Cooking with Heston Blumenthal, a cabaret with Coronation Street star Wendi Peters and the annual Bonfire Night pilgrimage to Primrose Hill are just some of the things featured in our top five this week.

Monday

Michael Foot

Lord Neil Kinnock, politician and former leader of the Labour Party, and Lord Melvyn Bragg, writer and broadcaster, celebrate the life and work of great Parliamentarian and Hampstead resident, Michael Foot, in the year of his centenary.

A former writer for the Ham&High and leader of the Labour Party, Foot was associated with the left for most of his career and became well-known as a thorn in the side of the political establishment.

The celebration of his extraordinary life and career forms part of the Hampstead Arts Festival and will be held at Burgh House in New End Square.

The talk begins at 7.30pm. Tickets are £9 and can be bought at www.hampsteadartsfestival.com.

Tuesday

Fireworks on the Hill

Not a rigidly organised event per se, but the pilgrimage to Primrose Hill to watch London’s skyline lit up with fireworks has become an must-do annual event nonetheless.

The Hill has long provided Londoners with an unrivalled vantage point to watch the capital’s displays after its own was scrapped some years ago due to safety concerns.

Those making the trek up there have been warned not to bring any Chinese lanterns or their own fireworks (the police will be making their presence known at the park’s gates).

The park is set to close at 9pm.

Tuesday

Billroth Quartet

To relax you before the big bangs of Bonfire Night, Lauderdale House in Waterlow Park will be playing host to the second free lunchtime concert by residential classical quartet, The Billroth Quartet.

Each month the Quartet explores a different repertoire and its second outing will see it perform the Brahms Clarinet Trio in A minor, Op. 114 among other works.

The Brahms Clarinet Trio was written in 1891 and was one of four chamber works featuring clarinet, composed late in Brahms’ life on his return from retirement.

James Greenfield (cellist with the Billroth Quartet) will be joined by pianist Andrea Kmecova and clarinettist Boyan Ivanov.

It begins at 1.15pm. To book a free ticket call 020 8348 8716.

Friday

Heston Blumenthal

Heston Blumenthal, whose name is synonymous with cutting-edge cuisine, finds one of his greatest sources of inspiration from the original and creative recipes of Britain’s rich culinary past.

Join him in the British Library, in Euston Road, for an evening exploring the lasting impact the Georgian era had on the culinary history of Britain and to discover its influence on some of his creations.

Tickets, £10 (£8 concs), are available at www.bl.uk/whatson/events/event153596.html.

Sunday

Wendi Peters

Best known for her role as Cilla Battersby-Brown in Coronation Street, Wendi Peters comes to Lauderdale House, in Waterlow Park.

She will treat an audience to 40 minutes of songs followed by an on-stage interview.

She will be joined by musician and actor Christopher Dingli.

The two hour event starts at 4.30pm. Tickets are £13 (£11 concs) and can be purchased by calling 020 8348 8716