All weekend
QUEER FILM FEST: Fringe! Queer Film Fest is a volunteer-run festival celebrating London's queer creative scene and telling LGBTQI+ stories through film. Feature length and short film screenings and other events are on the programme, including one about the experiences of LGBT asylum seekers, and another about the Lesbian Herstory Archives. An activism speed dating session also features, and Sunday's closing gala is queer romantic comedy film Top 3. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 12-17 November
LOVE NOT LANDFILL: As part of its campaign to prevent clothes from going to landfill, Love Not Landfill opens a pop-up shop. Browse and buy collections from charity shops which have been curated by fashion influencers, learn more about eco-friendly fashion options, and discover how to repair and upcycle your clothes. Seven Dials, free, just turn up, 14-17 November
JAZZ FESTIVAL: The EFG London Jazz Festival has events exploring all aspects of the genre. Highlights this weekend include a special edition of Union Chapel's Daylight Music, and a Saxophone Summit at Chelsea's 606 Club. See the full programme for all events. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 15-24 November
ENCHANTED WOODLAND: If you go down to the woods today... you'll be met with dozens of colourful lights. Syon Park's Enchanted Woodland — one of London's original light festivals — is a family-friendly trail through west London woodland, with floodlights, strobes and lasers lighting the way. Syon Park, £10-£12, book ahead, 15 November-1 December (Friday-Sunday)
ROYAL EXHIBITION: New exhibition George IV: Art & Spectacle showcases some of the art acquired by prolific collector King George IV. Now part of the Royal Collection, the works included paintings, metalwork, textiles, furniture, watercolours, books and ceramics, by artists including Sir Thomas Lawrence and Sir Joshua Reynolds. Queen's Gallery (Buckingham Palace), £13.50, book ahead, 15 November-3 May
SOUNDS FROM THE GARDENS: Being Human is a humanities festival taking place across the country for nine days. One of this weekend's London highlights is Sounds From The Gardens, a soundwalk, compositions workshops and performances in the grounds of Horniman Museum, with impressive views over London to boot. Also, check out more of our top picks from the festival. Horniman Museum (Forest Hill), free, just turn up, 16-17 November
FLEABAG CAFE: A mock-up of the guinea pig-themed cafe from hit TV show Fleabag has opened in London. Head to the third floor of Waterstones to sit at the tables or don a guinea pig apron and have your photo taken on the set. No food or drink is served in the makeshift cafe, but you can always head two floors up afterwards and enjoy this cafe with its impressive views. Waterstones Piccadilly, free, just turn up, until 17 November
ICE SKATING: Several of London's seasonal ice rinks are now open, and it's the first weekend for both Somerset House and the Tower of London. Somerset House is once again sponsored by Fortnum & Mason, with a towering Christmas tree, and plenty of eating, drinking and shopping opportunities. The Tower of London's rink is a chance to skate in the world-famous moat, with illuminated snowflakes projected onto the walls at night.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS: Yes, we know it's only mid-November, but London's Christmas markets are setting up shop already. The big one this weekend is the Country Living Christmas Fair, although plenty of smaller markets and fairs are open too. There's a Christmas Festival at Strawberry Hill, a fancy Christmas fair in Chelsea, and charity fairs in Blackheath and Sydenham.
21ST CENTURY FERLINGHETTI: Last chance to see this exhibition celebrating poet, publisher, painter and activist Lawrence Ferlinghetti, who marked his 100th birthday this year. See examples of his work which are being exhibited in the UK for the first time, and hear and watch audio and video clips from his archive. National Poetry Library (Southbank Centre), free, just turn up, until 17 November
Saturday 16 November
VAGINA MUSEUM: From crowdfunding campaign to securing a venue, London's — and the world's — first Vagina Museum has been a long time in the making. It's been hosting events for a while, but today it opens its first full exhibition, Muff Busters: Vagina Myths And How To Fight Them. Vagina Museum (Camden), free, just turn up, from 16 November
VEVOLUTION: Plant-based living is the central theme of Vevolution, a one-day vegan festival. Talks, panel discussions, workshops and vegan food are all part of the event. Authors, cooks, musicians, entrepreneurs and skateboarders are all on the line-up, discussing everything from ethical fashion and make-up to vegan recipes. BFI Southbank, from £50, book ahead, 9am-5.30pm
BOOK SALE: Amnesty International's annual book sale is the stuff of legend in south east London, and we don't expect this year to be any different. Browse through hundreds of books — some of them brand new — from novels to biographies to non-fiction works, and take home a few tomes at bargain prices, while doing your bit for charity. Church of the Ascencion (Blackheath), free entry, just turn up, 10am-4pm
UPCYCLING SHOW: Learn how to reuse and repair old furniture at the London Upcycling Show, and prevent unwanted items from going to landfill. Workshops take place throughout the day to teach you new skills, and there's a chance to find your next project in the furniture market. Walthamstow Assembly Hall, free, book ahead, 11am-3pm
DAYLIGHT CLUBBING: Music venue Omeara hosts the UK's first accessible clubbing event for disabled people and their carers. The debut event is a Jungle and D&B special, produced by London-based DJ and mental health volunteer Tony Gurney, and if successful, it's hoped that it will become a regular event. Omeara (Southwark), £5 (includes free carer ticket), book ahead, 2pm
A BREAD FACTORY: Watch the London premiere of A Bread Factory. It's about Dorothea and Greta, who have been running The Bread Factory for 40 years, and are suddenly fighting for survival when a celebrity couple build an enormous complex down the street. It's split across two parts, both screened tonight, with tickets for each part available separately. Harris Academy South Norwood, £9-£12, book ahead, 4pm/6.30pm
Sunday 17 November
TRAPPED IN ZONE ONE: Group art show Trapped In Zone One aims to raise awareness around issues of homelessness, and the importance of helping vulnerable young people in society. Money raised from the sale of works goes to YMCA North London. Great Art (Hackney), free, just turn up, 17-24 November
PHOTOGRAPHY WALK: Get up early and head to Forty Hall for a photography walk through the grounds. Snap away at the autumn colours as you wander, with Pat Simmons of the Royal Photographic Society on hand to offer advice when required. Forty Hall (Enfield), £30, book ahead, 10am
GREAT WESTERN TREES: Paul Wood, author of London is a Forest, leads a walkshop focused on some of the notable trees of west London. Two of London's 61 official Great Trees appear on the route, along with a tree species so rare it has no English name. Ravenscourt Park station. £15, book ahead, 10.30am-12.30pm
BEAUTIFUL AND USEFUL: Hand-painted wooden bowls, beautiful ceramic vases, swish garden trugs, hand-woven willow baskets, satisfying stationery and lino-print home furnishings are just some of the items for sale at the Beautiful and Useful Craft Market. Garden Museum (Lambeth), £6/£5, book ahead, 10.30am-5pm
VINTAGE CLOTHES: Need a new winter wardrobe? Head to the East London Vintage Kilo Sale and pay for retro and vintage items by weight. Items date back to the 1970s and there's no minimum spend — pick well, and you could take home an item for as little as 50p. York Hall (Bethnal Green), £3, just turn up, 11am (There's also an event in Vauxhall on Saturday).
INTERFAITH WEEK: The Jewish Museum hosts a free event for Mitzvah Day and Interfaith Week, everyone welcome. Have a go at scribing Hebrew, get involved in baking challah bread for a local homeless shelter, and get stuck into other arts and crafts activities. Jewish Museum (Camden), free, book ahead, 1pm-4pm
OPERA HOUSE LATE: The Royal Opera House stays open late for an evening of music, dance and crafting. Get to know the building better as various performances take place throughout it, and learn a bit more and the worlds of opera and ballet. Royal Opera House (Covent Garden), £8, book ahead, 6pm
