Richmond Literature Fest

Nov 1-30, £8+

This month-long celebration of the written word is in its 22nd year. With appearances from the likes of Margaret Thatcher’s biographer Charles Moore and workshops for aspiring authors, it’s a must-go for bookworms and writers.

When: Times vary

Where: Richmond Theatre, TW9 1QJ

Tube: Richmond

richmond.gov.uk

 

ATP World Tour Finals

Nov 4-11, £10

Current Wimbledon champ Andy Muray has pulled out through injury, but otherwise this showpiece end-of-season event will see the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic among the tennis stars wowing the crowds.

When: Times vary

Where: The O2, SE10 0DX

Tube: North Greenwich

theo2.com

 

Women in Food

Nov 7, 13 & 21, £8

This series of culinary themed events celebrates women in the food world with the likes of award-winning chef Skye Gyngell and the Evening Standard’s food critic asking what it takes to make it in a profession that is so dominated by men.

When:  7pm-9pm

Where: Hide Gallery, SE1 3HP

Tube: London Bridge

toastfestival.com

 

Ja Ja Ja Festival

Nov 8-9, £25+

Denmark’s Mew and The Ravenettes (left) are the headline acts at this two-day festival of Nordic music, film and food. There will be 20 bands playing the event, with Nordic Sound Bite promising the be “the ultimate collaboration between music and food” as well as a Nordic record label market and more.

When: Times vary

Where: Roundhouse, NW1 8EH

Tube: Chalk Farm  

roundhouse.org.uk

 

DYSPLA Festival: Monsters, Mavericks, Mothers

Nov 11-17, £10

This sixth annual festival celebrating the work of dyslexic storytellers – artists, filmmakers, poets and playwrights – has a week long line up of new productions and offerings. One not to miss is the London premiere of Y&P, a production about British journalist Yvonne Ridley, who was captured by the Taliban and held for ten days in Afghanistan back in 2001. 

When: Times vary

Where: Camden People’s Theatre, 58-60 Hampstead Road, NW1 2PY

Tube: Warren Street
dysthelexi.com/dyspla-2013

 

Ice Skating

Mid Nov-early Jan, £5+

No experience of London in the winter would be complete without taking to the ice on one of the numerous rinks that appear across the capital at this time of year. There are those in historic settings, such as that outside the Tower of London (Nov 16-Jan 5), those where you can shop then skate, such as the Westfield rink (Nov 21-Jan 5), and those that offer late-night skate ‘n’ dance, such as the Somerset House rink (Nov 14-Jan 5), which has DJs on selected dates.

When: Times vary

Where: Various venues

 

Hadron Collider Exhibition

Nov 13-May 6, £10

This new exhibition will lift the lid on just what those brainy boffins in Geneva achieved with the Hadron Collider – that feat of scientific engineering that can create conditions as they would have been after the Big Bang more than 13 billion years ago. Awe-inspiring.

When: 10am-6pm

Where: Science Museum, SW7 2D

Tube: South Kensington

sciencemuseum.org.uk

 

Colin Hay  

Nov 14 & 15, £8+

Former Men At Work legend and acoustic rock troubadour Colin Hay returns to London to play a couple of shows at famed south London venue The Half Moon. Hay made a name for himself with the man and a certain Down Under global mega-hit before going solo back in the Nineties. He has no fewer than 11 albums to his name, the latest of which, Gathering Mercury was out earlier this year. 

When: 7pm

Where: The Half Moon, Putney, SW15 1EU

Tube: Putney Bridge
halfmoon.co.uk 

 

Bookslam

Nov 19, £10

Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk is one of the guests at this event, and will be reading from his new book Doomed, as well as answering questions from the crowd about his approach to writing and what fuels his nihilistic fiction. 

When: 6.30pm-10pm

Where: The Clapham Grand, SW11 1TT

Tube: Clapham Junction

bookslam.com

 

Old Ale Festival

Nov 22-24, £10

South London boozer The White Horse is going to be throwing its 31st annual Old Ale Festival, with more than 60 tipples on hand for you
to sample. 

When: 12pm-12am

Where: Parson’s Green, SW6 4UL

Tube: Parson’s Green    

whitehorsesw6.com

 

Dr Who 50th anniversary

Nov 22-24, £12

Doctor Who is one of the longest running shows in TV history and celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with a stunning three-day event that goes behind the scenes and has the current cast of the show on hand to answer your questions.

When: 10am-6pm

Where: ExCel Centre, E16 1XL

Tube: Custom House

 celebration.doctorwho.tv

 

Euro Outdoor Film Fest

Nov 23, 12

This European touring film festival arrives in London for one day, screening eight of the best adventure and extreme sports movies. 

When: 4pm-9pm

Where: Royal Geographical Society, SW7 2AR

Tube: South Kensington

Eoft.eu