Not sure what’s on in London this weekend? Whatever the weather, we’ve got you covered. From cocktails to family-friendly activities and even things to do in the capital for FREE, there’s something for everyone on our list of things to do in London this weekend.
Feast on a delicious Diwali meal at Chatora City
Family-run Indian restaurant Chatora City is marking the Festival of Lights with special celebratory set menus cooked by head chef Imamuddin Khan (alumni of The Cinnamon Club and Kahani). Running all week, the three-course feast kicks off with shared papad and crisps before moving into fragrant starters and mains. Think honey-smoked tandoori broccoli, organic jackfruit biryani, Alleppey halibut in coconut malai, and slow-cooked lamb roganjosh, finished with pistachio kulfi or warm gulab jamun with hazelnut chikki. Yum!
Dubbed the “Glastonbury of Fireworks,” London’s biggest Bonfire Night bash is back with a massive two-day drone and fireworks extravaganza. Expect hundreds of light-up drones choreographing the night sky, a roaring bonfire, an indoor German bier festival, live DJs, and endless street food slinging mulled wine and hot churros with sweeping panoramic views across the city.
Head to Knightsbridge for an interactive family day out packed with over 50 mind-boggling rooms where you can walk across ceilings and snap gravity-defying photos. Throughout November 3–30, Paradox Museum London is running a Kids Go Free deal every Tuesday and Sunday, granting one free child entry per full-price adult ticket. They’re also fundraising in aid of BBC Children in Need all month long, with optional donation points located throughout the venue if you’d like to make a contribution during your visit.
Since the spooky season is over, the Festival of Lights has arrived, bringing vibrant colour, glowing diyas, and plenty of festive energy to London. Whether you’re looking to dance the night away at lively celebrations, take the family to lantern-making workshops, or tuck into mouthwatering celebratory feasts across the city’s best Indian restaurants, there are heaps of wonderful ways to mark Diwali in London.
Explore Mister Geez’s new solo exhibition
East London-based photographer Mister Geez brings his moving solo show, Diasporic Sights, to Brixton this week. The second volume in his London Street Chronicles series captures the electric energies of London’s Black communities – from everyday moments of affection to carnival and protest. Completely free to enter, the showcase features 25 handmade platinum/palladium prints, two short films, and an accompanying 91-photograph bilingual photobook.
Watch Harrods light up for Diwali
Knightsbridge’s most famous department store, Harrods, is getting a festive makeover this weekend. For three evenings, the historic Brompton Road façade will transform into a glowing canvas of colour and animated projections from 4 pm in celebration of the Festival of Lights. Free to watch from the pavement, the spectacle will be paired with in-store celebrations, live music, and festive treats.
Head back to the noughties at this Y2K-inspired immersive cabaret
Grab your flip-phones and your low-rise jeans, folks, because this weekend you can head straight back to the noughties at Y2KABARET. This immersive Islington experience will put a performance-driven spin on everybody’s favourite weekend activity: bottomless brunch. With performances from Love is Blind UK stars, Megan Jupp and Aanu, as well as an appearance from Drag Race UK icon, Tomara Thomas, guests can expect 4 jam-packed hours of interactive (and slightly chaotic) fun. So, if you fancy this weekend’s brunch to come with a big dollop of noughties-nostaliga on the side, look no further!
Y2KABARET will take place at Soul Mama in Islington on Saturday, November 7 from 12.30 pm-4 pm. Find out more and book your tickets here.
One of London’s most moving winter installations is returning this week. Chelsea’s Duke of York Square will be blanketed by 30,000 illuminated white flowers for the Ever After Garden. Free to visit, the garden glows nightly from 3 pm to 9 pm. This magical event offers a tranquil space to pause and remember loved ones, with the opportunity to dedicate a rose to support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Go ice skating at Leicester Square
Skate Leicester Square reopens this weekend! You can head to the ice rink in the heart of the West End from this Saturday, October 31, where you’ll get to skate around the square’s iconic Shakespeare statue. While you’re there, visit the dreamy Christmas market, with stalls serving up festive treats, mulled wine, hot chocolate, and festive gifts.
The globe-trotting sensation has brought its brand-new exhibition, Euphoяia – Art is in the Air, to the ExCeL Waterfront. Packed with 13 massive, hands-on installations from international artists, including hypnotic inflatable mazes, glowing reactive rooms, and a giant bouncy arena – it’s designed for anyone looking to ditch museum etiquette, touch the art, and unleash their inner child.
Embark on a fairytale escapade at Shrek’s Adventure
Once upon a time, there was a hit film about a big green ogre, his true love and some fairytale friends that took the world by storm and became an animated classic. Four sequel films later, that beloved story was brought to life with Shrek’s Adventure in London, inviting fans to step inside the screen and journey through a series of live shows that immerse you in that fantastical faraway land. Tasked with finding Shrek, you’ll get to board a magical flying bus, explore his swamp (if you dare), venture through a mind-bending mirror maze and save the day as you cook up a spell with the Muffin Man – yes, the Muffin Man! That lives on Drury Lane! Grab your tickets here.
Ever fancied conquering Mount Everest without the frostbite? Everest: The First Ascent lets you step straight into history alongside legendary pioneers Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on their historic 1953 expedition. You’ll trek from Kathmandu’s bustling streets to the frozen Himalayan heights, braving icy storms and crossing treacherous crevasses in fully immersive VR. Strap on your headset and see if you’ve got what it takes to reach the breathtaking 8,849-metre summit.
Strike a pose with your favourite London celebrities, be it a GRAMMY award winner or an inspiring national treasure. Madame Tussauds is home to countless household names who were born in the city or built a glittering career here, whether they’ve been immortalised for their powerful vocals, environmental wisdom, or nifty ball-bending skills. Head over to the waxwork red carpet to strike a pose with them this summer. Get your tickets here.
With over three million attendees worldwide and concerts in over 100 cities, it’s safe to say the Candlelight concert series is a bit of a phenomenon. Their schedule of concerts is ever-changing, and the genres are vast: string quartet reimaginations of pop music – think Taylor Swift hits and Oasis favourites – soundtracks from your favourite films, like Disney love songs; and of course, classical music, like Tchaikovsky and Vivaldi. All performances are illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight to make for a gorgeous evening.
You can now travel back in time through the annals of human history to unearth the rise and fall of ancient civilisations at this compelling new exhibition, opening at ImmerseLDN this Thursday. The Timewalk Exhibition features five immersive rooms which shine a light on the culture, beliefs and innovation of civilisations including Göbeklitepe, Babylon, Ancient Egypt, Maya and Rapa Nui. You’ll not only discover the enduring role that nature and the cosmos play in civilisations throughout the years, but you’ll also witness these lost worlds being brought to life with cinematic, 360-degree visuals, atmospheric soundscapes and interactive technology. It’s an enlightening, multi-sensory journey that will captivate all ages.
Discover the wonders of the oceans at the London Aquarium
Leave behind London’s concrete streets and step into an aquatic world where you can gaze at the UK’s longest coral reef display and learn about the captivating creatures that live in our waters. The SEA LIFE London Aquarium has over 500 species that you can discover in 14 themed zones, inviting you on an underwater exploration where you’ll see sharks weave through cinematically-crafted shipwrecks and a vibrant variety of tropical fish swim overhead in a glass tunnel. Grab your tickets here.
Dare to venture into dark history at the London Dungeons
Jump scare thrills and goosebump-inducing chills await inside the shadowy depths of the London Dungeons. For those of you who love to indulge in a bit of morbid curiosity and uncover the darker side of the capital’s storied past, this iconic attraction is an exhilarating addition to your weekend plans. You’ll come face to face with witches, murderers and mortality itself as you encounter live actors embodying infamous figures throughout London’s history – think Sweeney Todd, Jack the Ripper and Elizabeth Sawyer – and experience the heart-lurching free fall of the Drop Dead ride. Do you have the guts to step inside? Book your tickets here.
Discover your inner urban explorer on the Race Across the World experience
Experience the thrill of the hit TV show with Race Across The World: The Experience as it brings a high-stakes adventure to London’s labyrinthine streets. Working in teams, you can choose from either a West End route or City of London route, each one sending you on a foot chase through the city as you solve puzzles, hunt for clues and manage a virtual budget while racing toward a secret guestbook.
Whether you are facing off against friends or just looking to explore the city differently, this is a fun-filled way to discover London’s hidden gems, unearth some historic secrets and feast your eyes on some spectacular landmarks.
Embark on one of the most efficient sightseeing tours of London
Fancy being a tourist in our beloved capital this weekend but short on time? Redditor ‘magulagie’ has created the ultimate London sightseeing map for those in a hurry. Spanning just over five miles long, his route will take you past a ton of London’s most iconic landmarks, and will take you around two hours (if you avoid going inside any of the places you pass, that is).
Grab a pint at one of the oldest pubs in London
Bored of your local? Drink in some of the capital’s history alongside your beer this weekend at one of London’s oldest pubs. Better yet, if you’re up to it, you can even make a historic bar crawl out of our handy list (though traipsing from Holborn to Hampstead does seem a little far-fetched…)
Scoff scones and sip champers at an awesome afternoon tea
A “weekend afternoon tea” encompasses everything from a flamboyantly fancy day out to a simple natter over scones and sweet treats. Grab a pal, and a glass of bubbles, and indulge in one of London’s wonderful afternoon teas this weekend.
Save some money and still get outside with some of London’s free things to do
Pinching the pennies this weekend? Considering it feels like 50 quid evaporates from our bank account the minute we step outside, we don’t blame you. We’ve compiled a handy list of 200(!!) of the best free things to do in London, and they’re not all ‘go for a walk in the park’ – promise.
Enjoy a feast for the eyes and stomach at one of the capital’s prettiest restaurants
Treat yourself to a meal out in one of London’s prettiest restaurants this weekend – you’ve worked hard all week, you deserve it! From muted pastel tones or wildly OTT décor, we’ve compiled a handy list of the prettiest restaurants in London to save you the research time.
Browse one of London’s many other thought-provoking art exhibitions
From its major galleries to its museums, London is bursting at the seams with art exhibitions. Take a leisurely stroll around the likes of the Tate Britain, the V&A or the National Gallery this weekend. We’ve compiled a list that encompasses everything from classic works to cutting-edge modern pieces and even free exhibits.
If you’re anything like us, you’ve always thought it would be brilliant to join one of those iconic TV game shows for a day, like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire or The Chase. We’ve got great news, because you can now get that thrill at BuzzAttack, a high-energy trivia experience that recently opened in London, complete with buzzers, podiums, and a giant spinning wheel.
The experience throws you into the thick of a live game show with your friends and family, where you’ll test skills in a variety of games and high-energy trivia challenges. Plus, you’ll battle it out in a unique TV studio setting, fully immersed in nostalgic colours and lights.
Grab the little ones and enjoy some family-friendly activities
In a city of nine million people, you can guarantee that you’ll find something for everyone to enjoy, no matter how old you are. If you need to entertain the kids this weekend, check out some of the best family-friendly activities in London this weekend.
