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 11 things to do and places to visit in the UK this November.
1. 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, Kendal Mountain Festival 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 inspiring talks on how we can rewild the world.
Attracting climbers, runners, skiers, paddlers, and everyone in between, it’s the ideal event for anyone wanting to connect with and explore Cumbria’s breathtaking landscape. This year, the festival will take place from the 21st to 24th November.
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HF Holidays HF Choir in the Northern Lake District*
United Kingdom | 3 nights | Accommodation Included
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HF Holidays Southern Lake District Skyline Challenge*
United Kingdom | 3 nights | Accommodation Included
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HF Holidays Choir & Walking in the Northern Lake District*
United Kingdom | 3 nights | Accommodation Included
2. Reflect on the past at the Poppy Fields at the Tower light show, London
This November, a beautiful and immersive light and sound show, Poppy Fields at the Tower, will be held at the Tower of London.
Historic Royal Palaces have partnered with Luxmaralis to deliver a poignant show that encourages visitors to remember those who served in the First and Second World Wars. It also considers the need for a peaceful future.
Using stunning imagery projected onto the Tower of London’s famous walls, this unique show will bring history to life as it commemorates the lives lost at war. After the show, guests can enjoy special access to the Crown Jewels, without the typical crowds.
The Poppy Fields at the Tower show will run for nine nights between the 8th and 16th November 2024.
3. Enjoy classical music at Bath Mozartfest, Somerset
Bath Mozartfest was created 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, performed 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 8th to 16th November. Performers include Sir András Schiff, Sarah Connolly, and The Sixteen choir and orchestra – and there’s also an opening night supper event which gives festival-goers an informal opportunity to meet fellow Mozart-lovers. You can find the full-line up on the Bath Mozartfest website.
4. Get involved with St Andrews Day celebrations, Scotland
Every year, Scots come together to celebrate their patron saint, St Andrew. St Andrews 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; and in Glasgow, you can enjoy an evening of traditional Scottish food and drink 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.
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Scenic Isles of Scotland*
Cruising by Dutchman's Cap (Bac Mòr) - Cruising by Fingal's Cave - Cruise by Troup Head, Moray Firth - Kirkwall - Lerwick - Stornoway - Cruising by The Small Isles
Scotland & United Kingdom | 7 nights
Departs on 25 Jun 2026 from Rosyth on the ship Balmoral. Gratuities Included.
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Scenic Islands & Dramatic Coastlines of Scotland*
Cruising by Dutchman's Cap (Bac Mòr) - Cruising by The Small Isles - Stornoway - Kirkwall - Cruising by Fingal's Cave
Scotland & United Kingdom | 5 nights
Departs on 22 May 2026 from Liverpool on the ship Bolette.
5. 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 the Royal Festival Hall – as well as 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 Imelda May, Anohni, Pat Metheny, and Meshell Ndegeocello. Check out the full lineup on the London Jazz Festival website.
The London Jazz Festival will take place from 15th to 24th November 2024.
6. 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 the UK and abroad, over 80 countries were represented at the festival in 2023, and the 2024 version is promised to be the best yet.
With an extensive, diverse, and exciting programme of films shown across multiple venues over 17 days, there’s plenty to see. Highlights include the festival opening night film, The Ties That Bind Us, and A Real Pain, starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin.
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.
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United Kingdom | 3 nights | Accommodation Included
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HF Holidays Western Yorkshire Dales Guided Walking Holiday*
United Kingdom | 5 nights | Accommodation Included
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United Kingdom | 4 nights | Accommodation Included
7. Enjoy delicious treats and learn new culinary skills at 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 21st and 24th November 2024.
Set in a winter wonderland of lights and festivities, expect appearances from some of your favourite chefs and culinary masters, including Tom Kerridge, Nadiya Hussain, James Martin, Lisa Faulkner, Michel Roux, and many more!
Take a seat in the Christmas 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 BBC Good Food Winter Show’s website.
8. Sip on some spirits at Scotland’s ultimate craft spirit festival, Aberdeen
If you’re looking for a spirited day out this November, why not visit Aberdeen’s ultimate craft spirit festival?
Once again hitting the streets of Aberdeen, this year’s show is set to be bigger, better, and more immersive than ever before. Guests can enjoy unlimited samples of over 300 craft spirits – including gin, vodka, rum, whisky, tequila, and more.
Stroll past the 40+ distillery and mixer brand stalls to learn about the backstories, production methods, and tasting notes of your favourite spirits. Or get hands-on at one of the immersive cocktail-making workshops and masterclasses hosted by leading spirit brands.
This year, The Craft Spirit Show Aberdeen will take place from the 15th to 17th of November.
If Aberdeen is too far for you, there’s a tequila festival running in Birmingham and gin festivals being held in Brighton and Bexhill this month. Head over to The Gin To My Tonic website to find out more and book tickets.
9. Celebrate Bonfire Night, UK-wide
Nothing has more of a November feel than standing in a crowd around a bonfire, wrapped up in layers, 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, there are plenty of fun events 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.
Celebrations for Bonfire Night 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 and firework displays across the UK from Time Out.
You might also be interested in booking tickets to The Gunpowder Plot immersive experience held at the Tower of London, where, through live action and virtual reality, you’ll become part of the Gunpowder Plot itself.
10. Appreciate the written and spoken word at Chester Literature Festival, Cheshire
If you love all things literature, you’ll want to check out Chester’s Literature Festival this November.
Expect 10 fun-filled days of talks, performances, workshops, and events celebrating the written and spoken word – from literature and poetry to stage, screen, and much more!
Attend talks from special guests including Kate Williams, John Nichol, Simon Reeve, and Lucy Worsley. You can also learn how to write your own book at one of the workshops, or get stuck in at one of the poetry pub crawls and open mic nights. Check out the full lineup on the Storyhouse website.
Chester Literature Festival will take place from 6th to 16th November 2024.
11. 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 want 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 10th year, with more life-size lanterns than ever before.
This year’s festival theme is Journey through Time, and you’re invited to travel back in history to witness the earth’s evolution from the age of the dinosaurs to the present day.
As you wander along the trail, you can walk through a great pyramid of Egypt, take in a 10 metre-high Roman Colosseum, and marvel at Britain’s biggest singing Christmas tree!
The Festival of Light will run on selected dates between 9th November 2024 and 5th January 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 the art and culture and travel sections of our website. 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 spark your interest this November? What exciting plans have you got coming up? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.