All weekend
WES ANDERSON: Widely expected to be the most popular exhibition the Design Museum has ever hosted, Wes Anderson: The Archives displays 600 items from the film director's personal archive, and is partly curated by the man himself. A three-metre wide model of the candy pink Grand Budapest Hotel, and the vending machines from Asteroid City are among the props featured, along with costumes, storyboards and sketches. Definitely book in advance for this one. 21 November-July 2026
OPEN PALACE GARDENS: It's an Open Gardens Weekend at Hampton Court Palace, which means you can visit some areas for the gardens for free. The Great Fountain Garden, the Kitchen Garden and the Pond Garden are among the areas you can venture into without paying a penny, though note that normal admission applies if you want to enter the Palace itself, the maze or the playground. FREE, 22-23 November
WINTER FAIR: The Chelsea Barracks Winter Fair brings together festive food and drinks, an artisans' market, a visit from Father Christmas and performances from a live choir, along with various seasonal workshops such as candle painting across the two days. Find other Christmas markets and fairs happening around London this winter. 22-23 November
MI5 SECRETS: This is the final weekend of MI5: Official Secrets, a free exhibition at the National Archives in Kew, which puts MI5's history on public display for the first time. View original case files, photographs and papers, alongside the actual equipment used by spies and spy-catchers over MI5's 115-year history. It's likely to be busy, with a virtual queuing system in place when you arrive. FREE, until 23 November
CHRISTMAS TREE MARKET: If you're already thinking about where to get this year's festive fir, you should know that the Christmas tree market at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow is open from Friday. Browse a selection of British grown Nordmann Firs — and get a free mulled wine or hot chocolate with every arboreal order. From 21 November
THE SNOWMAN: We're walking in the aiiiiir! A festive favourite, now in its 28th year, the Birmingham Repertory Theatre's take on beloved children's book The Snowman returns to the Peacock Theatre from Saturday, combining skilled choreography, an enchanting set with fake snow, and that soundtrack. It's one of our picks for family-friendly shows to see in London this Christmas. 22 November-4 January
ICE SKATING: Feeling festive yet? Get your skates on and take to the ice at one of London's many pop-up rinks. Somerset House, Battersea Power Station, Canary Wharf and Leicester Square are among the venues with ice rinks this year, and many have cafes or bars alongside, for post-skate refreshments.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: The majority of London's main Christmas light displays are switched on by this weekend, with stars, angels and crowns among the illuminations this year. Why not hop on a TfL bus to get a glimpse of several in one go?
HUMBUG CHRISTMAS: Another week, another festive drinking pop-up opening. Humbug takes the concept of a dive bar, and stirs in a few fistfuls of festive cheer. Expect Christmas cabaret, sing alongs, immersive performances and unexpected surprises — all hosted by Santa himself in the Vaults at Waterloo. From 18 November
SNOOPY SCULPTURE TRAIL: The Fleet Street Christmas lights are switched on from Wednesday, and with them comes the Snoopy sculpture trail. The free art trail sees a dozen individually-decorated sculptures of the beloved beagle dotted around the Fleet Street Quarter, to be viewed for free until the new year. FREE, 19 November-16 January
EVER AFTER GARDEN: Illuminated by the light of more than 30,000 glowing roses, the Ever After Garden is now open in Chelsea's Duke of York Square. Anyone can visit, and though there's no admission fee, the installation raises money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, so consider donating if you can. Alternatively, dedicate a rose to a loved one (minimum suggested donation £15). Until 16 December
WINTER WONDERLAND: London's giant festive funfair is now open in Hyde Park, with all the usual attractions; ice rink, giant wheel, funfair rides, ice kingdom, circus, Christmas market, and food and drink stalls. Like last year, you'll need to book your entry slot in advance, and prices vary depending on peak and off-peak timings. Until 1 January
Saturday 22 November
SEA SHANTY FESTIVAL: Warm up your pipes and climb aboard Cutty Sark for the Sea Shanty Festival, celebrating the vessel's 156th birthday. Bands and singers from across the UK perform live including the HogEye Men and the London Sea Shanty Collective. 10am-4.30pm
LONDON FORTEAN SOCIETY: Take a trip through the haunted landscape at London Fortean Society's day of expert talks on British ghosts, magic and folklore at Conway Hall. E. Jay Gilbert asks why we're so fascinated with ghost stories, and why they have some similarities, despite coming from all over the world, while Mark Norman discusses the folklore of churches and churchyards. Many other speakers appear too. 10am-5pm
CROCHET WORKSHOP: Always fancied giving crochet a try? Head to Forty Hall in Enfield where experienced teacher Shannon-Jaide Hyland leads an adult beginners' class in crocheting granny squares. Get started with step-by-step instructions, and take home some yarn and hooks to perfect your art. 11.30am
STEREOPHONIC: 2024 play Stereophonic, which received the most Tony-award nominations of any play in history, is set in a music studio in 1976, charting the highs and lows of an up-and-coming rock band. See it at Duke of York's Theatre. 1pm/7pm
HAMLET: The play's the thing, and Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera plays the titular character in Hamlet at the National Theatre's Lyttelton Theatre, with two final performances today. 1.30pm/7.30pm
CLARKSTON: Heartstopper star Joe Locke makes his West End debut in Clarkston, a play about a man travelling west in search of renewal, who crosses paths with Chris, a kindred spirit working the graveyard shift at a Costco in rural America. Today's the final day. 3pm/7.30pm
HITS DIFFERENT: Club night Hits Different is back at Between the Bridges on South Bank for a night of tunes from the new wave of pop: think Gracie Abrams, Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, Harry Styles, Sabrina Carpenter, Addison Rae, Tate McRae, Charli XCX, Renee Rapp and Billie Eilish. It's by the team behind Swiftogeddon, so expect an excellent night. 7pm-11pm
THE CANDLELIGHT CLUB: 1920s-style speakeasy The Candlelight Club hosts a winter ball, taking over a secret ballroom in south London for a night of live music and dancing, burlesque, tarot readings and more — hosted by Champagne Charlie. Choose between an entry-only ticket, or include dinner in your booking. 7pm-1am
MOTOWN HITS: Songs by the likes of Lionel Richie, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and The Jackson Five are on the bill at The Greatest Hits of Motown, a live performance at Fairfield Halls in Croydon. 7.30pm
SILENT SOCA FETE: There's a Caribbean music showdown at Limin' Southbank, as the sounds of Trinidad and The Islands go head to head. It's a silent disco format, so don a pair of headphones, and choose channel one for Team Trinidad (think Carnival classics, groovy Soca and high-energy anthems), or channel 2 for The Islands — that's island rhythms from Barbados, St. Vincent, Grenada, Jamaica, and more. 8pm-2am
CERTIFIED BANGERS: Club night Certified Bangers is back at The Three Compasses in Dalston, with DJ Callum taking to the decks to play an eclectic mix by the likes of ABBA, Amy Winehouse, Eminem, Nirvana, Daft Punk, Rolling Stones, Oasis and many more. 9pm
GOBBY GIRLS: Created from scratch by two women-led comedy production companies, Gobby Girls: The After Party is a new hour of comedy following a sold-out Edinburgh Fringe run of Gobby Girls: The 11% Club. Head to Soho Theatre Dean Street for an hour of female-led laughs. 10.15pm
Sunday 23 November
VINTAGE FAIR: Winkle out a bargain as So Last Century comes to New Cross for a vintage fair. Goldsmiths is the place to head to browse furniture, homewares, ceramics, posters, vintage clothing and jewellery — and plenty more. 10.30am-4pm
WINTER WOOF: Take your pooch along to The Ministry in Borough for The Winter Woof, a dog-centric day of activities including a market, snacks and drinks for dogs (and humans), and a chance for your pet to glimpse the future with Erin The Furtune Teller. 11am-4.30pm
ANNIE LEIBOVITZ: Famed photographer Annie Leibovitz makes an appearance at Waterstones Piccadilly to sign copies of her new book, Women. It showcases her photos of women, from Joan Didion to Billie Eilish, which have featured in publications including Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair and Vogue. Even with a ticket, expect to queue when you arrive. 12pm
WALTHAMSTOW WALK: Footprints of London guide Joanna Moncrieff leads a guided walk around the Walthamstow area. Begin at the former home of William Morris, and visit a set of mews, a hidden theatre — and the original Walthamstow Village with its Ancient House, almshouses, workhouse and church. 2pm-4pm
JAMAICA FUNDRAISER: Party crews and music pioneers from across London unite for a fundraising event in aid of survivors of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. Head to E1 LDN at Tobacco Dock for 30+ DJs across three rooms, celebrating the music Jamaica inspired and the generations it moved. 3pm-11pm
DA LATA: Spend a high-energy evening at the Jazz Cafe in Camden, full of Afro-Brazilian rhythms, soul, jazz-funk, and trip-hop from musical group Da Lata. They're celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, melding London club culture and Brazilian influence. 7pm-8.30pm
JAPANESE JAZZ: The EFG London Jazz Festival comes to a close today, and one of the final performances is a celebration of Japanese jazz at Barbican. Singer, songwriter and pianist Akiko Yano kicks things off with an intimate piano set, followed by a quintet made up of tenor sax legend Kosuke Mine, expressive pianist Fumio Itabashi, drummer Takeo Moriyama, bassist Takashi Sugawa, and alto sax player Miyuki Moriya. 7.30pm
ARABIC MUSIC: The work of singer and composer Mohamed Abdel Wahab, known as the father of modern Arabic music, is celebrated in a one-off performance at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Egyptian Soprano Fatma Said takes you through symphonic reinterpretations of Abdel Wahab's work, accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, conducted by Nader Abbassi. Mona Khashoggi, who specialises in reviving cultural stories from the Middle East, hosts. 7.30pm
