The Lord Mayor's Show is a historic event. The Lord Mayor travels in a coach as part of a procession to the Royal Courts of Justice to pledge allegiance to the sovereign. A fireworks show is also part of the event.
Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605 with gunpowder. On November 5th every year a "guy," made of scrap paper and old clothes, is burnt at bonfire nights around the U.K. In London there are bonfires all over the city.
The Cenotaph Parade in Whitehall and the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall are just two London events designed to mark Remembrance Sunday. Attendees to these events and to church services wear poppies, in recognition of the soldiers in both World Wars who gave their lives for the freedom of future generations.
Towards the end of November (dates vary) open-air ice skating rinks open around the capital. These range from the Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park to The Somerset House Ice Rink. The Somerset House provides torch-lit sessions at night and special DJ nights.
The big switch-on of the Christmas lights in London's West End shopping district takes place in November. In 2009 actors Colin Firth and Robin Wright Penn switched on the Regent Street lights.
Various events featuring bagpipes and haggis take place around London to celebrate Scotland's patron saint's day. St. Andrew's Day is the last day of November.
