London Calling: The Week Starting 2nd November 2026
Pitchfork takes over London's best venues, fireworks fill the weekend sky and Sunday brings Remembrance, Diwali and the last day of two exhibitions.
Photo: Manzoni Studios / Pexels
Pitchfork fills the city's best rooms from Monday to Sunday
Pitchfork Music Festival London runs from Monday 2nd to Sunday 8th November across venues including KOKO, the Roundhouse, Hackney Church and the Royal Festival Hall. The Avalanches play the Roundhouse on Friday 6th November, and the Dalston Takeover fills six east London venues on Saturday 7th November. Every show is ticketed on its own, so you can book a single night or build a whole week around it.
Fireworks on Thursday and all weekend
Bonfire Night falls on Thursday 5th November, and the city's big firework displays carry on through the weekend. Wimbledon Park lights up on the night itself, Blackheath follows on Saturday 7th November, and Alexandra Palace and Battersea Park run their displays on both Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th November.
Remembrance from the Royal Albert Hall to Whitehall
On Saturday 7th November the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance comes to the Royal Albert Hall. On Sunday 8th November, Remembrance Sunday, the country falls silent for two minutes at 11am, and the National Service of Remembrance takes place at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
Diwali belongs to homes, temples and neighbourhoods this year
The same Sunday brings Diwali, the Festival of Lights, for Hindu, Sikh and Jain families across London. Storms forced the cancellation of the Trafalgar Square celebration in October, so this year the light belongs to homes, temples and neighbourhoods. If a neighbour or colleague is celebrating, wish them a happy Diwali. It costs you nothing and it means a great deal.
Schiaparelli and the Punjabi princesses close on Sunday
Sunday is also your last chance to see two exhibitions. Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art closes at the V&A in South Kensington, and The Last Princesses of Punjab closes at Kensington Palace.
I urge you to see the second. It follows the life of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, goddaughter of Queen Victoria, who campaigned for votes for women as a suffragette and nursed wounded Indian soldiers as a Red Cross volunteer during the First World War. She never waited for permission to matter, and on a weekend of remembrance her story deserves your time.
The two venues sit a short walk apart across Kensington Gardens, so you can see both in a single day.
Armistice Day, the Jazz Festival and the Lord Mayor's Show come next
Looking further ahead, Armistice Day follows on Wednesday 11th November, the EFG London Jazz Festival opens on Friday 13th November and the Lord Mayor's Show fills the City on Saturday 14th November.
Eight guides for the fortnight ahead
- Pitchfork Music Festival London, from The Avalanches to the Dalston Takeover
- Bonfire Night and the best firework displays across London
- Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, the Cenotaph and on Armistice Day
- Diwali in London after the Trafalgar Square cancellation
- Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art at the V&A
- Sophia Duleep Singh and The Last Princesses of Punjab
- The EFG London Jazz Festival and the Miles Davis and Coltrane centenaries
- The Lord Mayor's Show and its return to the Thames
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Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief of Rich Woman Magazine, founder of Sovereign Magazine, author of many books, Dr Marina Nani is a social edification scientist coining a new industry, Social Edification. Passionately advocating to celebrate your human potential, she is well known for her trademark "Be Seen- Be Heard- Be You" running red carpet events and advanced courses like Blog Genius®, Book Genius®, Podcast Genius®, the cornerstones of her teaching. The constant practitioner of good news, she founded MAKE THE NEWS ( MTN) with the aim to diagnose and close the achievement gap globally. Founder of many publications, British Brands with global reach Marina believes that there is a genius ( Stardust) in each individual, regardless of past and present circumstances. "Not recognising your talent leaves society at loss. Sharing the good news makes a significant difference in your perception about yourself, your industry and your community."
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