October seemed to whizz by and before we know it, it will be Christmas in London! Before then, however, have the month of November with a calendar that is jam-packed with fun things to do.
November is the month for bonfire night and there are a number of celebrations taking place across the city. Some of the best fireworks take place at Ally Pally (they’ve been called the “Glastonbury of Fireworks”). This year they take place on November 3 and 4 – tickets are still available. Read on for more bonfire night suggestions and lots of ideas of things to do in London in November.
Christmas markets and Christmas lights get going this month and the ice-skating season starts with a handful of ice rinks open for business.
The EFG London Jazz Festival returns this month with 10 days of live music, new collaborations and some fun, interactive family shows.
The London Korean Film Festival takes place this month with two weeks of movies from some of Korea’s best known filmmakers (2 – 16 November).
Sadly the popular Regent Street Motor Show won’t be going ahead this year. Fingers crossed it returns in 2024.
If you’re hankering after turkey and pumpkin pie this month then the Colony Grill Room is hosting its traditional four-course Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday 23 November.
Buckingham Palace is closed to visitors now until July 2023 but you can see the Royal residence from the outside when you watch the Changing of the Guards. Tours of the Houses of Parliament take place every Saturday this month.
Finally, Remembrance Day will take place this year on Saturday, November 11.
Don’t forget to take a look at our list of things taking place in October, with many of the exhibitions and events listed ongoing.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I have been or could be if you click on a link in this post compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See our full disclosure policy for more details.
Things to do in London in November
Table of Contents
Bonfire Night
Sadly there aren’t very many free firework events taking place in London any more (the Victoria Park fireworks have been cancelled) but there are still places where you can watch fireworks light up the night sky.
Take a look at the following firework displays:
- Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival – Friday November 3 and Saturday November 4
- Barnes Bonfire Night – Saturday November 4
- Chiswick Park Fireworks Extravaganza – Thursday November 2
- Dulwich Fireworks Display – Saturday November 4
- Battersea Park Fireworks – Saturday November 4 and Sunday November 5
- Beckenham Fireworks – Saturday November 4
- Wimbledon Park Fireworks – Saturday November 4
- Morden Park Fireworks – Sunday November 5
If you can’t make it to one of the above fireworks displays then book a ticket for the immersive Gunpowder Plot experience at the Tower of London and discover the reasons behind Guy Fawkes night!
Ice Rinks in London
Time to get your skates on as London’s winter ice rinks open across the city. Book tickets for Battersea Power Station, Queen’s House Greenwich, Canary Wharf and our favourite skating rink Somerset House now. Take a look at more places to practice your Torvill and Dean routines here.
London’s Christmas Lights
Central London knows a thing or two about putting on an impressive Christmas display, starting this month. Festive frivolities kick off on 2 November when the Oxford Street Christmas lights are switched on.
The 2 November is also when Carnaby Street’s lights will be turned on. To celebrate, the neighbourhood is hosting the Carnaby Christmas Shopping Party when more than 100 shops, bars and restaurants will offer a 20% discount on most of their products.
The lights in Covent Garden come to life on Tuesday 7 November followed by the Regent Street lights on Thursday 9 November.
If you want to see London illuminated from up high, take an evening spin around the London Eye.
London’s Christmas Shows
Get ready for the festive season with tickets to a Christmas show. Some of the best theatre performances open this month including Elf the Musical, Stick Man, The Snowman, and the annual retelling of A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic. Take a look at our favourite Christmas shows in London here.
London’s Christmas Light Trails
London’s festive light trails kick off this month including those at Kew Gardens (15 November), Lightopia at Crystal Palace (17 November) and Illuminature at the London Wetlands Centre in Barnes (18 November). Take a look at our other recommended light trails here.
London’s Christmas Markets
London’s Christmas Markets spring into action this month as well. One of our favourites is the Southbank Centre Winter Market (2 November) that takes place alongside the south bank of the River Thames.
Hogwarts in the Snow
Fans of the Harry Potter films should get their wands at the ready for Hogwarts at Christmas. The annual Hogwarts in the Snow opens its doors on November 11 and welcomes guests until January 14.
The Great Hall will be transformed with the ice silvers of the iconic Yule Ball scene. The Gryffindor common room will be dressed for the season and snow will cover the Forbidden Forest as well as the cobbled stone and magical shop fronts of Dragon Alley.
For more Harry Potter magic, take a look at this walking tour through central London.
Dates: 11 November 2023 – 14 January 2024. Tickets are available now.
Where: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, WD25 7LR
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
London’s biggest festive funfair is back for another year of funfair rides, ice skating, a Christmas market and far too many indulgent food and drink stalls. There’s also the chance to meet Santa and see London from up high in the giant Ferris wheel.
When: 17 November 2021 – 1 January 2024
Where: Hyde Park; nearest tubes Lancaster Gate, Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner and Knightsbridge
Christmas at the Postal Museum
The Mail Rail is getting a festive makeover, starting from 1 November. The subterranean ride which takes visitors back in time to the heyday of the postal railway will be decorated for the holidays.
Also on display are letters to Santa, which inlaces official cards from Father Christmas sent to children between 1963 and 2010. The first commercial Christmas card will also be on display in the museums permanent exhibitions space.
When: Opens 1 November
Where: Postal Museum, 15-20 Phoenix Pl, London WC1X 0DA
The Witches at the National Theatre
Opening on 7 November is this adaption of Roald Dahl’s novel about a young boy who lives with his grandmother and who comes across a coven of witches who have plan’s to turn all the world’s children into mice.
The stage version will be shown at the National Theatre and will star Katherine Kingsley as the Grand High Witch.
When: Opens 7 November – 27 January
Where: The National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX
‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’
Strangers Things fans will be happy to know that this prequel to the smash Netflix show is opening this month at the Phoenix Theatre.
Set in the small town of Hawkins in 1959, this stage production is a new story written by Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers alongside Harry Potter and the Cursed Child writer Jack Thorne and Kate Trey, who wrote the 2011 film Drive.
When: Opens 17 November
Where: The Phoenix Theatre, Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0JP
Luxury Travel Fair
Get inspiration for your next trip (from your armchair or otherwise) at the Luxury Travel Fair that’s taking place this month at Olympia. They’ve got a cracking line-up of speakers timetabled including TV presenter Dan O’Neill and Wildlife Biologist and Presenter Lizzie Daly. You can also chat to representatives from travel and expedition companies.
When: 2 – 5 November
Where: Olympia; nearest tube Kensington (Olympia)
Winter Horse Carriage Rides
Wrap up warm and climb on board a traditional carriage drawn by a pair of Shire horses from the last working herd in London for a tour around beautiful Richmond Park.
Snuggle under a blanket, take a sip on sloe gin and munch on a mince pie as you clip clop along for the hour-long ride.
The rides take place on various dates throughout the festive season and include a behind-the-scenes tour of the working stables.
When: Various dates starting from the end of November to the beginning of January, check website for details. The tour costs £450 per carriage, which seats six people and includes tea / refreshments and a tour of the stables.
Where: Holly Lodge Richmond Park
Wrap Up London
The annual charity coat collection WrapUp London is taking place again this year. The charity distributes the coats that they collect to those who need them most so dig out your old winter coats and donate them to a good cause. Check the website for collection points.
When: 7 – 27 November
Where: Check website for collection points
Lord Mayor’s Show
For pomp, pageantry and a fun procession, line up on Saturday 11 November for the Lord Mayor’s Show, the annual event which marks the outgoing Lord Mayor being replaced by the new Lord Mayor. The spectacle dates back to the early 13th century and features a grand ceremonial carriage as well as floats and marching bands travelling through the City of London.
When: 11 November
Where: City of London; take a look at the route here
Ever After Garden
Mayfair’s Grosvenor Square is being transformed into an illuminated garden with more than 25,000 illuminated roses installed to raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. There’s no admission fee but donations are very welcome. You can also choose to dedicate a rose to a loved one.
When: 16 November – 19 December
Where: Grosvenor Square; nearest tube Bond Street
Power Up at the Science Museum
A must for all gamers out there is the Power Up exhibition at the Science Museum. This interactive exhibit showcases the best video games and consoles from the past 50 years and includes everything from Pong to Pacman and Minecraft to Mario.
Play against friends in multiplayer showdowns, test out new virtual reality experiences, and more.
When: Ongoing
Where: The Interactive Gallery at the Science Museum, nearest tube South Kensington
Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirror Rooms
The immersive Infinity Mirror Rooms by Japanese artists Yayoi Kusama at the Tate Modern have proved such a hit that the dates have been extended until 28 April 2024. Tickets do go quickly, however, so best to snap yours up quickly.
Infinity Mirrored Room – Filled with the Brilliance of Life is shown alongside Chandelier of Grief as well as a small presentation of photos and moving image providing historical context for these art works.
When: Until 28 April 2024
Where: Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG
Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the Natural History Museum
One of my favourite exhibitions of the year takes place at the Natural History Museum. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year takes place in a newly designed exhibition space that includes short videos, quotes from jury members and photographers as well as insights from Museum scientists alongside the photos.
When: Until 30 June 2024
Where: The Natural History Museum; nearest tube South Kensington
My Neighbour Totoro at the Barbican Theatre
Returning to London this month is the award-winning adaptation of the 1988 animated feature film My Neighbour Totoro by Studio Ghibli.
This stage production, brought to you by the Royal Shakespeare Company and Executive Producer Joe Hisaishi, has won six Olivier Awards and five WhatsOnStage Awards and received countless five star reviews. In short, you know that it’s going to be good!
When: 21 November – 23 March 2024
Where: Barbican Theatre
Burma to Myanmar at The British Museum
This new exhibition at the British Museum explores the dramatic fluctuations in fortune of Myanmar – also known as Burma – over the last 1,500 years
Although today Burma is ruled once more by a military dictatorship and is an isolated figure on the world stage, it was once an influential superpower at the crossroads of Asia.
This exhibition focuses on the artistic output produced by Myanmar’s various peoples and how they interacted with each other and the world around them leading to new ideas and art forms.
Highlights of the collection include a silver ‘tanka’ coin dating from 1612-22, a Kachin ammunition pouch made of rattan and cotton dating from the early 1860s, and a map showing three Stan states from 1889.
When: 2 November – 11 February 2024
Where: The British Library; nearest tubes Tottenham Court Road, Holborn, Russel square and Goodge Street
Japan: Myths & Manga at the Young V&A
After three years, a £13 million renovation, countless consultations with local children and a name change (it used to be called the Museum of Childhood), the Young V&A is once again open and is quite brilliant.
The vastly new and improved museum for children opened in July with three new galleries to explore – Play, Imagine and Design – with plenty to delight kids of all ages. A mysterious “sound tree” houses an interactive game, a make-your-own board game table and a giant foam construction set. All together it’s a wonderful world of colour and imagination.
Their latest exhibition, Japan: Myths to Manga, explores how landscape and folklore have influenced Japan’s culture, technology and design.
When: Japan: Myths & Manga opens on 14 October
Where: Young V&A, nearest tube Bethnal Green
Fashion City at the London Museum of Docklands
Taking place at the London Museum of Docklands this month is Fashion City, a new exhibition exploring how Jewish fashion makers shaped London style.
Discover the people and places that were pivotal to making London look good including renowned wedding dress designer Netty Spiegel, master milliner Otto Lucas and flamboyant Mr Fish.
When: Until April 2024
Where: Museum of London Docklands, nearest tube Canary Wharf.
Powerful Parachutes at Tower Bridge
The next free family activity session at Tower Bridge explores how the ‘Guardian Angel’ parachute was tested at Tower Bridge in 1917.
Taking place on Saturday 11 November, kids can also make their own mini parachute to take home and keep. These activities are best suited to children aged 6 to 10 (but all ages welcome) and are available throughout the day and included in the price of admission.
When: Saturday 11 November, 10am – 4pm
Where: Tower Bridge; nearest tube Tower Hill station
New shows at the Arts Depot
North London venue the Arts Depot has a handful of new shows for families this November.
Morgan & West’s Massive Magic Show for Kids (Sunday 5 November) is aimed at children aged 6+; The Star Seekers (Sunday 12 November) explores the solar system, galaxies, shootings stars and planets through songs, silliness and anti-gravity tricks (ages 3 – ); The Museum of Marvellous Things (Sunday 19 November) brings giant puppets, interactive storytelling and magical effects to stage (ages 3-8); and Riding a Donkey Backwards & Other Tales (Sunday 26 November) retells “wise and foolish tales” from Muslim literature for kids and their parents.
When: Various dates, see website for details
Where: The Arts Depot, North Finchley
Fantasy: Realms of Imagination at The British Library
The British Library have unveiled their new exhibition exploring the long history of fantasy through props, costumes, manuscripts, early editions of novels and clips from TV shows including Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
The exhibition also features maps and posters alongside a room inspired by the American mystery series Twin Peaks. There’re live action role play costumes, a video game based in the Fallen London world and plenty more guaranteed to delight fans of the genre young and old.
When: Until 25 February
Website
Where: The British Library, nearest tube Kings Cross
