November is London's quiet, dark and often damp month, but it has three big occasions: Bonfire Night fireworks early in the month, the Lord Mayor's Show on the second Saturday and the first Christmas lights and markets towards the end. Hotels and attractions are calmer than at any time since spring, so it suits visitors who come for museums, theatre and pubs.
By November the tourist season has clearly ended. Days are short, with sunset around 4pm by the end of the month, and the weather is usually cool, grey and wet rather than cold. British schools are back in class after the October half-term, so weekdays at the big museums can be pleasantly empty.
At the same time, the city starts preparing for Christmas. Lights go up over the shopping streets, the first winter fairs open, and theatres begin their festive runs. Below is what to expect, week by week.
November quick facts
- Temperatures
- Average high 11.5°C, low 5.3°C (Met Office, Heathrow, 1991-2020)
- Wet days
- About 11 days with 1 mm or more; 66.6 mm in total
- Sunshine
- About 71 hours in the whole month
- Frost
- About 3 nights of air frost on average
- Key dates 2026
- Fireworks 7-8 November; Lord Mayor's Show 14 November; Winter Wonderland from 19 November
- Bank holidays
- None
Grey skies, short days and the first frosts
The Met Office's 30-year averages for Heathrow show a big drop from October. The average high falls to 11.5°C and the low to 5.3°C, and the first air frosts appear, on about three nights in a typical November. Snow is unusual in London at this time of year.
November is, on average, the wettest month of the year at Heathrow, with 66.6 mm, just ahead of October. Rain falls on about 11 days, often as long spells of drizzle rather than sharp showers. Sunshine is scarce: about 71 hours for the whole month, which works out at little more than two hours a day.
The main thing to plan around is the darkness. With the clocks already on winter time, afternoons fade early, so put outdoor sights such as parks and viewpoints in the morning and save galleries, shops and evening entertainment for after dark.
Photo: Yamen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized
Bonfire Night: fireworks on the weekend after 5 November
On 5 November Britain remembers the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy Fawkes and others tried to blow up Parliament. The night is marked with bonfires and fireworks, known as Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night. In London the big organised displays usually take place on the nearest weekend rather than on the date itself.
In 2026, both of the best-known displays are on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November, not on Thursday 5 November:
| Display | Dates 2026 | Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| Battersea Park Fireworks (Wandsworth Council) | Sat 7 and Sun 8 November; Saturday gates 6pm, fireworks about 8.30pm | Advance only, not sold at the gate. Adult price rises by release, from £10.60 to £18.10. Under-5s free but need a ticket |
| Alexandra Palace Fireworks & Drone Festival | Sat 7 and Sun 8 November; gates 4pm | From £11.50. Sunday is a family day with an earlier display |
A couple at Battersea Park pays from £21.20 with the cheapest release, and up to £36.20 in the most expensive release, so it pays to book as soon as tickets go on sale. Many local councils and parks run smaller displays too. Our Bonfire Night guide covers what to expect, where to stand and how to get home.
Battersea fireworks cannot be bought on the night. Wandsworth Council sells tickets in advance only, through its official ticket partner. Tickets offered outside the park or on social media may be fake, so buy only through the link on the official display website.
The Lord Mayor's Show on the second Saturday
The Lord Mayor's Show is one of London's oldest and most colourful parades, and it is free to watch. Each year the newly elected Lord Mayor of the City of London (not the Mayor of London, who runs the whole city) travels in a golden state coach through the City to swear loyalty to the Crown, followed by bands, soldiers, floats and community groups.
In 2026 the Show takes place on Saturday 14 November, setting off from Mansion House at 11am. The procession passes St Paul's Cathedral on its way to the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand, and then returns. Stand anywhere along the route; the pavements around St Paul's and Cheapside fill up first. Our guide to the City of London suggests where to eat nearby, since many City cafés close at weekends.
Remembrance weekend
November is also the month of remembrance for those who died in war. You will see many people wearing red paper poppies from late October onwards. Remembrance Sunday, the second Sunday of November, falls on 8 November in 2026; the national ceremony is held at the Cenotaph in Whitehall. On Armistice Day, 11 November, a two-minute silence is observed at 11am at war memorials across the country.
Expect large crowds and restricted access around Whitehall on the Sunday morning, so avoid planning sightseeing in Westminster at that time unless you intend to watch respectfully.
Christmas arrives early
London starts its Christmas season in November. The big shopping streets, including Oxford Street, Regent Street and Covent Garden, usually switch on their lights during the month; the exact dates are announced each autumn by the local business groups.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, the city's largest Christmas fair, opens on 19 November 2026 and runs until 3 January 2027. You need a timed entry ticket booked online, and prices on the day are higher than in advance. In November, off-peak entry from Monday to Thursday costs just £1, which makes the opening days the cheapest time to go. It sits at the edge of Hyde Park, close to Hyde Park Corner.
Towards the end of the month, Hampton Court Palace changes over to its "Winter Palace" programme from 28 November 2026, with separate prices. For the rest of the festive season, from ice rinks to carol services, see our guide to Christmas in London.
Winter Wonderland costs £1 on a November weekday. The off-peak entry offer runs Monday to Thursday in November only. Rides, food and drink are paid separately, but it is by far the cheapest way in, and weekday evenings in November are usually calmer than December weekends.
A new museum and other changes this month
The biggest opening of the year comes at the end of November. The London Museum opens its new home in the old market buildings at West Smithfield on 28 November 2026, with free galleries. Its former site at London Wall closed in December 2022; until the new building opens, only the Docklands branch is open. Expect queues in the first weeks.
Other changes worth noting:
- The Science Museum is closed all day on Wednesday 11 November 2026 and closes at 5pm on Thursday 26 November.
- Kensington Palace becomes cheaper from 11 November 2026: adult tickets fall to £19.00 (£20.90 with donation) once the current exhibition ends on 8 November. The Queen's State Apartments remain closed until spring 2027.
- Kew Gardens moves to off-peak prices from 1 November (£17 online for an adult) and closes at 3.15pm from 12 November.
- Windsor Castle switches to winter hours on 1 November, closing at 4.15pm with last admission at 3pm.
- The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace ends its season on 1 November.
- Bus and tram fares rise on 1 November 2026: a single goes from £1.75 to £1.85 and the daily bus cap from £5.25 to £5.55. Our explainer on Oyster and contactless shows how the caps work.
Why November can be good value
November is one of the least busy months of the year for visitors, and that shows in hotel availability. It is a good month to book the West End shows that sell out in summer, to see the major galleries without crowds, and to enjoy London's pubs at their cosiest. Our pick of London's historic pubs is a good place to spend a wet evening.
The exception is the fireworks weekend and the last week of the month, when Christmas shoppers and Winter Wonderland visitors arrive. If you want the quietest possible trip, come in the two weeks between the fireworks and the end of November.
What to wear in November
Pack for cold, wet weather. A warm, waterproof coat with a hood is the single most useful item, together with a jumper, a scarf, gloves and a hat for evening events such as the fireworks. Waterproof shoes or boots make a big difference on wet pavements and muddy park paths. Standing outside for an hour at a fireworks display feels much colder than walking, so add an extra layer.
For comparison, October is a little milder, and December brings the full Christmas season but higher prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is November a good time to visit London?
It is good if you like museums, theatre and pubs and want fewer crowds. The weather is cool and wet, with an average high of 11.5°C, and it gets dark early. In return you get the fireworks, the Lord Mayor's Show and the first Christmas lights.
Where can I see Bonfire Night fireworks in London in 2026?
The two biggest displays, at Battersea Park and Alexandra Palace, both take place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November 2026. Both need tickets bought in advance. Local parks and councils also hold smaller displays.
When is the Lord Mayor's Show 2026?
On Saturday 14 November 2026. The procession sets off from Mansion House at 11am and travels through the City to the Royal Courts of Justice. It is free to watch from the pavements along the route.
When does Hyde Park Winter Wonderland open?
It opens on 19 November 2026 and runs until 3 January 2027. Entry needs a timed ticket booked online, and in November off-peak entry from Monday to Thursday costs £1.
How cold is London in November?
Not very cold, but damp. The Met Office average for Heathrow is a high of 11.5°C and a low of 5.3°C, with a few frosty nights. The wet, windy weather makes it feel colder, so bring a warm waterproof coat.
Sources
- Met Office - Heathrow climate averages 1991-2020 (checked September 2026)
- Battersea Park Fireworks - Information (checked September 2026)
- Alexandra Palace - Fireworks & Drone Festival (checked September 2026)
- The Lord Mayor's Show - official website (checked September 2026)
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland - official website (checked September 2026)
- London Museum - Smithfield opening 2026 (checked September 2026)
- Mayor of London - Remembrance Service 2026 (checked September 2026)
- Mayor of London - MD3517 fare changes (checked September 2026)