Lovely things to fill those longer evenings in London

With the clocks going back next week, evenings in London will soon feel that little bit longer. Luckily, there's lots going on to brighten up even the darkest of autumn nights — starting with a festival of light. Diwali falls on 4 November this year, but the fun kicks off this weekend with the Mayor of London's free festival. Find out all about that, and other Diwali celebrations here.

After Diwali, it's Bonfire Night —  we've rounded up London's best firework displays and put together a guide for setting off your own (hint: you'll need a back garden). By then, it'll just about be time to get into the festive spirit with an ice skating session under the stars at one of the capital's many pop-up rinks, or a heartwarming Christmas film screening (just leave us out of the Die Hard debate!)

Finally, there's an array of winter light festivals to dazzle you, from a celestial-themed trail at Hampton Court Palace to the one million lights that make up the reliably spectacular Christmas at Kew. Click below for our full round-up of London-based illuminations.