Things to do
IRISH FILM: Founded to champion Irish film and animation here in the UK, the Irish Film Festival begins today with the UK premiere of a documentary about singer-songwriter Mic Christopher. The programme for the rest of the week includes documentary A Galway Rhapsody, and comedians Roisin Conaty and Bridget Christie in conversation. Regent Street Cinema, various prices, book ahead, 20-24 November
WINTERFEST: Wembley Park holds its inaugural Winterfest, a free, family-friendly light festival with several installations. Walk through the Sonic Runway, a light tunnel from Nevada's Burning Man festival, or gaze up at the largest LED tree ever seen in London. Wembley Park, free, just turn up, 20 November-3 January
DICKENSIAN CHRISTMAS: We've got Charles Dickens to thank (at least partially) for the massive fuss we make of Christmas these days. Find out all about the role the author had to play in the birth of modern Christmas in a new exhibition at his former family home. Dickens’s manuscripts and original illustrations for his Christmas stories, and the first ever Christmas card are among the items on display. Charles Dickens Museum (Bloomsbury), included in admission, 20 November-19 April
BLACK HOLES: Black holes are intriguing things, but what's the truth and what's a myth? Gresham Professor of Astronomy Katherine Blundell OBE gives a free talk about what we do — and don't — know about black holes, and how they shape our universe. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 1pm-2pm
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Two more sets of Christmas lights get switched on today. Greenwich Market celebrates the launch of the festive season with a lantern parade by local school children, from the Old Royal Naval College into the market. Free, just turn up, 4pm-6pm. Over at the Royal Exchange in the City, Downton Abbey actress Joanne Froggatt has the honours of switching on the Christmas tree lights, at an event that also involves carolling, mince pies, mulled wine and hot chocolate. Free, just turn up, 5.30pm
BOWIE'S BOOKS: Former music columnist John O'Connell talks about his new book, Bowie's Books. It's based on a list that David Bowie wrote three years before his death, about 100 books that had transformed his life, and O'Connell has written a short essay on each one. The London Library (St James's), £15/£12, book ahead, 6.45pm-8.30pm
JAWDANCE: Regular spoken word night Jawdance brings together a range of performers to show off their talents. This time, poet Yomi Sode headlines, with support from Lola Oh, south London rapper and poet Brother Portrait, and a live band. There's also a chance for you to enter a draw to win a slot to perform. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £4, book ahead, 7pm
SAVING PRECIOUS ELEMENTS: Our supplies of precious elements such as gallium and indium are at risk of running out in less than 100 years, due to the way we're hoarding them in old tech devices, or sending them to landfill. Hear about the Royal Society of Chemistry's sustainability campaign to prevent this from happening, from a panel of experts. Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
KARL MARX: Hear from Lindsey German, a socialist writer and campaigner, who argues that Karl Marx was right. She believes that his failed model of communism was very different to how it has widely been interpreted, and that the economic system which he identified as a problem is still failing society today. The Joker (Islington), £12, book ahead, 7.30pm-9.30pm (sponsor)
COMEDY BLOOMERS: LGBTQ+ night Comedy Bloomers holds its end-of-year finale, headlined by Britain’s Got Talent runner up Robert White. Other award-winning comedians, musical comedy performers and rising stars are also on the bill. Seven Dials Club (Covent Garden), £5, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm
ROCKETMAN: As cinema locations go, 60+ floors above London is fairly impressive. Settle down for a screening of Rocketman, the Elton John biopic released earlier this year, with a complimentary gin and tonic, and a serving of popcorn. The View From The Shard, £45, book ahead, 8pm-11.30pm
SKATE LATES: The Somerset House ice rink is open for business, and its Skate Lates club nights are back. Stay on the ice late tonight, to a soundtrack provided by Rinse FM DJ in the rinkside booth. The Skate Lounge, Bailey's Treat Bar and Fortnum's Lodge all stay open late too. Somerset House, £17, book ahead, from 8pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Wednesday is Mystery Station Day on the Barry Heck column. Each week, I'll post the view from a central London tube exit and you have to work out where it is. The first person to tweet @HeckTube with the correct answer wins a piece of cloth found on the street corner near the Co-Op.
Good cause of the day
Trivia, raffle prizes and a live art auction are all part of the ArtCan Christmas fundraising quiz tonight. The charity — for which Londonist Visual Arts Editor Tabish Khan is a trustee — supports up-and-coming artists, enabling them to establish their practice through a support network. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- How commuting on the Underground is bad for your health.
- Why are women moving out of London?
- The Armada Portraits of Queen Elizabeth I to go on display side by side in Greenwich.
- London's 'longest bike' returned by thieves who found it too hard to sell.
