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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 that the Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF) is one of the UK’s leading annual film events. Primarily supporting the work of new filmmakers from a huge range of countries every November for 40 years, the 2026 edition is promised to be the best yet.
Running from 29th October to 15th November, this year’s festival spans 18 days, with screenings and events at venues across Leeds and West Yorkshire. Highlights include the opening film, Mouse, a drama about friendship and growing up, and Iron Boy, a hand-painted animation set in rural France. There’s also plenty to explore across the festival’s feature film competitions, documentaries, short films, and genre cinema.
You can check out the full programme on the Leeds Film website. The official programme guide is also useful for planning your trip and avoiding film clashes.
2. Enjoy delicious treats and learn new culinary skills at the Festive Good Food Show, Birmingham
The ever-popular Festive Good Food Show is set to return to Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre from 26–29th November 2026.
Set in a winter wonderland of lights and festivities, expect appearances from some of your favourite chefs and culinary masters, including James Martin, John Torode, Lisa Faulkner, and many more.
Take a seat in the Festive Kitchen to discover delicious alternatives to traditional Christmas 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 world’s largest outdoor cultural 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 more than 60 activities and workshops, from citizen science expeditions to community cycling and bouldering.
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 19th to 22nd November.
4. Celebrate Bonfire Night, UK-wide
Nothing has more of a November feel than standing, wrapped up, in a crowd around a bonfire, gazing up at a sky lit by fireworks.
The good news is that if you want to “remember remember the fifth of November” this year, plenty of fun events are taking place.
As the rhyme suggests, Britons have held bonfires and firework displays every year on 5th November to mark the 1605 Gunpowder Plot. The plot was a failed attempt to establish Catholic rule in England by blowing up the Houses of Parliament and Protestant King James I.
Bonfire Night celebrations take place across the UK, with some of the most popular displays including Alton Towers Ultimate Fireworks Spectacular, Kenilworth Fireworks Gala, and Himley Fireworks. To find out what’s happening near you, check out this list of the best Bonfire Night displays across the UK from Showtime Fireworks.
5. Enjoy classical music at Bath Mozartfest, Somerset
Bath Mozartfest was formed in 1991 thanks to a generous donation from 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 13–21st November. Performers include the Nash Ensemble, pianist Paul Lewis, violinist Anthony Marwood, and the Leonkoro String Quartet. The festival will culminate in a grand performance by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Adam Hickox, on November 21st. You can find the full line-up on the Bath Mozartfest website.
6. 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 best of Scottish culture.
In Edinburgh, you can enjoy a free St Andrew’s Day concert at St Cecilia’s Hall, featuring traditional music, song, storytelling, and dance. And, in Glasgow, you can enjoy an evening of traditional Scottish food, drink, and music at Mharsanta bar and restaurant.
For more ways to celebrate St Andrew’s Day this year, head over to the Awareness Days website.
7. 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 12th year, with more life-size lanterns than ever before.
This year’s festival theme is Legendary Worlds, where the trail takes you on a journey around the globe. Expect to walk by the lost city of Atlantis, a life-sized blue whale, the legendary King Arthur, and the Knights of the Round Table.
Alongside the lantern trail, you can enjoy the Enchanted Christmas Tree Show, festive market huts and the chance to visit Longleat House, beautifully decorated for Christmas.
The Festival of Light will run on selected dates between 7th November 2026 and 17th January 2027.
8. 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 hundreds of 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 Goldie, Melody Gardot, Morcheeba, and Asha Puthli. Check out the full line-up on the London Jazz Festival website.
The London Jazz Festival will take place from 13th to 22rd November this year.
9. Witness creativity and collaboration at Outburst Queer Arts Festival, Belfast
This year marks the 20th 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.
Some of the most anticipated features this year include a screening of Portrait of a Lady on Fire, introduced by its director Céline Sciamma, and the Tenderly Queer exhibition that explores the experiences of queer artists in Northern Ireland and Myanmar.
Taking place across multiple venues in Belfast, such as The MAC and Queen’s Film Theatre, Outburst runs from 12th to 21st November 2026. To learn more, check out the programme on the official website.
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 – 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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