What's on in East London this weekend, 2nd and 3rd November, 2019

Fireworks Night at the Slide

Watch London's fireworks from the top of the UK's tallest sculpture. This special late opening at the ArcelorMittal Orbit includes a complimentary drink, and there will be a cash bar serving cocktails, beer, wine and soft drinks.

ArcelorMittal Orbit, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 5 Thornton Street, E20 2AD, Saturday, November 2, from 7pm. Details: arcelormittalorbit.com

Tower Hamlets Fireworks Display

Save the date and get set for a night of amazement as the council hosts its annual free fireworks display. This year's display has the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing as its theme. The historical event saw Neil Armstrong become the first man to step on the moon on 30 July 1969, so expect an astronomical explosion of space inspired fun.

Victoria Park, Grove Road, E3 5TB, Sunday, November 3, from 7pm. Details: towerhamletsarts.org.uk

Guy Fawkes Festival and Fireworks

With lots to see and do all afternoon, come along early to make the most of your day! From 2pm onwards you can see a short theatre production, The Ghost of Guy Fawkes, and Professor Nitrate is back in the Mad Lab with interactive shows explaining the science of explosions. Plus, there are hands-on and take home activities such as slime making and lantern making. As darkness falls you can warm up with some hot food from the selection of food stalls. On both Saturday and Sunday festivities conclude with an archery display from The Royal Golden Eagle Medieval Archers and an epic fireworks display at 7pm from ForceFX, the company behind the special effects of movies, TV, and music festivals.

Royal Gunpowder Mills, Beaulieu Drive, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1JY, Saturday, November 2, and Sunday, November 3, from 2pm. Details: royalgunpowdermills.com

Hackney Fireworks Display

The annual stunning spectacle of colour and music returns Hackney Fireworks Display. This year’s event will be enhanced with live music, street performances, street food and bars plus a children's village. As always the display is synchronised to music. The display starts at 7.30pm.

Clissold Park, Stoke Newington Church Street, Hackney, N16 9HJ, Saturday, November 2, 5pm. Details: eventbrite.co.uk

Ally Pally Fireworks Festival

Alexandra Palace’s annual Fireworks Festival returns for 2019 with awe-inspiring displays and unmissable entertainment for all ages. Against a backdrop of Ally Pally’s breath-taking panoramic views of London, fireworks will light up the skyline in a unique display, set to a soundtrack curated by former Radio 1 DJ and Bestival founder Rob da Bank. Proceedings will begin with a new addition to the festival, a pagan-inspired fire-lighting ritual, designed by Mutoid Waste whose previous work has been featured at Glastonbury. This dazzling spectacle will culminate in the lighting of a 30ft effigy, designed by young people in collaboration with local artists, which will sit atop the bonfire. The 2019 Fireworks Festival will welcome back a bigger and better family area. This year it will play host to music, cabaret, bars, a funfair filled with retro rides, the great bonfire and some surprises to be unveiled on the night.

Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY, Friday, November 1, and Saturday, November 2. Details: 020 8365 2121 alexandrapalace.com

Walthamstow Folk Festival

A one day festival of folk music from England, Scotland, Ireland and the USA, curated by Tim Chipping of River Lea Records, set in the atmospheric surroundings of Walthamstow's ancient church.

St Mary’s Music Hall, Walthamstow, E17 9RL, Saturday, November 2, from 12pm. Details: musichalls.org

The Music of Carole King

Celebrating of one of the world’s most prolific songwriters, take a step back in time and experience the music that defined an era. Follow Carole King’s story from her early beginnings in New York to life in LA, The Troubadour Club and the singer-songwriter movement of early 70s California.

Chelmsford City Theatres, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG, Saturday, November 2, 8pm. Details: 01245 606505 chelmsford.gov.uk

In the Air Tonight

This show will leave you in awe of the incredible discography of Phil Collins, with two hours of non-stop classics including Easy Lover, Another Day in Paradise, Two Hearts, You Can’t Hurry Love, Against All Odds and music from the heyday of Genesis.

Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT, Sunday, November 3, 8pm. Details: 01708 443333 queens-theatre.co.uk

Big Big Train

Four times Progressive Music Award-winning band, Big Big Train, reached number one in the UK official rock album charts with their 2017 album. In autumn 2019, Big Big Train will embark upon their first ever UK tour, performing music from their forthcoming studio album alongside songs from their previous recordings. The shows will feature the band’s full live line-up, including a five-piece brass ensemble.

Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, E8 1EJ, Saturday, November 2, 7.30pm. Details: 02089 852424 hackneyempire.co.uk

Gary Phelan

A wonderful singer and great performer playing a wide range of great covers with power and passion. He blew everyone away during previous performances with his blistering vocals and uncompromisingly passionate performance.

The Coppermill Pub, 205 Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow, E17 7HF, Saturday, November 2, 8.30pm. Details: 020 8520 3709 coppermillpub.co.uk

Dear Zoo Live

Rod Campbell’s best-selling book has delighted generations of young readers and has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide. This production will delight all those who have read the book (both young and old) as it unfolds with child-engaging puppets, music and lots of audience interaction.

Chelmsford City Theatres, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG, Friday, November 1, and Saturday, November 2, various times. Details: 01245 606505 chelmsford.gov.uk

Papalarny the Magic Man

The incredibly popular children’s entertainer, as seen on Channel 4, will be creating mind-blowing balloon models and performing his hilarious family magic show.

Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT, Saturday, November 2, 11.30am. Details: 01708 443333 queens-theatre.co.uk

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

Direct from the West End, the Olivier Award nominated hit show, The Tiger Who Came to Tea returns on tour, celebrating over 10 years on stage. The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger! Join the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show, packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos.

Harlow Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Harlow, CM20 1LS, Saturday, November 2, and Sunday, November 3, various times. Details: 01279 431945 playhouseharlow.com

Kings and Queens of Comedy

Big time comedy returns to the world-famous Hackney Empire with seven heavyweight comedians in one hilarious night of stand-up comedy. The line-up includes Curtis Walker, Slim and Felicity Ethnic.

Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, E8 1EJ, Sunday, November 3, 8pm. Details: 02089 852424 hackneyempire.co.uk

Vintage Furniture Flea

Voted best fair by the Vintage Guide to London, the Vintage Furniture Flea returns. With traders coming from all over the UK, expect to see furniture, barware and kitchenalia, textiles and fabrics, sewing machines, cameras, record players and radios, cocktail glasses and figurines, posters and magazines, lampshades, mirrors and more.

York Hall, 5 Old Ford Road, E2 9PJ, Sunday, November 3, 10.30am to 4.30pm. Details: tickettailor.com