All weekend
JAZZ FEST: The EFG London Jazz Festival comes to a close this weekend, but there's still time to catch a a few more performances. Introduce budding fans at a jazz for toddlers session, watch a free show by the Royal Academy Big Band, or catch a lunchtime special at The 606 Club. Various locations and prices, book ahead, until 24 November
WINTERFEST: Wembley Park holds its inaugural Winterfest, a free, family-friendly light festival with several installations. Walk through the Sonic Runway, a light tunnel from Nevada's Burning Man festival, or gaze up at the largest LED tree ever seen in London. Wembley Park, free, just turn up, 20 November-3 January
Winter Wonderland is open for the seasonWINTER WONDERLAND: It's the first weekend of huge free Christmas festival Winter Wonderland. Funfair rides, theatre shows, an ice rink, an ice kingdom, Santa Land, a grotto, food and drink stalls, Christmas markets, a big wheel and much more are part of the fun this year. It’s free entry, but can get a bit spendy once you’re inside — you’ve been warned. Hyde Park, free entry, just turn up (but book ahead for some attractions) 21 November-5 January
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, 22-24 November (and next weekend too)
CHRISTMAS FAIR: 100 stalls, Santa's grotto and a craft area are all part of Chelsea Physic Garden's Christmas fair, which runs all weekend. Wander through the garden browsing knitwear, jewellery, homewares and more, and finish up in the cafe, where festive food and drink is available. Chelsea Physic Garden, from £7, book ahead, 22-24 November
CUTTY SARK 150: Greenwich's famous dry-docked tea clipper, the Cutty Sark, celebrates its 150th birthday with a weekend of special events. Face painting, storytelling, live music, actors in characters and an Alice in Wonderland tea party are just some of the ways you can learn about the history of the vessel. Cutty Sark (Greenwich), £13.50/£6.75, book ahead, 22-24 November
LIBERTY FESTIVAL: The work of deaf and disabled artists is celebrated at Liberty 2019, a two-day festival of free performances. It’s a collaboration between the Mayor of London, and Waltham Forest as Borough of Culture, with a programme as diverse as holograms, deaf raves, cycle rides, podcast sessions, and much more. Walthamstow, free, booking required for some events, 23-24 November
ICE SKATING: Plenty of London's winter ice rinks are now open for business, including the biggies at Somerset House and Natural History Museum. There are plenty of smaller options too, including rooftop rinks, and this is the first weekend of skating at Hampton Court Palace and in Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. See our complete ice skating guide to get the best out of the season.
Saturday 23 November
CULTURE MILE NIGHTS: It's the final day of Culture Mile Nights, a programme of after-dark events that celebrates the night-time economy of Smithfield. Take an after-dark history tour of the area, a candlelit tour of one of the oldest churches in the City of London, or learn about the historical Bartholomew Fair. See the full programme. Smithfield and surrounding area, free, booking required for some events, 21-23 November
MAGIC AND MONSTERS: London Fortean Society hosts a day-long symposium about the folklore, monsters and magic of the British Isles. Authors and researchers give talks on their specialist subjects, including Dr Richard Sugg on the dangerous history of fairies, and Dr Samantha George on werewolves. Conway Hall (Holborn), £22, book ahead, 10am-5.30pm
BOOK LOVERS' WANDERING: If you love all things literary, join in on this book lovers' wandering. Begin at the Mecca that is Daunt Books, before visiting some of London's other fascinating libraries and book shops. At the end, receive a list of other literary haunts in London to explore in your own time. Daunt Books (Marylebone), £15, book ahead, 11am-1.30pm
MEET SANTA: You don’t get much for free in this life, especially around Christmas time — but you can meet Santa for free today. He makes an appearance in the City’s Winter Forest — take photos with him against the snowy pine forest backdrop, and let him know what you’d like for Christmas. Broadgate (Liverpool Street), free, just turn up, 12pm-3pm
CHELSEA CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: London's Christmas lights continue to light up the city and today it's Chelsea's turn for a switch-on event. A new Christmas light scheme is unveiled on King's Road this year consisting of decorative lights inspired by the crown of King Charles II, for whom the road was built. The switch-on is celebrated with carol singers, performers and other free festive entertainment. Chelsea, free, just turn up, from 2pm (lights on at 5pm)
CYCLING TOUR: Speaking of Christmas lights, hop on your bike for a cycling tour around the illuminations. See the twinkling lights of Carnaby, Oxford Street, Regent Street and Covent Garden, via quieter streets and cycle paths. A bike, helmet, lights and Santa hat are all provided. Kennington Road, £22, book ahead, 3.30pm-6.30pm (sponsor)
ESPRESSO MARTINI FESTIVAL: London's Espresso Martini Society (real group — how do we join?) is back with a Christmas-themed festival celebrating the cocktail. Sup on variations of the caffeinated concoction, such as marshmallow, gingerbread and Ferrero Rocher variations. KO Coffee (King's Cross), £25, book ahead, 3.30pm-10.15pm
QUEET DATING ADS: Bearded drag lady Timberlina brings to life some of the adverts from 20th century ‘lonely hearts’ publication The Link. The adverts, found in the National Archives and at Bishopsgate Institute, used coded language for men to meet men, with phrases including 'bachelor', 'bohemian' and 'unconventional'. Royal Vauxhall Tavern, free, book ahead, 4pm-5.30pm
PAINT JAM: Take part in a laid back art workshop, doing your thing on the canvas provided while listening to a curated music playlist. The theme for this particular Paint Jam is Illusions, inspired by the current Bridget Riley exhibition. Secret central London location, £26, book ahead, 5pm-7.30pm
EVENING WITH THE STARS: Eyes to the skies at the Royal Observatory's Evening with the Stars. Visit the world-famous observatory after hours, look through a Victorian telescope, meet astronomers, watch a planetarium show, and stand on the Meridian line. Royal Observatory (Greenwich), £24, book ahead, 5.25pm-6.50pm
Sunday 24 November
RUSSIAN FILM WEEK: Russian Film Week kicks off today, with screenings at various locations in London, Edinburgh, Cambridge and Oxford. The festival screens both Russian and co-produced feature films, shorts, documentary and animated films, and also involves panel discussions, exhibitions and other events. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 24 November-1 December
HUGUENOT HOUSE: Find out what life was like for the 18th century Huguenots of Spitalfields. Wander the area that was home to the Protestant refugees from France, including a visit to Dennis Severs' House, and learn about other notable people from the East End's history. Spitalfields, £10, book ahead, 10.30am-1pm
PALACE AT WAR: Fulham Palace opens the doors of its first world war hospital for a family-friendly day of activities. Dress up as a nurse and take part in a bandage-rolling challenge, or flick through a scrapbook made by a nurse who worked there. There’s also a wartime singalong around the piano. Fulham Palace, free, just turn up, 11am-3pm
STIR UP SUNDAY: Traditionally the day when festive preparations begin in the kitchen, Stir Up Sunday is celebrated in Gunnersbury. Watch actors playing Victorian servants in a promenade performance through the historic kitchens involving sugar, spice, and plum pudding — they might even let you have a stir. Gunnersbury Museum, £4, book ahead, 11am-3.30pm
BIG LONDON FLEA: One (wo)man’s trash is another’s treasure, so get thee to the Big London Flea and have a rummage around. 50 traders take over the ground floor of a former cinema selling furniture, homewares, vintage clothes, industrial electrical goods and more. Earth Hackney, £1 entry, just turn up, 11am-6pm
PALACE HISTORY: Get to know Fulham Palace better on a guided tour of the house and gardens, home to the Bishops of London for over 1300 years. Find out about the people who have lived here, and how different generations of residents influenced different architectural styles in the building. Fulham Palace, £6, book ahead, 12.30pm-1.30pm
CLASSICAL PERFORMERS: Enjoy the Cutty Sark after hours, with the added bonus of live music. Debut events bring up-and-coming musicians to the stage, and this tine round the Salomé String Quartet, saxophonist Manu Brazo, tenor Alex Aldren and soprano Lizzie Holmes present a programme of classical music, opera and musical favourites. Cutty Sark (Greenwich), £18, book ahead, 7pm
