Check out November’s best events and exhibitions, including London Mela, London Jazz Festival, Stylist Live and more.

The nights are darker and it’s all getting a bit cooler. Although many may be gearing up for Christmas, there’s still plenty of non-festive special events and festivals on across the capital in November, such as the London Jazz Festival, the Lord Mayor’s Show and Stylist Live.

Although Christmas isn’t until next month, the festive preparation really ramps up in November for those super-organised, with events like Ideal Home Show Christmas, Spirit of Christmas and the Southbank Centre’s Winter Festival.

Look out for the 🐻 for family-friendly activities.

• 1 – 6 November 2022 : Winter Art & Antiques Fair

Arts and antiques event, featuring over 70 dealers showcasing over 20,000 pieces, ranging in price from £100 to £500,000. Open Tues-Sun 10.30am–6pm. Tickets: Tues-Fri – Adults £23.50, Children 13-16yrs £16. Weekends – Adults £25.50, Children 13-16 yrs £18, 12 and under free. National Hall, Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, Kensington, W14 8UX. Nearest station: Kensington Olympia. For more information, visit the Olympia Antiques website.

• 3 – 5 November 2022 : Oktoberfest London 2022

Celebrate the German beer festival with plenty of Bavarian food, beer, and more. Open Thu-Fri 4pm-10.30pm, Sat 11am-10.30pm. Tickets: General admission £5-£10, Bavarian £26-£29 (inc 1 Mass of Bavarian FestBeer, Bahlsen snack and Bratwurst in bread). Lillie Road Recreation Ground, Fulham, SW6 7PD. Nearest station: Hammersmith or Barons Court. For more information, visit the Oktoberfest London website.

• 3 November 2022 – 8 January 2023 : Winter Festival @ Southbank Centre

Winter market, The Curling Club, pop-up food and drink experiences, including Jimmy’s Lodge igloos and festive shows, such as Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol and Hey Duggee – The Live Theatre Show. Times and prices vary. Free entry to winter market. South Bank, SE1 8XX. Nearest stations: Waterloo, Waterloo East or Embankment. For more information, visit the Southbank Centre website.

• Now until 3 November 2022 : Jurassic World – The Exhibition

Immerse yourself in scenes inspired by the classic film franchise as you get up close with dinosaurs. Open Mon-Wed 10am-6pm, Thu-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 9am-6pm. Tickets: Adults from £26, Children from £18.50. ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, E16 1XL. Nearest stations: Custom House or Prince Regent. For more information, visit the Jurassic World Exhibition website. 🐻

• 5 – 29 November 2022 : Wimbledon International Music Festival

A host of world-class musicians gather in Wimbledon for a series of classical, opera and jazz concerts and recitals. Artists include The Academy Choir, Philharmonia, The Brodsky Quartet, Lortie-Mercier and Chineke!. Ticket prices vary. At various venues in Wimbledon, including St. John’s Church, St Mary’s Church, Sacred Heart Church, New Wimbledon Theatre, and Trinity Church. Nearest stations: Raynes Park or Wimbledon. For more information and tickets, visit the WIMF website.

• 6 November 2022 : Veteran Car Run

Watch the beginning of 64 mile route from the capital to Brighton. Get up early to watch 500 classic cars setting off from Hyde Park Corner between 6.56am and 8.15am. Expect many drivers and passengers to be suitably dressed in costume and vintage clothing for the spectacle. Route starts at Serpentine Road in Hyde Park, past Buckingham Palace, over Westminster Bridge and south via Kennington, Brixton and Streatham. Free to spectate. Hyde Park Corner, Westminster, W2 2UH. Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner. For more information, visit the Veteran Car Run website. 🐻

• Now until 6 November 2022 : Spirit of Christmas

For the super organised, get ready for Christmas early with this fair, where you can stock up on gifts, design and food all ready for the festive season from over 700 independent boutiques and artisan makers. There will also be a winter restaurant and a champagne bar. Open Mon-Sat: 10am-6pm, Thur: 10am-9pm, Sun: 10am-5pm. Tickets: Adults start from £23.50 (from £27.50 on the door), Children 13-16 yrs from £18, 12 and under free. Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, Kensington, W14 8UX. Nearest station: Kensington Olympia. For more information, visit the Spirit Of Christmas Fair website. 🐻

• 9 November 2022 : Belgravia Christmas Lights Switch

Watch the Christmas lights being switched on, along with live music, festive floral displays, canine fancy dress competition, Santa Claus, food and drink, shopping promotions and in-store events. From 5.50pm. In and around Elizabeth Street, Motcomb Street, and Pimlico Road, Belgravia, SW1X. Nearest stations: Victoria or Sloane Square. For more information, visit the Belgravia London website.

• 9 – 13 November 2022 : Country Living Christmas

Prepare for the festive season with a host of Christmas stalls and events, including expert talks, food hall, workshops, shopping emporium, meet-the-makers and champagne bar. Open Wed-Thur 10am-5pm, Fri-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-3pm. Tickets: Adults from £20, Children 5-16yrs £9. Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, Islington, N1 0QH. Nearest station: Angel. For more information and booking, visit the County Living Fair website. 

• 9 November 2022 – 26 February 2023 : Club Curling

Try your hand at curling as the winter sports pops up at King’s Cross for the festive season. Visitors can enjoy a 45-minute curling slot on one of the six synthetic ice rinks, before enjoying a cocktail at the bar. Open daily 11am-9pm. Tickets: Adults £7, Children under 12 free. Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, N1C 4DQ. Nearest station: King’s Cross St Pancras. For more information and booking, visit the King’s Cross website.

• 10 November 2022 : Merry Marylebone

A festive evening to coincide with the Christmas lights switch-on with charity partner Mind in Brent, Wandsworth and Westminster. Featuring retailer discounts, restaurant promotions, food and gift stalls, charity tombola, wreath-making, live music, Santa’s grotto, fairground rides, with a celebrity switching on the lights. 3pm-8pm. Free to attend. Marylebone Village (Marylebone High Street, Paddington Street and Devonshire Street), W1. Nearest stations: Bond Street, Baker Street or Marylebone. For more information, visit the Marylebone Village website. 

Stylist Live is back

• 11 – 13 November 2022 : Stylist Live

Inspirational festival featuring the best of Stylist magazine, including shopping, entertainment, fashion and live speakers. Speakers include Adam Kay, Bernardine Evaristo, Sali Hughes, Oloni, Fearne Cotton, The Receipts, Pandora Sykes, Alain de Bottom, and Self Esteem. Open Fri 2pm-9pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm. Tickets: £26. Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, Spitalfields, E1 6QL. Nearest stations: Aldgate or Shoreditch High Street. For more information, visit the Stylist website.

• 11 – 21 November 2022 : EFG London Jazz Festival

International jazz stars gather at venues all over the capital, including Ayanna Witter-Johnson, Marcin Wasilewski, Dianne Reeves, Kurt Elling Superblue, Bill Laurance, Melanie Charles, Byron the Aquarius, Ishmael Ensemble; and many more. Gigs range from free to ticketed. At various locations across London. For listings and bookings, visit the EFG London Jazz Festival website.

• 11 – 27 November 2022 : Enchanted Woodland

Follow an illuminated trail through the gardens and arboretum of Syon Park. Lighting will transform the trees, plants and lake. Hot food and drinks available for sale. Open Fri-Sun, entry slots every 20 minutes from 5pm-7.40pm. Tickets: Adults £10, Children £7.50. Syon Park, London Road, Brentford, TW8 8JF. Nearest station: Syon Lane. For more information, visit the Enchanted Woodland website. 🐻

• 12 November 2022 : Lord Mayor’s Show

The spectacle is known as the oldest and largest civic procession in the world and marks the new Lord Mayor of London in a three-mile procession. The procession sets off from Mansion House at 11am, passes St Pauls before heading down Ludgate Hill to Fleet Street, then returns via the Victoria Embankment (approx 1.15pm-2.30pm) to Mansion House (arriving at 2.30pm). Free to spectate. Nearest stations: Mansion House, Temple, Blackfriars, St Paul’s and Cannon Street. For more information visit the Lord Mayor’s Show website. 

• 12 – 13 November 2022 : Vegfest UK

Festival for vegans and vegetarians, featuring food village, shopping, meet the experts, entertainment, Art of Compassion exhibition, cookery demos and kids’ area. Open Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm. Tickets: Day £10, Weekend £15 (check website for buy 1 get 1 free offer). Olympia Grand, Hammersmith Road, Kensington, W14 8UX. Nearest station: Kensington Olympia. For more information, visit the VegFest website.

• 12 November 2022 – 15 January 2023 : Hogwarts in the Snow

Visit your favourite Harry Potter sets, such as the Forbidden Forest, Diagon Alley, Hagrid’s Hut, the Hogwarts castle and the Great Hall, which have been transformed with snow for the festive season. Tickets from £49.95. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7LR. Nearest station: Watford (then a shuttle bus to studios). For more information and tickets, visit the WB Studio Tour website. 

• Now until 13 November 2022 : Frieze Sculpture 2022

Open-air sculpture exhibition in the English Gardens of Regents Park. Open during park hours. Free. Regent’s Park (English Gardens in south-east corner of the park), Marylebone, NW1 4LL. Nearest stations: Regent’s Park, Great Portland Street or Baker Street. For more information, visit the Frieze website. 🐻

• 14 November 2022 : London Mela

Celebrate Southall Carnival of Lights with performers, dazzling light floats, and community participation. From 5.30pm. Free. Southall Park, Uxbridge Road, Southall, UB1 3AF. Nearest station: Southall. For more information, visit the London Mela website. 🐻

• 15 November 2022 – 15 January 2023 : The Great Christmas Feast

Experience Charles Dickens’s classic tale A Christmas Carol like never before, with Victorian feasting, mixology, live music and theatre. Tickets: Dining from £129.50, Experience-only from £49.50. The Lost Estate, 9 Beaumont Avenue, W14 9LP. Nearest stations: Earl’s Court or Baron’s Court. For tickets, visit the Great Christmas Feast website.

• 16 November 2022 – 8 January 2023 : Christmas at Kew

Follow a magical trail around Kew Gardens, through tunnels of light, past dancing waterfalls, illuminations and the Fire Garden, and a light display at the Palm House. 4pm-10pm. Tickets: Standard advance adult: Off peak £21.50/Peak £28, Children: Off peak £14/peak £18. Kew Gardens (Royal Botanic Gardens), Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AB. Nearest station: Kew Gardens. For more information, visit the Kew Gardens website. 

• 17 – 20 November 2022 : Wimbledon Art Fair

Discover and buy art from over 100 artists and makers as they open their studios to the public. Open Thurs-Fri 2pm-9pm, Sat-Sun 11am-6pm. Register for a free ticket. Wimbledon Art Studios, 10 Riverside Road, SW17 0BB. Nearest station: Wimbledon. To find out more, visit the Art Fair website.

• 17 November 2022 – 2 January 2023 : Lightopia Festival

The award-winning festival of lights is return to the capital, but this time to south London’s Crystal Palace. Talk a winter walk through a light display with illuminations, interactive displays and installations. Open 5pm-10pm (last entry 8.30pm). Tickets: Adults £19.50/£24.50, Child 3-15yrs £13/£16.50. Crystal Palace Park, Thicket Road, Crystal Palace, SE19 2GA. Nearest stations: Crystal Palace or Penge West. For more information and booking, visit the Lightopia website. 

• 18 – 21 November 2022 : Taste of London – Festive Edition

Four-day festival at Tobacco Dock in Wapping offers tastings, demonstrations, masterclasses and food theatre. Participating restaurants include Bibo, Rhythm Kitchen, Rainbo, Three Falcons, Hoppers, Wood and Water, Brindisa, Gloria, The Cinnamon Club, The Zetter Townhouse, Flesh & Buns and many more. Open Thu 6pm-10.30pm, Fri & Sat 11am-10.30pm (2 sessions), Sun 12pm-5pm. Tickets start from £24. Tobacco Dock, 50 Porters Walk, Wapping, E1W 2SF. Nearest station: Wapping or Shadwell. For more information, visit the Taste of London website.

• 18 November 2022 – 2 January 2023 : Winter Wonderland

The south-east corner of Hyde Park is transformed into a festive fair with rides, food and drink stalls, ice rink, the Magical Ice Kingdom, the Giant Wheel, Bar Ice, Real Ice Slide, Zippos Christmas Circus, Cirque Berserk, Ice Sculpting Workshops, Santa Land, Bavarian Village, and more. Open daily 10am-10pm. Tickets (must be pre-booked) Standard £5, Peak £7.50, Off-peak free. Entrance fee waived if you spend over £25 on attractions, rides or games in advance. Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner, Victoria, Knightsbridge or Marble Arch. For more information, visit the Winter Wonderland website. 

Illuminature returns to the London Wetlands Centre

• 18 November 2022 – 8 January 2023 : Illuminature @ WWT

Explore nature after dark in this unique illuminated trail around the London Wetland Centre. Open 4.30pm-9pm. Tickets: Adults £18.50, Children £14.50, under 4s free. WWT London, Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes, SW13 9WT. Nearest station: Barnes Bridge. For more information and booking, visit the WWT website. 

• 23 – 27 November 2022 : Ideal Home Show Christmas

Christmas edition of the popular homewares and interiors show. Featuring appearances and performances from experts Rosemary Shrager, Lee Baldry, Kunle Barker, Lynne Lambourne, Claire Hall and more. Tickets: Adults start from £14 (weekday), £16 (weekend), Children 7-15yrs £7.50 (weekend), free (weekdays), 6yrs and under free. (Tickets inc entry to Eat & Drink Festival). London Olympia, Hammersmith Road, Kensington, W14 8UX. Nearest station: Kensington Olympia. For more information and tickets, visit the Ideal Home Show website.

• 23 – 27 November 2022 : Eat & Drink Festival Christmas

The best of the UK’s food and drink under one roof, featuring talks, masterclasses, demonstrations, artisan producers’ market, and plenty of opportunities to try and buy food and drink. Tickets: Adults start from £14/£16, Children 7-15yrs £7.50 (weekend), free (weekdays), 6yrs and under free. (Tickets inc entry to Ideal Home Show). London Olympia, Hammersmith Road, Kensington, W14 8UX. Nearest station: Kensington Olympia. For tickets, visit the Eat & Drink Festival website.

• 25 November 2022 : Mystery at the Museum – The Search for Dippy

Roam around the Natural History Museum after-hours in an escape-like game. Step back 1905 as you’re invited to a special preview of the unveiling of Dippy the Diplodocus. Ages 13yrs +. 6.30pm-9.45pm. Tickets: £35. Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 5BD. Nearest station: South Kensington. For tickets, visit the NHM website.

• 25 November – 11 December 2022 : Supermodels exhibition

Architectural and design studio Piercy & Co presents an exhibition of its architectural models. Open Mon-Fri 12pm-7pm, Sat-Sun 12pm-5pm. Free entry. Jahn Court, Regent Quarter, 34 York Way, King’s Cross, N1 9AB. Nearest station: King’s Cross St Pancras. For more information, visit the Piercy & Co website.

• 26 November 2022 – 2 January 2023 : Winter Festival Brent Cross

Take a break from your Christmas shopping at the Winter Festival, featuring Santa’s Grotto, ice rink, fun fair rides and food and drink. Open Mon-Fri 4pm-9pm, Sat-Sun 12pm-9pm (From 17 December onwards, opening times extend to 12pm-9pm daily). Entry: £3. Brent Cross Shopping Centre, Brent Cross, NW4 3FP. Nearest station: Brent Cross. For more information and booking, visit the Winter Festival Brent Cross website.

• 26 November 2022 – 3 January 2023 : The Magic of Christmas @ London Zoo

London Zoo are hosting a series of festive events alongside the usual animal enclosures. Meet Santa, visit the Polar Post Room, enjoy Christmas festivities, animal crafts, Christmas-themed animal talks, marshmallow toasting and more. Open 10am-4pm. General entry: Adults range from £26.50-£33, Children 3-15yrs £17.25-£21.45. Additional charges apply for some activities. London Zoo, Regent’s Park, Marylebone, NW1 4RY. Nearest station: Regent’s Park or Camden Town. For booking, visit the ZSL website. 

• Now until 23 December 2022 : Inspired!

Exhibition explores how visual artists have taken inspiration from the literary arts. Opening hours TBC. Tickets: £8. Guildhall Art Gallery, Guildhall Yard, City of London, EC2V 5AE. Nearest station: St Paul’s, Bank or Moorgate. For more information, visit the City of London.gov website. Check out Metro Girl’s blog post on the exhibition.

• Now until 31 December 2022 : Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds – The Immersive Experience

An immersive experience inspired by the classic story. Travel back in time to Victorian London and the Martian invasion of 1898. Experience immersive theatre, virtual reality, augmented reality, holograms and other cutting-edge technology. Over 12s only. Times vary. Tickets: £40-£130. The Old Metal Exchange, 56 Leadenhall Street, City of London, EC3A 2BJ. Nearest station: Aldgate or Fenchurch Street. For booking, visit the War of the World’s website. Check out Metro Girl’s review of the show.

• Now until 17 January 2023 : The Witches of Oz

An immersive dining and theatrical experience as you head to the Emerald City in this Wizard of Oz-inspired extravaganza. Over 18s only. Dress code: Emerald glam. Doors open 6.30pm, Show starts 7.15pm. Tickets: General £20-£35, Dining £45-£59. The Vaults, Leake Street, Waterloo, SE1 7NN. Nearest stations: Waterloo, Lambeth North or Waterloo East. For more information, visit the Vaults website.

• Now until 29 January 2023 : The Carpenters’ Line

New exhibition explores the art of woodworking from the densely forested Hida region of Gifu Prefecture in Japan. Open Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 12pm-6pm. Free entry. Japan House London, 101-111 Kensington High Street, Kensington, W8 5SA. Nearest station: High Street Kensington. For more information, visit the Japan House London website.

• Now until 31 January 2023 : Frameless

Explore a new way to engage with art in an immersive, multi-sensory experience. Visitors can travel through four galleries, coming up close to masterpieces from the likes of Cezanne, Kandinsky, Monet, Dalí, Van Gogh, Canaletto, Rembrandt and Klimt, among others. Opening hours vary. Tickets from £15, Kids under 5 yrs free. 6 Marble Arch Place, Marylebone, W1H 7AP. Nearest station: Marble Arch. For tickets, visit the Frameless website.

• Now until 19 February 2023 : The Horror Show!

New exhibition explores some of Britain’s most provocative artists from the past 50 years of creative rebellion, featuring 200 artworks and historical artefacts. Open Tues-Wed, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm, Thu-Fri 10am-9pm. Tickets: £16.50. Embankment Galleries (South Wing), Somerset House, The Strand, Aldwych, WC2R 1LA. Nearest station: Temple. For more information, visit the Somerset House website.

• Now until 5 March 2023 : When Flowers Dream

An exhibition from artist Tanya Schultz (Pip & Pop) featuring installations made from sugar, candy and assorted craft materials. Opening times vary depending on season. Tickets included with gardens entrance. Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art, Kew Gardens, Brentford Gate, Kew, TW9 3AB. Nearest station: Kew Gardens. For more information, visit the Kew Gardens website. 🐻

Sculpture in The City

• Now until Spring 2023 : Sculpture in the City 2022/2023

Free public art exhibition, bringing 19 contemporary pieces to the streets and spaces of the City of London. Free. At various sites around the Square Mile. Nearest stations: Fenchurch Street, Monument or Liverpool Street. For more information and a map of the artworks, visit the Sculpture in the City website. Check out Metro Girl’s blog post on the exhibition. 🐻

• Now until July 2023 : Scenes in the Square

Check out bronze sculptures of iconic film characters around Leicester Square. Eight interactive characters, such as Laurel & Hardy to Wonder Woman will be placed in the square for four months. Free. Leicester Square, Westminster, WC2H 7DE. Nearest stations: Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus. For more information, visit the Leicester Square website. Check out Metro Girl’s gallery of the exhibition. 🐻

Find out what else is on in London

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Guide to what’s on in London in November 2023

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