Things to do in London in November 2024

November in London marks the return of many beloved Christmas traditions across the city. Highlights include the switching on of Christmas lights and the return of festive ice skating at Somerset House. Music enthusiasts can enjoy celebrations for 30 years of Bugged Out! at Drumsheds, along with performances of Hansel and Gretel at the Royal Opera House. The art scene will be vibrant with the opening of several new exhibitions, including an exploration of photography in Britain during the 80s at Tate Britain, as well as the return of the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair. Here is our guide to the best events in the city this November 2024.

EFG London Jazz Festival

The EFG London Jazz Festival returns to venues throughout London this November.

#FLODown: The EFG London Jazz Festival returns this November, marking the UK’s largest celebration of jazz with a lineup packed with exciting performances and events throughout the city. Kicking off with the opening gala, Jazz Voice, at the Royal Festival Hall on 15 November, the festival will feature a star-studded array of artists including Damian Lewis, Marisa Monte, and Veronica Swift, supported by a 40-piece orchestra led by Guy Barker. In a first for the festival, The Jazz Social will serve as a new pop-up venue in Citypoint near the Barbican, offering a vibrant hub for relaxation and special events from 11 to 24 November. The festival will also host numerous performances across various locations, including iconic venues like Ronnie Scott’s, Cadogan Hall, and the Barbican, showcasing the rich diversity of jazz music.

Date: 15 -24 November 2024. Location: Throughout London. For more details and a full event listing, check efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk.

Fireworks displays in London

Fireworks displays will take place in London throughout early November in honour of Bonfire Night on 5 November 2024.

#FLODown: November in London is marked by vibrant fireworks displays celebrating Bonfire Night on 5 November. This event, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, commemorates the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Throughout the month, various locations across the city will host fireworks shows, providing plenty of opportunities to join in the celebration. Click here for our guide to 15 fantastic locations in London where you can catch the best fireworks displays in the city.

Skate at Somerset House

London's favourite winter experience returns to Somerset House this November.

#FLODown: Skate at Somerset House returns this November, transforming its iconic courtyard into a winter wonderland with ice skating, delightful winter treats, and its iconic 40 ft Christmas tree. This year’s event, in partnership with Virgin Atlantic Holidays, features exclusive themed evenings, pop-up restaurants like The Chalet serving Alpine-inspired cuisine, and a festive shopping pop-up by Shelter Boutique. Skate Lates will also return with live DJ sets, Skate School for skaters of all ages, and Chilled Out sessions for a more relaxed atmosphere. What is a London Christmas without skating?

Date: 13 November 2024 – 12 January 2025. Location: Somerset House,Strand, London WC2R 1LA. Price: from £15 - £26.50 for adults / £10 - £15 for children. Book now.

Chelsea Barracks Winter Fair

Chelsea Barracks will host its first Winter Fair from 30 November - 1 December 2024.

#FLODown: This November, Chelsea Barracks will host its first Winter Fair, sponsored by House & Garden magazine. The free event will feature a Winter Artisans’ Market with unique Christmas gifts, a seminar by interior designer Skye McAlpine, and festive treats from The Campaner, along with mulled wine and mince pies. Guests can enjoy live choir performances and the opportunity to visit Father Christmas in his grotto, where children can share their Christmas wishes and enjoy a magical holiday experience.

Date: 30 November - 1 December 2024. Location: Chelsea Barracks, 1-6 Chelsea Bridge Road, London SW1W 8AP. Click here for more.

For more information and to secure tickets for the seminar or Santas Grotto visit Chelsea Barracks Winter Fair 2024.

The 80s: Photographing Britain

Ting A Ling, from Handsworth Self Portrait, 1979 © Derek Bishton, Brian Homer & John Reardon.

#FLODown: Tate Britain will launch The 80s: Photographing Britain in November, a major exhibition featuring 350 works that capture the social and political upheavals of the 1980s. Showcasing images from over 70 photographers, the exhibition highlights iconic moments such as the miners’ strikes, social security offices, and portraits of Middle England. It also explores the role of photography in representing marginalised communities, with contributions from Black, South Asian, and LGBTQ+ photographers. The exhibition concludes by examining how underground club culture and fashion photography shaped British youth at the decade’s end. 

Date: 21 November 2024 - 5 May 2025. Location: Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG. Price: from £20. Concessions available. Book now. 

Click here for more art exhibitions opening in London in November 2024.

Pitchfork Festival

Pitchfork Music Festival returns to London for its fourth edition, with events held at venues throughout the city including KOKO.

#FLODown: Pitchfork Music Festival returns to London for its fourth edition, showcasing a diverse lineup of live music over six days. This edition promises an eclectic mix of genres, including avant-rock, post-punk, psych-pop, UK rap, and deconstructed dance music. Events will be held at prominent venues like The Barbican, KOKO, Fabric, The Roundhouse, and Village Underground, as well as intimate spaces such as Hackney Church and St Mathias Church. The festival features an exciting array of artists. Click here for full event and artist line-ups.

Date: 5 -10 November 2024.

30 Years of Bugged Out!

Bugged Out!, one of the UK’s most iconic club nights, is celebrating its 30th anniversary at DRUMSHEDS on November 9.

#FLODown: Bugged Out!, one of the UK’s most iconic club nights, is celebrating its 30th anniversary at DRUMSHEDS on 9 November. Originally launched in 1994 at Manchester’s Sankeys Soap, the event has hosted cutting-edge acts like Daft Punk and Green Velvet. The anniversary lineup features The Chemical Brothers, Modeselektor (DJ set), and Octave One (live), promising a memorable celebration of electronic music history.

Date: 9 November 2024. Location: Drumsheds, 6 Glover Dr, London N18 3HF. Price: from  £27.50 + BF.Book now.

Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair

Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair returns for its 9th edition from 21 - 24 November 2024.

#FLODown: The Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair returns for its 9th edition from 21 November, showcasing a selection of established and emerging artists, including Brian Eno, Damien Hirst, Harland Miller, Yinka Shonibare, and Helen Beard. This year, the fair emphasises innovative printmaking techniques and features a Curated Hang highlighting exceptional artworks. Visitors can enjoy a new public art trail in Woolwich, encouraging community engagement through contemporary art.

Date: 21 - 24 November 2024. Location: Woolwich Works, The Fireworks Factory, No.1 Street, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, London SE18 6HD. Price: from £15. Concessions available. Book now.

Christmas at Kew

Palm House light show at the 10th Christmas at Kew. © Raymond Gubbay Ltd, Richard Haughton.

#FLODown: Christmas at Kew returns this November, running from 13 November 2024 to 5 January 2025. The Royal Botanic Gardens will be transformed into a winter wonderland with an illuminated trail featuring immersive light displays and installations. Guests can enjoy seasonal treats, warm drinks, and a chance to meet Father Christmas.

Date: 13 November 2024 - 5 January 2025. Location: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Richmond TW9 3AE UK. Price: Non-member adult: Off peak £25.50 / Peak £32; Member adult: Off peak £21.50 / Peak £26. Book now.

Christmas Lights in London

Marylebone Christmas lights will switch on 13 November 2024.

#FLODown: November will see numerous Christmas lights brighten up London, from Oxford Street to Marylebone, Regent Street, and the infamous Trafalgar Square. The city will be aglow with festive decorations, creating a magical atmosphere for all. Click here to view our guide on the best Christmas light events happening throughout London.

 Hacienda Sounds in London

PATRÓN Tequila has announced the launch of Hacienda Sounds, a new music and party series set to take place throughout London.

#FLODown: PATRÓN Tequila introduces Hacienda Sounds, a dynamic music and party series in November. Featuring performances from top DJs like Disciples, Marcel Vogel, Lou Hayter, and Lil Silva, the series combines vibrant music with Mexican cuisine and PATRÓN cocktails. The festivities kick off on 1 November at Los Mochis City, with subsequent events at Viajante87 and Kaso, offering a lively atmosphere and unique culinary experiences throughout the month. Click here for more.

Date: 1 November - 1 December 2024.

Winter Market at Southbank Centre

The Southbank Centre’s Winter Market is back from 1 November - 26 December 2024. Image by Adam Luszniak.

#FLODown: The Southbank Centre’s Winter Market is back for November to kick off the festive season, featuring traditional alpine-style chalets with indulgent drinks and delicious street food from pop-up bars and independent craft traders. Enjoy a variety of dishes, including truffle burgers, duck wraps, and lobster buns, along with sweet treats like Dutch pancakes and churros. Warm up with mulled wine or hot chocolate while exploring unique gifts, jewellery, and decorations by independent creatives.

Date: 1 November – 26 December 2024. Location: Queen’s Walk, alongside the River Thames from Jubilee Gardens to Waterloo Bridge, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX. Price: Entry is free, with no ticket required.southbankcentre.co.uk.

  Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael: Florence, c. 1504

Leonardo da Vinci, The Virgin and Child with St Anne and the Infant St John the Baptist (‘The Burlington House Cartoon’), c.1506-08. Charcoal with white chalk on paper, mounted on canvas, 141.5 x 104.6 cm. The National Gallery, London. Purchased with a special grant and contributions from the Art Fund, The Pilgrim Trust, and through a public appeal organised by the Art Fund, 1962.

#FLODown: Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael: Florence, c. 1504 at the Royal Academy of Arts, will explore the rivalry between Michelangelo and Leonardo and their influence on Raphael. The exhibition will showcase over 40 works, including Michelangelo’s Taddei Tondo, Leonardo’s Burlington House Cartoon, and Raphael’s Bridgewater Madonna. It highlights the vibrant artistic atmosphere of Republican Florence, focusing on their preparatory drawings for unfinished murals. The exhibition will culminate in Raphael’s drawing that copies Leonardo’s Battle of Anghiari.

Date: 9 November 2024 – 16 February 2025. Location: Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD. Price: from £19. Concessions available. Book now.

Click here for more art exhibitions opening in London in November 2024.

Chunky Move: 4/4

Image credit: Gianna Rizzo

#FLODown: Antony Hamilton’s 4/4, the UK premiere from the acclaimed Australian dance company Chunky Move, will take place at the Southbank Centre in November. The performance features eight dancers delivering a remarkable blend of choreographic precision and physical endurance, showcasing interconnected quartets and duets that emphasise unity and individuality. With diverse backgrounds in various dance styles, the dancers exemplify Hamilton’s innovative craftsmanship. Founded in the mid-1990s, Chunky Move continues to make a significant impact on contemporary dance.

Date: 8 – 9 November 2024. Location: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX. Price: from £20.Book now.

Winter Light Festival

Marinella Senatore, WE RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS, 2023. Todd-White Art Photography, London. Courtesy of the Artist and Mazzoleni, London - Torino.

#FLODown: The Southbank Centre’s winter light exhibition is back, featuring outdoor artworks by renowned artists who play with light and colour to explore themes like identity, the environment, and technology. Discover these installations across multiple venues, best viewed after dark. Featured artists include Sophia Al-Maria, David Batchelor, Mat Collishaw, Aoife Dunne, and more. Entry is free, with maps available to guide your experience.

Date: 1 November 2024 – 2 February 2025. Location: Southbank Centre. southbankcentre.co.uk.

Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel © RBO. Photographed by  Tristram Kenton.

#FLODown: This Christmas, the Royal Opera House presents Engelbert Humperdinck’s enchanting opera Hansel and Gretel, featuring Kate Lindsey and Heidi Stober in the titular roles. The story follows siblings Hansel and Gretel as they venture into a mysterious forest in search of strawberries, only to encounter a witch with a dark appetite. The production, directed by Antony McDonald, promises a delightful blend of magic and music, perfect for families and newcomers to opera.

Date: 22 December 2024 – 7 January 2025. Location: Main Stage, Royal Opera House, Bow St, London WC2E 9DD. Price: from £5 - £175. Book now.

The Picnic by Eva Recacha

Image: © Rocio Chacon.

#FLODown: Eva Recacha’s new work, The Picnic, will be presented at the Lilian Baylis Studio from 27 -29 November. This performance celebrates themes of togetherness and joy through movement and design, inspired by Hieronymus Bosch’s The Garden of Earthly Delights. Initially created during a period of social upheaval, the piece now conveys a self-celebratory tone while exploring utopian ideals. The performance features a unique soundscape by Alberto Ruiz Soler and is co-commissioned by Sadler’s Wells and South East Dance.

Date: 27 – 29 November 2024. Location: Sadler's Wells Theatre,Rosebery Ave, London EC1R 4TN. Price: from £17. Book now.