Not sure what’s on in London this weekend? Whatever the weather, we’ve got you covered. From cocktails, to brunches, markets to gigs, there’s something for everyone on our list of things to do in London this weekend!
1. Solve a mysterious murder at Mr Fogg’s
Grab a magnifying glass, don your deerstalker hat and keep your wits sharp. A fiendishly fun game of deception, detection and, well, drinks is afoot at Mr. Fogg’s in Mayfair. For £60 per person, you can channel your inner detective as you help Inspector Fix unravel the intriguing mystery behind the murder of Mr. Fogg’s friend, John Sullivan. Two cocktails are also included to fuel your findings. The experience takes place every Saturday at 1pm, be sure to kick off the spooky season in a fitting fashion and book your spot now.
2. Savour bold flavours at the new Tamila restaurant
From the minds behind pub-restaurant The Tamil Prince, comes Tamila, a new standalone casual concept opening south of the river on Northcote Road in Battersea. From October 1, you can follow the sumptuous aromas of roti, curries and more to this tempting twist on a classic curry house. Dig into a stomach-rumbling cornucopia of dishes packed with authentic Indian flavours and sip delicious Indian-spiced concoctions such as Gunpowder Margarita and Charcoal Old Fashioned. Book now to be among the first through doors.
3. Experience Japanese culture at Trafalgar Square
Immerse yourself in the vibrant sights, sounds, and tastes of Japan at the Japan Matsuri festival, returning to Trafalgar Square on October 6. This free event offers an exciting lineup of traditional and contemporary performances, including music, dance, and martial arts. Attendees can indulge in authentic Japanese street food while enjoying the cultural festivities. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the magic of Japan right in the heart of London.
4. Explore temporality at the ‘Into The Flux’ exhibition
Independent art organisation International Body Of Art also known as IBA are hosting their final exhibition of the year starting this weekend October 5 till October 12. The exhibition ‘Into The Flux’ acts as the third and final instalment into their three-part series investigating temporality. Situated within an abandoned underground carpark in Peckham – it includes a massive plethora of performance, new media art, information design, experimental music, and more. Find out more and get your tickets here.
5. Discover Havering Country Park’s majestic Redwoods
Nestled in East London, Havering Country Park is a hidden gem featuring a stunning collection of California Redwoods. Spread across 165 acres, this lush park offers a seamless blend of grassland and woodland, perfect for an autumn stroll. The park’s highlight is the impressive Wellingtonia Avenue, lined with towering redwoods, making it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.
6. Enjoy India’s first-ever drag king show at the Soho Theatre
Mumbai’s vibrant, electrifying underground club scene comes to London as The Gentleman’s Club makes its international premiere at Soho Theatre. Following on from its success in India, the acclaimed show will run for two weeks from October 1 to 12. Set in a fictional club night, the show features magnetic performances from drag kings and a spectacle of dance, music and visual projection that brings the dazzling golden era of Bollywood to life. Grab tickets now for a vivacious exploration of gender fluidity and queer performance.
7. Step into the captivating world of hobbies in Croydon
Discover the fascinating ‘Come As You Are’ exhibition in Croydon, where personal identity and creativity are showcased through hobbies. Curated by Hetain Patel, this exhibit displays thousands of handcrafted objects from UK hobbyists, offering a unique glimpse into their personal worlds. From an upholstered car to a cuddly toy collection, the exhibition highlights how hobbies reflect self-expression in a consumer-driven world. Explore this captivating display before it closes on October 20.
8. Celebrate London Cocktail Week on a tantalising tour
London Cocktail Week will be treating the tastebuds of tipple fans from October 3 to 13. To sample the delicious selection of Signature Cocktails that have been specifically created for the festival – for £8 I might add – you can embark on a Curated Cocktail Tour which takes you around a selection of London bars. Enjoy creative concoctions such as the Sgroppino Affogato at Blue Bar at The Berkeley (Citron vodka, sherry and coffee, topped with lemon sorbet and prosecco) and meet fellow libation lovers. The cocktails are only available to those with a festival wristband, find out more here.
9. Embark on a journey of exchange at The British Museum
The Youth Collective at The British Museum invites you to explore the centuries of communities and cultures that shaped the Silk Roads (also known as the first global trade route in history) at ‘Barter and Bazaar: The Journey of Exchange‘. On October 4, from 5.30pm to 8pm, you’ll be able to explore the myriad of people, objects and ideas that formed the route, with perfume-making workshops, a free cup of tea, origami and weaving activities, a brand-new Silk Roads trail and much more. This is a free evening event but places are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
10. Get in the spooky spirit early at Hoxton Street Monster Supplies
Step into the quirky world of Hoxton Street Monster Supplies, where you can find everything a monster needs, from tinned Night Terrors to Brain Jam. Established in 1818, this East London shop has been serving the monster community for over 200 years. Hoxton Street Monster Supplies is run entirely by volunteers, with all profits supporting the Ministry of Stories charity. Don’t miss out on their spooky stationery and accessories, but remember, beans won’t be accepted as payment!
11. Explore the shadowy world of Gotham at the Batman Unmasked exhibition
Celebrate the 85th anniversary of the caped crusader at Batman Unmasked. The epic exhibition invites fans of the DC hero to journey through themed rooms filled with a collection of never-before-seen props, Batsuits worn by the likes of Michael Keaton and Christian Bale and iconic Batman vehicles, including the Batpod from ‘The Dark Knight’ and Robert Pattinson’s Batmobile from ‘The Batman’.
Plus, you can feast your eyes on the deviously flamboyant fits of notorious supervillains such as The Riddler, Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn and the maniacal Joker.
12. Immerse yourself in all things F1® at London’s Formula 1® exhibition
This is a must-visit for fans of F1®. The Formula 1® Exhibition at London’s ExCel Centre brings together memorabilia, artefacts, and rare film and photography; here, you’ll celebrate the past, present, and future of motorsport in all its glory. The exhibition comprises contributions of legendary drivers, teams and experts. You’ll get the chance to get close to some of the most impactful cars in F1®’s history, relive some of F1®’s greatest moments, and look to the future of the sport.
13. Admire contemporary art at London’s new Moco Museum
The internationally renowned Moco Museum opened its doors in London’s Marble Arch in August 2024, treating us to a stunning collection of contemporary art. You can feast your eyes on pieces by iconic artists such as Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Yayoi Kusama and Keith Haring, as well as exciting new collaborations and artworks created exclusively for the new London location. Whether it’s striking sculptures, digital art or paintings, you can be sure you’re in for a treat.
14. Be transported to another world by a London cocktail bar
Avora is an out-of-this-world cocktail experience in Hoxton, with impressive set design, cool cocktails, and a fun (and important) storyline. It’s made by the team behind London’s famous Alcatraz cocktail experience. During the immersive adventure, you’ll be able to mix your drinks after ‘foraging’ for ingredients, and come face to face with the other-worldly Avorians as you try to protect their planet.
15. Enter a rootin’ tootin’ Wild West saloon
Another London cocktail experience to enjoy is Moonshine Saloon – consequently from the same team behind Avora and Alcatraz. Moonshine Saloon will transport you from Aldgate to the Wild West for a storyline of illicit booze smuggling (it’s BYOB), sheriffs, and gambling. It’ll all come to a dramatic conclusion towards the end of your visit – will the sheriff get you?
16. Be transported to the streets of Seoul at a multi-media exhibition
If a plane to South Korea is out of the question this weekend (pretty likely, eh), make your way to Borough Yards instead. Following the success of Delight: Media Art Exhibition, the team has launched PULSE: Beyond Delight.
You’ll find 13 multi-media zones, where the myths, reality, tradition, and innovation of Seoul come together – and put you into the floor-to-ceiling artworks. PULSE is billed as an even deeper, more introspective exploration of Seoul, compared to the former exhibition, this time drawing on evolving trends.
17. Live through a Martain invasion in the capital
Ever wondered what it would be like to survive a merciless Martian invasion in Victorian England? Haven’t we all? Luckily, Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience is here to help. A multisensory adventure with holograms, virtual reality, special effects, time-warping sets and live theatrics, the eerie experience brings Jeff Wayne’s multi-platinum album to life.
18. Immerse yourself in a historical live experience
The Gunpowder Plot Experience in Tower Hill Vaults brings the pivotal events of 1605 to life; immersing you in the story of Guy Fawkes and the conspiracy that sparked our annual Bonfire Night. Using a combination of virtual reality, live actors, and themed cocktails, you’ll truly feel you’ve stepped back in time for a couple of hours.
19. 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).
20. 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 Hampsted does seem a little far-fetched…)
21. 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.
22. 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.
23. 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.
24. 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.
25. 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.