Things To Do Today In London: Friday 8 November 2019

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Things to do

STYLIST LIVE LUXE: The new, upgraded version of Stylist Live begins today, with talks, celebrity appearances and interviews, live catwalk shows, a shopping floor, contemporary makeovers and more. It's on all weekend, but today's highlights include tips on building your brand, and appearances by Nadiya Hussain and Aisling Bea. Magazine London (Greenwich), from £80, book ahead, 8-10 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

HANDMADE FAIR: Annual craft and design fair Handmade in Britain returns, with a curated selection of contemporary pieces for sale. Browse and buy textiles, ceramics, jewellery, glass and more direct from the makers, with more than 100 artists present. Treat yourself, or get a head start on the Christmas shopping. Chelsea Old Town Hall, £10/£8/£7, book ahead, 8-10 November

PUNK ART SHOW: The annual Punk Rock 'n' Roll Art Show is back, showcasing works of art by musicians. It launches at an opening party tonight, with Spizz and The Phobics among the band performing live. The exhibition is then open all weekend. The Underdog (Bermondsey), free, just turn up, 8-11 November

WINTER MARKET: There's nothing like the glowing lights of a Christmas market to warm the cockles, and that's exactly what you can 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

CHARLOTTE SALOMON: The Jewish Museum opens a new exhibition dedicated to the work of German-Jewish artist Charlotte Salomon. Many of the 200+ works on display were created when Salomon was in hiding from the Nazis in the 1940s, and show Salomon's family life, growing up in Berlin, the rise of the Nazis, and her exile to France. Jewish Museum (Camden), included in admission, just turn up, 8 November-1 March

Hear about Nancy Astor, the first female MP

UNKNOWN WARRIOR: Writer and former soldier Andrew Richards tells the story of Reverend David Railton, who suggested the idea of a memorial to those fallen servicemen and women with no known grave — now known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Railton himself received the Military Cross, and Richards has just written a book about him using his personal letters and papers. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, book ahead, 11.30am

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

EVENING WITH THE STARS: Eyes to the skies at the Royal Observatory's Evening with the Stars — the first of several similar events over the coming months. Visit the world-famous observatory after hours, look through a Victorian telescope, meet astronomers, watch a planetarium show, and stand on the Meridian line. Royal Observatory (Greenwich), £24, book ahead, from 5.25pm

Have a go at recreating Van Gogh's red poppies

IMITATION GAME: Science Museum dedicates an evening to legendary code-breaker Alan Turing, tying in with the current Top Secret exhibition. Watch 2014 film The Imitation Game, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Turing, followed by a Q&A about Turing’s life with the exhibition’s curator, Dr Elizabeth Bruton. Age 12+ Science Museum (South Kensington), from £8, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm

PAINT POPPIES: Ahead of Remembrance Sunday, Pop-Up Painting gives you the chance to recreate Van Gogh’s Red Poppies painting. All materials are provided, and guidance from an artist is available if you need it — otherwise, let loose on your canvas and see what the result is. Royal Oak (Twickenham), £27.99, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm

Tube ponderings with Barry Heck

Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.

Behold, the human tube map. This exquisite work of geeky shepherding was the brainchild of sometime Londonist Geoff Marshall. He persuaded 200 people to wear the colours of the tube lines, and then self-assemble into the shape of the inner London tube map. The whole questionable exercise was captured by drone. See the full video here.

Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.

Good cause of the day

Mind in Enfield is fundraising to open a Friends Cafe, offering healthy, reasonably priced lunches to local people, and raising awareness of the mental health services that Mind in Enfield offers. Find out more and support the campaign.