All week
WORLD CUP: The football World Cup is now underway, and England play on Monday and Friday this week. Take a look at our guide to where to watch the World Cup in London to find your closest pub, bar or venue that's screening the matches.
WINTER WONDERLAND: London's giant festive funfair, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, has opened its gates for the season — and if you fancy going when it's less crowded, you'd do well to go this week before it gets too close to Christmas. Here's our guide to Winter Wonderland 2022, covering, when, where, how much, and all your other questions.
LONDONERS UNDERGROUND: You've only got until Wednesday to see Londoners Underground, a free exhibition at Barbican depicting Londoners travelling on the tube. FREE, until 23 November
HACKNEY REVEALED: New illuminated arts festival Hackney Revealed is underway in east London, showcasing the work of local artists and highlighting local landmarks. This week, visit a paper wonderland filled with origami lanterns, or see colourful projections of Chinese lion dancers, carnival groups and circus performers, shone through the windows of Hackney Town Hall. FREE, until 8 December
MIRACLE BAR: Ready to feel all kinds of festive? The Miracle at Henrietta pop-up bar is back at Covent Garden's Henrietta Hotel. Drink your way through a menu of festive cocktails (take it from us — the hot buttered rum is delish) served in delightfully kitsch receptacles, surrounded by more Christmas decorations than you can shake a bauble at. Until 23 December
EXHIBITIONS: Looking for a dose of culture? Have a read of our guide to the biggest exhibitions to see in London this winter. They cover everything from Alexander the Great, to arcade machines, to the views from London's mosques.
Monday 21 November
TEMPLE BAR: Fancy a peek inside Temple Bar, a former gateway to the city that now stands in Paternoster Square? Author Margaret Willes will give a talk inside the bar about her new (and excellent... we've read it) book In The Shadow of St Paul's, a history of the adjacent churchyard. Ticket includes drink. 6.25pm
HEROES AND VILLAINS:Head to the Royal Albert Hall for a performance by the Barnardo’s Young Supporter choirs alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The fundraising event has a Heroes and Villains theme, featuring songs from films including Beauty and the Beast, Star Wars and Swan Lake. 6.30pm
GARY BARLOW: Singer-songwriter Gary Barlow brings his one man show, A Different Stage, to the Savoy Theatre for just two nights, after touring the country. In it, he tells the story of his life in his own words. 7.30pm (repeated next Monday)
THE HOLIDAY: Backyard Cinema's festive film season is now in full swing, and 2006 rom com The Holiday is tonight's film. Step into a 1920s train carriage and 'travel' to the North Pole, where you'll find your beanbag awaiting among twinkling stars and snow-dusted pine trees. Take a look at other festive film screenings around London. 8pm
Tuesday 22 November
MAPS AND THE METROPOLIS: To coincide with the current Magnificent Maps exhibition, London Metropolitan Archives takes a look at some of the other maps in its collection. Take a look at some of the changes in London in the 19th century, as shown through evolving maps over that period. Choose whether to attend in person or online. FREE, 1pm-2pm
BACKSTAGE TOURS: Barbican Theatre's backstage tours are back, giving the public a chance to see inside the stage wings, orchestra pit and green room. On the hour-long tour, hear about the building's architecture and technology, and hear some of the secrets of past productions. 3.30pm/5pm (and several other dates)
ROSALIND FRANKLIN LECTURE: This year's Royal Society Rosalind Franklin Lecture 2022 is given by Professor Diane Saunders, who imagines what a future without wheat would look like. Over 20% of the calories and protein consumed globally each day come from wheat, but the world’s wheat supplies are being ravaged by a dangerous epidemic. Find out what's being down to tackle the problem, and how we can protect our food sources for the future. FREE, 6.30pm-7.30pm
BRAVE-HEARTED: As part of The London History Festival 2022, author Katie Hickman is at Kensington Central Library to talk about her new book, Brave Hearted. It looks at the true stories of women in the 'Wild West', from hard-drinking hard-living poker players and prostitutes, to 'ordinary' wives and mothers, to Chinese slave-brides, and Native American women displaced by mass migration. 6.30pm-7.30pm
TRELLICK TOWER: Kensal Green's Trellick Tower celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, and it's the subject of a Design Museum talk about contemporary urban living. The panel consists of architects James Dunnett and Thomas Aquilina, Spatial Justice campaigner Eve Wedderburn, and the museum's Head of Curatorial Priya Khanchandani. 6.30pm-8pm
Wednesday 23 November
EVER AFTER GARDEN: Once again, Mayfair's Grosvenor Square glows with the light of more than 20,000 illuminated roses as the Ever After Garden returns. Anyone can visit, and though there's no admission fee, the installation raises money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, so do consider donating if you can. Alternatively, dedicate a rose to a loved one (minimum donation £10). From 23 November
IDEAL HOME SHOW AT CHRISTMAS: Head to Olympia for the Ideal Home Show At Christmas. The focus is on getting your home ready for the festive period, with a plethora of decorations to browse — but there are also gift ideas, foodie items, festive theatre and live music performances — plus plenty of talks to give interior design inspo. The Eat & Drink Festival Christmas special is at the same venue on the same dates. 23-27 November 2022
LIGHTHOUSE OF STALINGRAD: Author Iain MacGregor is at Stanfords in Covent Garden to discuss his new book, The Lighthouse of Stalingrad. It tells the true story of a key strategic building in the city of Stalingrad, as Soviet Union soldiers held off Nazi soldiers from taking the city. 6.30pm-8pm
EVEREST EXPEDITIONS: Tying in with its current exhibition about the first European expeditions to Everest, the Royal Geographical Society hosts a panel of experts to discuss the role that local knowledge and resources play in helping explorers reach the summit. They also look at how the early expeditions were documented. 7pm-8.30pm
ROALD DAHL: The National Archives holds an online talk about the life of children's author Roald Dahl. Author Matthew Dennison goes beyond the portrayal of Dahl as one of the world's greatest storytellers, looking at evidence of him as a rule-breaker, an iconoclast and a romantic. 7.30pm
Thursday 24 November
THANKSGIVING: Calling all American ex-pats... or anyone who enjoys a huge dose of turkey with all the trimmings. Today is Thanksgiving, and plenty of London restaurants and venues are joining in with the American tradition, serving up special menus — take a look at our guide to Thanksgiving in London.
THANYIA MOORE: Comedian Thanyia Moore brings her show, Just Being Funny, to Soho Theatre for three nights. The title is a nod to the fact that she was due to make her debut at Edinburgh Fringe at 2020 with a heartfelt show. For obvious reasons, that never happened, and now she's chosen to focus on just being funny instead. 24-26 November
WIND IN THE WILTON'S: Nope, that's not a typo; Wilton's Music Hall has its own twist on The Wind in the Willows, running throughout the festive period. It's an adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's children's book, set in modern-day London, with Ratty, Mole, Badger and co travelling through Hyde Park and along the Thames. Age 5+. 24 November-31 December
LITTLE FEET: Take your preschooler along to the British Museum for a look at the current Hieroglyphs exhibition that's suitable for under-5s. The Little Feet event has sensory activities suitable for that age group and their parents/carers. FREE, 10.30am-12pm
ROYAL RESIDENCES: Guildhall Library offers an online talk about Westminster's Royal Palaces. Though Buckingham Palace is most closely associated with the monarchy today, it's a chance to learn about the role that the Palace of Westminster, Whitehall Palace and St James’s Palace played in royal history. FREE, 2pm-3pm
Friday 25 November
FORTY HALL CHRISTMAS FAYRE: Forty Hall in Enfield hosts a three-day Christmas fayre — both inside the period rooms and out in the courtyard — showcasing local businesses. Mulled wine and mince pies are available to guzzle while you browse. 25-27 November 2022
OPEN STUDIOS: It's the first of two weekends of open studios at Cockpit — this time it's the Bloomsbury venue. Visit artist studios which are usually off-limits to the public, meet the artists, and browse and buy products from them directly. 25-27 November
CHRISTMAS BESTSELLERS: Get a huge dose of nostalgia at the Museum of Brands' new exhibition, Christmas Bestsellers of the 20th Century. See some of the most popular toys and Christmas gifts of the last century, including tamagotchis, Lego, Barbie... wow, we feel old now. Until 6 January
LUNCHTIME CONCERT: Attend a free lunchtime concert at LSO St Luke's, a church repurposed as a music venue near Old Street station. The concert is designed as an introduction to classical music, with an informal vibe, and a chance to ask the musicians your questions. FREE, 12.30pm
REGENCY EVENING: Apsley House, home of the Duke of Wellington, hosts an evening of Regency-style entertainment. Learn about the fancy food and fine wine which was served when Wellington entertained his guests, and get to grips with dancing, etiquette... and a fair bit of gossip too. 6.30pm-9.30pm
Saturday 26 November
ORLANDO: Fresh from playing Diana in The Crown, Emma Corrin takes to the stage at the Garrick Theatre, starring in an adaptation of Virginia Woolf's Orlando. It's the tale of eponymous Orlando, born during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, and going on to live through a few more centuries, switching gender in their quest of self-identity. 26 November 2022-5 February 2023
ROYAL NEIGHBOURHOOD: Join tour guide Pete Smith on a guided walk around St James's Park and the Buckingham Palace area, focusing on the trivia of the Royal neighbourhood — like how Birdcage Walk got its name, and why Green Park is so green. 11am-1pm
SOLO CRAFT FAIR: Taking over St Barnabas Parish Hall, Solo Craft Fair brings more than 50 independent businesses and makers to Dulwich Village. Browse and buy art, homeware, fashion and beauty items. FREE entry, 11am-4pm
WAR GAMES LIVE: Head to the Imperial War Museum for War Games Live, a festival bringing together leading designers, podcasters, musicians and gaming enthusiasts for a series of talks, panels and music, looking at the phenomenon of conflict-based video games. Your ticket also gets you after-hours access to the War Games exhibition and retro game zone. 2pm-8pm
DISRUPTING THE NARRATIVE: As part of London International Animation Festival, Barbican Cinema hosts a screening of Disrupting the Narrative. It's a series of 10 short films which celebrate the cultural diversity of Black voices and British lives — and it's followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers.6.10pm
Sunday 27 November
DULWICH CHRISTMAS FAIR: Another day, another Christmas fair, this time taking place at Dulwich College. It's spread across the site including the Great Hall, North and South Cloisters, so it's an opportunity to see inside this truly impressive building — and that's before we even get to the 110 stalls, street food market, Santa's grotto, raffle and other entertainment. 11.30am-4pm
AMERICAN IN LONDON: See out Thanksgiving week with a guided walk focusing on the links between London and the USA. Meet at Green Park and enjoy two hours of trivia including the place where Wallis Simpson was when Edward VIII was declared king, why NYC is so named, and what Eleanor Roosevelt felt about her wartime stay in Buckingham Palace. 12pm-2.30pm
FAMILY RAVE: Take the whole family along to Between the Bridges on South Bank for a Big Fish Little Fish family rave. It's like a regular rave, with a DJ playing acid and techno tracks, but made child-friendly with lower noise levels, glitter cannons, balloons, crafts and other entertainment — and everyone gets home in time for bed! 2pm-4pm
CUTTY SARK COMEDY: Alison Spittle headlines this month's Cutty Sark Comedy, supported by Tadiwa Mahlunge and Mark Cram. It takes place on board the famous tea clipper — in the Lower Hold, to be precise — with a bar available before the show and during the interval. 6.30pm-8.30pm
COWBOY JUNKIES: Canadian alternative country and folk rock band Cowboy Junkies (excellent name, BTW), play a gig at Royal Festival Hall. It marks the launch of their new album, Songs of the Recollection, so expect to hear a blend of folk, blues and rock. 7.30pm
Urban oddity of the week
Here's a Thanksgiving fact for you. Christ Church on Westminster Road features an all-American steeple. Look closely and you'll notice that it's decorated with stars and stripes. The American nod is intentional.
The church's guiding light, Christopher Newman Hall, had argued passionately for the abolition of slavery in America. He decided that the tower should serve as a memorial of emancipation, and dubbed it the Lincoln Tower, in honour of the anti-slavery President.
Happy Thanksgiving to our many American readers.
Good cause of the week
If you passing by the Strand area over the Christmas period — perhaps to see the winter lights — consider grabbing your coffee from Social Bite, opposite Charing Cross station. In many ways, it's a regular coffee shop, but it also has a charitable side. Customers can choose to 'pay forward' and buy a homeless person a hot drink or meal. You'll also find donation points where you can give money directly to the Social Bite charity, to help with their mission to end homelessness. The scheme has so far raised over £7,000 and distributed over 1,000 meals to those in need. Find it at 448 Strand, #SocialBiteonTheStrand
