Keep the sparks flying long after the 5th of November with our pick of the month’s most dazzling events.
Peggy Guggenheim in London: The Making of a Collector, Royal Academy of Arts, London.
21 November-14 March 2027
This exhibition celebrates Guggenheim Jeune, Peggy Guggenheim’s avant-garde gallery, which opened for just 18 months in the 1930s yet is widely credited with bringing modern abstract and surrealist art to London. During its brief but brilliant run, the gallery staged 20 exhibitions, and visitors can now see works by the big names it championed, including Yves Tanguy, Salvador Dalí and Barbara Hepworth. www.royalacademy.org.uk
Chef’s Table Experience at Hambledon Wine Estate, Hertfordshire
On now
One of England’s oldest wine estates has launched an intimate 10-seat chef’s table (from £100 per person) at its Michelin-recommended restaurant led by Executive Chef, Rob McCleary. Giving guests the chance to taste homegrown fine wines from a front-row seat at one of the county’s most exciting culinary destinations, every dish is tailored to guests’ tastes, so no two dining experiences are ever alike. www.hambledonvineyard.co.uk
Cornwall Christmas Fair at The Eden Project, Cornwall
18-19 November
For those after a feelgood start to the festive season, this annual charity fair will not disappoint. Hosted within The Eden Project’s illuminated Biomes, it has raised £1.1million for Cornish charities over the past 35 years, thanks to a mix of premium traders offering everything from skiwear to jewellery, fabulous food and mulled wine aplenty. www.cornwallchristmasfair.com
Agatha Christie: A World of Mystery, The British Museum, London
Until 20 June 2027
Also not to be missed is The British Museum’s major new exhibition, which marks 50 years since the death of Agatha Christie, the world’s bestselling novelist. Promising unprecedented insight into Christie’s life and work, the show invites bookworms to explore more than 100 treasured artefacts, from letters and photographs to what may well be the most famous typewriter of all time. www.bl.uk/agathachristie
Paul & Joe Advent Calendar, £285
Available from 1 November
Every year, beauty collectors circle the date to snap up Paul & Joe’s sought-after limited-edition advent calendar – and the 2026 edition is a bumper one. Packed with 24 luxury make-up, skincare and accessory surprises tucked inside a beautiful, reusable set of starry drawers, think of it as an investment into a daily dose of decadence. www.paulandjoe.com
The Scotch Whisky Experience, Edinburgh
Monthly
If November’s mingling has left you thirsty, head to The Scotch Whisky Experience on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile for its new Scotch Whisky Training School (£260 per person). Set amid one of the world’s largest collections of Scotch, this full-day course combines tutored tastings with the chance to create your own 10cl blend to take home. Graduates leave with a Certificate of Expertise endorsed by the Scotch whisky industry, which is surely worth raising a glass to. www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk
Claridge’s Flowers, Brook Mews, London
Open now
Budding florists, meanwhile, should make a beeline for this new destination for luxury blooms, brought to you by the team behind Claridge’s world-famous floral installations. Tucked away on Brooks Mews, just behind Claridge’s itself, the shop showcases a breathtaking array of seasonal stems and handtied bouquets. It also hosts ‘Flowers After Hours’ masterclasses, where you can sip a Claridge’s cocktail while arranging your foliage. www.claridgesflowers.co.uk
Dr John Cooper Clarke: Have It Tour, theatres across UK and Ireland
Throughout November
Prefer poetry to petals? Dr John Cooper Clarke, the Poet Laureate of Punk, is bringing Have It, his anarchic new collection, to a theatre near you. Last year, the Bard of Salford became the first poet to headline a UK arena – topping the bill at Manchester’s vast Co-Op Arena, no less – so seize the chance to see a legend while you can. www.johncooperclarke.com
The Listeners Club at The Bloomsbury Club, London
Open now
Cocktail-loving crate-diggers are in for a treat with this new experience, which pairs decadent drinks with your favourite tunes. Whisking guests through five golden ages of popular music, from the Jazz Age to the present day, every era comes with its own curated soundtrack and expertly mixed cocktails. Simply pick a record from a leather-bound collector’s ledger to soak up three period-inspired classics cocktails, plus a non-alcoholic B-side. www.thebloomsburyclub.com
Diwali Party at Sopwell House, Hertfordshire
6 November
Finally, for a fabulous way to celebrate the Festival of Lights, this luxury country house will be throwing their biggest Diwali part yet with a high-end night of delicious food, drink, dancing and live entertainment. There will also be an extravagant firework display to finish your festivities in style. What’s not to love? www.sopwellhouse.co.uk
