Basically you have less than 48 hours to see London. In November forget the river cruise.
Instead choose to visit Parliament Square where you will see Elizabeth’s Tower ( Big Ben is the Bell AND the iconic Tower is covered in scaffolding till 2020) Parliament building, adjacent Westminster Abbey. Take the vergers or London Walks Tour of the Abbey. www.walks.com.
From Parliament Square you can walk up Birdcage Walk through St James Park to Buckingham Palace or walk up Whitehall to Trafalgar Square to see the Christmas Tree, visit the National Gallery, have lunch in St Martins of the Fields crypt and then walk over to the madness of Christmas shopping in Covent Gardens.
Pretty certain there are no outdoor Globe Theatre performances that late in November. You could tour it though. Check their website.
Check this website for theatre offerings.
https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/
You should also check the 1/2 price ticket booth website for same day theatre tickets.
https://officiallondontheatre.com/tkts/
For your Christmas fix visit Hyde Park’s free Winter Wonderland. It’s especially gorgeous at night. There are also Xmas Lights along Regent and Oxford streets.
If shoppers take a peek inside Liberty (you'll not have seen a store like in any where) or meander in Selfridges. I avoid Harrods but that is a personal choice.
I'm fond of buying unique Christmas cards at museum or gallery gift stores. Last year got some great ones at the Sacchi gallery gift store. British Library gift store is worth a peak after you've have taken time to visit the Treasure Room.
London is not an inexpensive city to visit.
Book your accommodations now. Premiere Inns are good. There are many in London but the closest to Parliament Square would be the one called County Hall. It’s across the Thames from Parliament near the London Eye.
There’s also the close by Premiere Inn Waterloo. Both would be good options for your quick 2 day stay.
I'm partial to pub lunches as I like walking in London. A pub lunch gives me time to rest my feet, enjoy a salad, or soup or sandwich in a comfortable environment. Not all pubs serve lunch but those that do often have street signs on the side walk advertising their lunch special.
Pret a Mangers are good but often seating is limited. Their Christmas sandwich is tasty (turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing and baby spinach).
There are thousands of places to eat London. Pretty sure you’ll find something to eat while you are there.
