All weekend
FIREWORKS NIGHT: 5 November is Bonfire Night, the anniversary of Guy Fawkes' foiled attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. There are firework displays and events all over London this weekend, from the city's largest at Blackheath (more on which below), Battersea Park and Ally Pally, to smaller local events.
PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVAL: Organised by the Pitchfork music magazine team, Pitchfork Music Festival enters its final two days. Gigs this weekend include Thaiboy Digital at Village Underground, Hania Rani at Southbank Centre, and a day-long Dalston takeover, with one wristband getting you entry to several venues in the area. 2-8 November 2026
THEATRE FESTIVAL: Voila! Theatre Festival spans multidisciplinary, multilingual and multicultural performance. This year, that translates into close to 100 productions across several genres, and this weekend includes one-woman rom-com tribute Principessa, and Devour, described as "Nigella Lawson meets kink". 2-22 November 2026
PRINCESSES OF PUNJAB: Closing this weekend: learn about Punjabi princess and suffragette icon (and goddaughter of Queen Victoria), Sophia Duleep Singh, as well as five women who shaped her extraordinary life, in a Kensington Palace exhibition. Until 8 November 2026
CHARLIE MACKESY: Author and illustrator Charlie Mackesy — creator of The Boy, the Fox, the Mole and the Horse — is the subject of a new Dulwich Picture Gallery exhibition. View never-before-seen early sketches, unpublished studies and original works from across Mackesy's career. 3 November 2026-7 February 2027
TEDDINGTON BEER FESTIVAL: If you've just about recovered from London's Oktoberfest celebrations, head to the Landmark Arts Centre for Teddington Beer Festival. Sample cask ales and ciders, with proceeds supporting the Landmark Arts Centre, where the event is held. 5-8 November 2026
TANGO AFTER DARK: World Tango Champion Germán Cornejo brings his company to Sadler's Wells for Tango After Dark, a two-hour production featuring 10 dancers, a five-piece live orchestra and two singers performing the music of Astor Piazzolla. The show mixes intimate, athletic choreography with dramatic storytelling, and returns after a sold-out 2018 run. 5-9 November 2026
EVER AFTER GARDEN: Illuminated by the light of more than 30,000 glowing roses, the Ever After Garden returns to 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. Alternatively, dedicate a rose to a loved one (minimum suggested donation £15). 5 November-21 December 2026
HIGHGATE ART FAIR: Throughout the weekend, artists, galleries and creative collectives showcase their work at Highgate Art Fair, which takes place at Highgate Primary School. A vibrant mix of practices and mediums is promised, with plenty of chances to talk to the artists behind the work, with various creative workshops running throughout the weekend too (advance booking required for those). 6-8 November 2026
LUXMURALIS: Light art specialists Luxmuralis take over the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich for Lost Worlds, an immersive journey through the great civilisations, myths and forgotten histories of humanity. Light and sound effects combine as you wander through the historic spaces of the ORNC after dark, surrounded by depictions of prehistoric cave art, the lost worlds of Atlantis and Troy and the age of the dinosaurs. 6-15 November 2026
THROUGH OUR EYES: The first group exhibition in the UK to home in on the vibrant art and culture of the Sámi people, Through our Eyes: Sámi Art and Culture opens at Somerset House. View works by 19 artists from Europe's only recognised indigenous people, whose traditional land spans the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. 6 November 2026-February 2027
NUE BLACK AESTHETIC: The Design Museum celebrates contemporary Black designers who are reshaping the British design landscape in furniture, architecture, fashion and installation — exploring identity, culture, community and more. 6 November 2026-8 August 2027
ARCADIA: Sir John Akomfrah's Arcadia is a film installation exploring the Columbian Exchange — the mass movements of people, species, goods and disease between the Americas, Afro‑Eurasia and Europe. The piece mixes landscape and sea imagery with a layered soundtrack of nature sounds, opera and poetry. It's screened at the Natural History Museum. FREE, from 6 November 2026
CONSTANTINOPLE TO ISTANBUL: A major UK-first exhibition at the V&A South Kensington explores 1,600 years of art and design from a city shaped by more than a millennium of artistic excellence. Constantinople to Istanbul: One City, Two Empires brings together objects including Byzantine caskets, Ottoman textiles, manuscripts, paintings, musical instruments and processional scrolls. From 7 November 2026
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Blackheath Fireworks is back!
South east London's biggest Bonfire Night celebration takes over Blackheath Common this Saturday. Come for the jaw-dropping pyrotechnics, stay for the fairground rides, thrilling live entertainment and street food at the festival-esque autumnal extravaganza that is Blackheath Fireworks.
Join some 40,000 Londoners for five whole hours of fun, including music from UK Garage stars DJ Luck & MC Neat and club legend Brandon Block, an epic Massaoke singalong, Big Belly Comedy sets and Lord of Lightning’s electrical arc spectacular. Enjoy both adrenaline-pumping and family-friendly rides, and sample refreshments from 60+ food traders (though maybe save that burger/doughnut/mulled wine for after your fairground visit).
Blackheath Fireworks runs all the way through to 10pm, giving you plenty of time to get your money's worth and soak up the seasonal cheer. Party season starts here!
Blackheath Fireworks, 5pm-10pm on 7 November at Blackheath Common. Get your tickets now.
Saturday 7 November
SENSING LONDON: Open City's walking tour explores how vision shapes our perception of the built environment, using neuroscience to encourage a closer look at the city's spaces. The route takes in Inner Temple, Strand Aldwych, Somerset House, Air Street Arch and Burlington House, ending outside the Royal Academy. 10am-12.30pm
PUMPKIN PATCH DASH: Young riders aged two-eight can enjoy a Halloween-themed balance bike celebration at Herne Hill Velodrome. There are free-ride sessions, age-category racing, face-painting and creative activities; every racer receives a medal, and hire bikes and helmets are available free of charge. 10am-1pm
MAKE JOY: Crafty types, swing by Woolwich Works for Make Joy, a celebration of the yarn family of crafts, including knitting and crocheting. Explore a curated marketplace of suppliers offering hand dyed and rare breed yarns, project bags, and more, and catch a programme of talks from experts within the craft industry. 10am-5pm
DIWALI: Though London's main Diwali celebrations in Trafalgar Square were cancelled due to the weather, there are plenty more ways to celebrate in London, including a free Diwali festival at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich today. Watch dance performances, have a go at Rangoli art or lantern-making, and try on a selection of traditional South Asian clothing. It all culminates in a lantern parade through Greenwich Park. FREE, 10.30am-5pm
COMEDY SALON: Robert Ross, dubbed 'Britain's Comedy Historian', and Gemma Ross, co-author of The Carry On Girls, return to The Cinema Museum in Kennington for a full day of comedy anecdotes, rare treasures and special guests. 12pm
SPIRIT & SPICE: Chef and Cinnamon Club restaurateur Vivek Singh discusses his new book, Spirit & Spice, at Fortnum & Mason. As part of Kitchen Stories at Fortnum's, he reflects on 25 years of The Cinnamon Collection and the stories, recipes and inspirations behind his career in Indian dining. 1.30pm-3pm
VICTORIAN CRIME: How does the London depicted in the novels of Charles Dickens compare to the real experience of crime, poverty and the workhouse in Victorian London? The London Archives in Clerkenwell hosts Blue Badge Guide Patrick Voss to discuss the real conditions behind the fiction. 3pm
PICKLE FESTIVAL: Deptford pub the Dog & Bell holds the 30th edition of its annual Pickle Festival, where people enter their homemade pickle recipes for a chance of being crowned the winner. Beyond that, it's a whole pickle-centric afternoon with preserves, hot sauce, chutney, bread and cakes also getting involved, along with arts, crafts and photography. All entries must be submitted by 4pm
LIVE AT THE CHAPEL: Chris McCausland headlines a comedy night at Union Chapel in Islington, joined by Lou Sanders, Emmanuel O and Janine Harouni, with Phil Ellis hosting. The monthly show takes place in the atmospheric chapel, with seating allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. 7.45pm
JAMAICA LOVE: Jamaica Love, an uplifting musical celebrating the legacy of Windrush, comes to Croydon's Fairfield Halls. Storytelling, humour and Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae all feature, and the cast includes vocalist John McLean, Celia Wickham-Anderson of Black Voices and a live band, with a special tribute to Jamaican theatre icon Oliver Samuels. 7pm
BRIGHT FEAR: City of London Sinfonia launches The Collections: Bright Fear at Kings Place, pairing Mary Jean Chan's poetry with a new score by composer Nicola T. Chang for traditional Chinese instruments. The performance creates a dialogue between words and music, in partnership with Faber & Faber. 7.30pm
PULP SPECIAL: Dance to Pulp's extensive back catalogue at Feeling Gloomy: Pulp Special at the Phoenix on Cavendish Square. Expect Common People, Disco 2000, Razzmatazz and deeper cuts, alongside gloomy indie favourites from David Bowie, the Smiths, the Cure, Suede and more. 10pm-3am
SCARED TO DANCE: In a similar vein to Feeling Gloomy (above), Scared To Dance is a night of post-punk, indiepop, new wave and art rock music at the George Tavern in Shadwell. Comedian and actor Jack Shep, known for his appearances on SNL UK, is this month's guest DJ. 11pm-3am
Sunday 8 November
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY: Today is Remembrance Sunday, when events are held to commemorate those who have lost their lives in wars and conflicts around the globe. London's main event is a procession and laying of wreaths, at the Cenotaph on Whitehall; expect road closures if you're in the area, with a national two-minute silence at 11am
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS: A handmade-puppet adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's classic The Wind in the Willows comes to Artsdepot in Finchley. Follow Mole and Ratty from the river bank into the Wild Wood, alongside Badger and Mr Toad, with original music, props and costumes. Age five+. 10.30am/1.30pm
THE BIG MARKET: Browse a curated selection of 30 local makers, designers and small businesses at the Fox and Firkin in Lewisham. Alongside the stalls, there are free artist workshops, a new craft area, an activity book and DJs throughout the day. FREE, 12pm-6pm
FUNGI WALK: Search for wild fungi in the Horniman Gardens on a guided walk led by urban foraging education project Rights For Weeds. Learn how to identify species while discussing fungal ecology, folklore, medicinal mushrooms, foraging and land politics. The relaxed-paced walk ends at the Horniman Pavilion, where participants make something edible to enjoy together. 1pm-4pm
WARTIME WILLESDEN: Retired Judge Dr Jonathan Lewis gives a keynote speech based on his recent book, about wartime during Willesden. Particular focus is on the war heroes who are commemorated at Willesden Jewish Cemetery. The afternoon also includes stories of the first Jewish chaplain to serve in the field, and Jewish involvement at Bletchley Park. 1.45pm-4.30pm
FAMILY RAVE: Legendary family rave organisers Big Fish Little Fish get the festive season started nice and early with a Snow Ball Festive Family Rave at Between the Bridges on South Bank. All generations are invited to gather together on the dance floor as Jungle genre legend DJ Aphrodite plays a DnB soundtrack, with glitter cannons, bubbles and giant balloons thrown in. 2pm-4pm
JEWISH HISTORY: Marc Gardiner leads a walking tour exploring 1,000 years of London's Jewish history, starting in Aldgate and crossing the historic City of London. Hear about Jewish life from the medieval period to the present, including the 1290 expulsion, resettlement under Cromwell and later immigration. 2pm-4pm
POETRY OF DECADENCE: Hear a free reading of poems from the anti-moralist, fantastical Decadence movement of the late 1800s at Keats House in Hampstead. Afternoon Poems includes work by Aubrey Beardsley, Oscar Wilde and Charles Baudelaire. FREE, 2.15pm-3.15pm
MONET'S POPPIES: Try an impressionistic afternoon at London Art Bar in Holborn, painting your own version of Claude Monet's Poppy Field — an apt one for Remembrance Sunday — with step-by-step guidance from a professional artist. Ticket includes art supplies, a canvas and apron, plus a glass of prosecco. Your finished work is yours to take home. 3pm-5.30pm
BLACK ALTERNATIVE MUSIC: Journalist and feminist punk musician Stephanie Phillips explores the Black artists who shaped rock 'n' roll and alternative music at Conway Hall in Holborn. Drawing on her book We Were Here, she discusses figures including Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Little Richard, Jimi Hendrix, Tina Turner, Betty Davis, Poly Styrene and Bad Brains, as well as the future of punk, metal, hardcore and indie. 3pm-4.30pm
HYPERPOLITICS: Anton Jäger discusses his book Hyperpolitics with James Schneider at Waterstones Gower Street. The conversation examines how protest, spectacle and moral urgency have shaped public life, from Thatcher's London to the Black Lives Matter movement, alongside the decline of parties, unions and civic solidarity. 4pm
NELL!: South London Theatre presents Nell! at SLT Fire Station, a play by L.A. Green about Nell Gwyn — actress, philanthropist, orange-seller and mistress to King Charles II. As she prepares for Charles's funeral, Nell reclaims her story and shares lesser-known truths, including her petition for aid for impoverished and injured soldiers and sailors. 6pm-7.10pm
