All weekend
DIWALI: Diwali — a festival of light celebrated by people from several different countries and religions, including Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists and Jains — falls on 12 November this year. Although the free festival took place in London at the end of October, plenty of venues including museums, Indian and Nepalese restaurants hold their own Diwali celebrations, on or around 12 November
ICE SKATING: London's winter ice skating rinks at Canary Wharf and Mayfair are already open, with more ice unveiled in Battersea, Shepherd's Bush, and Wapping this week. They'll only get busier as we get closer to Christmas, so why not go for a twirl this weekend?
MUSIC DOCUMENTARIES: A reminder that Doc 'n Roll Film Festival is going on at various locations around London and beyond, showing documentary films relating to music stars and the music industry. Until 12 November
PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVAL: Organised by the team behind the Pitchfork website, Pitchfork Music Festival returns to London, with shows at more than 15 venues across seven nights. Yaeji, Joanna Sternberg, Fucked Up and Kara Jackson are among the headliners for this weekend's gigs, at venues including Kings Place and Camden Roundhouse. 7-13 November
WOMEN IN REVOLT: A major survey of work by over 100 women artists working in the UK from 1970 to 1990 opens at Tate Britain in time for this weekend. Women in Revolt! explores and reflects on issues and events such as the British Women's Liberation movement, maternal and domestic experiences, Greenham Common and the peace movement, and the visibility of Black and South Asian Women artists, through painting, drawing, sculpture, film and performance. 8 November-7 April
LONDON PHOTO SHOW: The Bargehouse Gallery at Oxo Tower hosts the London Photo Show, an open group exhibition giving photographers from all over the world a chance to show their work to the public. A wide range of photographic styles are on show, and it's a chance to buy work direct from the creators. 9-12 November
UK JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL: Various cinemas around London and beyond host screenings as part of the UK Jewish Film Festival from 9-19 November, with online screenings taking place the following week. The festival spans genres including drama, comedy and documentary. 9-27 November
CURLING CLUB: A '90s-themed curling club opens at Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross for the winter season. Book one of the six curling lanes for your group, then dance the night away to a live DJ set fuelled by cocktails from the pop-up bar. 10 November-25 February
COMBAT KARTS: 'Like a video game brought to life' is the description of Combat Karts, a new game launching in Mitcham. Take to the real-life immersive track and go head-to-head with other players, using the latest technology on a screen in the kart itself to feel like you're in a video game. From 10 November
Saturday 11 November
LORD MAYOR'S SHOW: If you're a sucker for pomp and pageantry, don't miss the Lord Mayor's Show. The event marks the outgoing Lord Mayor being replaced by the new one (this year that's Michael Mainelli), and takes the form of a procession through the City of London. FREE, from 11am (though get there earlier for a good viewpoint). Top tip: you can also get FREE ENTRY to St Paul's Cathedral on the day of the Lord Mayor's Show.
CINEMA WALK: Go on a guided walk with cinema/movie buff Nigel Smith, to discover the grand picture palaces of the West End — past and present. You'll walk in the footsteps of Marylin Monroe, Charlie Chaplin and the Beatles — and learn about the cinematic firsts that took place in many of these beautiful buildings. 10.30am-12.30pm
DRAWING WORKSHOP: Take the kids along to a free family workshop at the Cartoon Museum, led by cartoonist Steve Marchant. Design your own witch cartoon character and incorporate it into a one-page comic strip story. No experience is necessary, and the event is for families with children, and young people (under 25) interested in comics and cartoons, including those with autism spectrum conditions. FREE, 11am-12.30pm
PLANTING DAY: Spend your Saturday in the fresh air of Hyde Park, helping to plant snowdrop and cyclamen bulbs to add a splash of colour — as well as much-needed nectar and pollen for bees — over the winter months. FREE, 11.30am-3.30pm
CROYDON'S BLACK MUSIC: Join a free tour starting at Thornton Heath Library, which explores Croydon's Black music heritage, from Desmond Dekker to Stormzy. Make sure you reserve a spot. FREE, 11am-12.30pm
20 BERKELEY BRUNCH: Mayfair restaurant 20 Berkeley has launched a new weekly brunch, with an a la carte menu using fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Dishes include smoked trout royale, smoked marrow and short-rib hash with fried duck egg, and spicy lobster brioche roll. A selection of brunch cocktails is available too. 11.30am-3.30pm
JARMAN NOW: Whitechapel Gallery hosts a day of readings, discussions and performances with the artists shortlisted for Film London’s Jarman Award 2023. Among the programme, artist Karen Russo discusses the political themes in her recent work with art critic JJ Charlesworth. 11.30am-6pm
PAINT VAN GOGH: This Armistice Day, have a go at creating your own version of Van Gogh's Field of Poppies painting at The Art Bar In Holborn. All art supplies are provided at the Pop-Up Painting event, and no art experience is required. 3pm-5.30pm
THE BILL REUNION: If like us, you can still remember The Bill theme tune note for note, you might want to get yourself to The Cinema Museum in Kennington, for a celebration of the much-loved police show. Cast members Graham Cole (PC Tony Stamp) and Johnathan Linsley (villain Dennis Weaver) are present, and there's a screening of Cole's new film, Pareidolia, as well as meet and greets and a Q&A session. 6pm
GAMES THAT BYTE: The London Video Game Orchestra — a full symphony orchestra which aims to showcase video game music to the public — gives a concert at Woolwich Works. Hear themes from Bioshock and Dead Space, as well as hidden gems such as Undertale and Hollow Knight. 7pm
SATIRICAL THEATRE: Today's your last chance to catch the current run of Oh! What A Lovely War at Artsdepot in North Finchley, part of the 60th Anniversary Tour of Joan Littlewood's anti-war musical of the same name. The satirical production highlights the folly, farce and tragedy of the first world war. 7.30pm
EMELI SANDE: As part of the EFG London Jazz Festival, singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé gives a concert at Southbank Centre, performing tracks from throughout her career. Alt-soul singer August Charles performs as the show's opening act. 7.30pm
Sunday 12 November
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY: Today is Remembrance Sunday, with plenty of memorial events going on all over the country, including the parade on the Cenotaph. Expect road closures around the Whitehall area for most of the morning and into the afternoon, and at various other war memorial locations, including Euston and Borough High Street. Many places will also hold a silence at 11am.
REGENT'S PARK 10K: At time of writing, there's still time to sign up for the Regent's Park 10K and start your Sunday with a run, passing the Broad Walk, boating lake, and the perimeter of London Zoo. It's a three-lap route on tarmac paths, with medals for all finishers and trophies for the winners. 9am
HARLEM IN MAYFAIR: The Black History Walks team lead a guided tour around Mayfair, focusing on the little-known Black presence in the area through the years. Topics covered include Ancient African goddesses, Nigerian composers, fancy restaurants, Formula One, Nazis and more. 10am-12pm
CLASSICAL COFFEE MORNING: Ease your way into Sunday with a performance of music by Brahms and Hubay, by young violinist Vivek Dinesh Ramanan. It takes place in the Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall, and a hot drink and pastry are included in your ticket. 11am
CHRISTMAS MARKET: Festive fair and Christmas market season is well underway in London (here's our full guide) and today it's the turn of Big Penny Social in Walthamstow to host local craftspeople at the Christmas Maker's Market. Vintage bric-a-brac, plants, jewellery, food, ceramics and candles are among the products on offer. 11am-5pm
ENCHANTED CINEMA: Take the kids along to Horniman Museum for an interactive Enchanted Cinema event, where they're involved in creating the soundtrack using instruments, hands and voices. Where the Wild Things Are and My Neighbour Totoro are today's films. 11.30am/1.30pm/3.45pm
QUEER SOHO: Join Footprints of London guide Stephen Benton for a walking tour around Soho, focusing on the area's queer history. Pubs where queer characters such as artist Francis Bacon and actress Tallulah Bankhead used to hang out, plus LGBTQ+ music history and the darker side of the area are all covered. 2pm-3.30pm
SEASIDE SPECIAL: Bertha DocHouse in Bloomsbury screens Seaside Special, a film made by German filmmaker Jens Meurer in 2019. It was shot in the seaside town of Cromer in the style of a variety performance, at a time when the country was grappling with the fallout of Brexit. 3.30pm
FASHION & CINEMA: Award-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming is at the Soho Hotel to talk about her career, and the crossover between the worlds of fashion and film. It's also a chance to get a preview of the wardrobe of the upcoming origin tale film, Wonka.
JUDI JACKSON: The EFG London Jazz Festival continues with Judi Jackson giving the first of her two shows on the festival's programme. Tonight she's at Southbank Centre performing her interpretations of songs from jazz greats such as Nina Simone, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, as well as her own original music. 6.45pm
