All weekend
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BONFIRE NIGHT:
Want to catch some fireworks this weekend? There are plenty of displays to choose from across London — take a look at our round-up, organised by borough.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS:
November may have only just started, but London's Christmas markets and fairs begin this weekend with the Renegade Holiday Fair in Brick Lane. 7-8 November
A YEAR IN PICTURES:
BAFTA opens its doors to the public to showcase BAFTA 2015: A Year in Pictures, featuring photos from the BAFTA archives. It's a rare opportunity for the general public to visit the iconic headquarters and hear from leading photographers and industry insiders. Free entry (prebook)/£7 charge for events, prebook, 7-8 November
CHORTLE BOOK FESTIVAL:
Chortle Comedy Book Festival is at Hornsey Town Hall Arts Centre in Crouch End, with a line-up of well-known comedians including David Baddiel, Nicholas Parsons, Isy Suttie, Phill Jupitus, Jon Holmes and Bob Servant. Various prices, 7-8 November
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CIRCUS OF HORRORS:
If Quentin Taratino directed Cirque du Soleil, Circus of Horrors would be the result. The show marks its 21st anniversary at The Quadrant at the O2 in North Greenwich. £14, 5-14 November
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Saturday 7 November
BRUNCHTIME LECTURE:
Kensington Palace's Brunchtime Lectures series looks at the impact of Queen Victoria’s reign on culture, philosophy and society. Today, join John Naylor, Chair of The Victorian Steampunk Society, for a discussion about what the world would be like today if Steampunk had taken over. £15, prebook, 11am
LAST CHANCE TO SEE:
The Synergy of Sons exhibition closes its short run at Menier Gallery today. On display, works from Italian contemporary painter Lorenzo Chinnici and David Kent, once compared to an "English Andy Warhol". Free, gallery is open 11am-4.30pm
THAT SUGAR FILM:
Urban Explorer hosts a family-friendly screening of That Sugar Film, which documents the effects of a high sugar diet on the body. It's followed by a Q&A with experts including nutritionists and cardiologists. Takes place at the Royal Geographical Society. £20, prebook, 11am-3pm
OXJAM CLAPHAM:
Oxjam takes over eight venues across Clapham for a day of music, DJs and live bands, with all proceeds going to Oxfam. From £6.60, 12pm
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PREFABS WALKING TOUR:
Join a walking tour of the prefab buildings of Brockley and Nunhead. The two hour walk visits prefab locations past and present, derelict and inhabited. £5, prebook, 12pm
UK BEATBOX CHAMPIONSHIPS:
UK Beatbox Championships take place at The Clapham Grand, with artists from across the UK giving live performances and going head to head. From £6, from 12pm
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CHRISTMAS LIGHTS:
Christmas lights are switched on in Duke of York Square today. Santa's Grotto is also opened, plus there's a chance to meet the reindeer. From 4pm
BURLESQUE:
The House of Burlesque Speakeasy takes place at Sway Bar in Holborn, with some of London's finest burlesque performers in action. £11, 6pm
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OLIVE SING-A-LONG:
Streatham homeless charity Spires hosts a family-friendly Oliver sing-a-long, with all proceeds going to the charity. Refreshments will be for sale throughout the evening. £5/£3, prebook, 6pm
SENEGALESE CINEMA:
Tying in with British Library's current West African Culture exhibition, here's an evening of Senegalese cinema, particularly focusing on the 20 years following Senegal gaining independence from France in 1960. £12, prebook, 6pm-10pm
SHORT FILM + CURRY:
As part of Crystal Palace International Film Festival, head to St John's Church for a screening of nine short films, accompanied by a curry. £19.50, 7pm
WORLD SOUL FUSION:
Kick back and enjoy an evening of soul, fusion and jazz music at Kensington Roof Gardens. Age 21+. £10, 7pm
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BENEFIT CONCERT:
Sandblast Arts hosts a benefit concert in aid of the Saharawi floods crisis. Singer-songwriter and actress Pia de Keyser will open the evening, followed by Afro-Venezuelan music from Luzmira Zerpa and Family Atlantica Quartet, plus Cuban-Congolese fusion music and more. Takes place at Bolivar Hall near Warren Street. £12, prebook, 7.30pm
FIRE DANCERS:
Brixton Jamm heralds the start of winter with an evening of fun to warm your cockles. Tuck into street food and mulled wine while watching fire dancers perform, and enjoy live music and DJ sets. From £5, 8pm
LIVE IMPROV:
There's a triple bill of live improv comedy at The Edric Theatre in Elephant & Castle. Improv troupe The Rebranding take to the stage, along with Impromptu Shakespeare and Peablossom Cabaret. £8, 8pm
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Sunday 8 November
DRESSMAKING CLASS:
Head to The Fashion Box in Seven Sisters for a full day dressmaking class. Learn how to make your own garments from scratch, add fastenings and more. £48, 10am
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WORLD WAR WALK:
On Remembrance Sunday, join a guided walk to find out how suffragettes, munitionettes and copperettes all did their bit on the home front. £10/£8, prebook, 2pm
KNITAID:
Take part in a Knit Aid workshop in Putney to improve your knitting skills and create crucial items of clothing for people in need in refugee camps. Depending on your knitting ability, you'll make either a snood or a beanie hat. £35, prebook, 2pm-4pm
SPA SUNDAY:
If the chilly weather has got you dreaming of cosy chalets in Switzerland, get yourself along to Number 90 Bar in Haggerston instead and soak in wooden hot tubs on the canal. £20, from 2pm
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CHOCOLATE WORKSHOP:
Head to Central London Kitchens in Haggerston for a chocolate tasting workshop. Sample items from 100% pure chocolate to freshly made cream truffles and take home a goody bag. £34, 2.30pm
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MARLON BRANDO:
Regent Street Cinema screens Listen To Me Marlon, a documentary about the private life of the actor best-known for roles in Superman and A Streetcar Named Desire. £11, 4.20pm/6.30pm
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THEATRE COCKTAILS:
The Phoenix Artist Club is offering a theatre-inspired cocktail menu. Choose from nine cocktails and enjoy two of them in the surrounds of the well-known theatre bar. £15, 5pm
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SARA PASCOE'S LITERARY SALON:
Comedian Sara Pascoe launches her new literary salon event at The Book Club in Shoreditch. A host of real, fictional and long dead writers perform stories, poems and plays, and Robin Ince will be reading from his anthology of horror stories by comedians. £5, prebook, 7pm
CSI COMEDY:
Improvised comedy show C.S.I comes to The Bridewell Theatre to raise money for the Samaritans. Not even the cast know who the killer is, and it's all made up on the spot. £12, prebook, 7pm
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY:
Head to Royal Festival Hall on South Bank for an evening of music and readings to mark Remembrance Sunday. Performers include London Philharmonic Orchestra and London Philharmonic Choir. From £19.50, 7pm
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TOM JONES AND VAN MORRISON:
As part of BluesFest 2015, head to the O2 for an evening with Van Morrison and Tom Jones. The concert features two full sets with each legend and their bands, plus a couple of duets. £53.50, 7.45pm
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