November in Wanstead brings lanterns, fireworks and, yes, Christmas lights
Lanterns on 29 October, fireworks, a makers' market, the Christmas lights on 20 November and a new monologue at The Bull: a dated guide to November in and around Wanstead, with venues, times and prices.
Lanterns first, a new monologue last, and in between: Remembrance, fireworks, a makers' market and the Christmas lights. Yes, already.
Wanstead is not short of things to do when the clocks go back, and a lot of it is free or close to it. Plans change, so confirm with the organiser before you set out.
Before November
Thursday 29 October: Festival of the Dead. Wanstead Library and the Woodbine Development Centre host day one: live acts, storytelling, author events and crafts, with prizes for best-dressed, per Vision Redbridge. Crafts finish at 4:30pm and the lantern procession leaves the library at about 5pm. It may be cancelled at short notice in bad weather, and its LED and strobing elements may not suit anyone sensitive to light.
First week
Wed 4 November: Wanstead Youth Theatre. A new club at The Wanstead Curtain: Years 3 to 6 from 4:30pm, Years 7 to 11 from 6pm. From £38.50, per the Wanstead Fringe listings.
Sat 7 November: Festive Local Makers Market. Handmade ceramics, prints, jewellery and textiles at Christ Church Hall, Wanstead Place (E11 2SW), 11am to 4pm. Free, per the organiser's Eventbrite page.
Sat 7 November: Fireworks Night. Wanstead RFC, Centenary Field, Roding Lane North, Woodford Green (IG8 8JY), 6pm to 11pm, with rides, a hog roast and an outside bar. Tickets are £25 per family (two adults, two children), £9 per adult and £6 per child. Parking is "extremely limited" and costs £5 (club website), so walk if you can.
Sun 8 November: Remembrance Sunday. Service at Wanstead War Memorial at 12:30. Times and history are in our Remembrance guide.
Wed 11 November: Armistice Day. Ceremony at the Snaresbrook Memorial Garden, 81 Snaresbrook Road. Arrive by 10:45.
Week three
Thu 19 November: Grief Café. A free, confidential session from the Death Positive Library (a Redbridge Libraries project) at Wanstead Library, 6:30pm to 8:30pm. It isn't counselling, it starts promptly and late arrivals can't be admitted. Book on Eventbrite.
Fri 20 November: Christmas lights switch-on. Christchurch Green from about 4pm, with an extra tree at George Green lit earlier, according to Vision Redbridge.
Fri 20 November: Gong and Sound Bath. An hour with Arlene Dunkley-Wood at Wanstead United Reformed Church, Nightingale Lane (E11 2HD), 7pm to 8pm. Tickets are non-refundable; book on Eventbrite.
Sat 21 November: Embroidery and Mending Workshop. A two-hour beginners' class from 1pm at Christ Church Parish Halls, run by hobi studio. Materials are provided; bring something to fix. The organiser says sharp needles may not suit under-10s. Eventbrite.
Sat 21 November: Walk, Wander and Print. A guided walk across Wanstead Flats from 10:30am, then risograph printing at Rabbits Road Press with Moja Collective, finishing at 1:30pm. For adults 18+ who identify as part of "the global majority"; allies welcome. Eventbrite.
The last week
*Fri 27 November: Lament for a Stranger.* A music-theatre monologue set in a "rain-soaked, jazz-infused" world (Wanstead Fringe's words), at 7:30pm at The Bull. From £10 via the Fringe website.
Also on the radar
- Wanstead House turns 80. The community centre at 21 The Green has been going since 1946 and, as Wanstead Village Directory first reported, wants 80 resident memories for the anniversary: office@wansteadhouse.co.uk.
- Central line. We found no TfL closure affecting Wanstead in November; the only planned part-closure we found is on 13 December. Check TfL before you travel.
- Looking ahead. The Wanstead Vintage Fair returns on Saturday 19 December (organiser).
