The best things to do this weekend in London

Café François is Borough Market's newest addition, offering modern French dining with classic dishes done exactly how they should be. The space is uber-trendy, with tall black-framed windows, exposed steel, wooden tables, and a glass display showcasing the day's delicious patisserie. You're right to expect timeless classics like moules marinière and steak frites, but you'll also find a selection of creative small plates, like aubergine with capers and anchovy-topped brioche. This place gets our vote as Borough Market's hottest new date night spot.

On Saturday, 23 November, Deptford's Jazu cocktail bar is teaming up with Homeboy Pizza and DJ Mr Thing for an unforgettable night of food, music, and cocktails. Enjoy bold pizzas like the "10 Quack Commandments" and "Homeboys Too" while DJ Mr Thing spins a vinyl-only set from 11 pm to 3 am, delivering rare hip-hop tracks and classic beats. The event promises great food, groovy tunes, and an electric atmosphere.

Celebrate the start of the festive season at Chelsea Physic Garden from Thursday, November 21 to Sunday, November 24, with over 100 independent stalls offering gourmet food, drinks, homewares, clothing, and accessories. Featured vendors include The Spitalfields Candle Co, Partridge's of Sloane Square, and The Urban Wine Company. Enjoy festive treats, hot drinks, and seasonal favourites like mulled wine and hot chocolate while you shop.

Peroni Nastro Azzurro is hosting a masterclass series this festive season that combines the art of table setting and cocktail making, perfect for getting you set and ready for the big day. Renowned chef Clodagh McKenna will teach festive tablescape techniques, while cocktail expert Portia Freeman will guide guests in crafting Italian-inspired drinks using Peroni. 

Every year, Beaujolais Nouveau Day is celebrated on the third Thursday of November (this year, November 21), marking the day when the newest red wine from Beaujolais in the Burgundy region of France is released. Unlike other wines, it's ready to drink immediately, and by law, the wine must be released at precisely 12.01 am. Initially a French tradition, it has now spread globally, with London joining in on the celebration. Our guide highlights the best places to celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau Day in the city.

This year, Connaught Village's Christmas celebration will take place on November 21 and will feature a pop-up market, choir performances, workshops, and exclusive offers. Feast on seasonal treats, get stuck into a children's stamp collection game and make the most of the festive discounts. The village's Christmas lights will also set the stage for a joyous evening for the whole family.

XYZ in London is hosting the 'Planet Loving Co-mission' pop-up from November 12 to 22, celebrating sustainable fashion and lifestyle. Browse eco-conscious brands like PLC, AJA Botanicals, and Remnant Revolution alongside vintage pieces from labels such as Ghost and The Vampire's Wife. It's an opportunity to enjoy immersive brand experiences, live discussions, and exclusive screenings while shopping for ethical, luxury fashion and lifestyle items. 

The EFG London Jazz Festival, held annually each November since 1992, is the UK's leading jazz event, showcasing global stars and emerging talent across various London venues. The 2024 festival features a diverse programme with acts like Anohni and the Kenny Barron Trio, presented under themes such as "Icons," "Voices," and "Beyond Borders." This year also includes The Jazz Social, a pop-up hub near the Barbican, enhancing the festival experience with intimate performances, special events, and family-friendly activities.

The Mount Street Neighbourhood Holiday Festival kicks off on 14 November, bringing a variety of festive events to Mayfair. Highlights include the Mount Street Neighbourhood Passport for unique shopping rewards, a family-friendly carol concert, and a screening of “Love Actually” at one of its actual filming locations. The festival also features the serene Ever After Garden, with illuminated roses supporting charity.

The Voila! Theatre Festival  showcases a wide array of performances across multiple venues, highlighting diverse cultures and themes of challenge and change. This year's programme features innovative works, including "I was in the house and I was waiting for the rain to come," and the Spanglish comedy "Chop-chop!" The festival aims to connect international theatre with audiences, promoting a dynamic cultural exchange.

By mid-November, most neighbourhoods around London have put up their Christmas ornaments and switched on the lights, suffusing the city in a twinkling glow. Get in on the action early and tour the various festive displays with the help of our guide to where to see Christmas lights in London, avoiding the peak crowds of the holiday season and taking advantage of the milder weather.

The “AdWomen” exhibition at the Museum of Brands, in collaboration with the History of Advertising Trust, explores a century of women's roles in advertising. Drawing from the Robert Opie collection and brand archives, it highlights how ads have influenced and mirrored societal shifts. It's inspired by Channel 4's “Mad Women” and features iconic ads from the 1920s to today, celebrating pioneering women in the industry.

“The World of Tim Burton” offers fans of director Tim Burton a chance to explore his unique gothic fantasy worlds through items from his personal archives, including sketchbooks, storyboards, photography, and paintings. Showcasing both iconic works and lesser-known projects, the exhibit celebrates the distinctive style that made Burton a beloved filmmaker worldwide.

After her father's stroke in 2015, Manchester artist Jen Orpin found deep emotional resonance in the motorways she travelled to visit him, later capturing these journeys in a powerful series of paintings. Her latest solo exhibition, 'We Left Nothing Behind', showcases nearly 800 paintings of bridges across Britain and beyond, including a new series with pieces inspired by Los Angeles bridges.

Step into the future of wildlife at the Natural History Museum's new mixed-reality exhibition, "Visions of Nature". They use cutting-edge tech to take visitors to explore eight ecosystems and discover how animals and habitats might evolve over the next century, showing the impact of human intervention and scientific innovation.

An immersive exhibition dedicated to the beloved US sitcom "Friends" is coming to London this summer as part of the new Immerse LDN entertainment district. Fans can explore recreated sets, including the iconic Central Perk couch and Joey and Chandler's foosball table, reliving memorable moments from the show. Photo opportunities abound throughout.

Open on Sundays only, the Crystal Palace Museum explores the history of the architectural masterpiece that gave its name to the entire area. Three times the size of St Paul's Cathedral, the Crystal Palace was originally built to house the Great Exhibition, later relocated, and finally destroyed in a fire in 1936. You can see original bits and pieces at the museum, as well as photographs, scaled models, and other exhibits exploring the building's fascinating past.

The annual Sculpture in the City has returned for its 13th edition, transforming the urban landscape of the Square Mile into a free, accessible gallery featuring 17 artworks by 15 contemporary artists. Spread across the area between Liverpool Street, Aldgate, and Fenchurch Street, the exhibition runs until Spring 2025 and is accompanied by workshops, talks, and other events. You can download a map of the trail and learn more about the artworks on their website.

You've probably noticed, but just in case your address for the past couple of years has been “1 Under a Rock Rd” – Barbie has made a major comeback on the back of Greta Gerwig's blockbuster film. The iconic doll is celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2024 and is the star of a major new exhibition at London's Design Museum, exploring her evolution from 1959 to the present. The exhibition offers the chance to see rare and unique items from the Barbie archive in California, thanks to a partnership with Mattel.

Launching at the V&A on Saturday 22 June, “NAOMI: In Fashion” explores the career of Naomi Campbell, showcasing items from her wardrobe alongside designer archives and V&A exhibits. The exhibition, produced in collaboration with Campbell, covers her journey from being scouted as a teenager to her supermodel years, relationships with designers, global fame, and impact on fashion, and is slated to be one of the year's unmissable events.

Celebrated immersive theatre company Punchdrunk has extended the run of its latest success, a retelling of a classic gothic mystery. Narrated by none other than Helena Bonham Carter, “Viola's Room” takes visitors on a chilling sensory adventure lasting one hour. It was originally slated to run for just one month, but has been extended thanks to demand.

“Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” a prequel to the popular Netflix series, is making waves in London's West End as a major theatrical hit. The play, unfolding the backstory of the series' villain Henry Creel, is co-directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin, and has been praised for capturing the essence of “Stranger Things” as well as putting on an astounding visual feast.

Head on a Greek journey to the island of Skopelos for an unforgettable evening of dining and dancing at this Mamma Mia-inspired event. As the sun sets, discover yourself at Nikos' family-run taverna, feasting on a tasty four-course Greek meal, including dishes like Greek mezze, salad, confit lamb shoulder, and slow-cooked beef with garlic-roasted potatoes. A live band will play iconic ABBA tracks throughout the night, ensuring the dance floor stays lively with their best hits. 

Our event calendar highlights the top things to do in London.