Things To Do This Weekend In London: 3-4 November 2018

Looks like this article is a bit old. Be aware that information may have changed since it was published.

Things to do this weekend is sponsored by Enable Leisure Centre.

All weekend

Have a nosy around Coal Drops Yard

BONFIRE NIGHT: Looking for somewhere to shake your sparklers and enjoy the fireworks? Check out our round-up of the best spots to see a display.

COAL DROPS YARD: The new shopping and dining district near King's Cross station hosts an opening weekender with entertainment, tours, music, family fun and creative workshops. Free, just turn up, 2-4 November

HANDMADE HIGHGATE: Get a peek inside the historic Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution which opens to the public for one weekend only for a fair of designers and makers selling unique creations to the public. The Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution, free, just turn up, 2-4 November

NARCISSIST THEATRE: Enjoy a dark comedy about life, love and millennial expectation. Focused on love addict and lost soul Narcissus, this award-winning performance blends spoken word with poignancy and cutting wit. Pleasance Theatre (Islington), £10-£12, book ahead, 2-7 November

LANGUAGES OF LONDON: An ode to London's 300 languages, this family fun weekend celebrates and disseminates linguistics of the world. Check out talks, crafts and workshops centred on everything from BSL to the Hebrew alphabet. Museum of London Docklands (Canary Wharf), free, just turn up, 3-4 November

FRENCH FEAST: Join the Quite Nice team and master chef Jacob Rosen for a French flight of fancy as they serve up cassoulet, confit duck and plenty of cheese in a three-course seasonal banquet inspired by their travels. Apiary Studios (Hackney), £35, book ahead, until 11 November

RAINBOW WARRIOR: Pound the streets with purpose on an art trail tracking down the six pieces of stencil artist Soul'D's Rainbow Warrior scattered across Peckham. Peckham Levels (Peckham), free, just turn up, until 2 December


Sponsor message

The biggest bang for your buck at Battersea Park Fireworks

Wandsworth Council’s Battersea Park Fireworks is back... with the biggest bang in London. This Saturday, award-winning pyro-technicians Jubilee Fireworks set the sky above Battersea Park ablaze with a 22 minute-long spectacular — including the largest firework in the whole of London.

There's more to the night than supersized sparkles, however. With Battersea Power Station just a short riverside walk away, you're spoilt for choice when it comes to pre or post show dining options. Mosey on down to the shiny new Circus West Village for hearty Italian dishes, fiery Indian cuisine, mighty bowls of Japanese ramen, or brilliant British seafood. And let's not forget about booze — get your cocktail fix at No.29 Power Station West, or sample Vagabond Wines's rich reds and crisp white on tap (it is the weekend, after all.)

Battersea Park Fireworks starts at 6pm on 3 November. Tickets to Battersea Park cost £10 +bf and can be bought here. Kids under 11 go free.


Saturday 3 November

Try your hand at the Rock, Paper, Scissors championships

ENCHANTED FOREST: This immersive beauty experience features makeovers, massages and plenty of pampering all set in The Body Shop’s magical enchanted forest. 106 Commercial Street (Shoreditch), free, just turn up, 10am-7pm

ARCHITECTURE TOUR: Explore London’s Middle City on a walk through the streets nestled between the earliest sites of commercial and political power, to discover medieval cloisters, churches and Parisian boulevards teeming with history and architectural monuments. Villiers side Embankment Tube (Embankment), £10-£12, book ahead, 10.30am-12.30am

VINTAGE MARKET: Rummage through the rails of a vintage and independent designers' market, with DJs spinning tracks throughout the day, plus, live art, street food and a selection of cocktails providing sustenance for the body and soul. 93 Feet East (Shoreditch), free, just turn up, 11am-5pm

BLACK BOOK SWAP: This literary celebration led by brilliant black authors, Diana Evans, Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones and Leye Adenle, is followed by a chance to swap and buy books by BAME writers. Bring pre-loved literature. Canada Water Library, £13.50, book ahead, 12.30pm-3.45pm

DIGGER DANCING: Man meets machine in a thrilling performance piece from Motionhouse dance company using JCB diggers. Expect the unexpected as diggers get down. Bell Square (Hounslow), free, just turn up, 1pm and 3pm

ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS: The European championships see challengers of the classic game Rock, Paper, Scissors battle it out to win the ultimate title 2018. Wager on games during the seven knockout rounds to win big and see who gets crowned at a rowdy night out to remember. Knights Templar (Chancery Lane), £15, book ahead, 6pm-10pm

DANCEHALL: Dancehall queen Lei di Dai leads this tropical extravaganza playing floor filling afrobeat, disco and Cuban music for a night of performances and partying. Grab your dancing shoes and show your moves. Grow (Hackney Wick), free, just turn up, 6pm-2am

CAIROKEE: Balancing a powerful mix of rock and electronica, Cairokee create calls for freedom stemming from their Egyptian roots to get audiences on their feet and singing along. Jazz Cafe (Camden), £22.50, book ahead, 7pm

VEGAN SUPPERCLUB: Enjoy an indulgent evening of cocktails, canapés and a mouth-watering three-course meal of vegan delights. All proceeds go to The Ocean Cleanup so it’s a delectable guilt free night out. Local Sauce HQ (Old Street), £40, book ahead, 7pm

UNDEAD OVERTURES: If you haven't had your fill of spooky adventures, Halloween continues at Overtures from the Undead where the Basement Orchestra performs chilling tunes in concert. The Grand (Clapham), £12, book ahead, 7.15pm-10pm

Sunday 4 November

Enjoy the views at a speakeasy in the sky

GUSH EXHIBITION: Somerset House Studio resident Hannah Perry presents a solo multimedia exhibition that calls into question our ultra-modern networked society, drawing on the realms of mental and emotional health. Last chance to see. Somerset House (Strand), free, just turn up, 10am-6pm

CARROLL AND JOYCE: See John Vernon Lord’s astoundingly detailed and beautiful drawings produced for the works of Lewis Carroll and James Joyce. Every image tells a story from down the rabbit hole to the dreams of Finnegan’s Wake. House of Illustration (King’s Cross), £4-£8, book ahead, 10am-6pm

STILL HERE: See life on the inside, as illustrated by prisoners and their families. A showcase of art, writing and music offering a window into a world beyond the walls. Final day. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 10am-11pm

REPAIR CAFE: Broken bikes in the garage, buttons still not sewn on and furniture projects you just never got round to? Give forgotten items a second life and finally tackle put off projects at the Repair Cafe. Mary's Community Centre (Islington), free, book ahead, 11.30am-2.30pm

DRAGON THEATRE: Follow a young child’s journey as he learns to tame his daemons and tackle his dragons in a performance combining theatre and original music interwoven with BSL. Jacksons Lane (Highgate), £10, book ahead, 12pm and 3pm

BRUNCH AND BINGO: Will it be legs eleven or two fat ladies? Be in it to win it with a twisted bingo match over tequila and Mexican themed brunch, thanks to the folks at Corazon and Cazcabel. Corazon Restaurant (Soho), £15, book ahead, 2.30pm-6pm

ARTIST'S EYES: A poetic journey through the eyes of artist Chris Moon into the depths of his practice and the perilous art world. Filmed by Jack Bond, the innovative documenter of Salvador Dali, this candid flick offers an insight into Moon's life and work. Arthouse (Crouch End), £5-£11, book ahead, 5pm-7pm

SKYHIGH SPEAKEASY: Quaff cocktails with a view at a roaring twenties style speakeasy as part of Bourbon brand Bulleit's take over of the ultra-plush Eighteen Sky Bar. InterContinental at O2 (North Greenwich), book ahead, 5pm-12am

HAWKWIND: Up for a concert that's totally out of this world? Legendary space rock pioneers Hawkwind boldly go where they've never gone before with In Search of Utopia, a live performance of their intergalactic hits, featuring a new orchestral accompaniment. The London Palladium (Soho), available from £49 on StubHub, book ahead, 7pm (sponsor)

SIDE DISHES: Union Theatre serves up a plethora of side dishes celebrating all things Thanksgiving at a showcase of short North American plays. Ranging from re-written histories to hilarious traditions, there's something for everyone to give thanks for. The Union Theatre (Southwark), £12-£15, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm