November in London brings big fireworks nights, early Christmas lights, and plenty of warm museums for the grey afternoons. The month is quiet and cheap, and it turns festive earlier than most visitors expect. Crowds thin out after the October half-term, hotel rates drop, and the city starts stringing up lights along Oxford Street. Here’s what to see, what it costs, what the weather does, and how Americans get in with a UK ETA.
TL;DR: Come for Bonfire Night on 5 November, stay for the Christmas lights switch-ons in mid-November, and plan indoor backups for rain. Expect highs near 11°C (52°F), sunset around 4pm, and a UK ETA fee of £20. Book museums free and carry a contactless card.
| Quick Facts: London in November | Detail |
|---|---|
| Average high / low | 11°C / 6°C (52°F / 43°F) |
| Rainy days | Around 10 of 30 |
| Daylight by late November | ~8 hours, sunset near 4pm |
| UK ETA fee (US citizens) | £20 (about $26–27) since 8 April 2026, valid 2 years |
| Tube daily cap (Zones 1–2) | About £8.90 with contactless |
November gets a bad rap. Yes, it rains. But a Tuesday in late November, when the West End is lit up and the queues are short, is one of the best-value windows an American traveler can pick. Before you book, read our first-time London guide for Americans so you land ready to move.
What are the best things to do in London in November?
The top picks are Bonfire Night fireworks on 5 November, the Christmas lights switch-ons on Oxford Street and Regent Street, warm world-class museums, and early ice rinks at spots like Somerset House. Pair one outdoor event with one indoor backup each day, so a downpour never wrecks your plans.
Early November is fireworks season. Mid-November flips the switch on Christmas, with lights and markets appearing almost overnight. Late November brings ice rinks, the first mulled wine stalls, and Black Friday sales that mirror the ones back home. For free options that work rain or shine, our list of free things to do in London for Americans pairs well with this month.
Pro tip: Buy timed museum or exhibition tickets the night before. Walk-up lines for paid shows like the Natural History Museum’s seasonal displays can hit 40 minutes on a wet Saturday, and you will not want to stand in that.
Bonfire Night: fireworks and early-November events
Bonfire Night falls on 5 November every year, and it is the loudest, most local thing to do in the city all month, with organized firework displays lighting up parks from Alexandra Palace to Battersea over the nearest weekend and drawing thousands of families into the cold night air. Neighborhoods across London hold these displays over the weekend nearest the 5th. For 2026 that means the biggest crowds land on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November, which also coincides with Remembrance Sunday.
Big ticketed shows sell out. Alexandra Palace, Battersea Park, and Wimbledon Park run large displays that need advance tickets, usually £10–20 per adult. Free views exist too: Primrose Hill and Blackheath draw crowds who watch the skyline pop off in every direction. Dress warm, because a clear firework night is also a cold one, often near 4°C.
Getting home after fireworks is the real puzzle. Trains and buses pack out fast. Check the Transport for London visiting guide for late-night service, and read our London Underground guide for Americans before you ride. Remembrance Sunday, on 8 November 2026, adds ceremonies at the Cenotaph on Whitehall; expect road closures near Westminster that morning.
Christmas lights, markets, and ice rinks in mid-November
By mid-November London turns festive: Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Carnaby switch on their Christmas lights, Winter Wonderland opens in Hyde Park, and ice rinks appear at Somerset House and the Natural History Museum. This is when the city photographs best after dark, so charge your phone.
The Oxford Street lights usually switch on in the first half of November, with Regent Street following days later. Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park runs from 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 (closed 25 December); entry to the park is free, though rides and bars charge per use. Southbank’s Christmas Market and the stalls at Leicester Square run from mid-month with roasted chestnuts, bratwurst, and mulled wine around £6 a cup.
Picture a real evening: you land at Heathrow midday, drop bags, and by 5pm you are walking a dark, glittering Regent Street with a hot drink. That contrast — jet-lagged arrival to festive street in five hours — is exactly why November works. If you are flying in, our guide on which London airport to fly into saves you an hour of guesswork.
Important: Winter Wonderland is free to enter but not free to enjoy. A family of four can burn £80 on rides and food in an afternoon. Set a cash limit before you walk in, especially with kids.
Rainy-day picks: warm museums and indoor London
When it rains — and it will on roughly 10 days in November — head for London’s free national museums, which cost nothing to enter and stay warm all day. The British Museum, the National Gallery, the Tate Modern, and the Science Museum are all free, world-class, and open most days.
Rain in London is rarely dramatic. It is a fine, steady drizzle that a good jacket beats. Still, plan indoor anchors. The Met Office lists November averages of about 11°C by day and near 10 wet days, per the official London forecast. Our roundup of the best free museums in London and the kid-friendly museums list both help on a soggy afternoon.
- Start early. Free museums are emptiest before 11am; arrive at opening to beat school groups.
- Pick one paid show. A single ticketed exhibition per day gives structure without draining your wallet.
- Bank a warm lunch. Museum cafes are pricey; a nearby pub roast usually runs £20–30 in London and keeps you dry.
Getting around London in November
Use contactless tap-and-go on the Tube, buses, and trains all month; it caps your daily spend at about £8.90 in Zones 1–2, which is cheaper than paper tickets and works with any US credit or debit card that carries no foreign-transaction fee, exactly like a local Oyster card. Tap in and out at every gate and let the system do the math.
Fares are set by Transport for London; check the current TfL fares page before you travel. Current bus and Tube fares are on that page. To choose between cards, see our Oyster vs Travelcard comparison and the contactless payment guide. Drivers should note the daily ULEZ charge; our ULEZ and congestion charge guide explains it.
One more November-specific note: darkness comes early. Sunset slips to around 4pm by month’s end, so build sightseeing before dusk and dinner after.
Entry, budget, and what to pack for London in November
US citizens need an approved UK ETA to enter the country, which costs £20, lasts two years, and covers short visits. Decisions are usually quick, but allow up to three working days, so apply at least that far ahead of your flight. Apply before you book seats, because you cannot board without it. Your daily budget then depends mostly on your hotel and activities.
The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation became mandatory for Americans on 8 January 2025, the fee rose to £16 on 9 April 2025, and it has been £20 since 8 April 2026, per the official gov.uk ETA page. Most approvals are fast, but the government advises allowing up to three working days. Details are in our UK ETA processing time guide and the full UK ETA guide for US citizens. For health cover while abroad, review the NHS guidance for visitors, and check current entry advice on the US State Department UK page.
Packing is simple: a waterproof jacket, layers, and one pair of shoes you can walk five miles in. Skip the umbrella if it is windy; London gusts flip them inside out. If you want a day out of the city, a Windsor Castle day trip is gorgeous under November light.
Frequently asked questions
Is November a good month to visit London?
Yes, if you want lower prices and fewer crowds. Hotel rates dip after October half-term, museums are free, and the Christmas lights arrive mid-month. The trade-off is short daylight and about 10 rainy days, so pack layers and plan indoor backups.
What should first-time visitors do in London during November?
See a Bonfire Night display around 5 November, walk the Oxford and Regent Street lights after dark, visit two free national museums, and ride the Tube with a contactless card. Add one paid show, like an ice rink at Somerset House, for a festive highlight.
How cold does London get in November?
Daytime highs sit near 11°C (52°F) and nights drop to about 6°C (43°F), with colder clear evenings around Bonfire Night. It rarely snows in central London in November. A warm coat and waterproof layer handle it comfortably.
Do Americans need a UK ETA to visit London in November?
Yes. US citizens must hold an approved UK ETA before boarding. It costs £20 and covers two years of short visits. Most decisions come back quickly, though processing can take up to three working days.
When do the Christmas lights turn on in London?
Oxford Street usually switches on in the first half of November, with Regent Street and Carnaby following within days. By the third week of the month, most West End streets and shopping districts are fully lit, making late November prime for evening photos.
What should I budget per day in November?
A mid-range day varies with your plans: a modest hotel share, contactless transport capped at £8.90 a day in zones 1–2, free museums, a pub lunch, and a dinner out. Christmas market food and ice rinks add extra, so pad your budget for festive nights.
Is it worth visiting London if it rains a lot?
Yes. London is built for rainy days, with dozens of free indoor museums, covered markets, historic pubs, and galleries. With a waterproof jacket and a loose plan of indoor anchors, drizzle barely dents a November itinerary.
Last updated: 2026-07-01 — verified against gov.uk schedule.