Let there be light!
by Jen (follow Jen on Twitter: @JenBarnes207)
The clocks have gone back and daylight is becoming non-existent so it’s time to remain indoors unless lots of lights are involved. Luckily November is full of fireworks so the latter should be easy! As always, some of my fellow BrokeinLondoners have some more ideas for you in the Free Entertainment in London section.
#1 Renegade Craft Fair | 7th – 8th November
Image: Renegade Craft Fair
It’s back! If you want to get your holiday shopping done early (or if you just fancy some window-shopping) then head to the Renegade Craft Fair at Truman Brewery. You will find beautiful items from over 200 makers, baked treats galore, activities and workshops. Entry is free so if you’re skint you can still wander around (if you can resist buying everything in sight!)
When: 7th -8th November, 11am – 6pm
Where: Truman Brewery, 81 Brick Lane, London
#2 BOXPARK First Thursdays presents STATIC Opening | 5th November
Image: Boxpark
Do you like free beer? What about free DJ sets? And cool art from London-based duos? Luckily for you, Boxpark Shoreditch has got you covered. Stop by for the opening night of Static’s First Thursday Exhibition for Static’s mixed media artworks, a DJ set from Draper and free Heinekens! That’s Thursday night sorted.
When: 5th November, 6pm-9pm
Where: Boxpark Shoreditch, 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6GY
#3 Regent Street Christmas Lights Switch-On Event | 15th November
Image: TimeOut
You’ve probably seen them up already, but the Regent Street Christmas Lights won’t get turned on until the 15th November (which is almost an appropriate time for Christmas lights…). The good news is that the street will traffic-free all day and from noon there will be a “star-studded Christmas show and activities.” I’m not 100% sure what that means but there will be fireworks when the sun goes down so you can continue the bonfire night excitement.
When: 15th November, from 12pm
Where: Regent Street, London W1B 5AH
#4 Bonfire Night | 1st – 7th November
Image: Lonely Planet
Even though Bonfire Night is on the 5th November, the festivities in London last a whole week. TimeOut has the definitive list of Bonfire Night activities, but not all of them are free. I would definitely recommend the Blackheath display (complete with funfair), which is the biggest free display in London. Victoria Park is also hosting a free display for the first time since 2010 but they won’t have funfair rides or food stalls. Check out also Kelly’s list of the best fireworks displays in town.
When: 1st November-7th November
Where: Across London
#5 Icon of Freedom Festival | 11th – 15th November
Image: Coin Street
The Icon of Freedom Festival celebrates the life and work of freedom figher Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz (a 17th Century Mexican nun!). Remember a remarkable woman by attending the exhibition, workshops, film events, readings, discussions and more.
When: 11th November – 16th November, 11am – 6pm
Where: Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf, South Bank, London
#6 Hyde Park Winter Wonderland | From 20th November
Image: London This Weekend
It’s back! Who doesn’t love a little bit of kitsch, a funfair, a Christmas market and an ice rink…and did I mention kitsch? Nothing puts you in the Christmas spirit quite like Hyde Park Winter Wonderland: it’s the perfect winter pick-me-up for the long winter nights that are on their way.
When: From 20th November
Where: Hyde Park, London W2 4RU
#7 London Jazz Festival | 13th – 22nd November
Image: EFG London Jazz Festival 2015 Facebook page
The London Jazz Festival always has loads of free shows to enjoy and you should definitely check out at least a few of them. On Saturday the 14th the Barbican Freestage is hosting a whole afternoon of free jazz including Entropi, Nina Ferro and Corey Mwamba & Rachel Musson. Ronnie Scott’s is also offering a free performance with BBC Radio 3- enter the ballot to win free tickets!
When: 13th – 22nd November
Where: Venues Across London
#8 Lord Mayor’s Show | 14th November
Image: Time Out
If you’ve been living in London for a while then you know that the City of London is different from London and it even has its own Mayor. That’s why there’s the Lord Mayors Show every year that includes a parade and riverside fireworks. The Lord Mayor rides around in an awesome carriage and there’s a brass band or two- who doesn’t love a brass band?
When: 14th November, parade from 11am
Where: Bank to Aldwych
#9 Rachael Champion, Agnes Denes, Rachel Pimm | All Month
Image: Hales Gallery
Do you every think about where rubber comes from? Are you concerned about the relationship between the natural world and the artificial world? Do you like contemporary art? Stop by Hales Gallery for a group exhibition by Rachael Champion, Agnes Denes and Rachel Pimm who present works that will make you think twice about your relationship with the earth.
When: Daily except Sunday and Monday from 11am-6pm
Where: Hales Gallery, Tea Building, 7 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
#10 States of Mind: Ann Veronica Janssens | All Month
Image: Time Out
It’s an exhibition that just begs to be instagrammed over and over again. States of Mind: Ann Veronica Janssens at the Wellcome Collection is stunning. Her work, titled yellowbluepink, is a room full of coloured mist that visitors can walk through and explore. The exhibition is part of a yearlong exploration into the experience of human consciousness so keep your eyes peeled for more.
When: All Month, Daily
Where: Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Rd, London NW1 2BE
