Things To Do This Weekend In London: 2-3 November 2024

All weekend

HALLOWEEN: Thursday is Halloween, but London doesn't restrict the celebrations to one day. There are parties, scary film screenings and other spooky events for both adults and children going on all weekend, and into next week. Take a look at our pick of Halloween things to do, and get planning. Need a costume? We've got you covered there too.

HALF TERM: Most London schools are closed for half term this week, which means parents and carers will be looking for ways to keep the kiddos occupied. Our guide to half term events covers shows, exhibitions and one-off happenings for all ages. There's even a section of free things to do, handy if you're watching the pennies. Until 3 November

DIWALI WEEKEND: Following the big celebration in Trafalgar Square last week, it's Wembley Park's turn to host the Diwali celebrations. The Diwali Weekend is a free, three-day celebration featuring live music and dance performances, Dhol drumming, Bollywood dancing, workshops and food stalls. Check the website to see what's happening when. FREE, 2-3 November

FIREWORKS: Bonfire Night is next week but plenty of venues hold their firework displays this weekend. We've compiled every fireworks event happening in the capital that we know of, to help you find your nearest whizzbangs.

CHOCOLATE HOUSE GREENWICH: Last chance to see Chocolate House Greenwich, an exhibition which recreates Grace and Thomas Tosier's famous 'royal' Chocolate House, once located on the edge of Blackheath. It also delves into how Greenwich became a hub for astronomy, science and culture. Until 3 November

HALLOWEEN AT KEW: Also ending this weekend is Halloween at Kew, a light trail through the botanical gardens with a spooky theme. Glowing pumpkins, a rather convincing cemetery and a trippy laser garden are all part of the fun. It's family-friendly, but watch out for the jump-scares! Until 3 November

PROJECT ALTAR: Celebrate the lives of lost loved ones in an illuminated art trail of memorial shrines at Stoke Newington's Abney Park. The shrines feature over 1,000 photos, stories and tributes from contributors all over London. Project Altar is free to enter during the day, with child-friendly half term activities. By night, it's ticketed, offering a rare opportunity to enter the cemetery after dark. 31 October-3 November

FORGE ART FAIR: See work by contemporary visual artists at Forge Art Fair, at London Lighthouse Gallery near Canning Town. Oil painting, photography, illustration and textile art are among the mediums on display. 1-3 November

HARRY POTTER IN CONCERT:Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is shown on a large screen at the Royal Albert Hall, as the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and the English Chamber Choir bring the score to life. There are afternoon and evening performances on both Saturday and Sunday. 1-3 November

MOTORWAY BRIDGES: Ever seen the beauty in motorway bridges? Artist Jen Orpin certainly has. She's painted hundreds of views of motorway infrastructure. Some of her best artwork goes on display at Union Gallery on Teesdale Street in a show called We Left Nothing Behind. FREE, until 7 December

WOMEN & FREUD: The women who helped Freud invent psychoanalysis are the subject of a new exhibition at the Freud Museum in Hampstead. Patients, Freud's own daughter and her partner, and artists all feature. 30 October-May 2025

CROYDONITES: Croydon has not one but two festivals this autumn — the Croydonites Fringe (31 Oct-3 Nov) goes on all this weekend, featuring a torrent of comedy, dance, public art and more around the Cronx. Look out for live slinkies on the loose in North End. It's followed by the Croydonites festival, which opens next week. 31 October-24 November

Saturday 2 November

WANSTEAD VINTAGE: Both fashion and homewares are available at the final Wanstead Vintage of the year, which takes over Wanstead United Reformed Church. Browse and buy vintage clothing, jewellery, accessories, furniture, kitchenalia, books, prints, vinyl and more. 10.30am-4.30pm

JANEY MORRIS: The life of Janey Morris, embroiderer and wife of artist William Morris, is the subject of a free tour in Hammersmith. Meet at Ravenscourt Park station for an hour-long walk focusing on her own skills, which are often overshadowed by her husband's fame. FREE, 11am-12pm

SOHO SECRETS: Footprints of London guide Joanna Moncrieff leads a walking tour; over 90 minutes, head down familiar Soho streets hearing unfamiliar stories, including the legendary King of Soho, and a sex columnist who upset a newspaper's readers. Age 18+. 11am-12.30pm

FAMILY FESTIVAL: The V&A opens its doors for BOOST! Family Festival, a day of creative activities including zine making, make-up workshops and costume making activities. There's even a chance to parade through the galleries in your new costume. FREE, 11am-4pm

ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG: Actor, TV presenter and author Alexander Armstrong is at the Haymarket Hotel for a family-friendly event celebrating his new children's book, Evenfall: The Golden Linnet. Hear Armstrong talking about the fantasy fiction book, plus solve puzzles, and pick up tips for writing your own story. Ages 9+. 2pm-3.30pm

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FAMILY CONCERT: Flautist Meera Maharaj, pianist Benjamin Powell, and narrator Polly Ives perform the musical story of Blown Away, where Penguin Blue and friends embark on a whimsical adventure on a windy day. The family-friendly concert, at Wigmore Hall, is suitable for ages 3-7. 3pm

RNB VS UKG: DJs go head to head playing old-school RNB and UK Garage tracks at RNB VS UKG at Between the Bridges on South Bank. At the end of the night, the crowd decides the winner. 5pm-11pm

BORN TO BE WILD: As part of Doc'n Roll music film festival, catch a screening of Born To Be Wild. The song of that name became well-known after being used in the film Easy Rider, and this documentary delves into the band who created it, Steppenwolf. Takes places at Finsbury Park Picturehouse. 6pm

DRAG BINGO SHOW: Drag queens sashay into Market House in Brixton to host Drag Bingo, a raucous night of comedy, strong language and adult themes. Stick around for a club night afterwards. 6pm-10pm

PUCCINI CENTENARY CONCERT: Join the Chelsea Opera Group for a celebration of Puccini's powerful early works at Cadogan Hall. The Puccini Centenary Concert is conducted by Peter Robinson, with performances by baritone Stephen Gadd, soprano Seljan Fermor-Hesketh, and tenor Charne Rochford. The programme includes Puccini's Capriccio sinfonico, Messa di Gloria, and his first opera Le Villi. 7pm

GATTI'S MUSIC HALL: The London Canal Museum stays open late for a special concert performance in the style of Carlo Gatti's Music Hall Theatre — a venue which was run by the entrepreneur and ice importer and his family. See The New Players' Theatre Company in an evening of Victorian-style entertainment. The museum itself is also open late, so you can learn about the history of Gatti and the ice trade. 7.30pm

LUCHA LIBRE: Mexican wrestling show Lucha Libre smacks down in York Hall in Bethnal Green, showcasing a fast-paced form of professional wrestling with colourful masks and high-flying moves. The tour is your last chance to see Mexico's greatest ever Luchador, El Hijo del Santo, before his retirement. 8pm

Sunday 3 November

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 — they begin leaving Hyde Park around 7am, heading through Lambeth towards Croydon, and on to the coast. FREE, from 7am

ELMER'S BIRTHDAY: Beloved David McKee character Elmer the Elephant celebrates his 35th anniversary with a special party at Southbank Centre, part of the final day of London Literature Festival. Party games, a live DJ and art and craft activities are provided in honour of the colourful patchwork creature. FREE, 10.30am

CHRISTMAS FILM PREVIEW: Too early for the 'C' word? Not at Barbican Cinema, which offers two special preview screenings of new film That Christmas. The new Netflix animation — which won't be available on streaming until December — is a family-friendly production of tales about family and friends, love and loneliness, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, based on books by film director Richard Curtis. 10.45am/1pm

TUDOR SINGALONG: If you can never remember that rhyme about Henry VIII's wives, perhaps what you need is this singalong walking tour, covering all six women, from Catherine of Aragon to Catherine Parr. It leaves from Lambeth Palace and kids are very welcome. 11am-1pm

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BLACK THEATRELAND HISTORY: The Theatreland Black History Walk uncovers the hidden history of African presence in London's West End. The tour explores the contributions of Black performers throughout history. Learn about iconic figures like Paul Robeson, trailblazing Black women producers, and the impact of US Civil Rights on British theatre. Discover insights into racist stereotypes that were challenged and enjoy stories of Black magicians and comedians. 1pm-3pm

FAMILY RAVE: Big Fish Little Fish bring a Halloween edition of their family raves to Woolwich Works. Think a regular rave, with a DJ playing rave music, for adults and children to dance together. Face painting, foam, bubbles and balloons make it extra fun for younger members of the family. As it's Halloween, costumes are encouraged. 2pm-4pm

ROGUE REPORTER: Investigative journalist Matt Kennard unpacks the reality of the American Empire through his experiences with global elite figures, including Henry Kissinger. At Conway Hall, he reveals the unchecked systems of exploitation underpinning our global economy, as well as the growing resistance against these dynamics. 3pm-4.30pm

DUMPLINGS MASTERCLASS: Restaurant Xi Home Dumplings Bay in Spitalfields launches a new dumpling-making masterclass. Learn the art of cooking authentic North Chinese dumplings, led by XI Home’s head chef Minnie Wang and owner Wenjun Xiang, from crafting the perfect dough to creating your own fillings. 3pm-5pm

FILM AFRICA:After The Long Rains is a film about a 10-year-old Kenyan girl who realises she doesn't want to adhere to local tradition and follow in her parents' footsteps into a job, but instead wants to go to Europe and become an actress. Watch it at Barbican Cinema as part of the Film Africa festival. It's in Swahili, with English subtitles. 3.30pm

YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND: The music of Carole King and James Taylor is celebrated at You've Got A Friend, an evening at the Half Moon in Putney. Go on a journey from the early days of King's career through to later work with James Taylor, with stories interspersing the songs. 7.30pm

THAMES SHIPWRECKS: Footprints of London guide Rob Smith offers a virtual tour of shipwrecks in the Thames. From your own home — and without getting wet — learn about 12 ships that have sunk in the Thames, from a Roman cargo ship, to a mysterious sinking in the Cold War. 8pm-9pm