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With November being the last month of autumn in the UK and the festive season just around the corner, there are plenty of fun ways to make lasting memories over the next few weeks.
From food and drinks festivals to celebrations of film, music, and literature, here are nine things to do and places to visit in the UK this November.
1. Immerse yourself in film at Leeds International Film Festival, West Yorkshire
The world’s first moving images were filmed in Leeds in 1888 by Louis Le Prince, and today, the city is a major centre for European film production and exhibition.
It makes sense then that the Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF) is the UK’s leading annual film event. Primarily supporting the work of new filmmakers from over 120 countries every November for 29 years, the 2025 version is promised to be the best yet.
With an extensive, diverse, and exciting programme of films shown across multiple venues over 18 days, there’s plenty to see. Highlights include showings from this year’s feature film competition, ‘Constellation’, such as Happy Birthday, Ohama, and Cotton Queen. From 6-14th of November, you can also see a selection of independent music videos from around the world.
You can check out the full programme on the Leeds Film website. This guide is also useful for planning your trip and avoiding film clashes.
2. Enjoy delicious treats and learn new culinary skills at the BBC Good Food Show, Birmingham
The ever-popular BBC Good Food Show Winter is set to return to Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre between the 27th and 30th November 2025.
Set in a winter wonderland of lights and festivities, expect appearances from some of your favourite chefs and culinary masters, including James Martin, Michel Roux, Si King, Jane Dunn of Jane’s Patisserie, and many more.
Take a seat in the Christmas Kitchen to discover delicious alternatives to traditional festive recipes; tune into one of many exciting workshops to learn how to make various winter treats; or start your Christmas shopping early at some of the gorgeous stalls. But don’t forget to head over to the show’s main highlight, The Big Kitchen, where the very best celebrity chefs will be cooking tasty dishes live on stage.
You can check out the full line-up on the BBC Good Food Winter Show’s website.
3. Connect with the great outdoors at Kendal Mountain Festival, Cumbria
If you fancy some adventure this November, why not head to Kendal Mountain Festival in Cumbria?
As the UK’s biggest adventure festival, this event is the ultimate social gathering for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s held annually in Kendal, on the edge of the Lake District.
Through a series of films and events, Kendal Mountain Festival aims to inspire more people to explore, respect, and represent the mountains and wilderness. Highlights include community walks, guided runs, outdoor swimming sessions, and a first-ever session dedicated to worldwide fishing adventures.
Attracting climbers, runners, skiers, paddlers, and everyone in between, it’s the ideal event for anyone looking to connect with and explore Cumbria’s breathtaking landscape. This year, the festival will take place from the 20th to 23rd November.
4. Enjoy classical music at Bath Mozartfest, Somerset
Bath Mozartfest was formed in 1991 thanks to a generous donation made by Mrs Mary Purnell, whose late son Mark adored the music of Mozart and the City of Bath.
Each November, this annual festival presents some of the finest displays of classical music by world-renowned artists. And the spectacular surroundings of Bath and its historic buildings only add to the atmosphere.
This year, Mozartfest will take place from the 7th to the 15th November. Performers include The Hallé, the Leonore Piano Trio, and the Castalian String Quartet – and there’s also a 35th anniversary dinner, which follows the November 15th closing concert. You can find the full line-up on the Bath Mozartfest website.
5. Get involved with St Andrew's Day celebrations, Scotland
Every year, Scots come together to celebrate their patron saint, St Andrew. St Andrew’s Day falls on 30th November and is an opportunity for Scots to celebrate their national identity, with a fantastic range of events showcasing the very best of Scottish culture.
Edinburgh will see live performances of soulful music from the Blazin’ Fiddles; in Glasgow, you can enjoy an evening of traditional Scottish food, drink, and music at Mharsanta bar and restaurant.
For inspiration for more ways to celebrate St Andrew’s Day this year, head over to the Awareness Days website.
6. Turn back the clock at Longleat’s Festival of Light, Wiltshire
If you’re ready to get in the festive spirit this November, you might like to plan a trip to Longleat Safari Park’s Festival of Light. Voted the UK’s original and best lantern experience, Longleat’s Festival of Light returns for its 11th year, with more life-size lanterns than ever before.
This year’s festival theme is British Icons with Wallace & Gromit and friends, where the trail takes you on a journey through a 15m-tall Tower Bridge, Stonehenge and Shaun the Sheep’s Mossy Bottom Farm.
The festival also celebrates Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary, focusing on writers who’ve shone a spotlight on British native wildlife.
The Festival of Light will run on selected dates between 8th November 2025 and 11th January 2026.
7. Get your groove on at the London Jazz Festival, London
If you’re a fan of jazz music, you might like to head to the London Jazz Festival this year. Held annually in November, it’s the capital’s largest multi-venue music festival and is acclaimed for showcasing an excellent mix of jazz talent from around the world.
This year, the lineup includes over 300 shows covering more than 60 venues across London, including the Barbican and jazz clubs like Ronnie Scott’s and Vortex.
You can experience nine days of fantastic live performances, exciting collaborations, and a buzzing atmosphere. Special guests include Tune-Yards, LuxJury, Tanita Tikaram, and Stella Cole. Check out the full line-up on the London Jazz Festival website.
The London Jazz Festival will take place from 14th to 23rd November 2025.
8. Witness creativity and collaboration at Outburst Queer Arts Festival, Belfast
This year marks the 19th edition of Belfast’s Outburst festival, a space to celebrate fantastic artists, writers, and all manner of creativity. This involves workshops, cinema, new queer performances, and general discourse around embracing a more accepting and inclusive future.
The focus of this year is intersectionality and its potential for pushing the boundaries of human rights. Some of the most anticipated features include talks and workshops from Belfast-based artist Phillip McCrilly as Outburst’s Artist in Residence and a new queer opera, Dublin Jack, by Conner Mitchell and The Belfast Ensemble.
Taking place across multiple venues in Belfast, such as The MAC and Queen’s Film Theatre, Outburst runs from 14th to 22nd November 2025. To learn more, check out the programme on the official website.
9. Get your fright fix at Abertoir Horror Festival, Ceredigion
If you believe horror isn’t just for Halloween, you might fancy Abertoir, the annual horror and film festival. Beginning as a three-day event, over the years, it’s blossomed into a six-day showcase.
Alongside big-budget horror screenings, Abertoir has always aimed to spotlight both classic and independent films. This year, you can get stuck into a horror-themed pub quiz, the UK premiere of The Making of Michael Mann’s The Keep, and a showing of the 1960s classic Eyes Without a Face.
The Abertoir Horror Festival will take place between 12th and 16th November 2025.
Final thoughts…
November marks the beginning of the festive season, and there’s plenty of fun to be had this month. But if you’re not in a Christmassy mood, there are many other activities to enjoy, too – from fantastic music events to film and literature festivals.
If you’d like some more ideas for things to do this month, head over to our art and culture and travel sections. Here, you’ll find ideas for everything from days out in the UK to inspiration for the best historical sites to explore.
Which of these places and events sparks your interest this November? What exciting plans have you got coming up? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
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