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Big or small, check out London art exhibitions
The annual Turner Prize (Tate Britain; Westminster; 10am-5pm; £8; £6 for students) is now open until January 3rd, although the winner will not be announced until December 6th.
There are four nominated artists this year: Dexter Dalwood, Angela de la Cruz, Susan Pillpsz and The Otolith Group.
Each artist has made the headlines for exhibiting their contemporary artwork in what is now famous for being a controversial prize.
For something a little more underground, SUPERUNKNOWN at the Edel Assanti project space (276 Vauxhall Bridge Road; Victoria, until Nov 13th) is an exhibition by ten artists and shows the talent emerging out of the London art scene today.
Find your creative side with poetry
One of the hottest festivals on the London events calendar is Poetry International (Southbank Centre; Waterloo; Oct 30th-Nov 7th; prices vary). This year's subject matter is war and peace, with a focus on Palestine and the Middle East.
Established poets and plenty of young talent will be performing all week at a number of events and workshops at the venue, including an evening where the beats of Brooklyn hip-hop meets the rhythms of the spoken word.
Make a night of it after Poetry International and stay at a cheap hotel in the Waterloo area from only £9.17
Warm up in London parks on Bonfire Night
If you are not accustomed to the British tradition of celebrating the burning of an effigy of the traitor Guy Fawkes, then believe us when we say that it's one of the best things to do in London in November.
While effigies are no longer a feature on many bonfires, the annual London event brings thousands of visitors and locals to London parks to socialise around the fire and watch a fantastic fireworks show.
Some parks, such as Victoria Park (Mile End; around Nov 5th), allow you to make a whole evening of it and enjoy funfair rides, mulled wine and hotdogs before the main event kicks off.
Meanwhile, on the Thames near to the site of the failed plot at Westminster, the Lord Mayor's Fireworks uses more than half a tonne of pyrotechnics that can be seen for miles, although the best view is from Victoria Embankment.
There's no need to catch the last train home after Bonfire Night! Book a cheap hotel near Westminster from just £9.17
Get festive and start Christmas shopping!
To really get you into the Christmas countdown spirit, a top London event is the annual Regent Street lights switch-on (Piccadilly Circus; Nov 9th; free).
There is always a celebrity and music act appearing at the event, but really it is a time to get excited and see the famous Hamleys toy store light up and dazzle.
Many of the shops will also stay open a bit later so that you can start your Christmas shopping beneath the illuminations.
Take your time to enjoy the Christmas lights and book an affordable hotel near Regent Street from only £9.17 per person
See a new production of London theatre
Opera fans will want to head to the ENO this month as a brand new production of Don Giovanni (ENO; Charing Cross; Nov 6th- Dec 3rd from £17), Mozart's classic tale of the punished seducer, takes to the London theatre stage.
Directing this production is Rufus Norris, who has in the past taken Cabaret to the West End, which will quickly dispel any thoughts that this opera will be stuffy or outdated.
This performance is expected to be a huge hit, so make sure you book tickets as soon as possible to get the cheapest prices.
Searching for a cheap hotel near the ENO? We've got plenty of choices near Charing Cross from as little as £9.17 per person
Discover new jazz acts
The London Jazz Festival (Various venues; Nov 12th-21st; from free) returns in November to a number of venues including London bars and clubs.
If you are well acquainted with the world of jazz or if you are a complete novice, it doesn't matter as the festival is definitely one of the top things to do in London.
Now in its 18th year, this festival has gone from strength to strength, attracting thousands of visitors to events across London.
While many of the shows will charge for tickets, you can find a number of free performances, such as British steel drum group Younger Zen (Barbican Centre; Barbican; Nov 18th), who also provide a rockier feel to their music.
But if jazz isn't your thing…
How about a night out to see chart-topping artist Tinchy Stryder (Shepherd's Bush Empire; Nov 4th; £15), or the queen of kookiness Paloma Faith (Hammersmith Apollo; Nov 8th; £18.50) do their thing.
Hot young act Marina and the Diamonds will also be performing this month (The Forum; Kentish Town; Nov 9th; £17.50), as well as controversial hip-hop artist MIA (Brixton Academy; Nov 10th; £23.50).
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