Top Outdoor Events in London in November 2024
Think of a great city like London and it’s natural you’ll think of the buildings which tower along the skyline and places like theatres, museums, clubs and pubs. There’s another side to London life, however, and that’s the great outdoors. Whether you’re strolling through a park, across a heath or along the banks of the Thames, London offers a fantastic backdrop for all kinds of activities and adventures. If you’re lucky enough to be staying in our London Backpackers Hostel then you’ll be able to enjoy exploring the outdoor scene in London safe in the knowledge that you’ve got a comfortable, secure bed to head back to. On top of this, the fact that we offer some of the best value accommodation around – without skimping on the quality provided – means that you’ll have more money left over to make the most of your trip. If you’re in London this November then you’ll get to enjoy city which is gradually getting itself in the mood for Christmas, and these are just a few of the top outdoor events you’ll find out there:
The Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival
The fireworks display which takes place every year at Alexandra Palace is a fantastic display of pyrotechnics and so much more besides. Go along at 9pm on Friday 1st November or 8 pm on Saturday 2nd and you’ll get to enjoy stunning fireworks and much more. The entire display will be set to pounding beats selected by Radio 1 DJ Rob Da Bank, while there will also be live music, food and drink, fairground rides and even the rather daunting sounding ‘pagan fire-lighting ritual’.
The Lord Mayors Show
There are historical events taking place in London all of the time, but the Lord Mayor’s Show is one of the oldest of them all. This year is actually the 804th birthday of the vent and it’s getting bigger and better than ever. It takes place on 9th November and the highlight of the show is the lavish parade, which starts off from Mansion House at 11.am. It includes more than 6,000 participants forming a vibrant, loud and diverse spectacle which you can enjoy from ticketed seats on specially built grandstands, or simply by standing along the route and watching it pass. There are also festival zones at Paternoster Square and St Paul’s, packed with vintage cinema, street theatre and fairground rides. At the time of writing there are more than 143 organisations taking part, and more are likely to be added.
Ice Rinks
Several outdoor ice rinks appear around London in the weeks leading up to Christmas, and these are just a few of the very best:
The ice rink at the Tower of London is open from November 16th. It is located in the dry moat around the tower and, if you just want to go along and soak up the spectacle, you can enjoy food and drink while you watch people gliding by.
Henry VIII built a stunning place to live at Hampton Court, and from November 22nd it becomes equally stunning place to skate. It covers 1,040 square metres and offers sessions for both seasoned skaters and raw beginners. Throw in pop up food and drink venues with the impact of thousands of fairy lights and you have an irresistible winter wonderland.
The ice rink which is open from November 21st in Hyde Park is the biggest outdoor rink in the UK. It stretches out on all sides of the Victorian bandstand and is lit up at night with more than 100,000 lights. Although entry to the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is free, ice skating costs extra and should be booked in advance. Under 12’s need to be accompanied by an adult and, if ice skating isn’t your thing, rest assured the rink is surrounded by white knuckle roller coasters and other thrill packed fairground rides.
Winter Forest
For something a little more sedate than a Christmas fairground, pop along to Broadgate Circle from November 6th to enjoy the Winter Forest. This is a collection of more than 300 snow covered trees, twinkling lights and wooden cabins, and the seasonal vibe is enhanced by the presence of live music, delicious pop up food, the Everyman Cinema and specially curated seasonal events.
The Regent Street Motor Show
You don’t have to be a hard-core petrol head to love the elegance and style of the world’s finest motor cars, and the Regent Street Motor Show featuring more than 100 cars, ranging from vintage vehicles to motors of the future. Simply go along to Regent Street on 2nd November and you’ll be able to enjoy street entertainment, live music, people in period costumes and stage shows.
