What's on in Greenwich: November and December 2026

November 2026

Ongoing until 3 January: Windrush Food Culture

On now until Sunday 3 January 2027 | Culture and heritage exhibition | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich | Free entry; check museum opening and holiday closures.

Explore how the Windrush generation brought food traditions, memories and creativity to post-war Britain. Produced by the National Windrush Museum with Royal Museums Greenwich, the exhibition considers food as a source of comfort, celebration, resilience and cultural change.

6 November: Harp Music at the Queen's House

Friday 6 November, 7.30pm to 8.30pm; doors and bar open 6.30pm | Classical concert | Great Hall, Queen's House | Adults £16, children £8, students £10; member discounts available.

Harpists Gloria Rappo and Xinyi Wu from Trinity Laban Conservatoire perform in the former royal residence. The programme includes music by Grandjany, Renie, Spohr and Faure, with a welcome drink included in the ticket. Book the evening concert separately from a daytime house visit.

7 November: Diwali at the National Maritime Museum

Saturday 7 November, 10.30am to 5pm | Cultural festival and family activities | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich | Free.

The All Together Now celebration brings dance, music, storytelling, workshops and a Diwali Bazaar into the museum. Curated with Mehala Ford of COMMONGROUND&, the programme welcomes people celebrating Diwali and visitors discovering its traditions. Check the event page for the day's activity and lantern-parade schedule.

18 November: Greenwich Lantern Parade and Christmas Lights

Wednesday 18 November, 4pm to 6pm; lights countdown at 5pm | Community parade and festive entertainment | Old Royal Naval College grounds, Cutty Sark Gardens and Greenwich Market | Check the organiser's programme before setting out.

Local primary-school children carry handmade lanterns through Maritime Greenwich towards the market. Music and performances continue after the lights come on, with market stalls and food traders adding to the evening. Follow the official route and leave space for the school procession.

21 November: Cutty Sark Sea Shanty Festival

Saturday 21 November, 10am to 6pm | Maritime music and singing | Cutty Sark, Greenwich | Included with a paid Cutty Sark ticket; members use their own booking option.

Celebrate the ship's 157th birthday with sea songs, talks and performances across the Dry Berth and Tween Deck. Morning and afternoon programmes offer two chances to hear the performers, with shared singalongs at 1.30pm and 5.30pm. You can arrive in the morning and stay for the day.

From 27 November: Jack and the Beanstalk

Friday 27 November 2026 to Sunday 10 January 2027, selected performances | Family pantomime | Greenwich Theatre Main House, Crooms Hill | Around two hours and twenty minutes; times and ticket prices vary.

Anthony Spargo writes and stars in Greenwich's seasonal pantomime, directed by James Haddrell with musical direction by Steve Markwick. Jack and Dame Dotty Trott's search for a better life takes them towards Cloudland and a giant obstacle. Choose a dated performance through the theatre's calendar.

December 2026

5 and 6 December: Charlton House Christmas Fair

Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December, doors open 11am | Local makers, gifts and seasonal entertainment | Charlton House and Gardens, Charlton Road, SE7 8RE | Fair entry free; Santa's Grotto is a separate paid activity.

Browse handmade gifts, independent traders and artisan food at this nearby Royal Greenwich heritage venue. Seasonal entertainment accompanies the stalls. If you want to visit Santa as well, follow the separate grotto booking link and select a timed slot; fair admission does not include that experience.

14 and 21 December: A Christmas Carol with John O'Connor

Monday 14 December at 7.30pm; Monday 21 December at 2.30pm or 7.30pm | Storytelling theatre, ages 11+ | Greenwich Theatre Main House, Crooms Hill | Around ninety minutes; check current ticket prices.

European Arts Company returns with actor John O'Connor recreating Charles Dickens' celebrated public readings. The performance brings the author and his ghost story together in an intimate seasonal evening, marking its tenth-anniversary appearance at Greenwich Theatre.