It is dark by half four, the heating is on, and the shops have skipped straight to Christmas. You could write November off. Or you could accept that this is secretly one of the best months of the year to get the kids out in London: half the city is doing something free or brilliant, and the December crowds have not arrived yet. Here are ten days out worth the cold, with dates, prices and booking links checked on 30 October 2026.
1. Ally Pally Fireworks and Drone Festival (7-8 November)
The big one. London's longest-running fireworks show happens on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November, with a drone show, a bonfire the size of a house, funfair rides, ice skating and marshmallow toasting. Saturday is the loud one with a headline DJ. Sunday is the family day: earlier display, a jungle kids' rave, karaoke with Barry off EastEnders, and more space to move. Gates open 4pm, tickets from £11.50. Book now, it sells out: alexandrapalace.com/whats-on/fireworks-drone-festival
2. A local Bonfire Night display (around 5 November)
Bonfire Night itself is Thursday 5 November, and most borough displays run that weekend. Your local one will be cheaper, shorter and much less stressful than dragging everyone across town. Check your council website, arrive early, and bring ear defenders for the little ones. Sparklers go in the bucket of water, not the flower bed. If you are doing fireworks at home instead, the kids will remember the chaos of a back-garden Catherine wheel for years, so keep a hose ready and the dog indoors.
3. The Lord Mayor's Show (14 November, free)
Free, enormous, and 800 years old. On Saturday 14 November at 11am, around 7,000 people march three miles through the City behind the Lord Mayor's gold state coach, with bands, floats and military kit. The whole City is closed to traffic, so it feels like London turned into a festival for the morning. Get a spot near St Paul's by 10.30, bring snacks, and explain to the kids that yes, the gold coach is real. Route: lordmayorsshow.london
4. Christmas lights switch-ons (all month, free)
The lights start going on from the first weekend, and the switch-on nights are free events with performances and stalls. Leicester Square goes first on Sunday 1 November. Carnaby Street follows on Wednesday 4 November with a 90s-themed display. Covent Garden does the full works on Thursday 12 November: 300,000 lights, the gold bells and the big tree. Oxford Street's date is not confirmed yet, but this year's display has a Harry Potter theme. An evening wander round any of these costs nothing but the hot chocolate. Covent Garden: coventgarden.london/event/covent-garden-lights-switch-on
5. Skate at Somerset House (from 11 November)
The courtyard rink under the 40ft tree opens on Wednesday 11 November. You will fall over. The kids will not, infuriatingly. There is a Skate School and Kids Skate Club if you want to hand them to a professional, and skate aids for beginners. Adults £13-£28.50, children £11-£15, plus a £1.50 fee per ticket. Book ahead for weekends: somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/skate-somerset-house
6. Christmas at Kew (from 13 November)
The original London light trail opens on Friday 13 November and runs on selected dates to 3 January. Three kilometres of glowing tunnels, giant light installations, a fairground and Father Christmas. It is not cheap: adults from £25.50, kids £20, under-4s free, family tickets available. But it is the best of its kind, and 17-19 and 24-26 November are off-peak nights with lower prices. Closed 16, 23 and 28 November. Quiet Access session on 21 November for kids with hidden disabilities. Tickets: kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/christmas
7. Winter Wonderland (from 19 November)
Opens Thursday 19 November, runs to 3 January, closed on Christmas Day. Yes, it is a machine for separating you from your money. The trick is to go on a November weekday, book the timed entry in advance, and agree a ride budget with the kids before you walk through the gates. Off-peak entry is free when booked ahead. The ice kingdom and circus are worth the extra if you pick one paid thing. Tickets: hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
8. The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre (from 21 November)
The wordless stage version of The Snowman runs from 21 November to 3 January, tickets from £21. No dialogue, just dance and the live score, so it works for very young kids and grandparents alike. A genuinely easy first theatre trip. Tickets: westend.com/shows/the-snowman
9. A free museum when it rains
It will rain. The Natural History Museum (nhm.ac.uk) and Science Museum (sciencemuseum.org.uk) are free and swallow a whole afternoon. The London Transport Museum (ltmuseum.co.uk) charges for adults but kids go free, and they can climb all over the buses and trains. Book free timed slots online to skip the queues, and agree in advance that the gift shop is exit-through only if everyone behaves. Good luck with that.
10. A proper West End show
November is the sweet spot for family theatre: good seats still available, no Christmas price madness. Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre remains the one to beat for ages six plus (uk.matildathemusical.com). November weekday evenings have the best availability, and plenty of shows run half-price kids' deals in the quieter weeks. Full family listings here: londontheatre.co.uk/whats-on/family-kid-friendly/nov
All dates, prices and links checked on 30 October 2026. Organisers change their minds, so confirm before you travel. Now go and earn that Sunday roast.