Average highs 12 °C / 54 °F; expect damp spells and sharp evening chills.
November slips between autumn gold and holiday glitter. Guy Fawkes fireworks ignite dark skies early in the month, while Christmas lights and Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland flip the switch by the 20s. With shorter lines at museums and off-season hotel deals, you can linger indoors when drizzle hits, then bundle up for nighttime river views. Tip: many attractions close by 5 pm; book late-afternoon slots for crowd-free hours just before closing.
Category
October
November
December
Weather
Highs ~15 °C; crisp, leaf-peeping rains.
Cooler 12 °C, damp winds; first frosts possible.
9 °C highs; cold, longer rain spells, rare snow.
Crowds & vibe
Shoulder season; art fairs draw culture fans.
Low season except event weekends; relaxed pubs.
Holiday buzz surges mid-month; shopping streets packed.
Key events
Frieze Art Fair, Film Festival, Halloween.
Bonfire Night, Lord Mayor’s Show, Jazz Festival.
Christmas markets, NYE fireworks, pantomimes.
Best for
Photographers, art lovers, cheap flights.
Value hunters, museum marathons, fireworks buffs.
Festive lights, shoppers, family holiday trips.
Book early?
Only for Frieze tickets.
Kew lights and studio tour sell out weeks out.
Hotels, NYE river-view spots need months ahead.
Transport notes
Night Tube weekends; minor track works.
Sunday fireworks cause Tube crowding; otherwise normal.
No public transit on 25 Dec; NYE free rides 11:45 pm–4:30 am.
Budget
Mid-range rates; some autumn hotel deals.
Lowest prices of the quarter; sales start Black Friday.
Hotels spike 20-30 %; attractions keep peak pricing.
Festivals
Date
Event type
Location
What to expect
Bonfire Night Fireworks
05–08 Nov 2025
Cultural Festival
Ticketed displays light up the skyline; buy £12 passes online early and bring cash for mulled wine.
Lord Mayor’s Show
08 Nov 2025
Parade
6,000 marchers and gilded coaches celebrate the new Lord Mayor; arrive by 10 am for curb views, stay for 5 pm Thames fireworks.
Remembrance Sunday Ceremony
09 Nov 2025
Ceremony
Observe a moving two-minute silence at 11 am; respectful dress required and arrive by 8:30 am for front-row barriers.
EFG London Jazz Festival
14–23 Nov 2025
Music Festival
Ten days of world-class gigs—book headline acts fast; many daytime foyer shows remain free.
Christmas at Kew
14 Nov 2025–04 Jan 2026
Exhibition
Timed-entry light trail sells out weeks ahead; pick 7 pm slots for fewer strollers and crisp photo light.
Hogwarts in the Snow
15 Nov 2025–12 Jan 2026
Exhibition
Studio tour adds falling snow and Yule Ball props; coach bundles from Victoria avoid rail transfers.
Winter Wonderland Hyde Park
21 Nov 2025–05 Jan 2026 [TBC]
Festival
Peak-hour entry now £5; book ice-rink sessions with ticket to skip separate queue.
Oxford Street Lights Switch-On
18 Nov 2025 [TBC]
Exhibition
Stroll after 9 pm to enjoy neon without daytime shoppers; the ceremony itself packs pavements shoulder-to-shoulder.
Buttery pastry filled with brandied dried fruit hits bakery counters mid-November, signaling Christmas countdown. Pair with custard or mulled cider after dark lights tours.
Where to eat: Bread Ahead, Borough Market.
Spiced red wine or whisky, lemon, and honey warm chilled hands at fairs and pub fireplaces—perfect post-firework ritual.
Where to drink: Bavarian Hall, Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park.
Hearty roast beef, crispy potatoes, and sky-high pudding soak up gravy—November’s damp Sundays demand it.
Where to eat: The Harwood Arms, Walham Grove, Fulham.
Steamed date sponge drenched in hot toffee sauce tops winter dessert menus; add clotted cream for decadence.
Where to eat: Rules Restaurant, Maiden Lane, Covent Garden.
Most major sights stick to 5–6 pm last entry; shorter daylight only affects outdoor grounds. Check Kew’s winter light-trail hours—they open after dusk.
Yes for big park displays—buy online (£10–£15) at least two weeks ahead. Smaller neighborhood shows may be free but still busy.
Absolutely. Black Friday sales start 28 Nov and many stores offer mid-season discounts earlier; crowds stay manageable on weekdays.
Think layers: long-sleeve shirt, wool sweater, waterproof shell, comfortable boots. Evenings dip near 5 °C, so add scarf and gloves for night walks.
Yes—Thames Clippers and sightseeing boats operate year-round; indoor cabins are heated. Evening departures around 4 pm reveal city lights without late nights.
Central Tube stations near Bank and St Paul’s are extremely crowded 10 am–2 pm; exit at Barbican or Blackfriars and walk 10 minutes to the route.
Before 8 pm many pubs welcome kids for meals; Sunday roasts are popular with families. Check signs—some city pubs restrict under-18s after dark.