Looking for something fun to do today? Something eye-opening to watch tonight? Something delicious to eat tomorrow? Our guide on things to do this week in London is personally curated, ensuring there's always a diverse range of events for you to choose from. Get stuck in!
All week
AMERICAN WRITERS' WEEK: The British Library presents a series of events for American Writers' Week, featuring authors, Pulitzer Prize-winners, and graphic novelists from the USA. On the programme: Joyce Carol Oates, Alison Bechdel, Armistead Maupin, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Daniel Kraus, Jeanine Cummins, Rabih Alameddine and Katie Kitamura, with events available to watch in person, or online. 28 September-2 October 2026
FROM JAPAN WITH LOVE: A major retrospective of Japanese creative director NIGO charts his career from Harajuku streetwear to international fashion and design at the Design Museum. View more than 700 objects from his personal collection, including a recreation of his teenage bedroom, until this weekend. Until 4 October 2026
PORTRAIT AWARD: The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery showcases contemporary portrait painting, including this year's prizewinners Marc Dalessio, Chloe Cox, Michael Slusakowicz and Joel Nichols. FREE, until 7 October 2026
OKTOBERFEST: Raise a stein and embrace the spirit of Munich with various Oktoberfest in London events happening in London this week, and over the coming weeks. Pubs, bars and restaurants are among those serving special menus, with beer and bratwurst aplenty, often with an oompah band soundtrack thrown in.
EAT OF THE WEEK: Chiswick's got a new neighbourhood restaurant in Brook & Green, doing breakfasts and brunches (think ricotta hotcakes, seasonal fruit, sour cream, maple syrup), big plates (sea bass, brown shrimp butter, Jersey Royals) — plus a wine room serving by the glass, alongside small plates and snacks, inc. moreish-sounding anchovy and parmesan twists.
Monday 28 September
TRACING ELIZABETH: Susanna Menis, a Lecturer in Law at Birkbeck, is at the London Archives in Clerkenwell to offer an insight into the life of 19th‑century repeat offender Elizabeth Curdew, using microhistory to explore crime, punishment and gendered treatment within the Victorian justice system. The event is linked to the current Londoners on Trial exhibition. 12pm
KYIV INDEPENDENT: Journalists from the Kyiv Independent are at Kings Place for their first live event in London. Hear firsthand about the reality of war in Ukraine, the important role of independent journalism, and how the picture on the front line is changing: an insight into a world at war, beyond the headlines. 6pm-9pm
FOOTBALL'S ALTERNATIVE PRESS: Daniel Gray discusses his new book, Fanzine: The Story Of Football's Alternative Press, at The Volley on Old Street. Hear about the fanzine movement, which began as fans of many teams were demonised as hooligans in the 1980s, and gave supporters a voice and changed football forever. FREE, 6.30pm
WALLACE AT WAR: In 1942, amidst the Second World War, Hertford House in Marylebone — AKA the Wallace Collection — hosted two exhibitions that transformed the empty galleries into a forum for Anglo-Soviet friendship. Tonight, art historian Andy Friend discusses that exhibition, including how artists’ views of the Soviet Union shaped their work across the 1930s and wartime years, and how the Artists International Association sought to bring socially conscious art to the masses and help artists fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe. 6.30pm-7.30pm
ROGER TAYLOR: Queen's legendary songwriter, drummer and singer Roger Taylor returns to the Roundhouse in Camden for his only UK shows this year, celebrating his seventh solo album, Violence Insane In A Beautiful World. He is backed by a live band including keyboardist Spike Edney and drummer Tyler Warren. 7pm
UNDERCOVER DETECTIVE: Former Scotland Yard undercover officer and Channel 4’s Hunted star Peter Bleksley discusses the dangerous realities of murder investigations at Greenwich Theatre. He shares stories of infiltrating criminal gangs, becoming the target of a murder plot and entering witness protection. Age 16+. 7.30pm
INCURABLE WOMEN: At the Old Operating Theatre Museum in Southwark, theatre performance The City for Incurable Women explores the history of hysteria through a psychiatric hospital in 1880s Paris and a storyteller tracing its echoes into the present. The show is followed by an evening view of the museum. Age 14+. 7.30pm-9pm
Tuesday 29 September
ANIMAL FARM: Dov Citron adapts and performs his one-man show of Orwell's Animal Farm at Barons Court Theatre, seen through the eyes of Moses the Raven. The 60-minute piece mixes storytelling, physical theatre and live sound to explore revolution, power and belief. 29 September-3 October 2026
JUDY JOO: Renowned Korean chef Judy Joo joins Chef Director Arturo Granato for a one-night-only four-course menu at Galvin Bistrot in Spitalfields. Expect dishes which blend contemporary Korean flavours with French‑Mediterranean techniques, with an optional wine pairing. 5.30pm
BIG MASSIVE: London jazz band Big Massive returns to Next Door Records Two in Hackney after a year-long break, with new material rooted in hip hop, ambient, jungle and groove-driven music. The show explores new sonic territory while drawing on evolving jazz scenes across the US. 7pm
MICHAEL PALIN: Broadcasting legend Michael Palin discusses his latest travel book, Michael Palin in the Philippines, with award-winning author and geographer Nicholas Crane at Conway Hall in Holborn. The Stanfords event includes exclusive early access to the richly illustrated account of Palin’s journey through the island nation. 7pm-8.30pm
DUMB FUN COMEDY: Take in a night of new material from London comics as Dumb Fun Comedy comes to The Phoenix in Cavendish Square. The exact line-up isn't revealed in advance, but you can get 20% off food at The Phoenix before the show. 7pm-10pm
Wednesday 30 September
ST MICHAEL'S PLAYERS: St Michael's Players present Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Dario Fo's dark, farcical take on the death of Giuseppe Pinelli, an Italian anarchist railway worker who mysteriously died after "falling" from a window. The production mixes political satire with slapstick, and takes place at St Michael's Centre in Chiswick. 30 September-3 October 2026
LONDON'S MYTHICAL MONSTERS: Steel your nerves, and spend an evening delving into the history of London's mythical monsters and human villains. Guide Pete Smith gives a talk at the London Archives, telling some dark stories from around the capital, both supernatural and human. 5.30pm
VADIM KOSMOS: Explore Hackney's Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities on a guided tour with emeritus director Vadim Kosmos. The subterranean museum contains curiosities including dodo bones, mermaids, fairies, occult art, taxidermy and the Cabinet of Monsters. A glass of Devil’s Botany Chocolate Absinthe Liqueur is included in your ticket. 6pm
WINE DINNER: The latest in a series of intimate wine dinners at Michael Caines at The Stafford (St James's) pairs a five-course menu with wines from Taylor’s and Fladgate Family Wines, hosted in The Stafford’s historic wine cellar. The evening is presented by André Luís Martins of Fladgate and features dishes such as Orkney scallops, roast sea bass and grouse. 6.30pm-10pm
BABA YAGA: The monthly Bloomsbury Folklore Club meeting at Waterstones Gower Street — hosted by George Hoyle and Vanessa from storytelling collective Connection With Wonder — combines an illustrated talk on Baba Yaga with storytelling, live music and a Q&A. 7pm-8.30pm
DIRE STRAITS: bROTHERS iN bAND — a tribute group to rock band Dire Straits — are at Artsdepot in Finchley for a full-power musical show paying powerful homage through a line-up of the best of Dire Straits' studio and live recordings. 7.30pm
KOOL STORY BRO: Kiell Smith-Bynoe of Ghosts fame leads a recorded instalment of Kool Story Bro, in which he and his improv group riff off the anecdotes of audience members. We've been before, and the audience have some unhinged material to work off... It's at the Albany in Deptford. 7.30pm-9.50pm
ABBAMANIA: Millfield Theatre in Edmonton welcomes AbbaMania, a live tribute concert touring since 1999. Expect vocals, musicianship and arrangements aiming to recreate the energy of an ABBA concert, spinning you through the band's greatest hits. 7.30pm-9.50pm
Thursday 1 October
CHELSEA HISTORY FESTIVAL: The National Army Museum, the Royal Hospital Chelsea and Chelsea Physic Garden team up again for Chelsea History Festival, which covers local, national and global history through walks, talks and other events. 1-4 October 2026
BLOOMSBURY FESTIVAL: After a truncated, three-day version of Bloomsbury Festival took place last year, it's back to full strength for 2026, taking place throughout the month of October to celebrate its 20th anniversary. A medical comedy night, filmmaking workshops, guided tours, Diwali celebrations and museum treasure hunts are all on the programme. 1-31 October 2026
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: October is Black History Month, honouring the all-too-often unheralded accomplishments of Black Britons in all fields throughout history. It's national, but we've picked a few highlights happening in London this month, including walks, talks and tours. 1-31 October 2026
MONTH OF THE DEAD: Ghoulishly good festival of death Month of the Dead is back, with talks on the macabre, cemetery tours, silent horror film screenings, and a necrocopia of other events taking a cerebral look at death and the afterlife. Tickets are selling fast, with some events already sold out. 1 October-1 November 2026
KOREA EXHIBITION:The big news at the British Museum at the moment is the (sold-out) Bayeux Tapestry exhibition, but it's also opening Korea, which looks at the peninsula's history and cultural life through objects including ceramics, Buddhist sculpture, paintings and items associated with royal courts. 1 October 2026-31 January 2027
1980S LONDON: Author Hazel Atashroo discusses the Greater London Council’s 1980s poster and public-art campaigns, using originals from The London Archives collection and her book London’s Ours! Expect a display of archive materials, and a 60-minute talk, followed by Q&A and a book-signing at The London Archives. 6pm-8pm
CARIBBEAN SUPPER CLUB: The Sound Lounge in Sutton serves up a vegan Caribbean-inspired supper with The Common Vegan and the kitchen team. The menu includes callaloo and plantain fritters, jerk chick’n on Jamaican bammy, no-mutton curry with rice and peas, coconut and caramel cake, and a chocolate truffle with Kahlua praline. 7pm-9.30pm
MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY: Professor Deborah Kahn of Boston University discusses Mount Auburn Cemetery at Highgate Cemetery. Founded in 1831 as both a cemetery and experimental garden, the Boston site offers a thought-provoking counterpoint to Highgate’s own garden-cemetery history, with its landscaped grounds and memorials to 19th-century Bostonians. 7.30pm-9.30pm
GRAPPLING WITH GHOSTS: Dr James Harvey launches his memoir Grappling With Ghosts at the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith. He discusses and reads from his journey from rural Donegal to postwar London and the United States, followed by audience questions, an audiovisual presentation and a book signing. 7.30pm
Friday 2 October
BIG DRAW FESTIVAL: The Big Draw Festival, a worldwide celebration of drawing, is launched at the apt venue of the House of Illustration, which opened earlier this year in Clerkenwell. Across two days, take part in workshops, talks and activities for all ages for both lifelong artists and enthusiastic doodlers. 2-3 October 2026
LONDON LATINO FILM FESTIVAL: The inaugural London Latino Film Fest presents around 60 films from across Latin America and its diasporas, staged across multiple London venues with screenings, Q&As, industry sessions and a community programme. 2-6 October 2026
OSSIE CLARK: The Fashion and Textile Museum's newest exhibition Ossie Clark/Celia Birtwell spotlights the life and work of legendary rock-and-roll fashion designer Ossie Clark and his collaborator and wife Celia Birtwell. 2 October 2026-April 2027
NIGERIAN DESIGN: Explore how Nigerian culture and design are represented across the V&A collections at Spotlight on Nigeria at the V&A in South Kensington. The programme includes curator insights, artist conversations, gallery journeys and a special tour of Nigerian objects spanning ceramics, silver, design, and theatre and performance. 12pm-6pm
MODERN-DAY MONUMENTS MEN: Serving officers from the British Army’s Cultural Property Protection Unit discuss how they safeguard historic sites, monuments and artworks during armed conflict at the National Army Museum in Chelsea. The free discussion covers the unit’s expertise in archaeology, museums, heritage and law, and its work advising commanders, supporting deployments and delivering training under the 1954 Hague Convention. FREE, 12pm-1pm
MUNGRUL: SW London five-piece band Mungrul launch their new single at The Fighting Cocks in Kingston upon Thames, blending moshing and “Angry Man’s Jazz” with support from alt-rock outfit Burn and London singer-songwriter Reece Quick. 7.30pm
Saturday 3 October
CROYDON HARVEST: Central Croydon goes into full autumnal mode with two days of free, family-friendly harvest celebrations. Attractions include Farm Yard Circus, a fortune-telling 'learned pig' (this one's a puppet), fruit and vegetable carving workshops from Fruitima, historic pub tours and folk music/dance performances. There are also craft and food stalls. FREE, 3-4 October 2026
VINTAGE BUS RIDES: For one day, the London Bus Museum runs buses dating from the 1930s-70s on a short stretch of the 106 route, between Finsbury Park and Ash Grove Bus Station on Mare Street, via Stoke Newington, Clapton and Hackney Central. You can hop on board for free. FREE, 10am-5pm
HARVEST FESTIVAL: Celebrate the harvest at Morden Hall Park with apple-pressing demonstrations, folk music and Morris dancing from Black Swan Border Morris, and interactive sessions with nature educator Professor Queen Bee. Punch and Judy shows are staged for younger visitors and the Wimbledon Beekeepers Association present a pollinators exhibition and announce their honey competition winners. FREE, 11am-3.30pm
SEWING MACHINE MUSEUM: The monthly opening of Balham's little-known Sewing Machine Museum is a chance to view a private collection of dozens of the machines, including one made by Pollack & Schmidt from 1865, which was presented to Queen Victoria's firstborn daughter, Vicky. Entry is free but charity donations are very welcome. 2pm-5pm
HIDDEN LONDON: Novelists Vikki Heywood and Francis Spufford discuss hidden histories of 20th-century London, drawing on Heywood’s Miss Veal and Miss Ham and Spufford’s Nonesuch. They read from and talk about their books and the ways fiction uncovers private lives and acts of resilience, at Southbank Centre. 3pm
ICE HOCKEY: Support the local Haringey Huskies as they take on Basingstoke Bison at Alexandra Palace’s Ice Rink. The fast-paced evening is suitable for all ages, with an hour-long ice disco available straight after the game. Read our guide to ice hockey in London for an introduction (or refresher) on the sport. Doors 5pm
BOLLYWOOD LEGEND: Bollywood actor Aftab Shivdasani headlines a live evening at Harrow Arts Centre, joined by singers Aaman Trikha and Mayuri Patalia. Expect music and performances celebrating Shivdasani's film career, including Masti, Om Shanti Om and Kambakkht Ishq. 7pm
CABLE STREET GIG: Kachette in Shoreditch hosts a gig marking 90 years since the Battle of Cable Street in London's East End. Fashion label Sports Banger and Ras Peter/Ras Joseph's King Alpha Sound System are bringing the sounds. As they say: "Fascists hate dancing. That's why we are honoured to be at Cable Street 90 — united in the spirit of rave and resistance." 8pm
Sunday 4 October
SUNDAY ROAST: BBQ savants From The Ashes have brought their Sunday roast back to the Five Points Taproom & Courtyard in London Fields, with the likes of beef rump and porchetta cooked over charcoal and oak. If you've room left, there's doughnut bread and butter pudding for afters.
NFL IN LONDON: Across three Sundays in October, starting today, American Football teams play at two different stadiums here in London. Tottenham Hotspur and Wembley both host NFL in London games this season, though tickets sold out quite quickly so are hard (but not impossible) to come by now. 4-18 October 2026
APPLE DAY: Fulham Palace celebrates the orchard harvest with its annual Apple Day, a family-friendly event featuring market stalls, a tombola, a baking contest, garden games, storytelling, children's crafts and other activities. 10am-4pm
JAPAN MATSURI: Free festival Japan Matsuri returns to Trafalgar Square for a one-day celebration of Japanese culture. It features stage performances including traditional music and dance, martial arts demonstrations, food stalls around the fountains, craft and retail stalls, plus an information centre. FREE, 10am-8pm
ANIMAL SHORTS: A morning of nature-inspired activities begins with Cinemini for toddlers at David Lean Cinema, followed by short films featuring animals at noon. Children can then create miniature animal habitats from natural materials and found objects. 10.30am-2.30pm
LITTLE HOLLAND HOUSE: Carshalton's Little Holland House is a romantic Arts and Crafts gem of a house, built by designer and craftsman Frank R. Dickinson, who was inspired by the styles of William Morris and John Ruskin. The monthly open day is a chance to see inside and view furniture created by Dickinson and still in situ. FREE, 10.30am-4.30pm
WOMEN OF ISLINGTON: Guide Jonathan Wober leads a tour of Islington, tracing the lives of women from the 16th to the 21st centuries who made significant contributions to philanthropy, politics, literature, sport, leisure, community activities, music, film, theatre and the arts. 2.30pm
KIKUYU LAND: Genesis Cinema in Whitechapel screens Kikuyu Land, following a Nairobi journalist investigating a land dispute involving local government and a powerful multinational corporation. The film is followed by an in-person Q&A with director and protagonist Bea Wangondu. 3pm
ALEXIA GARDNER: Jazz vocalist Alexia Gardner returns to the 606 Club in Chelsea to perform timeless jazz classics of yesteryear (spiced up with some reggae and Latin tunes), alongside saxophonist Tony Kofi. 8pm
