All week
GHOST SHOW: Keep the scares going all week at Peckham's Copeland Park. Ghost Show: The Haunted House is a free art exhibition based on the classic haunted house experience as a new way to exhibit art. 70 artists are involved, many from the local area. FREE, 31 October-5 November
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS: Ah, Halloween. The perfect day for the Spirit of Christmas Fair to launch at Olympia London. If you're already thinking about on all things festive, head there this week to snaffle up gifts, decorations, food and drink from more than 700 independent exhibitors. Not there yet? Fear not, there are plenty more Christmas markets and fairs in London closer to the big day. 31 October-6 November
FASHIONING MASCULINITIES: Last chance to see the V&A's men's fashion exhibition, Fashioning Masculinities. Our reviewer gave it a ★★★★ review, impressed by the look at how men's fashion has changed over time, but slightly disappointed that it's dominated by western fashions. Until 6 November
DOC 'N' ROLL: The Doc 'n' Roll Film Festival at Barbican is a chance to see music documentaries on the big screen, covering genres from Latin jazz to electronic. This week, watch films about Cuba-born pianist and composer Omar Sosa, American pianist Thelonious Monk, soul singer Lee Fields, and jazz musician Roy Hargrove. Until 6 November
LUIGI PERICLE: A darling of the post-war abstract movement, Luigi Pericle suddenly disappeared from the scene, before reinventing his artworks to feature geometric forms and mystical, totemic symbols. Get your fill at this Estorick show. Until 18 December
A FAMILY AFFAIR: Barbican Music Library's latest exhibition is Black British Dynasties in Music: A Family Affair. Specially commissioned photos and interviews feature in the display, which celebrates the contribution that Black British musical families have made to music and culture. FREE, until 25 January 2023
TRANSFORMING LEGACIES: 40 years of Black British art is celebrated at Brixton's Black Cultural Archives for Transforming Legacies, a new exhibition that whisks you through painting, ceramics, film and performance from the likes of Ajamu, Karis Beaumont, Jaffar Aly and Enam Gbewonyo. Until 29 January
HIEROGLYPHS: Seen the British Museum's Hieroglyphs exhibition yet? It's a fascinating look at how the Rosetta Stone came to be, and the work that went into cracking the code which allowed us to understand Ancient Egyptian symbols. Until February 2023
EXECUTIONS: Another exhibition worth getting to is Executions at Museum of London Docklands. While its sister site is winding down ready to close, the east London museum is firing on all cylinders with a show about the history of capital punishment in London. Sensitive, sobering, and absolutely fascinating. Until April 2023
NEW BAR: Denmark Street gets a new bar, opening Tuesday — The Lower Third. It'll put on live music (good, because it's taking the place of the legendary 12 Bar Club), with cocktails shaken by Shannon Tebay, formerly of The Savoy. From 1 November
LONDON POTTERS: Check out works by London Potters members, on display at this open exhibition at the Department Store in Brixton — and if you like something, you can buy it directly from the artist. FREE, 3-6 November
RAIL STRIKES: At time of writing, rail strikes are expected to take place on Saturday 5 November this week (as well as Monday 7 November and Wednesday 9 November next week. Plus there's also a planned tube/Overground strike on Thursday 10 November). Services will be limited on these days, and may be late in starting the following days — check with your train operating company for specifics. 5-10 November
PLAN AHEAD FOR NOVEMBER: As a new month begins, get your social calendar sorted with these 50+ fantastic things to do in London this November. Choose from new exhibitions, the Lord Mayor's Show, this year's first Christmas events, twinkling light festivals, new theatre shows and musicals — and so much more.
Monday 31 October
HALLOWEEN: It feels like the pumpkins have been floating around for weeks already, but Halloween's finally here, so you'll be needing our guide to Halloween events in London.
SLAVERY TOUR: Join a Bank of England Museum curator for a tour of current exhibition, Slavery & The Bank, and get an insight into how Britain was shaped by the wealth created by the transatlantic slave trade. FREE, 12pm
PREMATURE BURIAL: Here's something to creep you out on Halloween — a talk on premature burial, or being buried alive. It happens, apparently, more than we'd like to think, and this Guildhall Library talk gives recent examples of people being saved from the grave in the nick of time. 2pm-3pm
FILM AFRICA: As part of the Royal African Society’s Film Africa festival, catch a screening of Ghanaian film, Amansa Tiafi ('Public Toilet Africa'). The screening is preceded by a pan-African dining experience, and followed by a Q&A with director Kofi Ofosu-Yeboah, taking place at The Africa Centre in Southwark. 7pm (repeated tomorrow)
LEVISON WOOD: Author and explorer Levison Wood is at Cadogan Hall as part of his current UK tour, The Art of Exploration. In the one-man show, he shares some of his travel stories, from his army career and the front line of Afghanistan, to his photo-journalism assignments in the Congo and Nepal. 7.30pm
Tuesday 1 November
ART AND ANTIQUES: Everything from diamonds to dining tables is covered at The Winter Art & Antiques Fair at Olympia, beginning today. Over 20,000 pieces are on show, with specialist dealers from all over the world selling their wares and offering expertise. 1-6 November
IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST: Head to the Rose Theatre Kingston for a new production of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, blending Wilde's renowned wit with contemporary culture. 1-12 November 2022
LONDONERS UNDERGROUND: Barbican Library opens a free exhibition, Londoners Underground: Private Worlds in Public Places, compiled of photos of Londoners taking the tube. The images were taken over a five-year period, showing Londoners engrossed in the most mundane of activities that most of us do daily. FREE, 1-23 November
LOST RIVERS: Head to Guildhall Library to hear from author and Londonist contributor Tom Bolton about London's list rivers. He's written two books on the topic, so knows his underground onions, and tonight he focuses on the lesser-known buried watercourses, including Bollo Brook, the Cock and Pye Ditch, Counter's Creek and the Moselle. 6pm
PARTITION OF BRITISH INDIA: 75 years after the partition of British India, journalist Kavita Puri gives a Gresham College lecture featuring testimonies from people who lived through it and were part of the world's largest migration outside of war and famine. FREE, 6pm
LONDON HORROR: For its November event, London Fortean Society focuses on London's horror history. Watch trailers of London-based horror films as you hear from horror experts on the the city's dark cinematic streets, and how film transformed familiar British landscapes into spaces of terror. At the Amersham Arms in New Cross. 7.30pm
Wednesday 2 November
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: London's Christmas lights are switched on in November, beginning with the Oxford Street star lights tonight. Regent Street, Covent Garden, Carnaby, Bond Street and other festive illuminations follow over the coming weeks — here's when exactly each of London's Christmas light displays are switched on. FREE, from 2 November
BALLET TRIPLE BILL: The Birmingham Royal Ballet’s autumn triple bill Into the Music takes place at Sadler’s Wells, featuring UK and World premieres and rarely seen work. Each piece is set to an orchestral score performed live by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia 2-5 November
IMPERMANENCE: Wildlife and environmental artist Sophie Green opens an exhibition of her work at gallery@oxo. Impermanence features 14 hyper-realistic paintings of various endangered species from all over the globe, and raises money for conservation projects. FREE, 2-13 November
POP-UP SPEAKEASY: Head through a hidden door at BFI Bar Southbank, and find yourself in an ancient Mexican apothecary. Don's Farmacia is in town for two weeks only, serving up restorative cocktails, which we're told are prescribed individually by 'cocktail pharmacists'. 2-14 November
CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP: Remix the psychiatric record with award-winning artist/poet Sophie Herxheimer and Laura Mitchison, an oral historian from not-for-profit organisation On the Record. At this beginner-friendly workshop, you'll use collage, random dealing and other experimental writing techniques to turn old words drawn from case histories and psychoanalytic texts into thought-provoking new poems. FREE, 2pm-4.30pm (sponsor)
A BEAUTIFUL MIND: Head to the Crick in King’s Cross, one of the world's largest labs, for a screening of A Beautiful Mind, and a chance to hear from leading scientists. The film tells the story of mathematical genius John Nash, and his journey living with schizophrenia. Join the pre-show discussion with Crick neuroscientist and psychiatrist Katharina Schmack, and Thomas Kabir, from the McPin Foundation, as they deep dive into the topic of psychosis. FREE, 6pm-10pm (sponsor)
DAY OF THE DEAD: Storytelling experts Crick Crack Club are at Rich Mix for a special Day of the Dead event. Celebrate the Mexican festival with an evening of myths and grown-up fairytales about the after life, as told by Daniel Morden, Clare Murphy, Lucy Lill and Tuup. 8pm
Thursday 3 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, starting today. Sample more than 60 real ales and 15 ciders, with live music thrown in, and food available to buy. 3-5 November
WOOLWICH PRINT FAIR: Apparently Europe's largest fair dedicated to contemporary print, the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair is back for a seventh edition, giving you the chance to buy collectible print works directly from independent artists. Head to Woolwich Works to browse art from all over the world, including a few big names (hello, David Shrigley). 3-6 November
KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL: Cinemas across the capital host more than 35 screenings as part of the London Korean Film Festival, which includes critically acclaimed films, new talent, Korean box office hits, the latest K-Horror films, powerful female filmmakers and bold documentaries. Tonight's opening night at the ICA features sci-fi fantasy film Alienoid, plus a Q&A with director Choi Dong-hoon. 3-17 November
WINTER MARKET: Another sure sign that Christmas is coming is the opening of the festive markets and fairs. Today it's the turn of Southbank Centre's Winter Market, located alongside the Thames outside the cultural centre, and home to wooden chalets selling seasonal treats such as mulled wine, fondue and raclette. 3 November-26 December
TURNER ON TOUR: Two works by painter JMW Turner — known collectively as the 'Frick works' after the American industrialist who acquired them — go on display side by side at The National Gallery, their first time back in the UK in over a century. Turner on Tour sees 'Harbour of Dieppe: Changement de Domicile' and 'Cologne, the Arrival of a Packet-Boat: Evening' on show to the public. FREE, 3 November 2022-19 February 2023
TECHNICIANS: Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery is a new, free gallery at Science Museum, opening today and offering interactive exhibits and activities to show young people what it's like to work as a technician in different sectors. Marvel Studios, the NHS and the National Grid have all collaborated on the new gallery. FREE, from 3 November
GAY FAWKES: Prepare for raunchy games and belly laughs at the Gay Fawkes drag quiz, hosted at Homerton's Spread Eagle pub. Get stuck into the fully-vegan menu beforehand. 8pm
Friday 4 November
WRITE IDEA FESTIVAL: Celebrate 100 years of Bethnal Green Library with WriteIdea reading festival, a weekend of 25 free events covering topics including mudlarking, The Rolling Stones, Yiddish tales, breakup stories, and much more. Special guests include historian Dr Matthew Green, and authors Ben Aaronovitch, Siobhan MacGowan and Jean Fullerton. FREE, 4-6 November
DISRUPTED ICONS: Visual artist Lucy Cade and sound artist Eleanor Turner have been collaborating for six months to create Disrupted Icons at The Crypt Gallery in Euston, a work that questions and celebrates modern motherhood, stressing the necessity for reinvention alongside traditional or religious expectations of 'Mother and Child'. FREE, 4-6 November
THE LIGHT DIVISION: Head to Chelsea's National Army Museum to hear author and military historian Tim Saunders discussing the role of the Light Division during the Peninsular War, 1808-1814. Find out how the Duke of Wellington’s elite soldiers honed their skills for warfare on the Iberian Peninsula. FREE, 12pm
MODERN EXPLORERS: Climber Leo Houlding, journalist Sophy Roberts and glaciologist Heidi Sevestre are among the experts at the Royal Geographical Society's panel event about the future of exploration. Get their take on being an explorer in the 21st century, what there is left to explore, and the challenges and responsibilities that modern explorers and travellers face. 6.30pm-7.45pm
SWING DEN: Dance your way into the weekend at Swing Den, a social dance night aimed at beginners (though everyone is welcome). Start the evening with a taster lesson, then move into the social dancing, with teachers on hand all night to help you master the steps. 7pm-11pm
WEAPONS OF MASS HILARITY: What happens when an Arab, Assyrian and Turk walk into a bar? Head to London's only Middle Eastern comedy show, Weapons of Mass Hilarity, to find out. Tonight it's at the Rose and Crown, Kentish Town. 7.45pm-9.45pm
Saturday 5 November
FIREWORKS: It's Bonfire Night, which means you'll be seeing and hearing whizzbangs galore over London tonight (and a few evenings either side too, no doubt). Properly organised displays are always safer than letting fireworks off in your garden, so have a peruse of our guide to where to watch fireworks in London this year, and get booking.
CRAFTY FOX MARKET: Get a head start on the Xmas shopping, with Crafty Fox Market at Elephant and Castle, featuring independently made ceramics, prints, jewellery, beauty products and more. 5-6 November
TREASON: Aptly opening today is The National Archives' new exhibition, Treason: People, Power and Plot. It contains some important historical documents, including the Monteagle Letter, which alerted those in power to the plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament. It's not all about Guy Fawkes though — the exhibition covers 700 years of history including the charges brought against Anne Boleyn in 1536, and the trial and execution of Charles I in 1649. FREE, From 5 November
FAMILY FILM CLUB: 2020 animated film Wolfwalkers has been chosen for this week's Family Film Club at Barbican Cinema, which offers wallet-friendly screenings every week. Set in remote 17th century Ireland, it's the tale of a hunter and his daughter sent to deal with wolf attacks. Age 6+, and note that all kids must be accompanied by an adult, and all adults must be accompanied by a child. 11am
LONDON HOUSE CATS: Contemporary choir the London House Cats holds a free sing-along session at Poplar Union, so you can get a feel for what it's like to be in the group. It's open to those with some singing background — even if it was back in your school days! Age 16+. Free, 1pm-3pm
BEAR HUNT: If you've got little ones, you've quite possibly seen We're Going on a Bear Hunt a few times by now... but how about accompanied by a 40-piece orchestra? That's how it's being screened today at Regent Hall in central London, with three performances to choose from. 1pm, 3pm and 5pm
LONDON'S BURNING: Delve into fire-related artefacts and documents within Bishopsgate Institute's collection, in a special Bonfire Night event. Books, pamphlets and illustrations are used to cover London's social history, including topics such as Victorian chimney sweeps, the Great Fire of Tooley Street, and the Bryant & May match factory in the interwar years. 2pm-5pm
Sunday 6 November
ELIZABETH LINE: Today's the day! After Bond Street station finally opened in October, the next phase of the Elizabeth line opens today — meaning far less faffing around changing trains, a more regular service, plus the line starts running on Sundays too. Woohoo!
VETERAN CAR RUN: The Veteran Car Run sees more than 100 pre-1905 vehicles setting off from London to Brighton. You'll have to be up early to cheer them on though — they begin leaving Hyde Park around 7am, heading through Lambeth towards Croydon, and on to the coast. FREE, from 7am
MULTI-STORY ORCHESTRA: The foyer of Queen Elizabeth Hall at Southbank Centre is the starting point for a concert by the roaming Multi-Story Orchestra, which culminates in a seated performance inside the hall. They play two shows today, designed as an introduction to classical music for families with children aged 7+. 10.30am/1pm
ENGLAND V ARGENTINA: Watch England kick off in the rugby Autumn Internationals at Northcote Records near Clapham Junction, where they've got plenty of screens, and are offering pizza and a pint for £14. KO 2.15pm
CATO STREET CONSPIRACY: Join Westminster Guides, Rosemary Barnes and Pernille Ahlström for Guildhall Library's guided walk through Marylebone to Cato Street. As you go, learn more about the people behind the Cato Street Conspiracy, an 1820 plot to destroy Lord Liverpool's government and to establish a radical parliament, for which five men were executed. 2.30pm-4pm
PEOPLE ON SUNDAY: Barbican Cinema screens 1930 silent film, People On Sunday. The German film, about a double date to a swimming lake, offers an insight to how people spent their weekends when the concept was still relatively new. This screening is accompanied by a new live score by instrumental band Haiku Salut and pianist Meg Morley. 3pm
JUBILEE QUARTER: Described by the Telegraph as "Brilliant and distinctive… fresh and new", the Jubilee Quartet are at Conway Hall to perform Haydn's Quartet in G Op.77/1, as well as pieces by Schubert, including Death and the Maiden. It's FREE If you're lucky enough to be under 26. 6.30pm
Urban oddity of the week
You'll need to be up early to see the classic cars set off on the Veteran Car Run (see Sunday). But if you head to the handsome Roupell Street in Waterloo, you can usually ogle a vintage Citroen or three, which seem to be habitually parked up at the side of the road here. And while you're on Roupell Street, it'd be rude not to go for a pint at the Kings Head pub.
Good cause of the week
Fundraising exhibition A Letter in Mind is back, with 650 artists creating an original piece of art on an envelope, based on the theme 'A Sense of Movement'. Go and check them out at Fitzrovia's Gallery Different from 3-6 November (or view online from 2 November). See an envelope you love? You can buy it for £85. And here's the really exciting bit: the identity of the artist is only be unveiled once the show's done. Previous artists have included Grayson Perry, Bob and Roberta Smith, Olafur Eliasson and Tracey Emin. Money raised goes to the National Brain Appeal.
