Things To Do Today In London: Friday 17 November 2017

Looks like this article is a bit old. Be aware that information may have changed since it was published.

Things to do in London today is sponsored by Museum of London .

A rainy Winter Wonderland back in 2015. Photo: Venesha Thompson

What we’re reading

Things to do

WINE FESTIVAL: Gather your wine-drinking friends and clink glasses holding only the finest plonk from Hungary's top producers at London Wine Fest. Studio-Spaces (Wapping), £20, until 18 November

TO MY YOUNGER SELF: What would you tell your younger self? Jot down your worldly advice at Ingeenium’s letterbox installations at four Newham libraries. Your letters will be displayed at Canning Town Library on Saturday, as part of Newham Word Festival. Newham, free, just turn up, until 19 November

WRITE IDEA FEST: London aficionado The Gentle Author is launching a photography book tonight alongside talks on female sexuality and the secret life of London's waterways, as part of this free literary festival. Idea Store (Whitechapel), free, book ahead, until 19 November

BEING HUMAN: Sunken ships, pregnancy history and George Orwell all feature in today's London events as part of the nationwide Being Human festival, which encourages the public to get involved in humanities research. See the full programme here. Until Saturday 25 November

IWM SHORT FILMS: Watch hard hitting films exploring global issues, from the Syria conflict to suffragette surgeons at the annual IWM Short Film Festival, which begins today. Pay attention as you'll get to cast a vote for your favourite. Imperial War Museum, free, book ahead, until 26 November

Fancy a food, perfume and live music pairing? Head to Shoreditch tonight.

DISABILITY HISTORY MONTH: If poetry is your thing, head to a visual poetry exhibition by Sean Burn, or a pop-up Poetry Café at the Museum of London Docklands, as part of this festival dedicated to Disability History Month. Various venues, free, just turn up, until 15 December

SONIC SENSORIUM: Eating out just got that bit more exciting at this dining experience where the taster menu is paired with live musicians, creative cocktails and, weirdly, perfume. Studio 7 Shoreditch, £25, book ahead, 7pm-9pm, until 18 November


Sponsor message

Sing like a sailor at Museum of London Docklands

© Museum of London Docklands

Sea shanties and pirate hats are on the bill at Museum of London Docklands' Maritime Music Festival this weekend.

Take your little pirates along to the family-friendly festival for two days of free fun and games. Learn how to sing like a sailor under the guidance of sea shanty crews from across the country, including Hughie Jones of The Spinners, Keith Kendrick and Sylvia Needham.

Elsewhere in the museum, poetry performances and pirate hat making classes will be taking place. And when your little ones get hungry, remember that they can eat for free in Rum & Sugar, the museum's Caribbean restaurant.


WINTER WONDERLAND: This Hyde Park festive extravaganza started life in 2006 as a Christmas market next to an open-air ice rink, now comes complete with gift-filled huts, funfair rides,  food stalls and a German-style beer hall. Hyde Park, free entry, just turn up, 5pm opening today

PAINTED LADIES: Get a whiff of 18th century perfume, become a courtly artist or printmaker and get your jig on surrounded by paintings of power play at this late night opening at the Old Royal Naval College. The Painted Hall (Greenwich), £12, book ahead, 7pm-10pm

RIOT DAYS: Imagine being strip-searched and placed in solitary confinement after performing a punk song in a church. Hear what happened that fateful day in Moscow, as recounted by Pussy Riot member Masha Alyokhina. Islington Assembly Hall, £20, book ahead, 8pm

CHEESE & SEX PARTY: The bar's open, the make-up's on, and Anna Mann's had 17 coffees to keep her awake past midnight. Join her and guests Zoe Coombs Marr and Steen Raskopoulos for some dairy-related debauchery. Soho Theatre, from £11, book ahead, 11.30pm

Good cause of the day: Join a litter picking and creative recycling tour

Stock up on Tetrapak boxes from juice or other liquids (washed and squeezed), and bring them to this litter picking session and home recycling workshop. Lordship Hub Co-op (Tottenham), free, book ahead, 3.30pm-5.30pm