Things to do
CHRISTMAS MARKET: Tonight sees the opening of Guildhall Christmas Market, which is held in aid of the British Red Cross. The launch evening offers an early chance to buy from the range of stalls, with canapes and champagne available, ahead of the main event tomorrow. Guildhall (City of London), £5 entry, advance sales have closed but tickets available on the door, 25-26 November
KNITTING FOR BEGINNERS: Make this winter the year you finally come good on your promise to knit yourself a scarf or jumper. This knitting for beginners workshop has everything you need to get started, with all materials included and expert guidance to help you on your way. Southwark (location revealed on booking), £28, book ahead, 9.30am-11am (sponsor)
CHRISTMAS CHOIR: The V&A’s Christmas season launches with a free performance by a live choir. Enjoy the first of a series of special recitals taking place in the museum’s Grand Entrance. V&A Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 10am-5pm
ENFIELD ARCHAEOLOGY: The Enfield Archaeological Society gives a free lunchtime talk about sites and artefacts that have been excavated, recorded and newly discovered in the local area. Museum of Enfield, free, book ahead, 1pm
TAMING THE TROLLS: IT expert Professor Richard Harvey gives a free talk about the increase in social media trolls, and what can be done to stop them. He discusses possible scientific and engineering approaches which could mean that the positives of using social media outweigh the negatives in future. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm
LAYERS OF LONDON: Adam Corsini of the excellent Layers of London website talks about the project, which brings together digitised versions of important historical maps (as well as data from Londonist) for the first time. Learn about the technology behind it, and how you can get involved in its development. Stanfords (Covent Garden), £4, book ahead, 7pm-8.15pm
SECRET SUNSET: Follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City (otherwise known as Queen of Hoxton's rooftop) for a silent disco under the night sky. Don your greenest garments and stock up on biodegradable green body glitter before dancing the night away. Queen of Hoxton, £12.85, book ahead, 7pm-8pm
RAILWAYS: Journalist and transport expert Christian Wolmar is at the British Library to talk about how railways changed the world. He covers the economic growth and social change they created, and the innovations in engineering and architecture that resulted, drawing on research he undertook for his new book, Railways. British Library, £13/£6.50, book ahead, 7pm-8.15pm
AFTER THE WALL: 30 years since the Berlin Wall came down, British Library looks at the impact its legacy had on German writers. Translators, poets and authors gather to talk about German literature in the UK over the past three decades, including what works and what doesn't when writing for a UK audience. British Library, £11/£5.50, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
DISCO DECADES: It's '80s night at Natural History Museum's twinkling ice rink. Live DJs play tracks from the decade as you whizz around the ice. Got a favourite '80s track? Put in a request to hear it on Instagram ahead of the event. Natural History Museum (South Kensington), included in normal skating ticket, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
A TUDOR CHRISTMAS: What was a Tudor Christmas like? Hear historians and authors Alison Weir and Siobhan Clarke talk about their new book on the topic, including the feasts and activities which inspired modern traditions. The National Archives (Kew), £15/£12, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
It may not have escaped your notice that my name bears an uncanny resemblance to that of Harry Beck, the man who designed the tube map to look like an electrical diagram. There aren't many photos of the great man, but he always seems to be leaning at a funny angle. Here's an ode to my spooneristic namesake:
Harry Beck
Trained in tech
Mapped the tube
But cricked his neck
Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Tonight, Burger & Beyond in Shoreditch hosts a one-off special event menu, in aid of Action Against Hunger. Tuck into a three-course meal of special collaboration dishes, and take part in a raffle. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- The good fortune behind Cutty Sark's 150 years.
- Tower Bridge closed to launch rescue mission for man who fell down stairs.
- A London owl sanctuary reports an increase in the number of owls being poisoned.
