Going Out: Lovely Things To Do In London This November
By
2 days ago
Christmas light displays, ice rinks, doughnut pop-ups and more
London feels at its most magical during the festive season, which kicks off in November. The city’s streets are transformed with twinkling light displays, outdoor ice rinks and Christmas markets open, and pub gardens are transformed into cosy winter terraces. But it’s not only festive cheer to get excited about: this month also has plenty to offer when it comes to exhibitions, theatre and restaurant openings.
So what to bookmark for the month ahead? Read on for the C&TH pick of what to do in London in November – and for more inspiration, sign up to our Staying In, Going Out newsletter which will deliver all this and more straight to your inbox everyday.
November 2026 In London: Pop-Ups, Openings, Things To Do
Have Dinner In One Of The Berkeley’s Rooftop Cabins
Get into the Christmas spirit with an evening in one of The Berkeley’s hotly anticipated festive cabins, which pop up on the hotel’s rooftop every winter. After being greeted with a glass of mulled wine, guests can settle into a cabin for an evening of hearty food, fizz and seasonal cocktails. Think Swiss raclette, black truffle dauphinoise, milk chocolate fondue and gingerbread s’mores, paired with drinks like a Pomegranate Picante and a Cherry Aperol Negroni Sour. Cabins are available for groups of two to six guests, and each comes complete with its own ‘ring for champagne’ bell.
Where? Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7RL
When? 13 November 2026 – early 2027
BOOK: £90pp, maybourne.com
Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival © Lloyd Winters
Watch A Firework Display
Remember, remember, the 5th November… Bonfire Night is coming up, prompting firework displays across London. The city’s biggest takes place at Ally Pally, complete with music, a drone light show, a funfair and a huge bonfire. On the other side of the river, Battersea Park’s event draws in over 50,000 people every year – with both displays running events on Saturday and Sunday nights. Find more options in our guide here.
Where? Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY and Battersea Park Rd, London SW11 4NJ
When? 7 and 8 November 2026
BOOK: fireworks.london / batterseaparkfireworks.com
Do A Barry’s Bootcamp Class At Sky Garden
Exercise motivation lacking now the weather has dropped? Reignite your fitness spark at London’s rooftop oasis Sky Garden, which has joined forces with Barry’s Bootcamp to host its notoriously tough signature workout high in the sky. An expert instructor will guide participants through a 50-minute band and mat workout, all while soaking up skyline views of the city, with pastries and refreshments available afterwards.
Where? 1 Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF
When? 9 – 10am on 7 November 2026
BOOK: skygarden.london
Book Tickets To One Day: The Musical
David Nicholls’ beloved novel One Day is coming to the West End, with performances kicking off at the Garrick Theatre this November. Adapted by David Greig, the show follows Dex (Jamie Muscato) and Em (Sharon Rose), who meet on the night of their university graduation. We then revisit them on the same day each year as their lives continue to intertwine, soundtracked by music by Abner and Amanda Ramirez (of acclaimed US band Johnnyswim).
Where? 2 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0HH
When? 17 November 2026 – 14 March 2027
BOOK: thegarricktheatre.com
Check Out The Donutelier Pop-Up At The Landmark London
One for the sweet-toothed: cult London bakery Donutelier is popping up at The Landmark London for a few weeks this festive season. Stop by to try festive flavours of Donutelier’s lavish doughnuts: Gilded Pistachio features layers of pistachio crème pâtissière, praline and Chantilly cream, while Coconut Snowflake combines coconut praline with a coconut-dusted biscuit. Alongside this, the menu will include long-standing favourites like the Vanilla Cookie Cream, which comes coated in Oreo crumble. Alongside this, there will be a selection of hot drinks on offer.
Where? 222 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 6JQ
When? 25 November – 24 December 2026
BOOK: landmarklondon.co.uk
Go Ice-Skating At An Outdoor Rink
A trip to an outdoor ice rink is a staple on London’s festive calendar. Every year the neoclassical courtyard of Somerset House is transformed into a Christmassy wonderland, complete with a huge rink and 40ft tree – with regular Skate Late nights soundtracked by DJs. Glide also returns to Battersea Power Station this November, featuring the city’s only skate trail, vintage fairground rides and views of the River Thames.
Where? Strand, London WC2R 1LA / Circus Rd W Nine Elms London SW8 5BN
When? 11 November 2026 – 10 January 2027 / 6 November 2026 – 3 January 2027 (Glide)
BOOK: somersethouse.org / glidebatterseapowerstation.co.uk
Sea of Light at Christmas at Kew 2024. (© Oliver Dixon)
Go To Christmas At Kew
Festive light trails appear all over the UK come winter, but Kew Gardens always puts on a particularly good show. The botanical gardens are illuminated with installations, colour tunnels and immersive soundscapes, while pop-up food stalls serve up warming winter treats like mulled wine, toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate.
Where? Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE
When? 13 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
BOOK: kew.org
See The Peggy Guggenheim Exhibition
In the late 1930s, Peggy Guggenheim arrived in London and opened her first art gallery on Cork Street in Mayfair. Her curation was markedly different from the conservative tastes of the British art establishment of the time, focusing on surrealism and progressive movements from abroad. Now, nearly 90 years on, the Royal Academy is putting on a new show which reunites key pieces from Guggenheim’s displays, alongside similar works from the period by artists like Eileen Agar, Barbara Hepworth and Salvador Dalí.
Where? Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD
When? 21 November 2026 – 14 March 2027
BOOK: royalacademy.org.uk
Leicester Square Market
See Christmas Lights Being Switched On
Every November, London starts to sparkle like never before as festive illuminations take over the capital, and seeing the switch-ons always feels like the start of Christmas. Carnaby Street’s switch-on takes place on 4 November this year, with displays inspired by 90s nostalgia, while Knightsbridge will get its glow on 10 November – with an eco-friendly collection of lights made from aluminum and 3,000 recycled plastic bottles.
Where? Carnaby Street and Knightsbridge
When? 4 November 2026 and 10 November 2026
BOOK: No need to book
Enjoy An Autumnal Walk
Rather than lament the end of summer, soak up the joys of autumn with a picturesque stroll around one of the city’s leaf-strewn parks. The autumn shades make Hampstead Heath particularly pretty (if you’re feeling brave, go for a chilly dip in the ponds), while Hyde Park, home to over 4,000 trees, really comes alive during this season. With its tree-lined avenues and rich English gardens, Battersea Park is beautiful during the autumn too – stop by the Pear Tree Cafe for coffee or brunch, soaking up the lake views.
Where? Various parks around London
When? Throughout the month
BOOK: No need to book
Juergen Teller, ‘Young Pink Kate’, London, 1998. Image © Juergen Teller, All Rights Reserved.
Check Out Tate Britain’s 90s Exhibition
Former British Vogue editor Edward Enninful OBE is curating one of this year’s most anticipated exhibitions: a 90s retrospective at Tate Britain. The show will recreate the optimistic spirit of the 90s, exploring art and fashion during the influential decade: think Damien Hirst artworks, photography from Juergen Teller, and pieces from the collections of designers like Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen. ‘What defined that period for me was not a single movement, but an energy – a refusal of hierarchy and a belief that new voices could and should be heard across art, fashion, music and image making,’ said Enninful, who spent the 90s rising speedily through the London creative scene – becoming the youngest ever fashion director of i-D magazine aged just 18 in 1991.
Where? Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
When? 8 October 2026 – 14 February 2027
BOOK: tate.org.uk
La Promenade, Pierre-Auguste Renoir,1870. © J. Paul Getty Museum (Los Angeles)
See The National Gallery’s Renoir and Love Exhibition
Another hotly anticipated exhibition launches in London this October: a huge collection of works by French impressionist painter Renoir, going on display at the National Gallery. This will feature some of the artist’s most famous works from the pivotal part of his career (the mid-1860s to the mid 1880s), including the Bal du Moulin de la Galette (1876), which is being exhibited for the first time ever in the UK.
Where? The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
When? 3 October 2026 – 31 January 2027
BOOK: nationalgallery.org.uk
Check Out The Burberry Trench Exhibition
A true icon of British fashion, the Burberry trench is in the limelight at the V&A this autumn. As part of the brand’s 170th birthday celebrations, Burberry is launching an exhibition tracing the coat’s 170-year heritage and journey from practical outerwear piece to world-renowned staple. Taking place in the museum’s Prince Consort Gallery, the show will begin with ‘Invention’: a display delving into Thomas Burberry’s creation of cotton gabardine in 1876, moving into a section called ‘Craft’ which will delve into specific details of the coat – from the hand-finished collar to the storm flap. To finish, ‘Creativity’ will spotlight a series of 19 runway looks from over the years. Better still, it’s completely free to attend.
Where? Prince Consort Gallery, V&A South Kensington, London, SW7 2RL
When? 21 September 2026 – 3 January 2027
BOOK: vam.ac.uk
