What To Do This Weekend 31.10.24

Vodka brand Grey Goose is launching a series of events at venues across the UK. For the London leg, the parties are at Southbank’s 12th Knot and Louie in Seven Dials. This weekend will see Scarlett O'Malley (Rinse FM), Jess Izsatt (BBC 1Xtra) and MOXIE (NTS Radio) spinning house, soul and disco tracks. Plus, there’ll be plenty of Grey Goose cocktails on hand.

20 Upper Ground, Southbank, SE1 9PD; Friday 1st November

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Vivienne Westwood sample sales are rare, making this weekend a must-attend event. Shoppers can browse a curated selection of womenswear, menswear, shoes and accessories from the British heritage brand. Expect to find punk-inspired pieces, sharp tailoring and classic tartan prints from both the mainline and Anglomania collections – all at up to 80% OFF.

4-6 Ram Place, Homerton, E9 6LT; 1st-3rd November 

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The Spirit of Christmas Fair in Olympia is the place to find all your festive gifts. Over seven days, attendees can browse more than 600 independent brands spanning fashion, jewellery, toys, food, drink and festive decorations. For a perfect post-shopping pitstop, check out José Pizarro’s tapas restaurant and the Louis Roederer Champagne bar, or settle in for afternoon tea. Plus, there are also numerous workshops to get involved in, including talks from chef Charlie Bigham, Martin Clunes, food critic Jay Rayner and more. 

Hammersmith Road, Olympia, W14 8UX; 4th-10th November

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This Halloween, Kew Gardens transforms its flower-filled trails into a nightmarish spectacle. Forget festive lights and reindeer; expect creepy illuminated trees, cobwebs, eerie pumpkins, fire performers and ghoulish installations, complete with a troupe of actors to heighten the thrills. Choose from three time slots: daylight sessions for little ones seeking minimal scares, twilight slots at 6pm, and moonlight sessions after 7:30pm for an extra spooky experience. All sessions are family friendly, but the darkness amps the fright factor, so choose wisely. Tickets start at £17 for adults, £15 for children, and free entry for kids under five.

Kew Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens, TW9 3AB; until 4th November 

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Soho’s latest opening is styled as a speakeasy in the basement of a Grade-II listed Georgian townhouse. It has craft cocktails on offer and DJs spinning jazzy house tracks late into the night. As expected from the team behind The Seafood Bar, the menu features caviar blinis with crème fraîche, shallots and chives, crab cakes and dressed oysters.

77 Dean Street, Soho, W1D 3SH

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The National Theatre's production of Prima Facie, featuring Emmy and Bafta winner Jodie Comer from Killing Eve, is one of those shows that continues to spark conversation long after its run. If you missed it, you can now catch it at Vue cinemas across London. This gripping one-person play takes you deep into the collision of emotion and experience, following Tessa, a brilliant young barrister who has risen from working-class origins to the top of her field. When an unexpected event forces her to confront the tensions between the patriarchal power of the law, the burden of proof and morality, everything she knows is challenged.

Various locations; until 5th December 

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A new bakery has opened in Notting Hill and if you have a sweet tooth, it's worth checking out. Taking over the space of the Indian restaurant Empire Empire, Moi et Toi blends traditional French patisserie with classic British flavours. Indulge in sweet treats like peanut butter pain au chocolat, earl grey custard tarts and coconut and stewed pineapple buns. For savoury fans, don’t miss the croque monsieur croissants and pastries filled with cacio e pepe or camembert.

16 All Saints Road, Notting Hill, W11 1HH

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Stop putting off that clear-out. For the fourth year, WNU is hosting a clothing drive for Calling London, a charity that supports people experiencing homelessness by distributing warm clothing during the winter months. To make donating easier, the brand is collecting clothing at its Belgravia store and via post throughout November, with refunds available for postage costs. And, so you don’t put it off any further, WNU is offering a 20% discount code to anyone who donates, making it a great opportunity to declutter your wardrobe while treating yourself.

47 Elizabeth Street, Belgravia, SW1W 9PP; until end of November 

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Claridge’s is rolling out the red carpet for a special high tea in support of Rare Charity, which champions education in marginalised tea communities. This is the charity’s first major event in five years, and it’ll be led by the dynamic duo of founder Henrietta Lovell and TV personality Alexander Armstrong. Guests can enjoy a curated high tea menu with savoury dishes from chefs Santiago Lastra, Thomasina Miers and Richard Hart, alongside desserts from Ravneet Gill and Thibault Hauchard, all under the watchful eye of executive chef Simon Attridge. Max Venning of Three Sheets  will handle the tea and cocktails. The event also boasts a charity auction with luxe prizes, including a private dining experience at Claridge’s Chef’s Table and a coveted seat at Noma’s final season in spring 2025. Tickets are available by donation or prize draw, with individual seats priced at £425 and tables for twelve at £5,000.

Brook Street, Mayfair, W1K 4HR; Sunday 10th November 

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Known for its sharp suiting and separates, Studio Nicholson is a firm favourite at SL. From Thursday to Sunday this week, the brand is hosting a sample sale where shoppers can expect to find an array of pieces in contemporary cuts and with interesting design details.

The Music Room Mayfair, 58 Davies Street, Mayfair, W1K 5JF; 31st October-3rd November

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The Standard hotel likes to do things differently. This month, the team is continuing its series of cosmic stays, with a new Scorpio package launched as part of its Zodiac Retreats. Available until 21st November, this astrology-inspired experience is designed to align with Scorpios and features a collection of fun extras in the room such as a massage candle from The Oh Collective and a lip lacquer from Isamaya, while renowned clairvoyant and tarot reader Harriet & The Star will offer a personalised tarot reading via QR code. Next up, the Sagittarius series (available from 22nd November-21st December) includes a luggage tag and cocktail vouchers, while Capricorn (22nd December-19th January) offers Nootropics coffee to fuel ambition and a strategy game to satisfy Capricorns’ competitive streak. Whichever you go for, make sure to book in for dinner at rooftop restaurant Decimo, which serves some of our favourite Mexican dishes.

10 Argyle Street, King’s Cross, WC1H 8EG

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Sex And The City was an era-defining show, and it’s still a key part of today’s zeitgeist. Candace Bushnell is the woman behind the cultural phenomenon. In 1994, her column in The New York Observer – based on her inner life and that of her friends – was turned into a bestselling novel and became the groundbreaking TV series we all know and love. Now, you can hear first-hand about the highs, lows and lessons about life in the big city in Candace’s one-woman show True Tales Of Sex, Success & Sex And The City. She will talk through her experience moving to New York City at 18, the real-life women that inspired Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha and the importance of becoming your own Mr. Big. Tickets go on sale on 1st November. 

Various locations; 9th-17th March

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Beloved TV personality Alexander Armstrong has begun his foray into children’s fiction. His debut is titled Evenfall: The Golden Linnet. For children 12 and under, the story is full of secret societies, ancient magic and fearsome foes. To celebrate the launch, Alexander is hosting an event at the Haymarket Hotel. There, children will hear all about the book, solve puzzles and hear Alexander’s tips for writing their own thrilling adventures. Adult tickets are free and £25 per child, including a copy of the new book. 

1 Suffolk Place, Soho, SW1Y 4HX; 2nd November

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