Things To Do This Week In London: 4-10 November 2024

Bonfire night, Remembrance events and the first Christmas lights.

All week

TUBE STRIKES: At time of writing, tube strikes are planned for 7 and 12 November, with little to no service on the Tube network. (Earlier planned strikes were cancelled, and it's possible these will be too.) Assuming these strikes do go ahead, other non-Tube TfL services aren't expected to be majorly affected, although some DLR and London Overground stations may be closed. Check the TfL website for the latest updates before you head out.

POPPY ROUNDELS: Speaking of the Tube, keep an eye out for special poppy roundels at these Tube and Overground stations. Certain buses, trains, and even the cable car, are 'wearing' poppies too.

ART & ANTIQUES FAIR: Traditional fine art and 20th century and contemporary pieces are among the curated objects on show and for sale at the Winter Art & Antiques Fair. It's a chance to speak face-to-face with knowledgeable dealers specialising in jewellery, paintings, sculptures, bronzes, furniture, mirrors, and textiles. Takes place at Olympia London, alongside the Spirit of Christmas Fair. 4-10 November

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JUNO BIRCH: Outlandish blue alien Juno Birch arrives at Soho Theatre for her one-woman stand-up comedy show, Probed. Expect a night filled with jumbo hair, jarring fashion and laughs galore, as she shares her unique perspective on Earthly absurdities. 4-16 November

WHY AM I SO SINGLE? The writers of stage smash SIX are back with Why Am I So Single? Described as "riotously life-affirming" (The Times), and "a heartfelt meta-theatrical marvel" (WhatsOnStage), the all-singing, all-dancing tale of two best friends attempts to answer the question we've all asked ourselves at one time or another. It's on at the Garrick Theatre — book now and be one of the first to see. (sponsor)

THEATRE FESTIVAL: Voila! Theatre Festival spans multidisciplinary, multilingual and multicultural performances. This year, that translates as an impressive 72 productions, including That Boy Has No Shoes, a story about Apartheid in South Africa; Spanish cabaret Copla; and physical comedy The Room of Piss, which asks that pressing question: what would you do if your piss was blue? 4-24 November

FIREWORKS: Tuesday is 5 November, which (as you'll have remembered, remembered) is Fireworks Night. Some of London's displays took place over the first weekend in November, but a couple continue into this coming weekend, including in Harrow. There's also a display in central London on Tuesday. See the full list here.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Bonfire Night isn't even over before Christmas arrives in the form of London's festive illuminations. It starts with Oxford Street's switch-on on Tuesday, followed by Regent Street, St James's and Carnaby on Thursday. Here's our full guide to when London's different Christmas lights are switched on this year.

WHITE RABBIT RED RABBIT: Experimental drama White Rabbit Red Rabbit has no rehearsals, no director, and a new actor each night taking on a script they've never seen before. The play itself is about contemporary Iran, by Iranian writer Nassim Soleimanpour, various famous faces taking part on different nights. This is the final week of the run, at Soho Place. Until 9 November

LAND OF THE FREE: With the US election this week, this is your last chance to see a timely play about John Wilkes Booth, the actor who assassinated Abe Lincoln. Land of the Free is at Southwark Playhouse in Borough, and with recent goings on in America, the timing is even more apt than originally intended. Until 9 November

A FACE IN THE CROWD: The stage adaptation of 1957 film A Face In The Crowd, featuring the music of Elvis Costello, is at the Young Vic until Saturday, exploring topics of celebrity, power and politics. Until 9 November

LONDON DAY BY DAY: Looking for something to do this week, or any future week in London? Take a look at our guide to events and things to do in the capital day by day. Every day, we've handpicked events that take place every (or most) weeks, so you never need be without entertainment again. Guided walks, comedy shows, food and drink offers, live music and loads more are featured.

SHOW OF THE WEEK: Steve Coogan takes to the West End stage, playing not one but FOUR characters, in an explosive adaptation of Stanley Kubrick's Dr Strangelove, which we gave ★★★★☆ in our review.

EAT OF THE WEEK: The team behind Stoke Newington'S TA-KO now has a permanent residency at Forest Road Brewing Co near London Fields. From Wednesday to Sunday each week, you can soak up your brews with tacos stuffed with char siu jackfruit, nahm jim chicken and red pepper pork collar. On Sundays, all NFL games are screened from 6pm.

Monday 4 November

THE GUNPOWDER PLOT: Ahead of Bonfire Night, Guildhall Library offers a free talk about the failed Gunpowder Plot, including who was involved, and why they were trying to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Watch in person, or online. FREE, 2pm-3pm

ISLINGTON SQUARES WALK: Footprints of London guide Rob Smith leads a walking tour around Islington, focusing on the design and architecture of six of the area's residential squares. Meet at Highbury & Islington station to learn about the development of what became some of the world's first suburbs. 3.30pm

CHAPEL MUSIC: Head to the Charterhouse in Clerkenwell after work, for one of its regular Chapel Music sessions. This time around, All Souls' Pegasus Choir perform Requiem in the historic chapel. FREE, 5.30pm

BELLA MACKIE: Bestselling author Bella Mackie is at the Charlotte Street Hotel to discuss her latest book, What A Way To Go, with author and journalist Natasha Lunn. Mackie, known for her debut novel How to Kill Your Family, delves into themes of family dysfunction and crime. 6.30pm-8pm

NISH KUMAR: Stand-up comedian Nish Kumar is the guest on this week's edition of Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast, recorded in front of a live audience at... well, Leicester Square Theatre. 7.30pm

MONTY DON: Gardeners' World presenter Monty Don shares his passion for all things green-fingered and its impact on well-being, at Barbican. With over 30 years in television, Monty will recount his favourite garden stories, touch on the beauty of seasonal changes, and offer insights into gardening practices. 7.30pm

Tuesday 5 November

US ELECTION: Back in July, the UK held a general election on the US's Independence Day. Now the US election is being held on our Bonfire Night. Here's our pick of US Election night parties and events in London. The winner could be announced promptly, or, as with 2020, it could take a few days to count the votes. Especially if a certain candidate insists on trying to overturn the results if things don't go their way... 5 November

WRAP UP LONDON: Annual charity coat collection WrapUp London returns to London stations from today, so dig out your old winter coat from the back of your wardrobe. The organisation redistributes the coats they collect to those who need them most, to help keep them comfy and safe. Drop coats off at selected stations 5-7 November, or at 40 designated collection points across the capital 5-24 November. Full details here.

PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVAL: Organised by the team behind the Pitchfork website, Pitchfork Music Festival returns to London, with shows at more than 20 venues across six nights. Aziya, Charly Bliss, Ellie O'Neill, Goya Gumbani, Mabe Fratti and System Olympia are among those on the bill, beginning tonight with Kae Tempest, Sam Morton and Jacob Alon at Koko. 5-10 November

WOMEN IN HISTORY: Tonight's Gresham College lecture, given by Professor Janina Ramirez, delves into why it's important to write women back into history. She looks at how the discovery and sharing of historical female figures such as the Birka Warrior Woman, Hildegard of Bingen, and King Jadwiga offers a different perspective on a history previously thought of as male-dominated and 'brutish'. Watch in person at Barnard's Inn Hall, or online. FREE, 6pm

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PINT OF ARCHAEOLOGY: Join MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) for Pint of Archaeology, a drop-in evening with experts offering an insight into the theatres of Tudor and Elizabethan London. Takes place at the Anchor on Bankside. FREE, 6pm-9pm

GITS AND SHIGGLES: Tonight's Gits & Shiggles comedy night at the Half Moon in Putney welcomes a cohort of stands ups who did August's Edinburgh Fringe. Josh Glanc, Jin Hao Li, Ed Night and Amy Annette are on the bill. 7.30pm

Wednesday 6 November

FesTeLõn: St John's in Hoxton is the venue for this year's FesTeLõn, a festival of Spanish theatre now in its 12th incarnation. Plays, comedy, concerts, Q&As, talks and workshops are all on the programme, which begins today with a reinterpretation of Lady Macbeth. As you'd expect, the events are held in Spanish, though some have English surtitles or brief synopses available. 6-10 November

WINTER GIN GARDEN: The Ham Yard Hotel opens its Winter Gin Garden, a seasonal drinking pop up on its roof terrace, in partnership with Sipsmith. Entry is ticketed, which includes two drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available), with fire-cooked food available, and blankets and hot water bottles to keep things cosy. From 6 November

BARBRA & LIZA LIVE: Steven Brinberg plays Barbra Streisand with Rick Skye as Liza Minnelli in Barbra & Liza Live, a musical impersonation show at Charing Cross Theatre. They're accompanied by Nathan Martin at the piano. 6-17 November

HARVEST GAME FESTIVAL: Renegade Urban Winery in Walthamstow hosts a winter harvest game feast, a candlelit supper club taking place among the winemaking tanks and barrels. The four-course menu includes dishes such as chicken liver parfait, Cornish mussels with garlic butter, and wild game pie, each paired with a Renegade wine. 6.30pm-11pm

PUB COMEDY: Phil Nichol, Anuvab Pal, Leslie Gold, Russ Peers, Mara Mainka and MC Sion James vye for your laughs at Windsor & Eton Brewery's comedy night at the Crown & Treaty in Uxbridge. Your ticket includes a free drink: either a Windsor & Eton beer or medium house wine or a soft drink. 8pm

Thursday 7 November

TEDDINGTON BEER FESTIVAL: If you've just about recovered from London's Oktoberfest celebrations, head to the Landmark Arts Centre for Teddington Beer Festival. Sample more than 75 cask ales and 18 ciders, with proceeds going to support the Landmark Arts Centre. 7-10 November

LUXURY TRAVEL FAIR: If you're lucky enough to be planning a getaway in the next few months, you might find the inspiration you're looking for at the Luxury Travel Fair at London Olympia. Hear from celebrity travellers and expert speakers including filmmaker and presenter Libby Penman and CN Traveller digital editor Sarah Allard. You can also chat to reps from travel and expedition companies. 7-10 November

UK JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL: Various cinemas around London and beyond host screenings as part of the UK Jewish Film Festival, with online screenings taking place next week. The festival spans drama, comedy and documentary, and begins with an opening night gala at Curzon Mayfair, screening A Real Pain, about two cousins who reunite to visit their grandmother in Poland. 7-17 November

AUT-OOO ARCADIA: Artist Louis Morlæ takes over part of Somerset House with robotic sculptures, video and interactive multimedia, to imagine what a fully-automated future might look like. Aut-OOO-Arcadia looks at a time when machines might have taken over our jobs, allowing us to enter a new world of leisure. 7 November-23 February

PICASSO: PRINTMAKER: The British Museum opens a new exhibition focusing on a lesser-known aspect of artist Pablo Picasso's career: his prints. He created over 2,400 of them during his working life, with several on display here dating from the early-1900s through to the 1930s. 7 November-30 March

EUROVISION ON TOUR: Eurovision legends including Emmelie de Forest (Denmark, 2013 winner), Sunstroke Project (Moldova's viral Epic Sax Guy), and Linda Martin (Ireland, 1992 winner) perform at an immersive Eurovision on Tour show at Outernet. Expect singalongs, smoke machines and sequins galore. 6pm

IMPERIAL LATES: Imperial College stays open late for a 'future cities' themed evening for adults only. Head to the South Kensington campus for interactive experiences including driving in a city of AI vehicles, and testing out puddle-proof pavements that will reduce urban flooding. Improv comedy, DJs and food and drink options are also part of the fun. FREE, 6pm-9pm

Friday 8 November

POPPY FIELDS: For nine evenings from tonight, the Tower of London is illuminated with images from both world wars. Poppy Fields is a Remembrance event by light art company Luxmuralis, where visitors can enter the Tower after normal hours and watch the images projected onto the historic buildings, accompanied by a special soundtrack. There's also a chance to visit the Crown Jewels without the daytime crowds. 8-16 November

SHAKESPEARE BY CANDLELIGHT: Shakespeare's Globe opens a new production of thriller play All's Well That Ends Well, with Chelsea Walker making her Globe directorial debut. It's performed in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, London's only candlelit theatre, making for an extra atmospheric experience. 8 November-4 January

AD WOMEN: 100 years of women in advertising is celebrated in AdWomen, a new exhibition at the Museum of Brands in Notting Hill. Find out how advertising has both influenced and reflected women's societal and domestic roles over the last century, including the pioneering women who created groundbreaking TV ads that transformed the industry. Adverts dating back as far as the 1920s are on show. 8 November-28 April

MUSIC QUIZ: Indie, R&B, and chart classics are all on the menu at the Sounds Familiar Music Quiz at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow, which tests you on over 100 hit tunes from the 60s to today. 7pm

THE BIG SMOKE: Stand-up comedy, Latin jazz, and the true tale of an incredible sports odyssey await at The Big Smoke, a BYOB bi-monthly variety show and live recorded podcast. This Friday, host Kevin Bennett is joined by Jonathan Campion, author of the new book Getting Out: The Ukrainian Cricket Team's Last Stand on the Front Lines of War. Book ahead for £8, or pay what you can on the door. 7.30pm-10pm (sponsor)

NASHVILLE NIGHT: Cowboy boots and checked shirts at the ready for A Country Night in Nashville at Cadogan Hall in Chelsea. Hits by the likes of Johnny Cash, Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton, The Chicks, Willie Nelson and Kacey Musgraves are covered by live band Dominic Halpin and The Hurricanes. 7.30pm

Saturday 9 November

THE GREAT MUGHALS: The V&A opens a major exhibition focusing on the Mughal Court, an empire which ruled over modern-day India, Pakistan and Afghanistan for over 200 years from the 16th century. As the name suggests, The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence focuses on the extraordinary creative output of the Golden Age of the Mughal Court. From 9 November

HIGHGATE ART FAIR: The inaugural Highgate Art Fair showcases a range of art from over 30 established and emerging local artists, including Storm Thorgerson and Liron Kroll. View and purchase original and affordable contemporary pieces in the Victorian Hall at Highgate Primary School. 9-10 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 Alistair King), and takes the form of a procession through the City of London. There's also free entry to St Paul's Cathedral, and a special (also free) Saturday opening at the Bank of England Museum. FREE, from 11am. There's also a secret ghost parade rehearsal a few days before, though the date of this is kept under wraps.

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RICK STEIN: There's a chance to meet TV chef Rick Stein as he makes an appearance at Waterstones on Oxford Street to mark the launch of his new book, Rick Stein's Food Stories, which he'll be signing at the event. Entry is first come first served, so get down there early. 1pm

FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE: The Royal British Legion hosts its annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, a concert commemorating all those who have served and sacrificed from Britain and the Commonwealth. 2pm/7pm

NIGHT WALK: Historian and writer Dr Matthew Green is joined by actors and musicians on an immersive night walk through the slaughter grounds of Smithfield and alleys of Clerkenwell. Expect torch-lit performances in darkened churchyards and courts — plus hot wine to keep you fortified. 5pm

KENYON DIXON: He's collaborated with Justin Timberlake, Jill Scott, Kirk Franklin and Tyrese — but tonight, Grammy-nominated Kenyon Dixon is going it alone at Omeara near London Bridge. Should be some seriously smooth contemporary R&B. 7pm-10pm

GHANA'S GROOVE: Experience a vibrant celebration of Ghanaian music genre Highlife at The Jazz Cafe in Camden. Afla Sackey and his band Afrik Bawantu perform uplifting rhythms by the likes of K Frimpong, Eko Roosevelt and Ebo Taylor. 7pm

Sunday 10 November

WOMEN FOR SALE: Nordic Model Now! host Women for sale: Private matter or public crisis?, a day of discussions and workshops on pornography, prostitution and surrogacy, as led by women with various experiences around these. It's held at a central London location TBA, and its also livestreamed for free. 10am-4.30pm

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY: Today is Remembrance Sunday, when events take place around the country to commemorate those who served in the two world wars, and other conflicts since. A two-minute silence is held nationally at 11am, so that's something to be aware of if you're out and about at this time. London's main event is the Cenotaph March Past, and there will be road closures around that area. Other areas of London may also have their own commemorative parades and events. Around 11am

MAKER'S MARKET: Vintage bric-a-brac, plants, jewellery, sustainable products, food, ceramics and candles are just some of the items available at the Maker's Market, which pitches up at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow, showcasing products from small, local businesses. 11am-5pm

WOMEN OF THE CITY: As part of Footprints of London's Diverse London series, take a walking tour focusing on the women of the City of London. Meet outside St Paul's Cathedral and spend two hours learning about the queens, princesses, and female nurses, doctors, writers, poets, campaigners, politicians, businesswomen and philanthropists who have shaped the Square Mile. 12pm-2pm

PADDINGTON STORYTIME: Waterstones Piccadilly hosts storytime with Paddington Bear, a chance for families to hear Michael Bond's tales about the bear from darkest Peru, and have photos with the beloved ursine character. 1pm/3pm

MUPPET CAPER: The Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square screens 1981 film The Great Muppet Caper, the second live-action Muppets film, set in England with intrepid journalists Kermit, Fozzie and Gonzo reporting on a jewel heist. 2.45pm

ED BYRNE: Catch Ed Byrne's critically-acclaimed show Tragedy Plus Time at Richmond Theatre tonight. In this bittersweet routine, Byrne discusses his often rocky relationship with his late brother. 7.30pm

ALI SMITH: Author Ali Smith makes an appearance at Southbank Centre to launch her new novel, Gliff. She talks to novelist Eley Williams about the book, which delves into how we make meaning, via nods to dystopian fiction and the Kafkaesque. 7.45pm

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