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