London has a lot to offer in November, as the city celebrates various events, such as Guy Fawkes Night, Diwali, Lord Mayor’s Show and Remembrance Day. ‘Creativity is’ has put together a list of the most interesting things to do in the British capital, from exhibitions and festivals to concerts and theatre.
London, UK – November is a lively month in London, as the city fills up with events and festivities, in between two major holidays – Halloween and Christmas. Whether you are a fan of Christmas or not, there is something for everyone to enjoy in London this month.
Big city celebrations
November has several noisy events, literally, as the city sparkles with fireworks. First, on November 5, the city remembers Guy Fawkes Night, a holiday that is connected to the history of the Gunpowder Plot, when in 1605 a group of plotters tried to overthrow the government by blowing up the Parliament and killing King James I. Guy Fawkes, the most notorious member of the plot, was supposed to set fire to the barrels of gunpowder in the basement of Westminster Palace, but the plan was foiled. If you want to dive into the history of the mysterious event, feeling the atmosphere of London in the 17th century, book your tickets for the new tour by the Museum Cat “The Mysteries of the Gunpowder Plot: In Search of Guy Fawkes”, which will take place on the eve of the holiday, on November 4.
Another event is the Hindu festival of light, Diwali, which celebrates the victory of good over evil. The main date is November 12, but you can already see the celebrations in London: in local restaurants, schools and public squares. And don’t be alarmed if you hear fireworks, – Diwali is also a noisy event in the literal sense of the word.
In the City, the annual grand event – the Lord Mayor’s Show – will take place. Since 1215, this area of London has been allowed to elect its own mayor and every year this post is occupied by a new person, which is accompanied by a celebration with military bands, drummers, horsemen and… a golden carriage. You can find out more about the show, which will take place on November 11, on the website.
At the same time, on November 11, Britain celebrates Remembrance Day, also known as Poppy Day, when the country remembers the fallen soldiers, mainly those who died in the First World War. Red poppies are sold as a symbol of the day in public places. You will see poppies on the lapels of many citizens in Britain. And you should join in and support this tradition. At 11 o’clock on November 11, a minute of silence will be observed throughout the country: in offices, institutions, schools. At that moment, even cashiers in shops, service stations and other services may stop working.
Here are some of the highlights:
Frans Hals: The Male Portrait at the Wallace Collection: A rare opportunity to see the works of the Dutch master of portraiture, who captured the personalities and emotions of his subjects with his expressive brushstrokes. The exhibition focuses on Hals’ male portraits, from his early works to his late style, and features loans from international collections, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Louvre in Paris.
Christo and Jeanne-Claude: The London Mastaba, Serpentine Lake, Hyde Park 2016-18 at the Serpentine Gallery: A retrospective of the iconic duo of artists, who created monumental installations that wrapped, covered and transformed natural and urban landscapes. The exhibition showcases their project The London Mastaba, a floating sculpture made of 7,506 barrels on the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park, which was on display in 2018. The exhibition also includes drawings, collages, photographs and films that document the creative process and the environmental impact of the project.
Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace: A paradise for craft lovers, this show offers hundreds of exhibitors selling fabrics, yarns, tools and accessories, as well as workshops, demonstrations and galleries of textile art. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, you will find something to inspire you and improve your skills at this show, which runs from November 9 to 12.
