What To Book In London This November

PREP FOR CHRISTMAS HERE: Bread Ahead

Bread Ahead Bakery School has launched a range of festive masterclasses at its four locations in Soho, Borough Market, Chelsea and Wembley. With classes available to suit beginners and seasoned bakers, the workshops are a good place to gather friends and family to make some seasonal staples ahead of the festive period. Masterclasses include festive German baking, Victorian Christmas baking, a panettone workshop and a gingerbread decorating class. We like the sound of the mince pie workshop, a three-hour course at which you’ll learn to make traditional mincemeat as well as baking and filling both classic and frangipane mince pies.

Venues in Borough Market, Soho, Chelsea and Wembley; various dates throughout November and December 

Visit BreadAhead.com

CELEBRATE BONFIRE NIGHT HERE: Crystal Palace Fireworks

On 2nd November, Crystal Palace Fireworks will light up south London with an evening of family friendly entertainment. Alongside a bonfire, fireworks, high-octane pyrotechnics and a laser display, the event will feature an exciting show from Arcadia’s Lords of Lightning, who will fire multimillion-volt bolts from their bodies to the soundtrack of an electric symphony. Street-food traders, a bar, live entertainment and a plethora of fairground rides will keep everyone in the family entertained all evening.

Crystal Palace Park, Crystal Palace, SE19 2BA; 2nd November

Visit FireworksSpectacular.com

FIND A NEW READ HERE: Dulwich Literary Festival

The Dulwich Literary Festival returns on 6th-13th November with a week of events featuring Booker Prize-winning writer Howard Jacobson and Louise Doughty, the author behind BBC hit series Apple Tree Yard. A key event in the London literary calendar, this year’s festival will take place at Dulwich College and Dulwich Books. Classicist, stand-up comedian and Radio 4 broadcaster Natalie Haynes will kick-start the weekend with a Friday night foray into the women myths forgot as she discusses her new book A Thousand Ships, which is a retelling of the Trojan War from an all-female perspective. For children, TV presenter Konnie Huq will discuss her new title Cookie! in a fun, interactive event featuring quizzes, games and exploding science experiments. The festival will conclude with Jung Chang, who’ll discuss her major new biography Big Sister, Little Sister, Red Sister, a gripping story of sisterhood, revolution and betrayal, starring three women who helped shape the course of modern Chinese history. 

Dulwich Common, Dulwich, SE21 7LD; 6th-13th November

Visit DulwichLiteraryFestival.co.uk

CELEBRATE DAY OF THE DEAD HERE: Ella Canta

Mexican chef Martha Ortiz is celebrating Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) with a ‘Painted Black’ menu at Ella Canta. The dramatic menu comprises six courses, carefully pulled together to take guests on a journey through Mexico. Highlights include octopus with black sesame and lime; and sea bass with onion ash powder and potato purée. Throughout the Day of the Dead festivities, Ella Canta will also offer a selection of cocktails paying tribute to specific elements of the holiday. We like the sound of ‘The Lady in Black’, a citrus-focused margarita made with amarillo chilli-infused Patrón silver tequila, Cointreau, Rinomato Bianco aperitivo, lime juice, angostura bitters and serrano chilli. 

Hamilton Place, Park Lane, Mayfair, W1J 7QY; 31st October-16th November 

Visit EllaCanta.com

GO ON A GIN TOUR HERE: Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration

Drinks enthusiasts are invited to join Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration on a new interactive gin tour. Boarding promptly every Tuesday from 7.01pm, the adventure is a masterclass that will shine a spotlight on some of the world’s best-loved gins. Beginning with a classic gin gimlet, guests will then sample the likes of Bombay Sapphire, Old Tom Gin, Whitley Neill Gin and Roku Gin. Along the way, they can also choose to add on mezze boards of cured meats, cheeses and olives. At the end of the 90-minute experience, they will choose their favourite gin from their tour and turn it into a G&T. 

Bedford Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 9HH; every Tuesday evening

Visit Mr-Foggs.com 

SEE A FESTIVE LIGHT SWITCH-ON HERE: Regent Street

On 14th November, the largest lights installation in the capital will take over Regent Street and St James’s with a star-studded switch-on and an evening of on-street and in-store treats. From 4pm to 9pm, Regent Street will be traffic free from Oxford Circus to Piccadilly Circus, enabling visitors to soak up the festive atmosphere. This year’s ‘The Spirit of Christmas’ celebration will include performances from special guests – we’re expecting great things, as previous acts who have switched on the lights include Paloma Faith, Clean Bandit, the cast of West End musical Dreamgirls and Killing Eve’s Jodie Comer.

Regent Street, West End, W1C; 14th November

Visit RegentStreetOnline.com

HEAD TO ST VINCENT’S NEW BAR HERE: Veuve Clicquot Pop-Up

Hot on the heels of previous partnerships with FKA Twigs, Tom Dixon and Carine Roitfeld, world-renowned champagne house Veuve Clicquot is launching a two-day London pop-up with singer St Vincent on 22nd November. Promising to be a champagne bar with a difference, the space will be transformed into the vision of the award-winning musician. St Vincent – aka Annie Clark – will not be alone, as a collective of designers and mixologists will be collaborating to bring her surreal vision to life. Every detail, from how you enjoy your glass, to the pleasure of taste and the power of smell and sound, come together to create a ‘wonderland of discovery’. We’re intrigued. 

Langley Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9JA; 22nd-23rd November

Visit VeuveClicquot.com

WATCH THIS: High Fidelity

The Turbine is a new theatre next to Battersea Power Station. The UK premiere of new musical comedy High Fidelity, based on the acclaimed novel by Nick Hornby (State Of The Union, About A Boy, Fever Pitch) is the second production in Paul Taylor-Mills’s inaugural season at the theatre. Directed and choreographed by Tom Jackson Greaves, the musical focuses on Rob, the 30-something owner of a London record shop who’s mastered the art of finding rare vinyl and losing girlfriends. Laura just dumped him, and Rob is totally moving on. Or is he? 

Arches Lane, Battersea, SW11 8AB; until 7th December

Visit TheTurbineTheatre.com

FEEL AUTUMNAL HERE: B&H Garden Room

B&H Garden Room has undergone a seasonal transformation. Filled with autumnal and winter foliage, the tenth-floor rooftop venue has embraced the change of seasons with a new look, a series of supper clubs and brunches and a fresh menu. Interiors have been brought to life by hanging plants, seasonal fruit trees, flowers and herbs, all set against London’s ever-changing skyline. Herbs such as sage, lavender and rosemary will grow from baskets and be used by the B&H bartenders to create seasonal warming drinks such as the ‘Smoked B&H Dram’ (Monkey Shoulder whisky, King’s Ginger, Amaro di Angostura, Martini Rubino and apple juice) and ‘Azteca Hot Chocolate’ (tequila, Fair Cacao liqueur, Ancho Reyes, oat milk, chocolate milk foam and dark chocolate shavings). This month, all SL VIPs will get 25% off the venue's weekend brunch club, supper clubs and cocktail masterclasses. Not yet a member? Sign up using the link below.

Charing Cross Road, Covent Garden, WC2H 0LS; offer valid until 30th November

Visit BandHGardenRoom.com and SheerLuxeVIP.com