Looking for the best things to do in London in November? Check this lot out
You’re in plenty of time to book tickets to the best events in London, from theatre shows to art exhibitions, and there are always pop-ups opening across the city, but our handy guide features the best of what’s on in London in November so you won’t miss a thing.
It’s officially that time of year in November because Christmas is coming – but not before Bonfire Night has gone off with a bang, like at Ally Pally where the fireworks will be spread over two nights. London is really ramping up for all things festive with ice rinks, winter terraces, and Christmas specials galore, and Winter Wonderland will be back in action for 2024. And if you need a break from all the holiday cheer, you can escape into the world of Tim Burton or Japan’s food replica culture.
1. Catch the Incredible Fireworks Display at Ally Pally
It sounds like Bonfire Night will truly be going off with a bang at Ally Pally as this year there’ll be not one but TWO days of festivities. As always, there’ll be a spectacular array of fireworks, soundtracked by a killer playlist and with the London skyline in the background, with a brand new drone show lighting up the sky before the fireworks get set off. There’ll also be plenty else on, with the entertainment programme including sets from The Cuban Brothers and Artful Dodger, loads of street food stalls, an ice rink (which’ll be turned into an ice disco) and a German bier festival happening inside the Palace itself. Tickets are on sale now, so snap ’em up before they’re gone.
Fri 1st & Sat 2nd November 2024
Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY
fireworks.london
2. Visit This Major Tim Burton Exhibition
Open for the whole of November at the Design Museum, The World of Tim Burton will not only explore the filmmaker and animator’s legendary on-screen career, but also his work as an illustrator, painter, photographer and author.
From Fri 1st November 2024
224 – 238 Kensington High Street, London W8 6AG
designmuseum.org
3. Try Yakitori Made By a Robot
Japanese concept Yari Club is set to make its London debut with a site in Covent Garden to open this autumn. The yakitori restaurant will differ from others offering the Japanese grilled chicken skewers as plates on the menu will be prepared by a a robotic machine.
From Fri 1st November 2024
57 St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4EA
yariclub.com
4. Catch a Music Documentary at This Film Fest
Following its tenth birthday edition last year, Doc’n Roll Film Festival is back to celebrate outstanding filmmaking in the music documentary genre with yet another stellar lineup of movies. Across October and November, the festival will see screenings of docs that cover seminal artists such as Peaches, Steppenwolf, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, The Black Keys and Hak Baker, appear at some of the city’s best-loved indie cinemas.
Until Sun 10th November 2024
Various locations in London
docnrollfestival.com
5. Catch Ncuti Gatwa in The Importance of Being Ernest
Current Time Lord Ncuti Gatwa is returning to the stage for the first time since he starred in Sex Education and taking on the role of Algernon in Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest at the National Theatre. Max Webster (whose production of Macbeth starring former Doctor Who David Tennant is running in the West End this autumn) is directing the comedy, which sees Algernon and Jack (played by Hugh Skinner) entangle themselves in a web of lies as they try to impress two young ladies who are in the care of Lady Bracknell (played by Sharon D Clarke).
From Weds 20th November 2024
National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
nationaltheatre.org.uk
6. Get in the Christmas Spirit at Winter Wonderland
The festive extravaganza will be taking over Hyde Park once again for you to slip n’ slide your way around the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink; immerse yourself in the Magical Ice Kingdom; hang onto the edge of your seat at Zippos Christmas Circus, the Edelweiss Funhouse and Cirque Beserk; take a spin on the big wheel or spend the day strolling through the Bavarian Village with hot ciders in hand.
From Thurs 21st November 2024
Hyde Park, London W2 2UH
hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
7. Eat at the New Restaurant from Chef Santiago Lastra
Santiago Lastra opened KOL in Marylebone in 2020, quickly winning plaudits – it holds one Michelin star and is number 23 on the World’s 50 Best list – for his blend of Mexican flavours and techniques with British produce. Now he’s expanding into Mayfair with new restaurant Fonda. Named after the term for family-owned restaurants in Mexico, Fonda will be opening on Heddon Street, close to one outpost of Casa do Frango, which is also operated by restaurant group MJMK.
From Fri 1st November 2024
12 Heddon Street, London W1B 4BZ
@fondarestaurant
8. Enter the World of Japanese Food Replicas at This Exhibitions
Food replicas or sampuru (samples), hyper realistic 3-D recreations of dishes, are commonly displayed outside restaurants in Japan, and now the craft is coming to London with the Looks Delicious! exhibition at Japan House London. The practice of producing food replicas started in the 20th century as a way of introducing Japanese people to new kinds of food, like yōshoku (Western food) and unfamiliar dishes. For this exhibition, food replica manufacturer Iwasaki has made 47 new pieces, one for every prefecture of Japan, including bitter melon stir fry from Okinawa to seafood from Hokkaido. You’ll also be able to learn about the history of food replica culture and the techniques used in the production process, as well as having a go at building your own bento box using a selection of replicas.
From Fri 1st November 2024
101-111 Kensington High Street, London W8 5SA
japanhouselondon.uk
9. Watch This Iconic Movie Reimagined for the Stage
We’re not always fans of movies being turned into musicals – especially movies that have no real music connection to them at all – but there are a few cases where we’ll make an exception, like when Elton John is doing the score and the movie is The Devil Wears Prada. Yes the fashion classic (based on former PA to Anna Wintour Lauren Weisberger’s book) starring Anne Hathaway as wannabe journo Andy Sachs and Meryl Streep as Runway magazine editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly, is hitting the stage and it’ll have its premiere in the West End. The show, which stars Vanessa Williams as the fearsome editor, also features music by Elton John, lyrics by American musician Shania Taub and a script by Kate Wetherhead, and is being directed and choreographed by the Tony Award-winning Jerry Mitchell.
From Fri 1st November 2024
268-269 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7AQ
devilwearspradamusical.com
10. Show off Your Skating Skills at Hampton Court Palace
With 11,194 sq ft of ice, a 26-foot Christmas tree, and a Tudor palace as a backdrop, there’s no better place to go for a spin than Hampton Court Palace. And when it comes to refuelling, you’ve got winter treats like plenty of mulled wine and mince pies on offer at the ice rink cafe. YUM.
From Fri 22nd November 2024
Hampton Court Palace, Surrey KT8 9AU
hamptoncourtpalaceicerink.co.uk