London guides · events · places
The EFG London Jazz Festival runs from 13 to 22 November, with concert halls, clubs and free performances offering very different nights out. The first decision is which room and programme you actually want—not whether to buy a single festival ticket.
The Lord Mayor’s Show sets off from Mansion House at 11am on Saturday 14 November. For visitors, choosing an outward or return-leg viewing point matters just as much as the headline start time—and driving into the City is not the plan.
Southbank Centre’s Winter Market is advertised from Monday 2 November to Sunday 3 January. The useful detail for an evening visit is the split in hours: stalls are listed until 10pm, while bars run until 11pm.
Rotterdam Loves London brings a free foyer concert to the Barbican on Saturday 14 November, with advertised stage times of 4.15–7pm. It is a specific afternoon option within the jazz festival, not a ticket to the evening Hall programme.
TfL’s tariff dated 1 November lists adult bus-and-tram pay-as-you-go at £1.85 and the daily cap at £5.55. The new tariff applies from Sunday 1 November; it is not an all-services travel pass.
London time ·
0 picks Tonight · Sun 1 Nov Full date range: Sun, 1 Nov 2026. Only confirmed starts from 17:00; no inferred evening sessions.
Try another interest, the tonight guide or the weekend planner.
All times are London local time (Europe/London), including daylight-saving changes. Picks were checked against official listings within the past seven London calendar days. Tonight means confirmed starts from 17:00, not assumed evening or daily performances. Check the organiser for current ticket availability.
New reporting and practical details, checked against the organisers.
7–8 NOV · TWO DIFFERENT EVENINGSAlly Pally fireworks: the two-hour difference that could change your nightAlexandra Palace is splitting its 7–8 November fireworks weekend into two different evenings. Saturday’s display starts at 8pm; Sunday’s at 6pm. Here is how to choose before you book.
OPENS 24 OCT · FREE DISPLAYFreddie Mercury’s stage style comes to the V&A on 24 October
HALF-TERM · FAMILY OPTIONSScience Museum half-term: free galleries or a paid gaming session?
PUBLISHED 21 OCT · FOOD & DRINKSquash, mushrooms and cobnuts: Borough Market’s autumn kitchen
PUBLISHED 21 OCT · VISAS & IMMIGRATIONTravelling this autumn? Check the passport linked to your eVisa
PUBLISHED 21 OCT · TECHNOLOGYGet Tech Certified runs through December for eligible public servantsThe 2026 programme offers digital learning and certification opportunities to eligible public-sector staff. It is not a free-course offer for everyone: contractors are excluded.
PUBLISHED 21 OCT · JOBS & SKILLSLondon Skills Bootcamps: what to check before choosing a courseCity Hall’s programme offers short training for Londoners aged 19 and over. Compare the actual intake, entry conditions and weekly commitment before treating an advertised course as an available place.A green escape, a neighbourhood wander or an indoor plan when the weather turns. Pick the day that suits you.
Official self-guided maps offer a flexible outdoor plan for Hyde Park, Richmond Park and The Regent’s Park. Pick a manageable section rather than treating a full loop as a target you must finish.
The Wetlands offer open water and a very different London skyline. In autumn, the closing gate—not the length of a wish list—should shape the visit.
The dinosaur sculptures are a reason to linger in Crystal Palace Park rather than rush through it. Think of the visit as a walk through the history of scientific interpretation.
This month’s illustrated food guides and seasonal ideas.
Behind Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre Food Market offers a useful alternative to committing a whole evening to a restaurant. The practical advantage is location—not a promise that a queue will be short.
Mercato Metropolitano can work for a group that wants different food without choosing different destinations. First make sure everyone means the Elephant and Castle location.
A food hall near a theatre can solve a group’s menu disagreement, but it does not remove the need for a timetable. Seven Dials Market is mainly a walk-in proposition.
Free bugs, crafts and stories at the Maritime Museum this half-term
Cutty Sark’s half-term crafts come with a ship-admission decision
London Museum’s Smithfield opening is approaching
Royal Observatory closes on 2 November
England with kids: a 10-day London, Bath and York itinerary
London in 3, 4 or 5 days: a first-visit itinerary
Free London with kids: make a day of it
Friday Rush at the National: a £10 route, not a guaranteed seat
BFI’s free film library: a South Bank research stop, with a 3 November closureFor Mum, your favourite person, or a friend who needs a lift. Find an English message, choose a colour and download a card.
Practical guides for life in the city.
Explore London events, food, culture and neighbourhoods, with free activities alongside ticketed experiences. Start with the time you have, keep nearby stops together and check the organiser’s current dates and booking information before heading out.
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