Remember, remember, the 5th of November…

The nights are getting darker, the weather’s getting colder… It often feels like we’re just on countdown to Christmas throughout November. But aside from the obvious fireworks displays at the beginning of the month for Guy Fawkes Day, there’s also tons of other fun stuff on in the capital to lift us out of our pre-Christmas funk.

For a guide to open-air ice rinks in the capital, click here or for a guide to Christmas markets and fairs, click here.

• 1 – 30 November : Richmond Literature Festival

A festivals of books and words at various locations across the borough, including Marble Hill House and Strawberry Hill House. Featuring talks and Q&As from authors, including Sir Max Hastings, Daisy Waugh, Marc Allum and Charles Moore. For more information, visit the Richmond Literature Festival.

• Now until 3 November : Brick City

Lego artist Warren Elsmore has recreated London landmarks in the plastic bricks, which is on show as part of the Family Arts Festival. His creations, including St Pancras and Battersea Power Station will be on display at the artsdepot in Finchley. Free entry. 12-4pm. Artsdepot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA. Nearest tube: Woodside Park. For more information, visit the Family Arts Festival website.

•  2 – 3 November : London to Brighton Veteran Car Run and Regent Street Motorshow

On 2 November, 300 cars from 125 years of motoring will be on display for the Regent Street Motorshow from 10.30am-4pm. On 3 November the Veteran Car Run will set off from Hyde Park Corner between 7 and 8.30am, spectators can line the 64-mile route all the way from the capital to Brighton to watch 500 classic cars show off their prowess and vintage style. Entrance rules stipulate cars must be built before 1905 and will be either of the three or four-wheel variety. Expect many drivers and passengers to be suitably dressed in costume and vintage clothing for the spectacle. Free to spectate or visit the motorshow. Visit the Veteran Car Run website or Regent Street Motorshow website for more information.

• 26 October – 9 November : Crystal Palace International Film Festival

Screenings, premieres and Q&As during this two week long festival in South East London. Check the CPIFF website for full listings and tickets.

• 7 – 9 November : Greenwich International Early Music Festival

The world’s largest early music festival, jointly promoted by The Early Music Shop, the Greenwich Foundation and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. At various locations around Greenwich. For more information and tickets, visit the Early Shop website.

• 8 – 26 November : World Press Photo Exhibition

The shortlisted entries for the annual World Press Photo completion go on display on Level 2 of the Royal Festival Hall. Free. Open 10am-11pm. Royal Festival Hall, Upper Ground, Southbank, SE1 9PX. Nearest tube: Waterloo. For more information, visit the World Press Photo website.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland Markets, rides and more mulled alcohol than you could shake a candy cane at!

• 9 November : Lord Mayor’s Show

The spectacle is known as the oldest and largest civic procession in the world. The three-mile procession includes floats, music and animals and a fly-past and normally starts at Mansion House at 11am with spectators free to line the route. In the evening, a spectacular fireworks show takes place between Waterloo and Blackfriars Bridges. Visit the Lord Mayor’s Show website for more information.

• Now until 10 November : Chris Arthur: Scenes from National Life exhibition

Photography exhibition of working life at the National Theatre, including unseen portraits of Anthony Hopkins, Maggie Smith and Laurence Olivier on display in the Lyttelton Exhibition Space. Free. National Theatre, Upper Ground  Southbank, SE1 9PX. Nearest tube: Waterloo. For more information, visit the National Theatre website.

• Now until 10 November : Drive In Film Club

A pop-up film club at Brent Cross Shopping Centre’s South Car Park on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 10 November. Films including Oblivion, Romeo + Juliet, Grease, Boogie Nights and Silver Linings Playbook. Rollerskating attendants will bring popcorn and snacks to your car. Price: £22 per car (all occupants included). Brent Cross Shopping Centre, Prince Charles Drive, The Hyde, Brent Cross, NW4 3FP. For more information and tickets, visit the Experience Cinema website.

• 15 – 17 November : BBC Good Food Show

The travelling foodies fest comes to London’s Olympia for three days. Featuring appearances from Mary Berry, Paul Hollywood, Gregg Wallace, James Martin, John Torode and Michel Roux. Tickets start from £25.75, cheaper in advance than on the door. Kensington Olympia, Hammersmith Road, W14 8UX. Nearest tube: Olympia. For more information and tickets, visit the BBC Good Food Show website.

• 15 – 24 November : London Jazz Festival

This 10 day festival sees international jazz stars coming together at venues all over the capital, including Southbank Centre, Barbican, Jazz Cafe, Ronnie Scotts, Pizza Express Jazz Club and many others. Gigs range from free to ticketed. For more information, visit the London Jazz Festival website.

• 16 – 24 November : Framed Film Festival

A film festival aimed at children and teenagers, featuring screenings, events and workshops. Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS. Nearest tube: Barbican or Moorgate. For more information and tickets, visit the Barbican website.

• 21 – 24 November : Taste Of Christmas

Sister event to the hugely popular Taste Of London event which celebrates food. Four day festival at Tobacco Dock in Wapping offers tastings, demonstrations, masterclasses and food theatre with Michel Roux Jnr, Mark Hix, Gizzi Erskine, and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall among those giving their tips. Prices start from £23.65 (advance) or £26 (on door). Tobacco Dock, 50 Porters Walk, Wapping, E1W 2SF. Nearest tube: Wapping (overground). For more information, visit the Taste of Christmas website.

• 22 November – 8 December : Enchanted Woodland

Syon Park in South West London is open after hours every Friday, Saturday and Sun for three weekends, with an illuminated trail through the gardens and arboretum. Exciting lighting effects will transform the trees, plants and lake into a magical place. Hot food and drinks also available. Open 5-9pm, last entry 8pm. Tickets: Adults £7, Children £3. Syon Park, London Rd, Brentford, TW8 8JF. Nearest train station: Syon Lane. For more information, visit the Enchanted Woodland website.

• 22 November – 5 January 2014 : Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland does exactly what is say on the tin – the south east corner of the park is transformed into a Christmas fair with rides, food and lots of mulled wine, as well as Christmas gifts. It’s free to enter, but of course the aforementioned will cost. There is also an open air ice rink for those who fancy a twirl and Zippos Cirque Berserk – an alternative circus show. Nearest tube: Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge or Marble Arch. For more information, visit the Winter Wonderland website. Read about Metro Girl’s visit to Winter Wonderland last year.

• 24 November : Hampstead Christmas Festival

As well as stalls serving gifts, food and drink, there will also be a fairground, Santa’s Grotto, reindeer, face-painting, free screening of Up at the Everyman Cinema, circus acts and performances from Mica Paris, Mitch Winehouse, Culture Club’s John Moss and Bjorn Again. Free. 12-5pm. High Street, Hampstead, NW3. Nearest tube: Hampstead. For more information, visit the Hampstead Christmas Festival’s Facebook page.

• 25 November – 4 December : Nordic Film Festival

A celebration of the best films to come out of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden at various locations across London, including Riverside Studios, ICA and Ciné Lumière. For more information, visit the Nordic Film Festival website.

• 27 November – 1 December : Freeze Festival

Annual festival for snowboarder, skiers and other winter sports enthusiasts in Clapham Common. As well as the sports, there is live music from top DJs and musicians (Madeon, Alunageorge, Cuban Brothers, DJ Fresh, Idris Elba, MJ Cole and much more), alpine-style bars, shopping and gourmet food and drink. Tickets range from £9 to £40 for one day adult pass. Nearest train: Clapham Common. For more information and tickets, visit the Freeze Festival website.

• 29 November : Friday Late – Rules of Adornment

Inspired by the current pearls exhibition, this month’s Friday Late at the Victoria & Albert Museum focuses on jewellery and why we wear it. Featuring workshops, performances, installations, screenings and drinks. Free. 6.30-10pm. Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL. Nearest tube: South Kensington. For more information, visit the V&A website.

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