Felt R Us at the Brunswick Centre

A few things that you could do instead of watching the World Cup this month:

SUNDAY NOVEMBER: 20 FELT ‘R’ US at the Brunswick Centre

It’s the first match: Qatar vs Ecuador. Instead of watching the game, you could be down at the Brunswick Centre where artist Lucy Sparrow is opening up a pop-up superstore of decorative felt. She’s there till Christmas Eve.

MONDAY NOVEMBER: 21 GARY BARLOW at the SAVOY THEATRE

…actually you have full permission to watch United States vs Wales.

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 23: THE FALSE DOTS at the DUBLIN CASTLE

Belgium are playing Canada next Wednesday, but you could be in the back room of the famous music pub in Parkway, Camden Town, enjoying a healthy slice of “sardonic post punk” music.

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 23: CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH-ON in HIGHGATE

The football will have been on four days by now, some days with four matches on the TV. And yet you could be watching Harry Potter star Rupert Grint turning on the Christmas lights in Highgate Village. The ceremony starts at 4 pm

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 24: REBECCA WAIT book talk at BURGH HOUSE

Brazil v Serbia, eh? Or you could be up in Hampstead listening to author Rebecca Wait talking about her book I’m Sorry You Feel That Way. Everybody’s going to be talking about it.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27: PRIMROSE HILL CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

Japan might be playing Costa Rica, and there’s an afternoon match between Croatia and Canada, but there will be fairground rides, live music and a dog show at the annual festival.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29: POWERWOLF at the ROUNDHOUSE

You might feel you have to watch Wales versus England, or Iran vs USA – but there’s a metal fest going down in Chalk Farm Road that night too. German rockers Powerwolf are playing a rescheduled gig at the Roundhouse.