Fun things to do this weekend in London: 3- 5 November 2023
Things to do in London this weekend: 3 - 5 November 2023.
Southbank Centre Winter Market
The Southbank Centre's Winter Market kicks off this weekend as part of their winter festival, offering pop-up bars, street food, and crafts. Enjoy truffle burgers, Thai street food, and more. Satisfy your sweet tooth with dutch pancakes and chocolate-covered fruit while shopping for unique gifts and staying warm with mulled wine or hot chocolate.
Date: 2 November 2023 – 26 December 2023. Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX. Price: Free.
Image: Southbank Centre Winter Market. Photo by India Roper- Evans.
Ally Pally's Fireworks Festival
This weekend, experience the ‘Glastonbury of Fireworks’ at Ally Pally, featuring live music, a German Bier Festival, tribute acts, legendary DJs, ice skating, and a breathtaking fireworks display that will light up the London skyline.
Date: 3 - 4 November 2023. Location: Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London, N22 7AY. Price: Tickets start from £13.50. Book now.
Click here to discover more fireworks displays happening in London this weekend.
Image: Fireworks displays kicking off in London with Oxford Circus on 2 November 2023. Photo by Roven Images.
Oxford Street Christmas lights
This weekend marks the debut of London's 2023 Christmas lights, with the grand illumination of Oxford Street taking place on Thursday. However, due to the anticipated inclement weather on Thursday, Carnaby's lighting ceremony has been postponed to the following week, on 8 November 2023.
Image: Seeing Things by Gareth Mason at Carpenter Workshop Gallery. © MTotoe.
Gareth Mason: Seeing Things
Carpenters Workshop Gallery is hosting the first UK solo exhibition in over a decade by renowned British ceramicist Gareth Mason. His distinctive clay works, which incorporate foreign objects, challenge porcelain's traditional elegance while embracing clay's unique and universal qualities.
Date: 11 October - 22 December 2023. Location: Ladbroke Hall, 79 Barlby Road W10. Price: Free. Website: carpentersworkshopgallery.com.
Sachi x Toyama Wagashi Pop-Up
Yasuhiro Hikiami, a celebrated Japanese confectionery artisan and the fourth-generation owner of Hikiami Kogetsudo in Toyama, Japan, will be crafting intricate seasonal wagashi sweets. These vegan and gluten-free delights are made from rice flour, kuzu starch, beans, Japanese agar, and sugar. The event will feature autumn-themed creations, including colourful leaves, chrysanthemums, pumpkins, and more. No advance booking is required; simply visit Pantechnicon between 2:30pm and 7:30pm during the event.
Date: 2-5 November 2023. Time: 2:30pm - 7:30pm. Location: Pantechnicon ,19 Motcomb St, London SW1X 8LB.
Image: Alice Ripoll, the acclaimed Brazilian choreographer, presents Zona Franca. Photo by Renato Mangolin.
Alice Ripoll: Zona Franca
Renowned Brazilian choreographer Alice Ripoll brings her UK dance premiere, Zona Franca, in collaboration with Cia Suave, addressing social injustice and inequality in Brazil through a mix of dance genres, including 'passinho' from TikTok. The performance reflects on Brazil's political landscape, exploring President Jair Bolsonaro's fall and Lula's return to power, offering a fresh perspective on societal change and hope.
Date: 2-4 November 2023. Time: 7:30pm. Location: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX.Price: £20-£32. Book now.
Kensington Vintage Fair
This weekend, discover a new vintage fair in Kensington at St Cuthbert's Church in Earls Court. Featuring specialist traders and BBC's Antiques Roadshow expert Mark Hill, it's a treasure trove of retro items, antiques, live music, art, collectibles, vintage fashion, and more. Don't miss out on this nostalgic and unique experience!
Date: 4 November 2023. Time: 10am - 4pm. Location: St Cuthbert's Church, Earls Court, 50 Philbeach Gardens, London SW5 9EB. Price: Admission ranges from £3 to £5. Book now.
Image: Kensington Vintage Fair is taking place this Saturday (4 November 2023).
The Oulim in London
The Oulim in London celebrates the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and the UK. It offers a diverse range of K-content, including K-Pop, K-Drama, and the latest technology like AI and VR. The event is organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea and the Korea Creative Content Agency. It features six sections that blend Korean and UK cultures and technologies, showcasing iconic artists like BTS, BLACKPINK, NCT, aespa, Stray Kids, IVE, and ATEEZ. The best part is that entry is free!
Date: 28 October- 5 November. Location: First Floor Galleries, Saatchi Gallery Duke of York's HQ, King's Rd, London SW3 4RY. Price: Free , pre-Booking required. Book now.
Fenella Humphreys & Leah Broad
This Sunday, violinist Fenella Humphreys, author Leah Broad, and pianist Nicola Eimer explore the lives and works of four underrepresented 20th-century female composers inspired by Leah Broad's book Quartet: How Four Women Changed the Musical World. Championing Doreen Carwithen, Rebecca Clarke, Dorothy Howell, and Ethel Smyth, the event combines music and words to provide insight into their lives through journals and correspondence.
Date: 5 November 2023. Time: 4pm. Location: Barbican Centre, Milton Court, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: from £15 plus booking fee. Book now.
Click here to discover more classical music concerts to attend at the Barbican Centre this autumn 2023.
Image: Fenella Humphreys and Nicola Eimer delve into the lives and works of four overlooked 20th-century female composers.
Visit Brazil Gallery
The Visit Brazil Gallery is coming to London, following its successful exhibitions in Paris and Rome. Hosted at the Embassy of Brazil, it offers an immersive experience into Brazilian culture, featuring cuisine tastings, cooking demos, and art. Embratur and Sebrae collaborate to showcase Brazil's rich culture and its status as a top global travel destination. Don't miss this one-day public event!
Date: 4 November 2023. Time: 10 am - 5 pm. Location: Embassy of Brazil, 14-16 Cockspur Street London SW1Y 5BL. Website: galeria.visitbrasil.com
Image: Wine & Truffle Festival will take place this weekend 2-4 November 2023.
Wine & Truffle Festival
The Wine & Truffle Festival is a 3-day event featuring 10 Italian wine producers offering over 50 wines and Italian dishes. Experience walk-around wine tastings and learn about truffle hunting with Savini specialists. Each ticket includes a bespoke glass and pouch. Explore truffle products and savour truffle-based dishes in Eataly's restaurants. Don't miss the unique Truffle Negroni cocktail.
Date: 2- 4 November 2023. Location: Eataly,135 bishopsgate London EC2M 3YD. Price: £30-69. Book now.
Image: Toklas Bakery potato & 'nduja Strecci. © MTotoe.
Toklas Bakery Lates are back
Toklas Bakery Lates are back! From Tuesday to Thursday, they offer a cosy and inviting atmosphere for after-work gatherings. You can enjoy Negronis and a selection of drinks along with their signature Strecci slices, inspired by Roman pizzas. Options like British courgettes and olive tapenade or potato & 'nduja are available. The softly lit candles create a perfect ambiance, making it an ideal spot for a relaxed evening with friends or a date.
Date: Tuesday - Thursday. Time: 5:30pm - 8:30pm. Location: Toklas Bakery, 9 Surrey St, Temple, London WC2R 2ND. Instagram: @toklas_bakery. Website: toklaslondon.com.