October seemed to whizz by and before we know it, it will be Christmas in London! Before then, however, there are lots of things to do in London in November.
The shoulder season is a great time to visit London and the perfect time to visit some of the most famous London landmarks without the crowds.
Buckingham Palace is closed to visitors for the winter but other popular attractions are open including the London Eye, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey.
It’s also a good time to visit some of London’s most popular museums such as the Science Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum and Churchill War Rooms. Madame Tussauds is typically quieter at this time of year as well.
Remember that the month of November typically brings cold weather so pack layers (and a waterproof jacket) and get ready to enjoy everything that the British capital has to offer.
November 2025 dates for your diary
- Remember, remember the 5th of November. See where you can enjoy bonfires and fireworks below.
- London’s Christmas lights get switched on this month, take a look at dates here and our recommended self-guided walking route
- London’s ice-skating rinks open this month, see where to get your skates on here.
- The EFG London Jazz Festival returns on the 14 November with 10 days of live music, new collaborations and some fun, interactive family shows.
- The London Korean Film Festival takes place this month with two weeks of movies from some of Korea’s best known filmmakers. The festival starts on 5 November.
- Thanksgiving takes place on Thursday 27 November, see below for recommendations on where to find the best turkey in London.
- Finally, Remembrance Day will take place this year on Sunday 19 November.
Don’t forget to take a look at our list of things to do over the October half term. School might be back in session but many of the exhibitions and events listed are ongoing.
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Our highlights for November in London (2025)
Can’t decide what to do? The following are our top picks for things to do in London in November
- The Fireworks Festival at Alexandra Palace are some of the best in London
- Ballet Shoes returning to The National Theatre in time for Christmas
- Wes Anderson: The Archives opening at the Design Museum
- The new Paddington the Musical opening at the Savoy Theatre
- The arrival of London’s many twinkling Christmas lights
- The pomp and pageantry of the Lady Mayor’s Show – only the third Lady Mayor in 800 years!
- The return of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Natural History Museum
The best things to do in London in November 2025
There’s lots going on in London this month including the start of Christmas. November is when London decorates its Christmas trees, switches on its Christmas lights, and its shop windows are decorated with over-the-top Christmas decorations. London really is a great place to be at this time of year.
Christmas aside, there’s a lot going on in the city this month. Enjoy our list of the best things to do in London in November.
Bonfire Night
Bonfire night this year takes place on Wednesday 5 November and while there aren’t as many free firework displays taking place as in previous years, there are still plenty of places where you can watch fireworks light up the night sky.
Chiswick Park is no longer hosting a fireworks display and nor is Ravenscourt Park. Remember, if you can’t make it to one of the following fireworks displays then book a ticket for the immersive Gunpowder Plot experience at the Tower of London and discover the reasons behind Guy Fawkes night!
Coram’s Fields
Coram’s Fields will be opening its gates to 6,000 on Bonfire Night for a free 18-minute long firework display accompanied by funfair rides, and food and drink stalls.
Wednesday 5 November. Get tickets here.
Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival
Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival is one of the best in London with both pyrotechnics and a drone display. The evening also features Taylor Swift and Dolly Parton tribute acts, a DJ set from DJ Luck and MC Neat, a funfair, ice skating, ghost tours, street food stalls and a German bier festival.
Friday 31 October and Saturday November 1. Get tickets here.
Barnes Bonfire Night
Barnes Bonfire Night takes place at the weekend with a Guy competition (winner gets to light the bonfire), hot dogs, mulled wine, sparklers and fireworks. Tickets are available online and proceeds go towards Barnes Sports Club.
Saturday 8 November. Get tickets here.
Dulwich Fireworks Display
Dulwich Fireworks Display is also taking place at the weekend and is hugely popular with local families, not least because of its ‘kids for a quid’ offer. The 20 minute fireworks display starts at 7pm but there’s live music before that from 5.30pm.
Saturday 8 November. Get tickets here.
Battersea Park Fireworks
Battersea Park Fireworks are one of the biggest displays in the city.
Saturday 1 November and Sunday 2 November. Get tickets here.
Beckenham Fireworks
Beckenham Fireworks raise money for the 5th Beckenham South Scout Group, alongside other local causes. As well as the fireworks display, there are funfair rides and lots of food stalls.
Saturday 8 November. Get tickets here.
Wimbledon Park Fireworks
Wimbledon Park Fireworks take place on 8 November with two different displays in one evening (the earlier one is for families with young children).
Saturday 8 November. Get tickets here.
Morden Park Fireworks
Morden Park Fireworks also hosts two displays in one night with the earlier one aimed at young families. There’s also a food village and funfair on site.
Wednesday 5 November. Get tickets here.
Christmas Events
Get ready for the holiday season with some festive fun!
Ice Rinks in London
Time to get your skates on as London’s winter ice rinks open across the city. Book tickets for Battersea Power Station, Queen’s House Greenwich, Canary Wharf and our favourite skating rink Somerset House now. Take a look at where to go ice skating in London here.
London’s Christmas Lights
Central London knows a thing or two about putting on an impressive Christmas display, starting this month. Festive frivolities kick off on 3 November when the Oxford Street Christmas lights are switched on alongside the lights in Trafalgar Square. Regent Street and Carnaby Street will turn their lights on, on 6 November.
Covent Garden, Marylebone Village and Old Spitalfields Market will be brought to light on 12 November followed by Kew Gardens on 14 November.
See them all on this self-guided walking tour of London’s best Christmas lights. Discover more things to do over Christmas in London with kids here including the best Christmas markets, our favourite Christmas theatre, which Christmas pantomimes are being performed this year and more.
Hogwarts in the Snow
Wands at the ready, it’s time to visit Hogwarts at Christmas. The annual Hogwarts in the Snow opens its doors on 15 November 2025 and welcomes wizards until 18 January 2026.
The Great Hall will be transformed with gold decorations from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and the tables will be set with a sumptuous banquet as it was to celebrate the end-of-term feast at Hogwarts. Learn the dance steps from the Yule Ball, step into the snowy Forbidden Forest, stroll down Diagon Alley and more.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
London’s home for festive fun, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland offers shows, rides, an ice rink, a magical ice kingdom, Santa Land and more.
As with previous years you’ll need to book your tickets in advance choosing what date and time you want to visit. Winter Wonderland does get very busy (although hopefully the ticketed entrance will keep numbers down) so you will want to take this into account when booking your tickets.
Dates: 21 November 2024 to 5 January 2025.
Christmas at Kew
London’s most famous light trail, Christmas at Kew, opens on 14 November and runs until 4 January, 2026. This really is one of the best Christmas light trails in London and tickets always sell out so do book yours now.
Thanksgiving in London
If you’re craving turkey and pumpkin pie but the idea of cooking fills you with dread then head to one of these London restaurants and give thanks that it’s not you in the kitchen. The best places to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner in London are:
Museum Exhibitions & Experiences in London
Marie Antoinette Style at the V&A Museum
Marie Antoinette Style opened at the V&A Museum in late September and is a fashion-fuelled look at the lasting influence of Marie Antoinette, the most fashionable and ill-fated queen in history. It’s already been incredible popular so make sure to book your tickets early – or consider joining the V&A as a member.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year
One of my favourite exhibitions of the year takes place at the Natural History Museum with more incredible wildlife photography alongside soundscapes, films and expert insights.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year runs until 12 July 2026.
Escape from Prison Island
This new immersive adventure opened in London last month and is a great way to spend a rainy day in London with kids.
Similar to traditional escape rooms but with a twist, Escape from Prison Island invites visitors to try and solve puzzles in 31 different cell blocks. Each one hides a different challenge and you have 60 minutes to try and complete as many as possible. Some are more physical and others require strategic thinking – all of them require serious team work!
Wes Anderson: The Archives
Fans of Wes Anderson films won’t want to miss this retrospective exhibition devoted to the filmmakers distinctive cinematic output. Produced in collaboration with la Cinémathèque française, the Design Museum has been granted unprecedented access to Wes Anderson’s personal archives from the last three decades.
The exhibition opens on 21 November and runs until 26 July 2026.
Cutty Sark’s Sea Shanty Festival
Enjoy traditional maritime music and celebrate the 156th birthday of the celebrate tea clipper at the same time with the Cutty Sark’s Sea Shanty Festival. The event will sea bands and artists from across the UK convene to sing traditional maritime songs – don’t miss the mass sing-along at the end of the day.
Saturday 22 November, 10am to 4.30pm. Free with admission to the Cutty Sark.
The Last Days of Pompeii Immersive Exhibition
London’s latest immersive experience takes visitors back to the Last Days of Pompeii. The huge scale international touring show mixes historical artefacts from the Roman town with plenty of technical wizardry that transports you to inside the eruption, 2,000 years ago.
The Last Days of Pompeii open on 14 November.
Christmas at the Tower of London
Get into the holiday spirit at the Tower of London with storybook-themed displays, festive tales and sparkling decorations. Christmas at the Tower opens on 28 November and is a fun way to celebrate Christmas time in the capital.
Family Days at the National Gallery
If you are visiting London with younger kids then the National Gallery is running a series of special events. On November 10, the gallery is hosting an early years art session, encouraging early years age groups to get creative, inspired by paintings.
The gallery also runs weekend workshops for families with play boxes designed to encourage children to create and explore, inspired by some of Britain’s greatest painters. These are free, drop-in sessions and are open from 10am to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Blitz: The Club that Shaped the 80s at the Design Museum
Another exhibition that opened at the end of September is Blitz: the club that shaped the 80s at the Design Museum. Although this exhibition might be lost on younger kids, teens might enjoy this deep dive into the legendary Blitz night club and how it transformed 1980s London style.
Expect plenty of music, flamboyant fashions, pioneering art, film and graphic design, all curated in close collaboration with some of the leading ‘Blitz Kids’ who were there.
Blitz runs until 29 March 2026
Costume Couture: Sixty Years of Cosprop
Take a look at costumes from TV shows and films including Little Women, Pirates of the Caribbean, Peaky Blinders, Out of Africa and The Danish Girl as part of the Costume Couture exhibition taking place at the Fashion & Textile Museum.
The exhibition will run until 8 March 2026.
Taking the Plunge at Tower Bridge
Find out how the ‘Guardian Angel’ parachute was tested at Tower Bridge in 1917 then make your own mini parachute to take home and keep. This drop in session takes place on Saturday 8 November between 10am and 4pm and is included in admission.
Days Out & Events
Luxury Travel Fair
Get inspiration for your next trip (from your armchair or otherwise) at the Luxury Travel Fair that’s taking place this month at Olympia. They’ve got a cracking line-up of speakers timetabled including Michaela Strachan and Brian and Melvyn from Race Across the World. You can also chat to representatives from travel and expedition companies.
The Luxury Travel Fair takes place from 6 – 9 November at Olympia.
The Lady Mayor’s Show
For the first time in a very long time, London is hosting the Lady Mayor’s Show instead of the Lord Mayor’s Show. The 697th Lord Mayor of London will be Dame Susan Langley DBE. She is only the third woman to hold the post in over 800 years, and the first ever to be titled the ‘Lady Mayor of London’.
On Saturday 8 November, the Lady Mayor’s Procession will convey Dame Langley to Westminster to swear loyalty to the crown. This is a wonderful annual event full of pomp and pageantry that dates back to the early 13th century and features a grand ceremonial carriage as well as floats and marching bands travelling through the City of London.
The procession departs from Mansion House at 11am; take a look at the route here.
Ever After Garden
For the last six years, Mayfair’s Grosvenor Square has been transformed into an illuminated garden with more than 20,000 illuminated white roses “planted” in memory of loved ones to raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
This year the Ever After Garden will be held in Duke of York Square, Chelsea. There’s no admission fee for the Ever After Garden but donations are very welcome. You can also choose to dedicate a rose to a loved one for £15.
The display will run from 13 November to 16 December 2025.
The Big Draw Festival
The world’s biggest celebration of drawing is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with the theme “Drawn Together’. Events are taking places across the UK, including various events in the capital. Our top picks are the Abstract Spray Painting session on 5 – 6 November and the Get Creative with Recycled Waste on 8 November.
Winter Light at the Southbank Centre
Combat the lack of daylight hours with a visit to the Southbank Centre and their Winter Light exhibition.
Over the dark winter nights, the centre is illuminated by colourful outdoor artworks including works by Samia Halaby, David Batchelor, Rafaël Rozendaal, France Lise McGurn, Jakob Kvist, Nathaniel Rackowe, Squire & Partners, Liz West, Oteki and Tavares Strachan.
Shows & Plays
London always has a great calendar of plays and musicals to enjoy; try one of the following.
Ballet Shoes at the National Theatre
The perfect family show for Christmas is back for the festive season. Noel Streatfeild’s beloved novel opens on 17 November at the National Theatre, telling the story of three adopted sisters – Pauline, Petrova and Posy.
Ballet Shoes runs from 17 November 2025 to 21 February 2026.
Paddington the Musical
Fans of Paddington will love this new musical adaptation that hits the West End this month. The big splashy musical promises to trace Paddington’s origin story from arriving at London’s famous train station to being taken in by the kind-hearted Brown family.
Aimed at ages six plus, Paddington the Musical opens at the Savoy Theatre on 3 November.
The Importance of Being Earnest
After a sold-out run at the National Theatre, The Importance of Being Ernest transfers to the Noël Coward Theatre starring Olly Alexander. Oscar Wilde’s story about two young men who lead double lives, getting caught in a web of lies, has been performed countless times since it premiered in 1895.
The play opened in September and will run until January 2026
