Things to do this weekend is sponsored by London Transport Museum.
All week
REMEMBRANCE: Friday is Remembrance Day, and Sunday this week is Remembrance Sunday, when the nation pauses to remember those who sacrificed their lives in war. Several Remembrance events will take place around London this week (we've mentioned a couple below).
WRAP UP LONDON: Annual charity coat collection WrapUp London is back at London stations, 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 warm as the winter weather bites. 2022 collection dates are 7-27 November
DICHROIC SPHERE: Head down to Southbank Centre's riverside terrace to see Dichroic Sphere, a new, multi-coloured light installation by Jakob Kvist — you'll be seeing plenty of it all over Instagram this winter. FREE, 7 November-8 January
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... or it will after this week, when many more of London's Christmas lights are switched on. Oxford Street is already lit, and is joined by Carnaby, Covent Garden, Regent Street & St James's and Marylebone Village, which are all switched on this week. See our guide to Christmas lights for full details. FREE, 8, 9, 10 November
COUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE CHRISTMAS FAIR: Ready to set your festive spirit soaring? Head to the Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair this week for seasonally-themed talks, tastings, cookery demos and crafting. With 100s of artisan traders on site, you can make a serious dent in your Christmas shopping list, before kicking back with a glass of bubbly at the Champagne Bar by Viking. Our readers get 20% off tickets with code CLLONDONIST. 9-13 November (sponsor)
GARLAND FOR THE QUEEN: You've only got until Tuesday to see A Garland For The Queen, a small, free display opened at Southbank Centre following the death of the Queen. It looks back at memorable events at Southbank Centre in which the Queen was involved, such as the opening of Royal Festival Hall in 1951, and there's a special event with archive staff on Tuesday. FREE, until 9 November
FRIEZE SCULPTURE: It's the final week of this year's Frieze Sculpture Park. An extension of Frieze art fair, it's a collection of 19 large-scale sculpture works by various artists, dotted around Regent's Park and completely free to visit.FREE, until 13 November
TRAIN STRIKES: Remember to watch out for train and tube strikes this week. They're happening on Monday 7, Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 November. Full details of what's affected here, but be aware that there's likely to be a knock-on effect the morning after strike days — which basically means disruption for most of this week.
Monday 7 November
HUG A BEAR: It's Hug A Bear day, dontcha know (the soft toy kind, that is), and preschool age children and their parents or carers can do just that at the British Museum. Take part in a pretend teddy bears' picnic, go on a bear hunt, or relax in a mountain of furry friends. FREE, 10.30am-12pm
RUSSIAN LAW: Today's Gresham College lecture focuses on Alexei Navalny. He's currently the leading opposition leader in Russia — and he's also currently serving a lengthy prison sentence. Find out how the Russian state has used the law to silence Navalny and other internal dissidents, and how the rule of law in Russia has changed since the invasion of Ukraine. FREE, 6pm
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD: Publisher Katie Isbester and her film-buff daughter Teddy continue their series of online talks about the central idea of certain stories. Today, the discussion focuses on Harper Lee's novel To Kill A Mockingbird, and questions whether, rather than being anti-racist, the book was actually racist, in portraying a white saviour story. FREE, 6.30pm-7.30pm
LA VOIX: For one night only, Shaftesbury Avenue's Lyric Theatre hosts TV personality and drag queen La Voix, for an evening of comedy and music, diva-style. Expect show-stopping tunes to get you to your feet, and glittering outfits. 7.30pm
ACT OF OBLIVION: Popular author Robert Harris is at The National Archives in Kew to talk about his latest novel, Act of Oblivion. It's set in the 17th century and is about Colonel Edward Whalley and his son-in-law, Colonel William Goffe, who go on the run across the Atlantic when accused of murder. 7.30pm
Tuesday 8 November
PERICLES: The UK premiere of Flute Theatre's production of Pericles launches at Hammersmith's Riverside Studios tonight, with eight performers taking on all the roles in this lesser-known Shakespeare piece, while also playing live music. Until 13 November
CHARTERHOUSE CHRISTMAS FAIR: The Charterhouse in Clerkenwell hosts its Christmas fair once again. Seasonal refreshments, accessories, crafts and homewares are available — and there's a Santa's grotto too. It takes place on a Tuesday, so is likely to be less busy than London's other Christmas markets. 11am-8pm (with a preview evening on 7 November)
ETRUSCANS: The Etruscans were an ancient civilisation, based in Italy in the 6th century BC. The British Museum has a collection of gold, bronze, ceramics and other objects from the many tombs excavated over the last couple of centuries, and this free talk at Guildhall Library by Dr Bill Sterling gives an overview of some of these objects. Choose between in-person or online tickets. FREE, 2pm-3pm
SUSTAINABLE FASHION: Treat yourself to an evening of champagne, sustainable fashion and a three-course dinner — served up with incredible views — at Searcys at The Gherkin. Sustainable fashion brand, DEPLOY London, hosts a fashion masterclass and salon shopping experience. 6pm
MINA LIMA: Designers Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima are at Waterstones Trafalgar Square to launch their new book The Magic of MinaLima. The duo worked on design aspects of several Harry Potter films — much of which is on display at the flagship gallery and shop on Wardour Street. 7pm
DRAGIATORS: Oedipussi Rex hosts an extra special night of anarchic queer cabaret at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, with Dragiators (see what they did there?), which sees the UK's finest Kings and Things battle it out to win the coveted G.O.A.Tee trophy. Funds go to Cabaret vs Cancer. 7pm-12am
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An electrifying evening at London Transport Museum
Covent Garden's London Transport Museum goes electric for its Friday Late on 11 November. Discover how electricity shaped London's transport — from the expansion of the Underground, to the introduction of Oyster cards.
Be wowed by a lively Royal Institution science show. Experiment with DIY snap circuits at the hands-on Electric Play Zone. Explore galleries on a fun electricity trail (with the chance of winning a London Underground lightbox from the London Transport Museum shop). Themed drinks and an electro soundtrack will keep you buzzing all evening!
Electric Late is at London Transport Museum, Friday 11 November. Adults £15, concessions £12. Over 18s only. Tickets must be booked in advance on the London Transport Museum website.
Wednesday 9 November
MUSIC FESTIVAL: The London International Festival of Early Music begins today, kicking off with an Opening Concert featuring the world premiere of Early Transitions, a work specially commissioned for the festival, by Nitin Sawhney for The Brook Street Band. Other events across the four-day festival (which focuses in music from the medieval period) include concerts, workshop and an exhibition.9-12 November
CATHEDRAL PHOTOGRAPHY: Every so often, Southwark Cathedral stays open late and invites photographers inside for an evening of candlelit photography. Tonight is is one of those nights — open to amateur and professional photographers, who can roam the building at their leisure, capturing it as it would have been lit in centuries gone by. 7pm-8.30pm
POSH NOSH: London Luminaries continues its series of culinary-themed talks with Posh Nosh, an evening focusing on the food and drink of Fulham Palace. Find out what the Bishops of London — residents of Fulham Palace — would have eaten between the medieval period and the 19th century. It includes food and wine bought into the palace, and vegetables grown on site. 7pm
LIFE DRAWING: Professional stage lighting, carefully selected playlists and a different model each week is promised at the Owl and Hitchhiker's life drawing evenings. Seeing as it's a pub, you can also enjoy a glass of something nice while you draw. 7.30pm
SIXITES NOSTALGIA: Bromley's Churchill Theatre hosts some blasts from the past tonight — including Mike Pender from The Searchers and Dozy Beaky Mick and Tich — for The Sensational 60s Experience. Sounds like a groovy way to turn back the clock. 7.30pm
Thursday 10 November
TURNER PRIZE: From bankrupt sponsors to dissected cows, art award The Turner Prize has seen its fair share of controversies since it was launched in 1984. Hear from Frank Woodgate, Arts Society Lecturer, about some of the notorious winners and shortlisted entries through the years, and some of the myths surrounding the competitions. FREE, 2pm-3pm
VICTORIAN SYPHILIS: Human remains conservator Cat Irving gives a virtual talk about syphilis and women in Victorian Britain. Find out how and why the stigma for the STI was directed at women, and how the treatments could be as bad as the effects of the disease itself. 6pm-7pm
IMPERIAL LATES: Imperial College stays open late for an evening opening with the theme Tiny Science. Head to the South Kensington campus for talks, stands and workshops, covering topics including microplastics, and the future of the Large Hadron Collider. FREE, 6pm-9pm
ANTARCTICA: Hear from Jean de Pomerou, one of the co-authors of Antarctica: A History in 100 Objects. At Stanfords, he talks through some objects, sourced from polar institutions and collections around the world, to tell the story of the continent. 7pm-8.30pm
WHISKY CLUB: The Whisky Don Whisky Club — apparently south-west London's first whisky club — holds its inaugural event at The Greyhound on Kew Green. Special guest is Bill Shearer, brand ambassador from the Islay distillery in Bruichladdich.7.30pm
Friday 11 November
ROLLER SKATING: Get your skates on, because a new roller rink opens in London today. LA's legendary Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace opens its doors in White City, combining roller rink, live music venue, diner and skate shop all in one. From 11 November
CHRISTMAS WINE FEST: Thinking about your festive tipple already? The Big Christmas Wine Fest has vino experts Oz Clarke, Tim Atkin MW and Olly Smith on hand to help you pick the perfect wine to pair with your turkey. Over 600 wines from all around the world (plus a few gins) are available for tasting, and ready to buy when you find one that floats your boat. 11-12 November
EFG LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL: Get down with the trumpets as the EFG London Jazz Festival is back from today — and celebrates its 30th year. It takes place at venues including Barbican and Royal Festival Hall, and the programme features poet, saxophonist, and composer Alabaster DePlume, Afro-Cuban jazz legend Chucho Valdés, and Malian singer-songwriter and guitarist Fatoumata Diawara. 11-20 November 2022
THIERRY NOIR: You can't have failed to notice the brightly coloured heads of street artist Thierry Noir. They've been a feature of the London streetscape for years. Noir rose to fame after painting heads illegally on the Berlin Wall in the early 80s. Now he has his first London solo show at Sotherbys, featuring brand new work. 11-15 November.
ENCHANTED WOODLAND: Looking for a festive event for younger kids? Syon Park's Enchanted Woodland is a safe bet. Open on selected evenings throughout November, the mile-long route winds past the lake, with all manner of illuminations in the trees — and the occasional fairy garden or enchanted installation to look out for on the ground too. 11-27 November
CAR-FREE LONDON: 70 years ago, cities were transformed to make room for cars. Now, the opposite is happening, as authorities try to entice people out of their cars, and into other means of transport. New London Architecture holds a breakfast talk in the City, covering how other cities have reversed dependence on cars, and whether London can do the same. FREE, 8.30am
JODI PICOULT: Bestselling author Jodi Picoult has teamed up with fellow author Jennifer Finney Boylan to write new book Mad Honey. Tonight, they're at Waterstones Piccadilly to discuss the novel, which is about two women whose paths cross in a New Hampshire town, with writer Juno Dawson. 7.30pm
Saturday 12 November
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: London's awash with different versions of A Christmas Carol as the festive season approaches, and the Old Vic's production is a stalwart each year. See Charles Dickens' tale of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge brought to life on stage in front of you, with Game of Thrones' Owen Teale in the lead role. 12 November 2022-7 January 2023
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 Lord Mayor, and takes the form of an extremely long procession through the City of London. FREE, from 11am
WREATH MAKING: Head to Lush on Oxford Street for a creative workshop, in which you'll create an autumnal wreath under the guidance of an expert florist, using seasonal fresh flowers. 11am/1pm/3pm
FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE: The Royal British Legion hosts its annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. VIPs and members of the public attend the commemorative event, in honour of those who gave their lives in service of their country. 2pm/7pm
SWINGING LONDON: Join Footprints of London tour guide Richard Watkins for a walking tour around central London focusing on the events 0f 1966 — the year of Swinging London. Visit Carnaby Street, one of Soho’s music clubs and rock hang-outs, the house in which Hendrix lived and where violent anti-Vietnam war protests were staged, focusing not only on the positive things happening at the time, but also homelessness and poverty in the still largely bombed-out city. 2.30pm-4.30pm
THE HIGHGATE VAMPIRE: Join Vanessa Woolf and George Hoyle of storytelling company London Dreamtime for a recollection of the story of the Highgate Vampire. Takes place in a secret outdoor location on Highgate Hill so dress warmly. Age 18+. 2.45pm
FULHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: Daniel Kidane's composition Be Still — which reflects on the recent lockdowns — is performed by Fulham Symphony Orchestra at St John's Smith Square tonight. They're also playing the well-known Piano Concerto No. 2 by Rachmaninoff. 7.30pm
REQUIEMS: As we enter the season of Remembrance, Figure (an historical remembrance ensemble) puts on a concert of requiems at Union Chapel. Enjoy an evening of reflective words and choral music featuring requiems by two great French composers, Gabriel Fauré and Marc-Antoine Charpentier. 8pm
Sunday 13 November
RETRO GAMING FAIR: Retro video games, board games and merchandise are all for sale at the London Gaming Market, a retro games fair at the Royal National Hotel in Russell Square. Browse goods from more than 20 traders, and meet and chat to like-minded gamers. 11am
FESTIVALS OF LIGHT: Footprints of London guide Marilyn Greene leads a guided tour around the V&A Museum, focusing on objects related to the celebration of light. Various religions have celebrated the significance of light throughout the centuries, and the V&A has many examples of religious lamps and candleholders in its collections. 11am-12.30pm
FLEA MARKET: The Big London Flea pitches up at EartH in Hackney, hosting over 50 handpicked traders selling records, ceramics, zines, salvaged furniture and a whole lot more. 11am-5pm
MARIE KONDO: Perhaps you became a follower of Marie Kondo — aka KonMari — during lockdown, and adopted her methods for decluttering your home? The Japanese consultant and TV presenter is at Waterstones Piccadilly, meeting fans and signing copies of her new book, Marie Kondo's Kurashi at Home, about a Japanese concept centring on the ideal way to spend your time. 12.30pm
PALACE HISTORY TOUR: A Victorian chapel, Tudor great hall, Georgian dining rooms and a museum all feature in today's history tour of Fulham Palace. Led by a guide, it's a chance to learn more about the building that's been home to the Bishops of London through the centuries. 2pm-3.15pm
JUNE ZERO: As part of the UK Jewish Film Festival, JW3 in Hampstead is screening the UK premiere of June Zero — about three Israelis who witness/have an active role in the execution of Holocaust organiser Adolf Eichmann. 7pm
Urban oddity of the week
Saturday's storytelling session about the Highgate Vampire should be a fun one — it's inspired by a real series of incidents in the 1970s, which were notable for the angry rivalry between two vampire hunters as much as any supernatural elements. The two cemeteries at Highgate are fascinating for about 100 other reasons, though, and a tour is highly recommended. One of the graves you might spot in the east cemetery is that of author Douglas Adams, appropriately buried in plot 42. Visitors often leave pens and other mementos at the grave side.
Good cause of the week
It's time to start thinking about booking into charity carol concerts again. One of the biggest this year is at St John's Smith Square on 8 December, raising money for cancer charity Macmillan. The evening includes celebrity readings, carols and classical music performances, and you can attend for as little as £10 (or up to £80 which will get you the best seats and access to the post-concert reception). Performers include Konya Kanneh-Mason, Ryan Quigley, Luci Briginshaw and the The Northern Lights Symphony Orchestra, with celebrity presenters yet to be announced.Tickets are available now.
