London › November Guide
Updated: October 9, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
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November is a good month to visit London for museums, theater, historic pubs, and the beginning of the Christmas season. It is cool, often damp, and gets dark early, but there are fewer tourists than in summer and hotel rates can be lower than in September and October.
Early November is generally quieter, with autumn color still lingering in the parks. The second half of November is my pick for Christmas lights, decorated shops, seasonal markets, and festive events. Weekdays are better than weekends, particularly around Oxford Street and Covent Garden.
October is better for parks and longer days. December has more Christmas events but is generally busier and more expensive.
London in November: At a Glance
- Weather: Cool and damp, with daytime highs around 10°C to 12°C (50°F to 54°F) and nights around 5°C to 7°C (41°F to 45°F).
- Rain: Expect a mix of dry days, drizzle, and occasional heavier rain.
- Crowds: Generally quieter than summer, but museums and Christmas shopping areas can be busy.
- Hotel Prices: Often lower than in September and October, though conferences, events, and weekends can push rates up.
- Daylight: Sunset is around 4:30 PM at the start of November and just before 4:00 PM by the end.
- Christmas Season: Major Christmas lights and seasonal attractions begin opening throughout November.
- Best For: Museums, theater, restaurants, historic pubs, shopping, Bonfire Night, and Christmas events.
- Main Drawbacks: Early darkness, damp weather, and limited time for parks and outdoor sightseeing.
Quick Hotel Picks for November
I recommend staying centrally in November. Being able to walk to theaters, museums, restaurants, and Tube stations is particularly useful when the weather is wet and it gets dark before 5 PM. Compare weekday and weekend rates, as business-heavy areas can be cheaper on weekends while Covent Garden and Soho often stay expensive.
- Best for First-Time Visitors: NoMad London in Covent Garden.
- Best for Theater and Luxury: The Savoy on the Strand.
- Best for Museums: Kimpton Fitzroy London in Bloomsbury.
- Best for Families: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge on the South Bank.
- Best for Eurostar: St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel.
- Best Value Pick: Motel One Tower Hill.
London Weather and Daylight in November
November is cool, damp, and changeable. Daytime temperatures average around 10°C to 12°C (50°F to 54°F), with nights near 5°C to 7°C (41°F to 45°F). Freezing weather is uncommon, but wind and moisture can make it feel colder.
Sunset is between 4:00 PM and 4:30 PM. Plan parks and longer outdoor walks for the morning and early afternoon. Do not save Richmond Park, Hampstead Heath, or Greenwich Park for late afternoon. The light fades quickly, and park paths become harder to navigate after dark.
Early November
Early November is generally quieter than the final two weeks. Autumn color can linger in Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, and Hampstead Heath, and the Christmas shopping rush has not fully started.
Bonfire Night fireworks take place around November 5. Large displays such as those at Alexandra Palace and Battersea Park are popular and require advance tickets.
Mid November
Christmas lights begin switching on around Regent Street, Oxford Street, Covent Garden, Carnaby, and major department stores.
Remembrance Sunday falls on the second Sunday of November. The national ceremony at the Cenotaph brings crowds, security restrictions, and road closures to Whitehall and surrounding Westminster streets.
The Lord Mayor’s Show is another major November event. Check the current year’s date and procession route before planning around it.
Late November
By late November, most major Christmas lights and seasonal attractions are running. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Christmas at Kew, and Christmas markets are among the biggest draws.
Shopping districts can be extremely crowded, particularly on weekends and around Black Friday. Visit Christmas lights on a weekday evening and avoid Oxford Street on Saturday afternoon.
Christmas in London in November
Most major Christmas lights and seasonal attractions are running by the second half of November. For a Christmas-focused visit, I would choose weekdays in late November.
- Christmas Shopping: Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty, and Fortnum & Mason are especially good for decorations and window displays.
- Christmas Markets: Seasonal food stalls and markets appear along the South Bank and elsewhere around central London.
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland: A huge Christmas fair with rides, food stalls, ice skating, and entertainment. Fun for families and visitors who enjoy big festive attractions, but expensive and crowded on weekends.
- Christmas Shows: Seasonal concerts, pantomimes, and family productions begin appearing in theaters and concert halls.
For a short first visit, I would prioritize the central Christmas lights over Winter Wonderland. Christmas at Kew is excellent but requires more time because of its location outside central London.
Best Things to Do in London in November
See the Christmas Lights
The best Christmas lights are around Regent Street, Carnaby, Covent Garden, Bond Street, and Oxford Street.
Start near Oxford Circus, walk down Regent Street, detour through Carnaby, and continue toward Piccadilly and Covent Garden. Allow 90 minutes to two hours without shopping stops.
Go on a weekday evening. Friday and Saturday nights are considerably busier.
Visit London’s Museums
My favorites are the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Victoria and Albert Museum, Wallace Collection, Courtauld Gallery, and Sir John Soane’s Museum. Most major national museums have free permanent collections, though special exhibitions usually require tickets.
Do not wait for rain before deciding where to go. Choose a museum for each afternoon and reserve major exhibitions in advance.
Arrive at opening for the largest museums. On rainy weekends, consider smaller collections such as the Wallace Collection or Sir John Soane’s Museum instead of the crowded British Museum.
See a West End Show
November has a full West End schedule, including musicals, plays, and the first Christmas productions.
Book popular musicals, limited-run plays, and Saturday performances ahead.
Covent Garden, Soho, and the Strand are the best areas for walking back to a hotel after the performance.
Attend a Bonfire Night Display
Bonfire Night commemorations take place around November 5, with organized fireworks displays across London. Alexandra Palace, Battersea Park, and other major venues have hosted large ticketed events, though locations and dates can change.
Book rather than hoping to see a good display from a random viewpoint. Expect crowds and altered transport near the venue.
Watch the Lord Mayor’s Show
The Lord Mayor’s Show is a centuries-old procession through the City of London with marching bands, ceremonial carriages, military groups, and community organizations.
The procession is free to watch, but road closures disrupt buses and taxis. Check the official event date and route before planning your visit, and arrive early if you want a front-row position.
Take a Thames Boat to Greenwich
Regular Thames boats have enclosed seating, making the journey to Greenwich practical in November.
Take a boat from Westminster to Greenwich for views of St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, and Canary Wharf. In Greenwich, visit the market and Old Royal Naval College, then walk up Greenwich Park for the view. Add the National Maritime Museum if you have time.
Leave central London before noon if you want to see the park before dark.
Explore Borough Market and Bankside
Borough Market is partly covered and works well in unsettled weather. Combine it with Southwark Cathedral, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, or the Thames path.
Visit before 11:30 AM to avoid the worst lunchtime crowds. Saturdays are especially busy.
Have a Sunday Roast in a Historic Pub
November is better suited to London’s historic pubs than its rooftop bars. Reserve popular pubs for Sunday lunch, particularly in Soho, Bloomsbury, Clerkenwell, and Hampstead.
Visit Christmas at Kew
Christmas at Kew is a ticketed evening light trail through Kew Gardens, usually beginning in November.
Book early, particularly for weekend dates. Dress more warmly than you would for a West End evening.
This is a better choice for visitors actively seeking a Christmas event than for first-time travelers with only two or three nights in London.
Enjoy the View from Sky Garden or Horizon 22
Sky Garden and Horizon 22 offer excellent views across London without standing outside in the cold. Both have free admission, though advance booking is recommended.
Choose a clear day for the best views.
What to Book Ahead
- West End Shows: Popular musicals, limited-run plays, and weekend performances.
- Major Exhibitions: Popular museum and gallery exhibitions with timed admission.
- Bonfire Night Events: Large fireworks displays can sell out.
- Christmas at Kew: Weekends and popular evening times.
- Winter Wonderland: Admission and popular activities, particularly on weekends.
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour: Book well ahead, especially for weekends and school holidays.
- Sunday Roasts and Popular Restaurants: Reserve important weekend meals.
Where to Stay in London in November
See my complete guide to the best places to stay in London and use the London hotel map to compare neighborhoods.
Covent Garden: Best for First-Time Visitors and Theater
Covent Garden places the West End, Soho, Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, and major Christmas-light displays within a 10 to 25-minute walk.
NoMad London is the best upscale choice. The Z Hotel Covent Garden costs less but has very small rooms.
Expect crowds, noise, and high room rates late in the month.
Bloomsbury: Best for Museums
Bloomsbury is close to the British Museum and within walking distance of Covent Garden, Soho, and King’s Cross.
Kimpton Fitzroy London overlooks Russell Square and sits beside a Piccadilly line station with direct service to Heathrow.
Bloomsbury is calmer than Covent Garden but has less nightlife immediately outside the hotel.
South Bank: Best for Families
The South Bank is close to the London Eye, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, National Theatre, river boats, and seasonal riverside attractions. Tate Modern and Bankside are farther east along the river.
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge has family rooms and an indoor pool.
The area around Westminster Bridge is crowded and touristy. Bankside is calmer and better for restaurants.
The Strand: Best for Classic Luxury
The Strand sits between Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, the Thames, and the West End theaters.
The Savoy is the standout luxury hotel and becomes especially attractive once its Christmas decorations appear.
Traffic and high room rates are the main drawbacks.
King’s Cross and St Pancras: Best for Eurostar
King’s Cross and St Pancras are convenient for Eurostar arrivals and train connections to northern England.
St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel is attached to St Pancras International, where Eurostar trains arrive and depart.
Tower Hill: Best Value
Tower Hill is close to the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the City, and Thames boats.
Motel One Tower Hill offers a strong combination of location, comfort, and price.
The neighborhood becomes quiet after office hours and has little Christmas atmosphere compared with Covent Garden or the West End.
What to Pack
- A waterproof jacket: More useful than a heavy winter coat.
- Warm layers: Indoor spaces and the Tube can be much warmer than the street.
- Water-resistant walking shoes: Better than heavy winter boots for most visitors.
- A scarf and light gloves: Helpful after dark and when waiting outdoors.
- A compact umbrella: Useful for drizzle, though a hood works better in wind.
Frequently Asked Questions about London in November
- Is November a good time to visit London?
Yes. November is best for museums, theater, pubs, restaurants, and early Christmas events. It is less suitable for parks and long outdoor days. - Does it rain a lot in November?
Expect some rain or drizzle, but many days have long dry periods. A waterproof jacket and water-resistant shoes are useful. - Are the Christmas lights on in November?
Yes. Major displays begin switching on throughout November, with most central shopping areas decorated by the second half of the month. - Is early or late November better?
Early November is generally quieter and better for autumn parks. Late November is better for Christmas lights, seasonal markets, and festive events. For a Christmas-focused trip, I would choose a weekday visit in the second half of November.
About Santorini Dave