TRY NEW WINE HERE: LAITHWAITE’S ROADSHOW

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, specialist off-licence Laithwaite’s is going on tour. At Tobacco Dock on Saturday, you can explore and taste its collection of wines and meet the growers and producers behind the bottles. With more than 100 different varieties on offer – including whites, reds, rosés, fizz and fortified – this is a great opportunity to try before you buy. There will also be a Champagne and English sparkling wine suite with interactive tasting features and talks from the people who make the fizz. Or you can take a cheese walk with Paxton and Whitfield; or visit food stands offering olives, cheese, chocolates, charcuterie and oysters. Friday evening is already sold out, so book your tickets now to avoid disappointment.

Tobacco Quay, Wapping, E1W 2SF

Visit Laithwaites.co.uk 

TAKE LITTLE ONES HERE: SOUTHBANK WINTER MARKET

Fun-filled family shows, festive market stalls and twinkling lights, the Southbank Winter Market returns on Friday with more seasonal delights than you can shake a mince pie at. There’s something for all the family. Daredevil entertainment troupe Circus 1903 returns after rave reviews from last year’s celebrations, along with Soundpit, the family-favourite sensory play installation. The childhood classic book Black Beauty will be retold with music and puppetry, and photographic exhibition London Is Love will be unveiled.
 
Queen’s Walk, South Bank; until 5th January 2020

Visit SouthbankCentre.co.uk

FEEL FESTIVE HERE: THE WINTER FOREST

Broadgate Circle will be transformed into a festive wonderland complete with snow-covered pine trees, twinkling lights, food and drink stalls, and live music. Expect gin tastings, charity pub quizzes and – in partnership with mental health charity Mind in the City – well-being workshops.  If you’re based in the area, pop down in your lunch break on Friday 8th November, when there will be a midday workshop on how to build resilience and thrive. Saturday brings live music from Chasing Deer. Book ahead for the festive whisky tasting with The Botanist later in the month (£15, with all proceeds going to charity).

 
Broadgate Circle, City, EC2M 2BL

Visit Broadgate.co.uk

GET YOUR GROOVE ON HERE: GLITTERBOX AT MINISTRY OF SOUND

Since its debut at the legendary club in December 2014, Glitterbox has become synonymous with the Ministry of Sound, accruing hundreds of die-hard fans who never miss an event. From 10:30pm on Saturday night, right through to 6am, expect a buzzy atmosphere thanks to Glitterbox’s troupe of performers and drag queens, and headliner Honey Dijon.
 
Gaunt Street, Elephant & Castle, SE1 6DP

Visit MinistryOfSound.com

REMEMBER THEM HERE: FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE

This year’s Festival of Remembrance marks the 75th anniversaries of the great battles of 1944, and the collaboration and friendship of the British, Commonwealth and Allied armies who fought them.  It is a chance to remember the men and women from so many different nations, cultures, religions and communities who came together and stood shoulder to shoulder to defend Britain’s freedom and way of life. At the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday, there will be two services, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. Booking is essential.

Kensington Gore, South Kensington, SW7 2AP

Visit Seetickets.com

CELEBRATE THE CITY HERE: LORD MAYOR’S SHOW

This annual event celebrates the appointment of London’s new Lord Mayor taking on the role. it’s a longstanding tradition full of pomp and ceremony, though this year sees a move away from the usual morning river pageant and evening fireworks display. In their place on Saturday, there will be two family-friendly festival zones in Paternoster Square and the Bloomberg Arcade. But first, follow the three-mile procession as it winds its way through the City, from Mansion House to the Royal Courts of Justice. Expect military bands and some 200 horses on parade. Once the parade is over, head to one of the festival sites, where there will be funfair rides, food stalls, art exhibitions and live entertainment.

Various locations

Visit LordMayorsShow.London


 

START YOUR FESTIVE SHOPPING HERE: SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

Bringing the best independent boutiques, artisan producers and food specialists together under one roof, The Spirit of Christmas is at Kensington Olympia until Sunday and is the perfect opportunity to get your Christmas shopping underway. Its 900 stalls and boutiques could sound overwhelming but, trust us, such a vast array in a single location makes shopping for the festive season straightforward. If you’re focusing on yourself this weekend, there will also be over 100 artisan producers in the Food Hall and Great Taste Market, as well as Mosimann’s restaurant offering a bespoke dining experience, and Louis Roederer Champagne bars.
 
Hammersmith Road, Kensington, W14 8UX

Visit SpiritOfChristmasFair.co.uk
 

GET YOUR SWIMMERS ON HERE: HOT TUB EXPERIENCE

Neverland was renamed Winterland on Wednesday to mark the opening of its festive market. Among the cheese-heavy street food vendors, DJ sets and beer pong courts, look out for Nordic woodland hot tubs. Book one and six of you will be waited on hand and foot, meaning you can load up on mulled wine or hot gin from the Moose Bar without your swimming trunks freezing over. The Thames-side tubs are completely sheltered, so you can enjoy them whatever the weather.
 
Wandsworth Bridge Road, Fulham, SW6 2TY

Visit WinterlandLondon.com

LAUGH OUT LOUD HERE: TIM MINCHIN BACK 2019

Comedian, musician, actor, writer and composer Tim Minchin is in London with his international BACK tour until 14th November. This year, he’s promising “old songs, new songs, f*** you songs”. As well as being the star attraction on his own acclaimed tours, Minchin is behind the music and lyrics for West End smash Matilda The Musical and the stage adaptation of Groundhog Day, which debuted on Broadway a couple of years ago.
 
Eventim Apollo, Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, W6 9QH

Visit Ticketmaster.co.uk
 

TRY A TASTE OF AMERICA HERE: THE HOUSE OF MACHINES, MARKS BAR

Award-winning Bulleit Frontier Whiskey has brought cool LA cocktail bar The House of Machines to Bankside this weekend. Until Saturday, bartender and mixologist Amanda Colom (aka Bad Birdy) has taken over Mark’s Bar Bankside. Wash your whisky down with a specially created ‘Bar Snax’ menu from Mark Hix which includes sticky bourbon-glazed sugar-pit beef baps, mac ’n’ cheese croquettes, and Bulleit bourbon and walnut tart.

Great Guildford Street, Bankside, SE1 0HS

Visit HixRestaurants.co.uk