Things to do
ALLY PALLY FIREWORKS: North London does fireworks in a big way. In addition to the whizzbangs, the Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival involves cabaret, live music, film screenings, ice skating, a beer festival, street food and more. No wonder it takes place over two nights — you'll need that to fit it all in. Alexandra Palace, various prices, book ahead, 1-2 November
HARRY POTTER: A few tickets remain to see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in concert. Watch Harry, Ron, Hermione and co tackle the trails and tribulations of the Triwizard Tournament on screen, while the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra performs the score live. Royal Albert Hall, from £19, book ahead, 1-3 November
RICHMOND LIT FEST: Poet Roger McGough is the first speaker at this year's Richmond Literature Festival. Hear him talk about his new collection, which covers everything from forgotten friendships to the trauma of war. The festival continues over the next three weeks, with appearances by Katy Brand, Lee Jackson and Tracy Borman. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 1-24 November
MILITARY HISTORY: Brigadier John Powell OBE talks about the significance of the military career of General Sir Edward Bulfin, one of the few Irish Catholics to rise to the rank of full general in the British Army. Powell has just written the first biography of Bulfin, using primary sources unearthed for the first time. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, book ahead, 11.30am
GHOST HUNT: Things are getting spooky at the Garden Museum — no surprise, considering its housed in an ancient church. Join experts to try to make contact with some of the rumoured ghosts believed responsible for spooky sightings and weird happenings in the building, using augmented reality technology. Garden Museum (Lambeth), £5, book ahead, 5pm-7pm (1-3 November)
TRIXIE MATTEL: You may know of Trixie Mattel — drag queen persona of musician Brian Firkus — from Ru Paul's Drag Race, but did you know about the documentary? Watch Trixie Mattel: Moving Parts to see Firkus experience the breakdown of one of this most treasured friendships during his tour, and sneak into Drag Race viewing parties incognito to see the results. Bertha DocHouse (Bloomsbury), £9/£7, book ahead, 6.30pm
FRIDAY LATE: On Edge is the theme of Science Gallery's Friday Late, which focuses on mental health. Attend free talks, workshops and performances, including a chance to get out of your comfort zone by trying rapping, and a crocheting workshop demonstrating how life events alter our genes. Science Gallery (London Bridge), free, book ahead, 6.30pm-10pm
CRIME SCENE LIVE: It's adults-only at Crime Scene Live, a late night event at Natural History Museum where visitors have to use scientific and forensic techniques to solve a hypothetical murder in the museum. Forensics experts are on hand to offers tips, including the use of fingerprints and blood splatter patterns to catch your criminal. Find out what happened when we went last year. Age 18+. Natural History Museum (South Kensington), £59 book ahead, 6.30pm
ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY: National Maritime Museum hosts an evening dedicated to all things astrophotography. Meet some of the photographers whose work made it into the Insight Investment Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition — and the judges who put it there — and learn about capturing starlight through a live link up to the new Annie Maunder Astrographic Telescope. National Maritime Museum (Greenwich), £16, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
FALL OF THE WALL: Stay late at the National Archives for an evening marking the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Dance away to classic pop tunes from Club de Fromage, play retro games such as Pacman, and take part in a recreation of the 1980s UK Cabinet Table. National Archives (Kew), £20/£16, book ahead, 7pm-11pm
LATIN DANCE: Try your hand (or feet) at Latin dancing. These Friday night dance classes are aimed at everyone, including beginners, and there's no need to take a partner. Bachata and salsa dancing are both on the programme, and after the lessons, there's a social dancing session where you can meet new people and try out your moves. Clapham (address provided on booking), £15, book ahead, 7.30pm-11pm (sponsor)
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Do you do this? Mark off every station on the tube map that you've visited? Londonist's editor-at-large Matt Brown shares his obsession for keeping track of his wanderings with a tube map and highlighter. I'm not sure why he doesn't just log into his Oyster account to view where he's been, but there we go.
Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Head to Off The Cuff in Herne Hill tonight for an evening of live music in aid of Herne Hill Welcomes Refugees. The aim is to raise money to welcome a second refugee family into Herne Hill in 2020, with bands Talking Strawberries and Liquid Crystal playing. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- Does London have enough disabled car park spaces?
- Spitalfields Life on local singer Henrietta Keeper.
- How many Waterloo stations are there in the world?
- London's king of Sunday roasts has his second best-ever one.
