News

Food and fireworks are top of the agenda in south London this November. Here’s our pick of the top 10 events to warm and delight on the long winter nights.

1 Battersea Park Fireworks
Battersea hosts one of south London’s best displays, with music, food stalls and a mighty bonfire to up the autumnal ante. Spectators attend this popular event in their thousands so book your ticket early. Other displays in south London include Morden and Wimbledon, where a child-freindly performance takes place early in the evening, followed by ‘Around the World’ themed fireworks to light up your night.
5 Nov, batterseapark.org/fireworks-2016/

2 Lobstar
Express Café in Brixton Arcade may not look like much from the outside but come November, Topofthepopups sets up shop with their Lobstar take-over, serving dishes that include whole boiled lobster and mac ‘n’ cheese with crabmeat and crispy onions. It’s BYOB, and cash only, and 100 per cent delicious.
3-26 Nov, timeout.com

3 London Stories: Made by Migrants
Unless you have been living in a cave for much of 2016, you won’t have failed to notice that immigration has been making news around the world. With so much negative rhetoric surrounding the issue, it is worth engaging with the people behind the headlines. Visitors to ‘London Stories: Made by Migrants’ will move around Battersea Arts Centre (migrate, you might say…), listening to the powerful stories of migrants who have fled war zones, sought new lives and left loved ones behind to make London their home and contribute to its rich and varied culture.
4-26 Nov, bac.org.uk

4 Mule
Don’t let the somewhat underwhelming title of this play fool you; Mule comes to London after a critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe. Based on the experiences of the Peru Two, the performance twists and turns its way through the hedonistic world of drug-smuggling to ask how a seemingly innocent summer of fun could end with two young women shackled in a South American prison? Heady and thought-provoking.
8-19 Nov, omnibus-clapham.org

5 The Open Studios Art Show
Wimbledon Arts Studio opens its doors twice a year, welcoming the public for a frenetic exhibition of work that you can buy straight from the artist, commission-free. A huge variety of mediums will be on offer, from paintings and sculpture to photography and textiles, and there’s music, street food, workshops and activities to take part in too. It’s a family friendly event and a wonderful way to unleash your child’s inner art critic.
10-13 Nov, wimbledonartstudios.co.uk

6 Laura Mvula
The powerhouse that is Laura Mvula comes to Electric Brixton this November, showcasing her prodigious talent with tracks from her latest album, ‘The Dreaming Room’. Nominated for a phenomenal four MOBO awards, good money says she is a MOBO winner by the time you read this. Don’t miss.
22 Nov, electricbrixton.uk.com

7 Christmas at Kew
Get a hit of pre-advent Christmas cheer at Kew Garden’s spectacular Christmas illuminations. Dancing fountains, a scented fire garden,  neon trees dripping with crystals… the whole experience is a treat for the festive senses. There is also food, a fairground and the chance to meet Father Christmas himself.
23 Nov – 2 Jan, kew.org

8 Sumosan
If you like your Japanese cuisine with a side of innovation and a pinch of  A-list glam, book in for dinner at Sumosan, which has just opened its impressive doors in Sloane Square. World-class sushi is on the menu, complimented by a myriad of creative Japanese dishes – their website alone will have you salivating.
sumosan.com

9 JAN
From Japan, we head to the Middle East for JAN, the latest foodie addition to Northcote Road. The menu takes inspiration from The Caspian Sea, so expect dishes like slow-roasted lamb shoulder with pomegranate glaze, and chickpeas, harissa and lemon in abundance. Enjoy Turkish tea or a tipple from the extensive cocktail list as you marvel at the charcoal-fired oven that takes pride of place in the kitchen.
myjan.co.uk

10 The Le Bureau Christmas Party
Take members of south London’s finest coworking office. Add booze, dinner and Christmas spirit, and stir in a beautiful venue and a night free from work. What do you get? Only the best Christmas office party this side of the Watford Gap! That’s right, the Le Bureau Christmas  Party is back for another year, so put on your glad rags and get down to The Imperial in Fulham for a night of food, fun and festive frolics on 2nd December. Bring your dancing shoes.