of their era through their art. The exhibition, which opens today, features key works, personal items, and sketchbooks that reveal their artistic journeys. 27 November-12 April
WINE CAR BOOT: Stock your wine rack up for the festive season at the Wine Car Boot at Canopy Market in King's Cross. Think of it as a farmers' market for wine, with each boot or stall given over to a single producer, sampling and selling their wines by the glass or the bottle. 12pm-9pm
CHINA: Join Prof Steve Tsang at Gresham College for a talk on the future of China under Xi Jinping. FREE, 1pm
LOST MAPS: Prof James Cheshire of UCL recently discovered a lost trove of maps at the institution, including “everything from Nazi invasion maps to a copy of a grand atlas censored by Stalin, and pioneering maps of the ocean floor”. He’s written a book about it and will be discussing his findings at the British Library tonight. 7pm
MUSEUM LATE: Stay late at the monthly late night opening of Lambeth's Florence Nightingale Museum. It's a chance to view the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions after hours, with a bar open from 5pm, and some of the pieces from the collection available to handle. Until 8pm
STEPHEN SONDHEIM: Jazz vocalist Ian Shaw pays tribute to Stephen Sondheim in a special show at Kings Place in King's Cross. Shaw reimagines Sondheim’s iconic songs through a jazz lens, accompanied by Netherlands-based pianist Barry Green. 8pm
COMEDY SHOWCASE: Weekly Shoreditch laughs night 2nd Row Comedy brings a showcase night of its best acts of 2025 to the Museum of Comedy in Bloomsbury. Luke Ditchfield, founder of 2nd Row Comedy, Claire Cox, Rich Bunn, Ily Hamdia, Kim Hope, and Gabi Celaya all perform, hosted by Lucy Jenner (LGBTQ Comedian of the Year 2025 Semi-Finalist). 8.30pm
Today's events: Friday 28 November
MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL: Forget Advent, the real countdown to Christmas begins today, as the Prince Charles Cinema begins its run of showing The Muppet Christmas Carol at least once a day up until Christmas Eve. Altogether there are 48 chances to watch the festive film this year. Why not make it into a complete festive day out - the new Leicester Square ice rink is just a few steps away from the cinema. 28 November-24 December. Find other festive film screenings in London this year.
GIG NIGHT AT THE VICTORIA: You can always rely on The Victoria for a great line-up, and tonight's no exception. Head to the gig in the Dalston pub's live room, via the hidden entrance behind a bookcase, for Breakup Haircut ('fast, fun and a little chaotic'), Thwack!, and Jemma Freeman and the Cosmic Something. 7.30pm
TOWER CHRISTMAS: The Tower of London unveils its Christmas celebrations today. The theme this year is A Storybook Adventure, with sparkling decorations and installations popping up around the fortress, to be viewed as part of a regular entry ticket. 28 November-4 January
THE GRUFFALO'S CHILD: Looking for a theatrical treat for younger members of the family? The Gruffalo's Child at Lyric Theatre is one of our top recommendations for festive family theatre shows. It opens today, following the Gruffalo’s Child as she ignores her father's warnings and ventures into the forest on a wild and windy night. She's been warned about the Big Bad Mouse, but he doesn't really exist... does he? Age three+. 28 November-11 January
PETER PAN: 'Tis the season for panto in London, and so another one begins today, in the form of Peter Pan at Greenwich Theatre. Horrible Histories writer Anthony Spargo took the helm for this family-friendly take on the tale of the boy who never grew up. 28 November-11 January
FRIENDSGIVING WINE TASTING: Step on board the Golden Hinde and sample your way through five carefully selected wines from around the world, guided by the experts from Lant Street Wine. The tasting is accompanied by grazing food and lively tales from the ship’s history. 5.30pm/7.30pm
CHRISTMAS LECTURER: The Royal Institution's Christmas Lectures are its most highly-coveted events of the year, and extremely hard to get tickets for. BUT, this year's Christmas lecturer Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock makes an additional appearance in the Ri Theatre today to deliver the November Discourse, about her work in space science research. Again, tickets to attend in person have sold out, but you can tune in via livestream. 7.20pm
Today's events: Saturday 29 November
THE POLAR EXPRESS: All aboard the Polar Express! For an enchanting-sounding family day out, head to Euston (don't worry, that's not the enchanting bit) and board the Polar Express for an immersive theatrical event based on the much-loved Christmas film. Characters including the chefs, Conductor, and possibly even the ghost come to life, singing songs from the film. 29 November-23 December
PINOCCHIO: For this year's family-friendly festive production, Shakespeare's Globe presents Pinocchio, the story of a wooden puppet boy brought to life. In musical form, watch as Pinocchio and carpenter Geppetto embark on a series of adventures. Age five+. 29 November-4 January
BETHLEM ART FAIR: Today sees the launch of the 17th annual Bethlem Art Fair — located in the wonderful Museum of the Mind in Beckenham. Browse and buy affordable paintings, prints, drawings, ceramics, photographs, textiles and more — created by over 100 artists connected to South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. 29 November-10 January
BIG CATHEDRAL KNIT: Know your way around a pair of knitting needles? Join in with the Big Cathedral Knit at Southwark Cathedral, and help to assemble knitted and crocheted blankets for people experiencing homelessness around London. Beginners and experienced makers all welcome. 10am-3pm
CHRISTMAS SANDWICH FESTIVAL: Spread the news! A festival focusing entirely on Christmas sandwiches comes to Somerset House, offering festive takes on the humble sarnie, whipped up by 15 top chefs. Arrive early... and hungry, though note that a standard ticket only gets you entry to the event, and doesn't include any sandwiches. From 11am
WINTER MARKET: Over 40 independent makers and artisans pitch up at the Museum of the Home in Hoxton for its Winter Market. Among the items available are ceramics, candles, baubles, cushions, jewellery and even Christmas trees. 11am-4pm
FROST FAIR: Inspired by historic frost fairs, Cody Dock near Canning Town hosts its winter open day. Enjoy live music, games, a market, marshmallow toasting, and view the Rivers of Hope exhibition which was part of this year's Totally Thames festival. FREE ENTRY, 12pm-5pm
WOOLWICH COMEDY: Russell Kane, Tadiwa Mahlunge and Sarah Keyworth are on the impressive line-up at Live at the Works comedy night at Woolwich Works, hosted by Amy Gledhill. Settle in for a night of laughs, with BSL interpretation available. 7.30pm
Today's events: Sunday 30 November
JACINDA ARDERN: Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern is at the Royal Albert Hall this afternoon, telling her story and offering inspiration to future leaders. Find out how she went from growing up in a small town to leader of her country, and hear about the struggles, triumphs, and deeply personal experiences that shaped her leadership style, including the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks. 2pm
THE PIONEER PRIZE: The RSL Pioneer Prize is a new initiative, spotlighting and celebrating writers who have been trailblazers in their field. It launches today at the British Library, with RSL President Bernardine Evaristo, writers Val McDermid, So Mayer and lecturers Elaine Hobby and Lawrence Warner honour poet, playwright and novelist Maureen Duffy, the winner of the inaugural prize. 2.30pm-4pm
REGENCY NOVELS: In a deep-dive of the Regency novel, Dr Zoë McGee reveals how Jane Austen, Frances Burney and their now-overlooked contemporaries used their stories to try to change society’s mind about rape culture – and to reassure survivors they were not alone. Reading between the lines unveils a quiet feminist movement that still resonates today. Find out more at Conway Hall in Holborn. 3pm-4.30pm
BRAZILIAN SAMBA: Enjoy a 90-minute show featuring 25 dancers and musicians at the Tabernacle Theatre in Notting Hill. Brazilian Fantasy traces the story of samba from its Afro-Brazilian roots, to Rio de Janeiro’s marginalised communities, to the world stage, through stunning costumes, live music and choreography. 7pm
RUTS DC: Veteran group Ruts DC are in the midst of a mini UK tour, which tonight takes them to the Garage in Highbury. Hear them play intelligent punk songs from their half-century past. 7pm
KEEP IT KILLER: The bitter (but sweet) Brambley Apple is at the Divine in Dalston, to host Keep It Killer, a night of lip-synching drag acts, which is flavoured with a musicals theme this evening. 7.30pm
CRIMINAL JUSTICE MUSIC: Music from the Criminal Justice System in the Sunday evening soundtrack at Southbank Centre. Hear works created by people with lived experience in the criminal justice system, through a mixture of live and recorded performances, as well as a Q&A panel discussion led by poet and playwright Inua Ellams. 7.30pm
