November 2026 in London is shaping up as one of the busiest months of the year, with Remembrance Sunday and Diwali falling on the same day on 8 November, the Lord Mayor's Show on 14 November, the return of I'm a Celebrity on ITV on 16 November, new inflation figures on 18 November, the opening of Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park on 19 November and Black Friday on 27 November, the day after the first of eight planned Tube strikes. The John Lewis Christmas advert, Gloria and Pickles, starring Dame Kristin Scott Thomas with Paul Whitehouse as the voice of a toy dog and soundtracked by Sam Fender's cover of You Can't Always Get What You Want, launched on 3 November and has set the tone for the retail season. Ofgem will confirm the January energy price cap by 25 November, Westminster Abbey releases free tickets for its Christmas services on 16 and 18 November, and the Christmas lights on Oxford Street, Covent Garden and Bond Street switch on between 9 and 12 November, as the Westminster newsroom of The WP Times reports.
Many readers ask whether Boxing Day falls in November. It does not: Boxing Day is 26 December, which in 2026 is a Saturday, so the substitute bank holiday in England and Wales falls on Monday 28 December. The big shopping date in November is Black Friday, which this year falls on 27 November, the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, with Cyber Monday on 30 November. For Londoners, the month's calendar matters for practical reasons as much as entertainment: the RMT strike on Thursday 26 November could disrupt journeys to shops and concerts, the Lord Mayor's Show closes almost all of the City of London to traffic on 14 November, and energy and inflation announcements will shape household budgets heading into winter. Below, The WP Times sets out the key dates of November 2026 in London and what they mean for residents of Westminster and the rest of the capital.
Contents
November 2026 in London: the key dates
The table lists the main events and announcements in London and across the UK for the rest of the month.
Calendar
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sunday 8 November | Remembrance Sunday and Diwali |
| Monday 9 November | Oxford Street Christmas lights switch on |
| Thursday 12 November | Covent Garden and Bond Street lights switch on |
| Saturday 14 November | Lord Mayor's Show in the City of London |
| Monday 16 November | I'm a Celebrity returns on ITV at 9pm; McDonald's World Menu Heist ends; Westminster Abbey Christmas tickets released |
| Wednesday 18 November | October inflation figures; Beabadoobee at The O2 |
| Thursday 19 November | Winter Wonderland opens in Hyde Park |
| Friday 20 November | BBC Children in Need appeal night, according to event calendars |
| Wednesday 25 November | Ofgem confirms the January energy price cap |
| Thursday 26 November | First 24-hour RMT Tube strike |
| Friday 27 November | Black Friday |
| Sunday 29 November | Advent Liturgy at Westminster Abbey |
| Monday 30 November | Cyber Monday and St Andrew's Day |
Boxing Day and the bank holidays
Boxing Day 2026 is on 26 December, not in November. In 2026, Christmas Day falls on a Friday and Boxing Day on a Saturday, so the substitute bank holiday in England and Wales is on Monday 28 December, according to the official bank holiday calendar.
The John Lewis advert and the retail season
The launch of the John Lewis Christmas advert is widely seen as the start of the festive retail season.
"The John Lewis Christmas advert is a beloved tradition, but for its 20th edition, we wanted it to feel extra special."
(Rosie Hanley, Marketing and Loyalty Director at John Lewis, on the 2026 Christmas advert)
Gloria and Pickles
The 20th John Lewis Christmas advert, created by Saatchi & Saatchi and directed by Lucy Forbes, follows Gloria, played by Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, who brings down an old toy dog, Pickles, voiced by Paul Whitehouse, to entertain her grandchildren. When she puts cash in their Christmas cards, the toy comes to life and sends her on a last-minute shopping trip by tuk-tuk through London. The soundtrack is Sam Fender's cover of The Rolling Stones' You Can't Always Get What You Want, with profits from physical copies sold by John Lewis going to Action for Children.
Black Friday 2026
Black Friday 2026 falls on 27 November and Cyber Monday on 30 November. Shoppers are advised to compare prices in advance, check returns policies and beware of fake delivery texts, a common scam in the run-up to Christmas. Our report on Christmas delivery scams explains the warning signs.
TV, entertainment and events
Television, live music and seasonal attractions dominate the second half of the month.
I'm a Celebrity
I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! returns on Monday 16 November at 9pm on ITV1, STV and ITVX, a day later than first expected because of UEFA Nations League coverage. Ant and Dec host live from Australia, with I'm a Celebrity Unpacked on ITV2 hosted by Sam Thompson and Kemi Rodgers.
Concerts and attractions
- Skye Newman plays five nights at O2 Academy Brixton from 12 November.
- Beabadoobee headlines The O2 on 18 November.
- Enter Shikari play Alexandra Palace on 20 and 21 November.
- Winter Wonderland opens in Hyde Park on 19 November, with entry from £1.
Full listings are in our guide to London concerts in November 2026.
Money and household bills
Several announcements this month will affect household finances.
What to watch
| Date | Announcement | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 18 November | October inflation figures | CPI was 3.5% in September |
| 25 November | January energy price cap | Forecasts range from about £1,872 to £2,165 a year |
| 17 December | Bank of England rate decision | Bank Rate is 4% after the November rise |
Planning ahead
With prices rising, many households are setting Christmas budgets earlier. Our guides to the best savings rates and the UK inflation rate explain where money can work harder.
Travel disruption in November
Engineering works, road closures and a Tube strike are the main travel risks this month.
Dates to plan around
- 14 November: Lord Mayor's Show closes almost all of the City to traffic until about 4pm.
- Weekends: planned closures on the Northern line, Elizabeth line and Overground.
- 26 November: RMT 24-hour Tube strike.
- Until 1 December: overnight closures at the Blackwall Tunnel.
Where to check
Check the TfL major works page before travelling, especially on strike days and weekends.
November 2026 in London: questions and answers
When is Black Friday 2026
Friday 27 November 2026, followed by Cyber Monday on 30 November.
Is Boxing Day in November
No. Boxing Day is 26 December. In 2026 the substitute bank holiday is Monday 28 December.
When does I'm a Celebrity 2026 start
Monday 16 November 2026 at 9pm on ITV1, STV and ITVX.
When is the Lord Mayor's Show 2026
Saturday 14 November 2026, with the procession leaving Mansion House at 11am.
When is the next Tube strike
Thursday 26 November 2026, the first of eight 24-hour strikes called by the RMT.
Background: why November is so busy
November marks the transition from autumn events such as Bonfire Night and Remembrance to the Christmas season, with lights, markets and retail promotions arriving earlier each year. For Westminster, home to Oxford Street, Regent Street, Covent Garden and Hyde Park, it is one of the busiest months for visitors.
Sources used: John Lewis Partnership, ITV, Capital FM, Office for National Statistics, Ofgem, Cornwall Insight, Bank of England, RMT, Time Out London, Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, GOV.UK
