Your guide to the best stuff to do, see, eat and drink across London during October 2024
This autumn, London comes alive with seasonal events and cultural highlights. Halloween celebrations take over the city with both family-friendly and adult events. Culture vultures can enjoy the BFI London Film Festival, London Literature Festival, and Black History Month events. Art enthusiasts shouldn’t miss new exhibitions at the British Museum, Serpentine, and Barbican, plus the Frieze art fair. Theatre highlights include David Tennant in ‘Macbeth’ and a new musical version of ‘The Devil Wears Prada’. For food and drink lovers, Oktoberfest and London Cocktail Week offer plenty of opportunities to raise a glass to the season.
1. Watch some brilliant new movies at the 68th BFI London Film Festival
This year’s BFI London Film Festival will kick off on Wednesday, October 9 with Steve McQueen’s World War II drama Blitz at the Royal Festival Hall. From there, the UK’s biggest film festival will be pressing play on its 68th edition, featuring 11 days and nights of movies, archive works, short films VR and XR experiences, talks, panels and parties. As in recent years, screenings will take place at Royal Festival Hall, BFI IMAX, BFI Southbank, and Bargehouse for the LFF Expanded XR strand, as well as at five London partner cinemas: Curzon Mayfair, Curzon Soho, the ICA, Prince Charles Cinema and Vue West End. Very much not a festival that’s just for the critics and VIPs, the LFF remains the most accessible of the world’s big film festivals, so you’ve got every chance of scoring seats to its packed line-up of new movies when tickets go on sale in September.
2. Get your skates on at Canary Wharf Ice Rink
Canary Wharf shakes off its business image a little with the return of its long-running ice rink this winter. From October through to late February, you’ll be able to spin and drift around the 1,200-square-metre arena, so whether you’re looking for a pre-Christmas activity or a fun way to kick off the New Year, this bad boy’s got you covered. Talking of covered, the whole thing is under a canopy that means not even the unpredictable British weather can spoil a sesh here. There’ll also be a ringside bar and themed DJ nights to ramp the good vibes up even higher.
3. See Elton John’s music adaptation of hit noughties comedy ‘The Devil Wears Prada’
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4. Let down your synthetic wig at one of these Halloween events in London
5. Dive into the city’s macabre past at London Month of the Dead talks and tours
London Month Of The Dead’s annual programme returns this spooky season to get you in the mood for Halloween with some chilling – and fascinating – events. Ramp up to the big day throughout October with ghostly tours and talks that will take you inside cemeteries and other eerie locations across the city, from Brompton Cemetery to along the Thames. Each event delves into a different topic related to death and the afterlife, whether that’s the scientific side of things (‘Dissection And Dissipation – Life as a medical student in Victorian London’ and ‘The Golden Age Of Death – The dawn of modern forensic science’) or the scarier side (‘A Warehouse Of Homicide – The Metropolitan Police Crime Museum’ and ‘Buried Alive – The horror of premature internment’). These events are frighteningly popular, so book your ticket now.
6. Check out our roundup of perfect autumnal days out in London
Is that the saccharine scent of pumpkin spice in the air? Surprised to see lots of orange orbs taking over your local supermarket? It can only mean one thing: autumn is upon us in all its crispy-leafed, russet splendour.
From glowing sunsets, to bracing walks and cosy pubs, there are lots of things that make up the ultimate autumnal day trip and London has them in spadefuls. Whether it’s nestling up in an old-school whisky tavern with a wee dram, collecting up armfuls of pumpkins from the city’s premier markets or exploring Gothic cemeteries.
7. Celebrate the season and pick your favourite pumpkin for just £5
This autumn, celebrate the season by picking your perfect pumpkin straight from Hobbledown’s patch for just £5! Whether it’s a family day out, a fun date, or a trip with toddlers, enjoy seasonal delights, street food, and Instagram-worthy photo spots in a hidden green oasis in West London. Located near Hounslow Heath, the pumpkin patch offers a variety of pumpkins to choose from. With a combined ticket, make it a full day by exploring Hobbledown’s adventure playground and zoo before heading to the patch!
Find you perfect pumpkin for just £5* at Hobbledown Heath, only through Offers.
8. Give your brain a workout at New Scientist Live
Come get your brain tickled by talks from the smarties at top universities and scientific institutions and get interactive with some hands-on experiences that bring the latest research and technology in science to life. Explore everything from how hospitals will change in the future to taking a VR rollercoaster ride and getting up close with a bug zoo. Saturday and Sunday are for everyone, while the Monday is a special day for school visits.
Top Tips
- Book theatre tickets early to avoid disappointment
- Check weather forecasts and dress appropriately for outdoor events
- Many Black History Month events are free but may require booking
- Consider a London Cocktail Week pass for drink discounts citywide