Well, folks, I’ve got bad news for the sun-loving among you: summer is officially coming to an end. That’s right, with the arrival of October, it’s officially cosy season in London. The nights are getting longer, and the days are getting colder. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to lock yourself inside the house with a blanket, a heater, and your favourite comfort show on repeat. There are still plenty of wonderful things to do in the city!
Whether you’re exploring a haunted house, traipsing around a pumpkin patch, supporting Black-owned businesses, or exploring art exhibitions, it’s easy to make October a month to remember.
Celebrate Halloween
Let’s be honest, October is all about Halloween. Whether you’ve been planning your costume all year long, or you’re joining your friends at a last-minute party, it’s a great excuse for some October fun. Get in on the spirit this Halloween with one of these thrilling activities:
😱 Explore a haunted house
👻 Go on a London Ghost Bus Tour
😱 Attend a Halloween-themed party
👻 Munch your way through a spooky cinematic dining experience
😱 Take a haunted walking tour around London
and much more!
Explore even more Halloween events here.
Perhaps the ultimate Halloween celebration is taking place over at London’s iconic Kew Gardens. London’s largest UNESCO heritage site will transform into a thrilling 1.5km Halloween light trail this October – complete with a headless horseman, fire performers, and a brand-new ‘Monster Disco’.
Support black-owned businesses
October is Black History Month in the UK. Why not take the opportunity to check out some of London’s black-owned businesses to treat yourself to a new purchase, buy a gift for a friend, or devour a delicious meal? Check out these black-owned businesses in London this October:
🤤 Chuku’s – A Nigerian tapas restaurant in North London
🍴Delina – picturesque café in Shepherd’s Bush Market with Ethiopian food
🍫 Dark Sugars – indulgent hot chocolate and chocolate truffles
🍻 Prince Of Peckham – an iconic South London boozer
‘Ramses and the Pharaohs’ Gold’ invites visitors to discover priceless pieces of ancient history. The exhibition features the largest collection of Ramses II items to have ever left Egypt. These include everything from the coffin of Ramses II himself to the golden mask of King Amenemope. The exhibition even has a unique stamp of approval from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
Tulleys Farm’s enormous Pumpkin Festival – the largest in Europe – returns for the season, and it’s bigger than ever before for 2026. More than 100 acres of West Sussex countryside are transformed into an autumnal celebration with over 1.5 million pumpkins and gourds and 100+ pumpkin varieties.
And don’t miss the new-for-2026 Pumpkin Valley attraction, with “giant pumpkin sculptures, the charming Pumpkin Farm House and a picturesque Hobbit House, all surrounded by vibrant pumpkins and blooming chrysanthemums.”
Get pumpkin picking at a West London patch, with a bunch of enchanting extras
Autumn is well and truly here, and Hobbledown Heath is back with its fun-filled pumpkin patch for all the family open on select dates. During the day, this spot is home to rows upon rows of different sized pumpkins that you can run through, snap photos with, and of course, pick to take home. However, that’s not all. There’s a marshmallow-roasting firepit and seasonal games, plus there are some cool photo points – even a wheelbarrow you can add your name to!
On select evenings, the vibe switches up for lantern nights, live acts, and a chance to weave through and pick the pumpkins without navigating any little ones. A definite must-do seasonal activity. Find the specific dates for the specialist activities on the Hobbledown Health website.
Look, you can be upset that summer is done and dusted OR you can channel that energy into finding the PERFECT pumpkin for spooky season. After all, getting one last minute down the shops on the 31st isn’t very Halloween-y of you. Fortunately, there are plenty of pumpkin patches within easy access of London, such as:
🎃 Tulley’s Farm, West Sussex
👻 Crockford Bridge Farm, Surrey
🎃 Pumpkin Picking Village At Marsh Farm, Essex
and more!
London’s storied history is full of bloody stories, gruesome facts, and fearsome figures. If you fancy coming face-to-face with the most blood-chilling parts of the city’s history this October, then head to the London Dungeon, where history’s darkest figures have been brought back to life to tell terrifying tales…
An enormous, horrifying new scream park lands in London this October. The Nightmare Realm is winging its way from Ireland to London for Halloween, and it’s set to bring your nightmares to life. The truly fearsome experience will take over the Grade II-listed Avery Hill mansion in Greenwich, transforming it into the Avery Hill Asylum. The attraction will allow guests to explore a large-scale immersive Halloween experience that blends “live theatre, immersive storytelling and large-scale scare experiences”.
London is an expensive city; there’s no denying that, but we’re here to help with our Secret Club. Join by paying from as little as £1.99 a month, and you could benefit from the following deals (among many others):
🎤 Sing your heart out with 33% off BAM Karaoke Box
🍹 Enjoy 2-for-1 cocktails at The Broadcaster
🎂 Enjoy an exclusive £25 discount on workshops with The Big Bakes
🍶 Get 15% off awesome pottery workshops at Meiro Ceramics
Every year, The British Podcast Awards celebrate the very best of British podcasting, and 2026 marks the 10th year they’ve been dishing out awards to the brightest names in the bizz. From comedy pods to true crime, every single genre of podcast will be honoured. And you could be in the room as the biggest, best, and brightest names in podcasting are celebrated.
London has its fair share of famous faces, and everyone has a story of a celebrity sighting, or a run-in with a Hollywood star. But for the largest confluence of famous faces, there’s only one place to go: Madame Tussauds. You can take a selfie with a multiple GRAMMY Award winner, an inspiring national treasure, a sporting icon, or a star of stage and screen.
And since it’s October (aka Halloween season), be sure to test your bravery with a trip to the Chamber of Horrors. Although you might not want a photo with these nefarious, real-life characters…
Wander through London’s abandoned Mail Rail tunnels
Fancy heading underground to an abandoned bit of London this spooky season? Well, you’re in luck. The Postal Museum will be operating its after-hours Tunnel Walk events throughout October – and 2 of the tours will fall on Halloween itself. That’s right, you can “explore London’s shadowy Mail Rail network on the spookiest night of the year.”
Find out more and book tickets here.
Check out Ceramics in the City
The Museum of the Home’s annual Ceramics in the City fair returns this October, with a marvellous showcase of the craft and innovation of ceramic artists from London and beyond. It’s the 25th anniversary of the event, and this year’s fair/exhibition will feature everything “from functional tableware and earthy stoneware to vivid, ornamental objects and striking, one-of-a-kind pieces.”
Find out more here.
‘GLOW’ on a night walk for charity
For World Mental Health Day, Mental Health UK is bringing back its charitable GLOW London walk. Hundreds of people will gather to walk through the city after dark and “[raise] funds and awareness for mental health while experiencing London in a completely different light.”
There are 10km and 20km routes available. “Every step helps Mental Health UK continue providing vital support to those who need it most.”
Find out more here.
Each year, to celebrate their annual harvest, Fulham Palace hosts its charming Apple Day celebration. This family-friendly autumn event takes over the palace’s lawns and gardens with all sorts of events, stalls, activities, and more. Head on down to enter the apple-inspired baking competition, enjoy live music, browse a market of local stalls, find out how an apple press works, and more.
Fill your boots at a new Sunday Roast
There’s no better time to start booking in Sunday Roasts than October, as the weather starts to cool down. After all, at this time of year nothing beats an enormous relaxed lunch, with a drink or 3, that will have you rolling your way home. Keep an eye out for these new Sunday Roasts and Sunday lunches this month:
🥩 Hausu – this unassuming Peckham spot is putting a twist on the Sunday Roast, with whole cuts cooked over fire, roasted and braised, and served sharing-style. Expect a weekly changing menu with an emphasis on alternative cuts and dishes like Brown sugar and mustard-roasted hare, Ex-dairy beef with black lime and fermented chilli butter, Roasted Empress potatoes with Hausu potato dust, and more.
🍽️ Teal by Sally Abé – settle in for a Sunday Roast to remember at one of London’s most lauded new openings. Sally Abé is renowned for her Sunday Roasts, and she’s finally bringing them to her namesake restaurant with Sundays at Teal. Enjoy the best of British produce and some truly indulgent desserts.
🍖 The Parakeet – Michelin pedigree and open-fire expertise come together in this cosy, wood-panelled pub, resulting in stunning, smoke-infused Sunday Roasts. Chow down on signature dishes like the Hay smoked chicken, Whole Grilled Sea Bream, and more.
🔥 Ekstedt at the Yard – known for their fire-led cooking, this London spot has launched Sunday by Fire. The new Sunday lunch offering celebrates seasonal British produce with dishes ranging from wood pigeon to Brixham monkfish, and roasted plum sorbet with star anise cream.
London is inarguably one of the greatest live music cities in the world. Within our bounds, you’ll find tiny venues showcasing up-and-coming stars as well as enormous stadium shows. And there are countless gigs taking place on any given night in the capital. Here are a few to check out this October:
- The Lemonheads with Willy Mason: Troxy (October 1)
- Niall Horan: The O2 (October 2)
- Simple Plan: Wembley Arena (October 3)
- The Strokes: The O2 (October 6-7)
- Band Of Horses: Shepherd’s Bush Empire (October 7)
- Westlife: The O2 (October 9-11)
- Art Garfunkel: Royal Albert Hall (October 19)
- Courtney Barnett: Kentish Town Forum (October 20)
- Fat Freddy’s Drop: Alexandra Palace (October 23)
- Khalid: British Airways ARC (October 24)
- Corinne Bailey Rae with Laura Mvula: Royal Albert Hall (October 27)
- Dexys Midnight Runners: Hackney Empire (October 28)
- The Proclaimers: London Palladium (October 28)
Sip yourself merry at the UK’s biggest outdoor Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest on the Common returns for 2026 with its biggest-ever Oktoberfest celebration – making it the UK’s biggest outdoor Oktoberfest. They’re promising that this year will be “bigger, bolder and more Bavarian than ever”. The event spans six days across three weekends, with 9 sessions to choose from, each boasting “live oompah music, DJs, crowd games, fairground rides, axe throwing and London’s most electric Oktoberfest dancefloor”.
All the while, you’ll be able to sip at cold, foamy pints of authentic German beer from Munich’s iconic Paulaner brewery (as well as some local favourites). And don’t forget to check out the Bavarian food; from bratwurst to Bratkartoffeln, pretzels, schnitzel, and more!
Find out more here.
And say ‘Prost’ to these other Oktoberfest events
While Oktoberfest kicks off in September, there are still plenty of beer-y celebrations going on throughout October. Check out these spots for some wunderbar events:
🍻 Albert’s Schloss (September 19 – October 25) – over a month of sudsy Bavarian celebration and feasting awaits you at this enormous bier palace in the middle of London.
🍺 German Gymnasium (September 18 – October 23) – “Bavarian Spezialitäten, German beers, live Oompah performances and a season of celebrations in the heart of King’s Cross.”
🍻 Bermondsey Bierkeller (September 19 – October 31) – “Bigger. Louder. Unforgettable. London’s wildest Oktoberfest returns.”
🍺 The Five Points Taproom & Courtyard (October 2-4) – they’re going “full Bavarian, bringing three days of German beers, live oompah music and smokehouse feasting to Hackney.”
🍻 BOXPARK (Camden: October 3; Shoreditch: October 10) – bringing Oktoberfest celebrations to its venues with parties that feature DJ sets, Bavarian-themed games, and more.
Discover something new at New Scientist Live
The award-winning science show, New Scientist Live, touches down in London with 3 days of “mind-blowing talks by world-leading scientists, researchers and communicators… and immersive show-floor experiences”. Wander the cosmos, learn about life-changing health breakthroughs, or step into the world of tomorrow.
Find out more here.
Support refugee-owned food businesses
This October, Borough Market is inviting a collection of 8 new refugee-owned traders to sell their wares at the historic market. They’ve partnered with h TERN (The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network) for a week-long pop-up market, to give “eight small businesses the opportunity to showcase their products”. They’re highlighting the following traders:
- Ruby Kitchen – Turkish spice blends
- Roba and the Sun – A new granola brand inspired by Palestinian flavours and stories
- Bee Brave – Raw, unfiltered honey from Ukraine
- Boemo – One-woman, refugee-owned micro bakery serving Italian desserts
- Nemi Teas – Premium, organic tea products
- Kunfi – Pistachio-flavoured desserts, inspired by Syria
- Osman’s Market – Famed Peckham juice spot
Strap on a bib for some messy (and FREE) taco-eating
This October, Coyo Taco is looking out for your clothes. They know that their popular Beef Birria taco can make an absolute MESS. That’s why, for National Taco Day, they’re launching the Birria Bib – “a limited-edition bib designed to catch every rogue drip, splash and cheese pull from its bestselling Beef Birria.”
On Sunday, October 4, the first 20 people in the queue will get a FREE Birria Bib, two Beef Birria tacos and extra consommé. That doesn’t mean everyone else is out of luck, though! The next 80 will also net themselves two FREE tacos each. They’ll just need to be more careful as they eat!
London’s many galleries and museums frequently host fascinating exhibitions, in addition to their already impressive permanent collections. Here are a few shows to check out this October for a dose of culture in the capital:
OPENING THIS OCTOBER
🤍 Korea (October 1, 2026 – January 31, 2027): The British Museum – a stunning showcase of Korean art and culture, with pieces that have never been seen before in the UK.
💛 Out of Season (October 2, 2026 – February 7, 2027): Paul Smith Space – a solo exhibition for Keith Ashley, showcasing paintings that bring dying flowers and high-rise buildings in urban landscapes together into the same composition.
💙 Renoir and Love (October 3, 2026 – January 31, 2027): National Gallery – the biggest collection of Renoir’s work in the UK since the last National Gallery run in 2007.
🧡 The 90s (October 8, 2026 – February 24, 2027): Tate Britain – retrospective exhibition exploring the decade’s art, design, fashion, and music.
🩵 Light and Magic (October 14, 2026 – February 21, 2027): Tate Modern – “the first major exhibition to explore pictorialism as a global movement”
💛 Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things (October 24, 2026 – January 17, 2027): V&A South Kensington – 8 of Freddie Mercury’s most iconic stage and performance outfits go on display.
CLOSING SOON
🩵 Queer as Comics (Ends October 4): Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration – “comics, strip cartoons, graphic novels and zines that have represented LGBTQIA+ perspectives since the 1940s”.
💜 Nigo: From Japan with Love (Ends October 4): London Design Museum – an exhibition dedicated to streetwear icon Nigo, with over 700 personal items from the visionary founder.
🩷 Fleurs de Villes DIANA (Ends October 6): Somerset House – world-premiere floral exhibition celebrating “the life and enduring legacy of Diana, Princess of Wales”.
🖤 Anish Kapoor (Ends October 18): Hayward Gallery – the influential and polarising artist “returns to the Hayward Gallery, where he staged his first major UK survey almost 30 years ago.“
💚 Kyotographie: Kawada Kikuji x Iwane Ai (Ends October 18): Japan House London – thought-provoking photographic exhibition featuring two major living Japanese photographers, Kawada Kikuji and Iwane Ai.
🖤 Lost Music Venues (Ends October 30): V&A – a nostalgia-tinged exhibition dedicated to UK music venues that have sadly shut down.
Laugh along at The Funny Club
This October, Brent Cross will be filled with the sound of laughter as The Funny Club touches down with two weekends of side-splitting performances. They’re promising 20 of the UK’s best-loved online comedy stars across four nights, and some seriously big laughs. Are you in?
And it’s all for a good cause, too! Each ticket sold helps support local mental health services, with all proceeds donated to Mind in Enfield and Barnet.
Find out more here.
Celebrate books at Wimbledon BookFest 2026
Bestselling writers, acclaimed performers, journalists, historians, and cultural figures of all sorts will descend upon Wimbledon this October for a glorious celebration of books, books, and more books. Across 10 days, there are over 100 events to check out, including a live podcast recording with Clare Balding, a discussion with Alan Davies, a discussion of African & Caribbean Storytelling, and much more. Other names attached to the festival include the likes of Sir Ian Botham, Julian Clary, Celia Imrie, Matt Haig, and Caitlin Moran.
Find out more here.
Go on a whistle-stop tour of Italy in these pasta-making workshops
This October, ALFI is putting pasta centre-stage and inviting diners to learn more about Italy by way of its wealth of pasta shapes and dishes. The ‘Pasta Passport’ takes guests on a pasta-shape-themed tour of Italy, without leaving London, across 5 hands-on workshops. Each class lasts two hours, and naturally comes with a glass of Prosecco to start – as well as the pasta itself!
The pasta workshops take place on the following dates:
- 3 October: Emilia-Romagna | Tagliatelle & Strozzapreti
- 11 October: Tuscany | Pici & Maltagliati
- 17 October: Sicily | Busiate & Casarecce
- 23 October: Amalfi | Maccheroni al Ferretto
- 31 October: Capri | Lemon & Ricotta Ravioli
Find out more and book here.
Be dazzled by a West End show
London is a world-class theatre destination thanks to its iconic West End. Who needs Broadway when you have this kind of talent, right in the heart of the city? Find out why our capital is so famous for its theatrical productions at these shows this October:
NEW OPENINGS
💔 The Cherry Orchard (October 3, 2026 – January 9, 2027): Harold Pinter Theatre – Kristin Scott Thomas and Stephen Mangan star in this new staging of Anton Chekhov’s bittersweet final play.
🤩 Fences (October 6 – 31): Lyric Hammersmith – August Wilson’s landmark play, where “[One] man’s past stands in the way of his family’s future.”
🎧 The Lives of Others (October 14, 2026 – January 9, 2027): Adelphi Theatre – a stage adaptation of Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s acclaimed film, about political resistance, surveillance, censorship, and the power of intimacy.
🎤 Jesus Christ Superstar (October 16, 2026 – January 9, 2027): Theatre Royal Drury Lane – Eurovision superstar Sam Ryder leads the latest revival of this iconic musical.
ENDING SOON
💖 My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?) (Ends October 3): Apollo Theatre – “autobiographical story of West End Musical Theatre star and social-media sensation Rob Madge, as they set out to recreate [a homemade childhood Disney] parade.”
🎭 Electra/Persona (Ends October 10): Lyttleton Theatre – a meta psychological merging of theatre and film, combining the Ancient Greek classic ‘Electra’ and Ingmar Bergman’s ‘Persona’.
🎼 Holy Fool (Ends October 10): Park Theatre – “At the height of Stalin’s regime, celebrated composer Dmitri Shostakovich walks a perilous tightrope. One wrong note could topple him; one perfectly judged crescendo might save his life.”
🗞️ The Story (Ends October 24): Olivier Theatre – “When a white teacher is killed in a black neighbourhood, four journalists race to get the headline – at any cost.”
Or explore the city’s boundary-pushing theatre
At these off-West End shows in London, you’ll find ground-breaking, boundary-pushing theatrical art being made. Explore the beating heart of live performance, and discover the future of theatre, at these thrilling productions:
🔥 Fire Fire (Ends October 3): Arcola Theatre – A drama exploring class tensions in climate activism against a South Essex backdrop.
👻 The Turn of the Screw (Ends October 10): Arcola Theatre – world premiere of a production based on “the seminal ghost story by Henry James”.
🤩 Shedinburgh (Ends October 10): The Young Vic – a residency taking over a bespoke theatre inside The Young Vic, with more than 40 performances from a variety of acts.
🎙️ ROLEPLAY (October 22 – November 21): Soho Theatre – “A struggling feminist podcaster reinvents herself in pursuit of fame, only to lose herself in the performance.”
💭 Memoriam (October 22 – November 21): Southwark Playhouse Borough – in a world where memories are turned into immersive VR experiences, is the memory of the last living Holocaust survivor something to preserve, or would doing so be an act of exploitation?
🍷 Table 17 (Ends October 24): Kiln Theatre – two exes attempt to hash things out after 7 years of not speaking, to find out whether they should give love a second chance.
🚘 Thelma & Louise: A New Musical (Ends October 24): Young Vic (Main House) – the iconic film gets a new musical treatment.
💭 Darkling (Ends October 24): Bush Theatre – a young girl in Bhopal, India, in 1984, dreams of more from life as a giant factory rises over her town.
🥊 Golden Boy (Ends October 31): Almeida Theatre – Emmy and Golden Globe winner Josh O’Connor stars in this revival of Clifford Odets’ “knockout American classic.”
🐖 HAM (Ends October 31): Soho Theatre – “A grief-stricken vegan seeks revenge for the death of a pig.”
Compete in the Ministry of Sound Games
Bringing together fitness competition and a world-class nightclub, the Ministry of Sound Games is hosting its final event this October. Working in pairs, you’ll work across 5 back-to-back workout zones in a wholly unique experience. And once you’ve set your score, be sure to stay for the after-party.
Find out more here.
This October, Jones’ Crumpets is opening a cafe dedicated to, you guessed it, crumpets. The menu will feature a variety of sweet and savoury options available to eat in or to grab and go. It’s a chance to enjoy what have been described as “the best crumpets you’ll ever buy”.
Or try another of London’s newest openings
There are always new venues opening up around our fair city, from tiny new eateries to luxe new restaurants and fun new bars. Check out these new openings this October, and be among the first to sample their wares:
🎵 Moonrays – a music-led cafe and bar spread across 3 floors, equally suited to working and group get-togethers. (Open now)
🥯 No.1 Princes Street – a taste of New York with bagels by day and a speakeasy at night. (Open now)
🍔 Milk Burger – an ultra-luxe new burger and Champagne restaurant with bougie burgers (such as Bone Marrow & Truffle) and paired champagne. (Opens October 5)
🍽️ Bistro 1922 – new all-day neighbourhood bistro from The Sloane Club. (Opens October 5)
🍸 Venus Bar – a new speakeasy bar beneath French brasserie, Brasserie Olivia. (Opens October 9)
🥧 Clementine – a new cafe from Anna Higham, the pastry chef behind the acclaimed Quince bakery, serving “breakfast, brunch and lunch rooted in… British seasonal cooking”. (Opens October 10)
🥘 The Crossing Indian Bistro – a criss-crossing menu of regional Indian food lands in London, following openings in Paris and Nice. (Opens October 15)
🍝Carmelina’s – a new Italian all day dining destination, “designed to echo classic vintage Italian restaurants”. (Opens October)
🍸 Carla’s – a seductive new cocktail bar beneath Carmelina’s, “serving innovative pours, for those not yet ready to call it a night.” (Opens October)
🍻 The Last Exchange – a new central London pub in Exchange Square, with “properly made British food, elevated pub classics and £5 pints”. (Opens October)
🍖 ROAST Shoreditch – the popular roast-centric Borough Market spot opens another roast-focused location. (Opens October)
To celebrate 50 years of feeding Mayfair diners, Langan’s is taking diners back in time, for one night only, and bringing back menu prices from 1976. I’m talking starters for as little as £1 each, and mains that start at just £4.50! They’ll be doling out hearty food and incredible savings from 11am until late.
Grab some new artwork from the Fair Play Art Fair
A brand new art fair is winging its way to London this October, with an artist-first model. The Fair Play Art Fair will present the work of 70 artists, hand-selected by an expert-led curatorial panel. The fair will remove upfront booth fees for artists, making it easier for collectors to “discover, connect with and purchase directly from independent artists.” Whether you’re just browsing or need a special new piece, you’re sure to find something exciting.
Find out more here.
Browse more fairs and markets
Looking for more fairs, markets, and shopping opportunities in London? Check out these events in the city this October:
- Queeriosities (Art and Makers Fair) (October 2-4) – Copeland Gallery in Peckham
- The Other Art Fair (October 8-11) – The Truman Brewery
- Big South London Flea (October 10) – Unit 8, Copeland Park, SE15 3SN
- Peckham Salvage Yard (October 11) – Unit 8, Copeland Park, SE15 3SN
- Hackney Flea Market (October 17-18) – Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0AS
- Hackney Flea Market (October 31 – November 1) – Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0AS
Eat your way through regional Indian cuisine
Over in Hugbury’s Top Cuvee, one of the city’s most exciting pop-ups is getting London’s diners excited about unique, regional Indian fare. Firangi has settled in at the esteemed wine spot for a three-month-long residency (its longest yet), serving up a sharing menu of bistro-style Indian cooking. Pair the food with a bottle or two from Top Cuvée’s selection of natural and biodynamic wines from independent winemakers, and you’ve got a winner of an evening on your hands.
Explore Seven Dials Market after dark
Throughout October, the popular Seven Dials Market is keeping its doors open late as it launches Dials After Dark. Every Friday and Saturday, from 7pm, the foodie destination will feature live music, DJs, and late-night entertainment – plus some of London’s best independent food traders!
Daylight Saving Time ends in October, and the clocks will go back from British Summer Time (BST) to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) on October 25. It means we’ll get an extra hour of sleep (YAY!), but we will lose an hour of daylight (BOO!).
Celebrate Indian classical music
This October, a 5-day celebration of Indian classical music will take over the Barbican. The Darbar Festival will bring together “internationally renowned Hindustani and Carnatic musicians for concerts, talks, family activities and immersive wellbeing experiences.” The festival allows Londoners to “experience centuries-old musical traditions in an accessible and contemporary setting.”
Find out more here.
Browse rare books
The Antiquarian Booksellers Association is bringing its expertise (and books!) to Chelsea this October with the latest instalment of its ABA Chelsea Rare Book Fair. The autumn book fair offers “collectors, bibliophiles, and curious passers-by the chance to get up close with beautiful bindings, pristine first editions, and unique curios.”
Find out more here.
Nosh on a unique meal
Want to have a truly unique meal in London this October? Head to these special dining experiences, encompassing pop-ups, one-off menus, collaborations, launches, and more.
🦞 For a limited time, Café Mondo is bringing a taste of New England to south-east London with a lobster roll special, created in partnership with Visit Maine. (October 2-4)
🖼️ Osteria Locatelli at the National Gallery will serve a new Renoir & Love-inspired menu in support of the major new exhibition. (October 3 – January 31)
🎣 Alasdair Gill is taking over Bentley’s Oyster Bar for one night to cook a special menu from his new book, ‘Knives and Spoon’. (October 5)
🐟 Newcastle’s Michelin-starred House of Tides will take over the kitchen at Solaya for two evenings only. (October 7 & 8)
🦐 Michelin-starred restaurant, The Ninth, is celebrating shellfish as part of its Single Ingredient Series of tasting menus, “celebrating a single ingredient at its peak”. (until October 10)
🍔 Heard Burger has linked up with Aktar Islam (Birmingham’s two Michelin-starred Opheem and London’s newly opened Oudh 1722) on a limited-edition menu with contemporary Indian flavours. (until October 11)
🔥 Rajen Patel of The Homies Kitchen is taking over The Broadcaster rooftop for a one-day-only Indian feast BBQ, with unlimited food for £39 per person. (October 11)
🌮 KOL is marking its 6th birthday with a special superstar chef collaboration celebration. Diners can enjoy interpretations of iconic Mexican dishes from Margo Henderson (Rochelle Canteen), Jeremy Lee (Quo Vadis), Chet Sharma (BiBi, Gymkhana), and Tomos Parry (Brat, Mountain). (October 18)
🍝 On World Pasta Day, NOCI is serving Cacio e Pepe for just 1p, btween 3-5pm. (October 25)
🍣 Los Mochis has launched CIELO, a new Sunday brunch concept with live sushi and ceviche stations, caviar and robata offerings, and indulgent desserts.
🥩 The Ginger Pig’s new Steak and Wine experience treats diners to 5 cuts of meat, chips, salad, sauces, and free-flowing Lirac wine, as they learn all about meat selection and cookery.
🍔 Peckham Cellars has launched an ultra-limited new ‘Txuleta Burger’, which is only available on Fridays and Saturdays. Only 10-15 of the Basque-inspired burgers are available a day.
Explore wine along London’s ‘Rioja Route’
This October, London’s leading Spanish restaurants are joining forces for a month-long celebration of Rioja wine. “The Rioja Route brings together leading restaurants across London, each offering an impressive selection of Rioja wines by the glass, food and wine pairings designed to showcase the versatility of the region, and a programme of special tasting events throughout October.” Participating venues include:
- Arros QD
- Camino
- El Pirata
- Maresco
- Sabor
Find out more here.
Or sip on some special drinks
So you’ve had some one-off meals, how about some unique drinking experiences? Whether it’s a collab, a bar takeover, or a special activation, there are some truly special sips to be had.
🍷 Lebanese restaurant Ishbilia has joined forces with Palestinian wine specialist Nabeeth on a special 5-course menu, “bringing together traditional Lebanese dishes with Palestinian wines”. (Available through October)
🍶 Yakitori restaurant Junsei is joining forces with sake expert Masayo San for a one-night collaboration for World Sake Day. (October 1)
👻 Aqua Kyoto and Aqua Nueva are launching a spook-tacular Halloween cocktail menu, “created in partnership with Casamigos Tequila, with six themed serves inspired by the worlds of The Ethereal, The Underworld and The In-Between.” (October 1 – November 1)
🥃 Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Week is taking over bars all around London for a 10-day celebration of bourbon, bartending and great hospitality. Find your nearest participating bar here. (October 9 – 18)
🍸 Sprout is launching a collaborative new cocktail menu with The Design Museum, ahead of the upcoming ‘Es Devlin: Other Worlds’ exhibition. Buy a drink, and you’ll get free entry to the exhibition! (October 9 – November 29)
🍹 Award-winning Istanbul bartender Burak Türkkan and Fable Cocktail Service will take over the cocktail and listening bar, Chiave, bringing the flavours and energy of Istanbul’s cocktail scene. (October 11)
🎵 Pérola Battersea has partnered up with the legendary Soho Jazz Club, Ronnie Scott’s, for a series of special live music nights. (October 15, November 19)
🍷 The Taberna, Legado’s tapas and pintxos bar in Shoreditch, continues its new Spanish wine tasting series with a sherry tasting. (October 15)
🍸 Brooklands Bar is inviting Chicago’s celebrated Japanese dining bar, Kumiko, behind the bar for one night only for a special cocktail collaboration. (October 21)
🍷 CLAP London’s new Wednesday wine deal offers guests a chance to try the new “Unlisted” menu, featuring a curated selection of 15 off-list rare bottles that aren’t readily available elsewhere. (Every Wednesday from 5pm)
🍸 Sipsmith is inviting gin fanatics to a one-night-only ‘Sipper Club’ for a welcome cocktail on Sipsmith’s gin bus before enjoying a 3-course meal amongst the distillery’s copper stills. (October 21)
🍷 The ‘wine-pub’ Godet will celebrate its 2nd birthday by going fully, unashamedly French across its wine for one day only. (October 24)
🍸 The K Bar has launched a Kensington at 9 martini special, where each classic martini ordered after 9pm comes with house-made, Irish-inspired crisps.
🀄 The Peninsula London has a weekly Mahjong Club in Canton Blue’s Tea Lounge. Mahjong Mondays treats guests to exclusive use of a Mahjong table, hand-pulled noodles, and an Apricot Gin and Yellow Baijiu Martini.
🍾 LUNA Omakase is partnering with Dom Pérignon this October for an exclusive 12-course pairing experience featuring four vintages from the champagne house.
🍹 MOTH and Dishoom have collaborated on a special twist on MOTH’s Mojito canned cocktail to offer up the MOTH: Rani Mojito, with Dishoom-made cardamom vermouth. The drink will be available across all Permit Room sites throughout October.
