All weekend
DEEPENING SHADOW: The Tower of London's moat is being lit up with flames every night until Sunday, to commemorate the end of the first world war. Tickets inside the moat are sold out but it's free to watch from outside the castle walls, and looks spectacular. 5pm-9pm, 4-11 November
UNTOLD STORIES: Pleasance Theatre presents a festival of shiny new writing, showing sets of plays by the most exciting up and coming creatives around the world. Pleasance Theatre (Islington), £10, book ahead, 10-11 November
REMEMBRANCE TRAIL: 11 artworks on the themed of remembrance are dotted around Canary Wharf, including plane propellers reimagined as a giant poppy, and a display of helmets belonging to fallen soldiers. It's moving, and it's free. Canary Wharf, free, just turn up, until 11 November
SELFIE FACTORY: Selfie Factory is a one-stop shop for the most Instagramable backdrops around, encouraging you to whip out your camera and get snapping for a totally curated set of funhouse photo opps. Bring your posse and strike a pose. 133-135 Bethnal Green Road (Shoreditch), £15, book ahead, 9-20 November
GROCER RESIDENCY: Italian food experts La Famiglia Rana host a five-week takeover, creating a grocery store brimming with authentic produce, hard-to-find foods and plenty of bookable workshops to help you create tantalising tables too. 51 Marylebone High Street, free entry, just turn up (book for some workshops), until 16 December
WINTER MARKET: Eat, drink and be merry at Southbank's stunning waterside winter market which opens this weekend, stocking seasonal goodies and street food, all set under sparkling lights. Take a look at the other Christmas markets and fairs in London. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 9 November-27 December
ICE SKATING: The Canary Wharf and Natural History Museum ice rinks are now open, and others will soon follow suit. Here's our complete guide to ice skating in London this Christmas.
JOURNEYS DRAWN: This multimedia exhibition covers works from Calais to Syria, reporting on refugee stories by the likes of George Butler, Mahmoud Salameh and Majid Adin. House of Illustration (King's Cross), £4-£8.25, book ahead, 9 November 2018-31 March 2019
Saturday 10 November
LORD MAYOR'S SHOW: This annual and historic event has had a bit of a change this year. Instead of the morning river pageant and evening fireworks, head to the new Festival Zones in the City of London for a day of free activities — but don't miss the parade going past. Find out more here. City of London, free, just turn up, from 11am
MULTI-SENSORY TEA: Delight the senses at a multi-sensory afternoon tea by Molton Brown, set in the luxurious surrounds of The Trafalgar. Sweet and savoury delicacies are served with a twist, taking inspiration from the fragrance collection. The Trafalgar (St James's), £25, book ahead, launches today 2pm-6pm
ENGLAND V NEW ZEALAND: Get down to Northcote Records for a seriously good screening of the autumn rugby internationals. Kicking off with England v New Zealand it’s sure to be intense, lucky these guys are offering pizza, pints and partying too, for celebrations and commiserations ‘til late. Northcote Records (Battersea), free, just turn up, 2pm-3am
EMANCIPATOR: Electronic artist Emancipator brings his hip-hop beats, world music and folk influences to the fore in this one-off gig playing songs from his recent album Baralku. Jazz Cafe (Camden), £20, book ahead, 3.30pm-6.30pm
BRIDGET CHRISTIE: Laugh yourself silly with award-winning comedian Bridget Christie as she navigates a world of annoyance in Brexit, environmentalism and surly airport staff to try and find a better way of living. Leicester Square Theatre (Leicester Square), £22, book ahead, 7pm
HIIT HOP YOGA: Practice your Snoop-downward dog at an alternative night out combining high-intensity workouts with yoga moves to the beats of MoreYoga's resident DJ. After class, the party continues for drinks and old school games. MoreYoga (Stoke Newington), £13, book ahead, 7pm-8pm
HIP HOP KARAOKE: From old school classics to current rap hits, get on the mic at Tate’s karaoke takeover for a street singalong to remember. Drinks are flowing courtesy of the hoppy pale ale brewers Fourpure. Tate Modern Terrace Bar (Bankside), £10, book ahead, 7pm-11pm
EIGHTIES NIGHT: Revisit the decade that gave us the likes of Madonna, Bon Jovi and Wham! for a night of boogying down memory lane at Acceptable In The 80s. Hammer pants optional. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), free entry, just turn up, 10pm-2am
SECRETSUNDAZE: Head straight to the dancefloor of Pickle Factory's Secretsundaze residency to rave 'til sunrise. Presenting new talent and the classic Secretsundaze crew, it's an intimate venue for underground electronic. Pickle Factory (Bethnal Green), £10.50-£16.30, book ahead, 10pm-6am
Sunday 11 November
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY: Today marks 100 years since the end of the first world war, and several events are going on around London to commemorate it. Details of events around the Cenotaph and Whitehall can be found on the British Legion website (road closures will be in place), but venues all over the capital (and the country) will likely be taking part in a silence at 11am.
CATERPILLAR MUSIC: Puppets, instruments, props and bubbles come together for an interactive, multi-sensory morning of movement for the under fives. Jewish Museum (Camden), free, book ahead, 10.30am-12.15pm
ANTIQUES FAIR: The longest running and one of the largest antiques fairs is in town, offering a treasure trove of ancient goodies in central London. Take home a little slice of history. The Royal Horticultural Halls (Westminster), £4, book ahead, 10am-4.30pm
INNER TRANSFORMATION: Enjoy a day dedicated to inner transformation, connecting the heart, body and soul through movement and mindfulness led by expert guides and yogis. No experience necessary. Lift (Islington), £55, book ahead, 10am-5.30pm
LONDON EAR: Bells tolling, sirens playing and a whole lot of people to boot. London's a noisy place, so join a guided walk focusing on the sounds of the city to get tuned back in, with stories, insights and surprises along the way. Outside Caffé Nero Cheapside (St Paul's), £12-£15, book ahead, 11am-1.15pm
OHH CHA BAR: Check out the Ohh Cha Bar for the final day of their residency at Japanese lifestyle store, Muji. Experience hand whisked and made to order authentic matcha teas made by experts right in front of you, set in the contemporary oasis they’ve created to escape the bustle of central London. Muji (Tottenham Court Road), free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm
HAPPY VALLEY: Get your nature fix by taking in a few miles of beautiful London countryside at an everyone welcome ramble. Don’t forget to pack a mac, your still in London after all. Meet at Coulsdon South Railway (Coulsdon), free, just turn up, 1pm-4pm
MADLIB GIG: Listen to a rare and intimate showcase from musical megastar Madlib. Playing a set from Medicine Show, the 13 album series that cemented his fame, this is an introduction to the biggest producer in hip-hop. Phonox (Brixton), £20-£25, book ahead, 4pm-10pm
THE COPYCAT: True crime-inspired The Copycat combines murder mystery, immersive theatre and escape rooms for a nerve-jangling opportunity to play detective and help protagonist Anthony Larson settle a score. COLAB Factory (London Bridge), £22, book ahead, 5.50pm/6.40pm/7.30pm
FILM AFRICA: Celebrate the best in African cinema at the closing gala of the Royal African Society’s ten-day film bonanza. This event kicks off with a screening of Kasala! followed by an award’s ceremony and after party soundtracked by Born N Bred DJs. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £9.95-10.95, book ahead, 6pm
