Things to do this week is sponsored by the London Symphony Orchestra.
All week
MENTAL WEALTH FESTIVAL: On World Mental Health Day, City Lit launches its Mental Wealth Festival, with a focus on the impact of connections on mental health through workshops and talks. All events are either free or low-cost. 9-14 October
PORTRAITS OF DOGS: Paintings, sculptures, drawings, works of art, and even taxidermy, feature in Portraits of Dogs: From Gainsborough to Hockney at the Wallace Collection, which looks at humans' relationship with dogs through the centuries. This week is your last chance to see it. Until 15 October
GIRAFFE TRAIL: A reminder that the free Croydon Stands Tall giraffe art trail is still on until the end of the month, with 30 large and 30 smaller statues dotted around the area, each one individually designed. FREE, until 27 October
DANCE UMBRELLA: The boundary-pushing Dance Umbrella festival continues, with shows from the likes of Jade Hackett and Ioanna Paraskevopoulou, and genres spanning hip hop, performance art, audio-visual experiences and operetta — in venues across London. Until 31 October
MONTH OF THE DEAD: The festival of death continues this week, with events including a guided tour of Nunhead Cemetery, and a tour focusing on the story of London's witches. Until 1 November
RUGBY WORLD CUP: Keeping up with all the action in France? The quarter finals of the Rugby World Cup are played in Paris and Marseille this weekend, and we know the best places in London to watch the action.
OKTOBERFEST: Raise a glass to London's Oktoberfest events and parties, which continue until the end of the month in true German style: sauerkraut, bratwurst, and plenty of beer.
EAT OF THE WEEK: Bloomsbury has a new bakery — Honey & Co. Daily does home-style Middle Eastern food: think bureka, sabich sandwiches and fig and goat's cheese salad. You'll find it on Store Street, and it's open Mon-Sat
LISTEN OF THE WEEK: The London Society has launched a new podcast, London Explained, and in the first fascinating episode, Dave Hill delves into the history of Earls Court, touching on everything from Hangover Square to Margaret Thatcher to the area's former nickname 'Kangaroo Valley'.
Monday 9 October
ES DEVLIN: The Design Museum offers an evening with artist and set designer Es Devlin, as she chats to Museum Director Tim Marlow about her new book, An Atlas of Es Devlin. 6pm-7pm
THOM BROWNE: Fashion designer Thom Browne celebrates the 20th anniversary of his brand — and the publication of his new monograph— with an online talk at the V&A. He chats to fashion writer and author Charlie Porter about the evolution of his brand, whose clients include Michelle Obama and Julia Roberts. 6.30pm-7.30pm
NO DIRECTION HOME: Aspiring comedians of refugee and migrant backgrounds perform alongside special guest headliners at Soho Theatre. Amy Gledhill hosts this month's No Direction Home, headlined by Catherine Bohart with guest performers Alaa Shehada, Diana Sweity and Hanna Shammas. 7.15pm
GRACE DENT: Food critic Grace Dent is at Islington Assembly Hall to discuss her podcast and book, Comfort Eating. She chats to actor and author Katy Wix about those things you eat when nobody is looking, the joy of comfort eating, and how good food doesn't always have to have the most expensive ingredients or hours of preparation. Watch in person or online via livestream. 7.30pm-8.45pm
OFF MENU LIVE: For two evenings, comedians Ed Gamble and James Acaster bring the live tour of their food podcast, Off Menu Live, to the Royal Albert Hall. See them quiz a special guest about their dream cuisine live on stage. 7.30pm (repeated tomorrow)
MONDAYS IN LONDON: Looking for something else to do, today or any other week? Take a look at our guide to things to do in London on a Monday — we've gathered together live music venues, comedy and cabaret clubs which keep going on what is usually the quietest day of the week, along with guided walks and tours scheduled on a Monday, and a few special offers too.
Tuesday 10 October
MATHS OF BOARD GAMES: An utterly fascinating-sounding talk by Prof Sarah Hart at Gresham College looks at the maths of games. "Why are there chess Grandmasters, but not Grandmasters of noughts and crosses? It is because chess is “harder” – but what do we really mean by that? Answering that question leads us to develop the idea of mathematical complexity, which is a measure of how ‘big’ a game is." FREE, 1pm-2pm
REBUILDING LONDON: Guildhall Library offers an insight into how London was rebuilt after much of it was destroyed in the Great Fire. Hear about some of the individual people who were involved in the rebuilding and reorganisation, helping to shape the capital into what it is today. Watch either in person at Guildhall Library, or online. FREE, 2pm-3pm
POST-WAR PLAYGROUNDS: London Metropolitan Archives offers a free talk about how the bombsites around London in the 1950s were turned into junk playgrounds, with children using waste materials as play apparatus. Hear from Professor Ben Highmore about how there came to be around 100 of these playgrounds in the capital. FREE, 2pm-4pm
ALAN PARTRIDGE: Aha! The inimitable Alan Partridge makes an appearance at Waterstones Piccadilly, to celebrate the launch of his new book, Big Beacon, which tells the story of how he managed to rebuild both his TV career and an abandoned lighthouse in Kent. The event includes a book signing on a first come, first served basis. 6.30pm
CHARITY COMEDY: World Homelessness Day and World Mental Health Day are marked at The Comedy Store with Laughter to the Rafters, a charity comedy night headlined by Dara O’Briain. Sooz Kempner, Esther Manito, Dinesh Nathan, Stuart Goldsmith, Lorna Rose Treen, Catherine Bohart and Daniel Foxx are also on the line-up. 7.30pm
THE CREEPS: Stay up late to watch The Creeps, a programme of short films shown at the Prince Charles Cinema as part of the BFI London Film Festival. Expect films from all over the world, including cult tales, uncanny encounters and journeys into the unknown. 9pm
Sponsor message
2-for-1 tickets to a bite-sized Beethoven concert at the Barbican
To call Beethoven’s 7th Symphony enthralling would be a bit of an understatement. Its stirring second movement is a favourite for climactic scenes in blockbusters like The King’s Speech and X-Men: Apocalypse for good reason – and this Wednesday you can experience its majesty in a short-but-oh-so-sweet London Symphony Orchestra concert at the Barbican.
This is the latest event in the LSO's Half Six Fix series, which is all about demystifying orchestral music and delivering it in easily digestible chunks — so no worries if you're new to this genre, or don't fancy committing to a whole evening of music. Each concert lasts just an hour and consists of a single symphony, preceded by an introduction from your conductor. This time, it's Sir Antonio Pappano, who'll reveal all sorts of fascinating titbits about Beethoven's 7th, which the man himself regarded as one of his best.
To help you dig even deeper into this beautiful piece of music, there’s a digital programme guide, plus big screen close-ups of the musicians as they play. And it’s all over by 7.30pm – leaving you with plenty of time afterwards to grab drinks or dinner. Why not bring a pal and really make an evening of it? With 2-for-1 tickets available with the code LDN23HSF, you’ve got a great excuse to treat yourself!
Wednesday 11 October
HIROSHI SUGIMOTO: Hayward Gallery at Southbank Centre holds the largest retrospective to date of work by Japanese photographer and architect Hiroshi Sugimoto. Time Machine showcases thought-provoking works dating back 50 years, including key works from all of the artist's major photographic series, as well as lesser-known pieces. 11 October 2023-7 January 2024
ART FAIRS: Three of London's biggest art fairs take place in this week, bringing members of the art industry from all over the globe back to the capital. First up, Frieze London launches today, setting up shop in Regent's Park, with galleries showcasing work by contemporary artists in a variety of mediums. If that's all a bit spendy for you, check out the nearby Frieze Sculpture, a free outdoor art gallery that's open to everyone. 11-15 Ocober
AI AND THE LAW: How are emerging technologies disrupting the legal system? Prof Sandra Wachter looks at data protection, non-discrimination, free speech, libel, and liability laws in the age of generative AI, in this Gresham lecture. FREE, 6pm
HISTORY OF WOMEN: Author Annabelle Hirsch is at Stanfords Battersea to discuss her new book, A History of Women in 101 Objects, with author and broadcaster Salena Godden. Hear about extraordinary and everyday objects which tell a new story of female history. 6.30pm-8pm
CHARLES IGNATIUS SANCHO: Author and actor Paterson Joseph tells the story of Charles Ignatius Sancho, a Black man who escaped slavery and ended up in London where he met the King and became the first Black person to vote in Britain. It's an online event, hosted by the National Archives. 7.30pm
SHAKE WITH LAUGHTER: Head to The Comedy Store to be entertained by comedians including Gbemi Oladipo (MC), Ola Labib, Phil Jerky, Nabil Abdulrashid, Jenny Collier, Fatiha El-Ghorri and Ania Magliano, all to raise money for a good cause. Shake With Laughter supports Parkinsons UK. 8pm
Thursday 12 October
THE OTHER ART FAIR: The second of those two big art fairs this week is The Other Art Fair, which takes over the Old Truman Brewery with a focus on artworks available for all budgets, from over 100 artists. There are also immersive installations, live performances, DJs and other entertainment to make it more of an all-round experience. 12-15 October
ROUNDHOUSE RISING: For more than a decade, the annual Roundhouse Rising festival has showcased and supported diverse music talent through gigs, workshops and industry events. That continues this year, with performances across three days, kicking off with BBC Introducing Live tonight. 12-14 October
LONDON COCKTAIL WEEK: London Cocktail Week claims to be the biggest cocktail festival in the world, and who are we to argue? Buy yourself a festival wristband for £15 to get access to £8 signature cocktails at hundreds of bars across the capital from today. There are also cocktail tours, special menus and other events going on. 12-22 October
WIMBLEDON BOOKFEST: Clive Myrie, Ben Okri, Afua Hirsch, Peter Frankopan, Wes Streeting, Anne Enright, Paterson Joseph, Kate Mosse and Steve Backshall are among the speakers at this year's Wimbledon BookFest, which has a theme of culture, community and global connection. 12-22 October
AFRICAN LITERATURE: Literature has always played a key role in social and political life in Africa. Writers like Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Chinua Achebe, Obi Wali and poets Christopher Okigbo and Stella Nyanzi have long been seen as key thinkers and engaged intellectuals. Tracing this history, this Gresham lecture by Prof Madhu Krishnan shows how creative work changes society and discusses the role of literary collectives such as Chimureng, Jalada, and Bakwa. FREE, 6pm
ANAESTHESIA HISTORY: Working anaesthetist Dr Matthew Heron puts his syringe aside for the evening to give a talk about the grisly early days of anaesthesia, and the risky uses of ether and chloroform. Takes place at the Old Operating Theatre near London Bridge. 6pm-8.30pm
TERRY PRATCHETT: The late, great author Terry Pratchett is celebrated at a special event at Bloomsbury Theatre. Specifically, The Magic of Terry Pratchett celebrates his famed Discworld series, which marks its 40th anniversary this year. Author and comedian Marc Burrows hosts the journey through Pratchett's life and work. 7.30pm
Friday 13 October
AFRICAN ART FAIR: Another day, another art fair. 62 exhibitors from 31 different countries descend on Somerset House for 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair. See work by African artists across a range of mediums including painting, sculpture and installation. Works from established artists such as Joana Choumali, Ibrahim El-Salahi and Soly Cissé sit alongside pieces by young and emerging artists including Josué Comoe, Anya Paintsil and Edozie Anedu. 13-15 October
OM YOGA SHOW: Head to Alexandra Palace this weekend for the Om Yoga Show, apparently the biggest yoga gathering in Europe with open classes led by the world's top teachers, along with 200 exhibitors offering yoga accessories, clothing, jewellery, retreats and more. 13-15 October
BLOOMSBURY FESTIVAL: Beginning with a street food and flower market on Store Street this afternoon, Bloomsbury Festival celebrates the area's arts, culture and science, through more than 100 events across nine days, including theatre, music, exhibitions, talks and walks. 13-22 October
DISNEY100: The centenary of the Walt Disney Company is celebrated with a huge exhibition, Disney100, opening today at ExCel. It spans 10 galleries, covering films, theme parks and more. The carousel horse which Dick Van Dyke rode in Mary Poppins (1964) and the crystal glass slipper from Cinderella (2015) are among the exhibits. From 13 October
FASHION CITY: Coats worn by Princess Diana and Dot Cotton, alongside items from high street retailers including M&S, Wallis and Moss Bros are part of Museum of London Docklands' Fashion City exhibition, which looks at how the Jewish tailors and designers of the East End shaped fashion worldwide. 13 October 2023-14 April 2024
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY: One of our favourite annual exhibitions, Wildlife Photographer of the Year returns to the Natural History Museum for its 59th incarnation from today. See photos of animals and the natural world taken by photographers all over the globe, including the overall winners (announced on 10 October). 13 October-30 June
Saturday 14 October
JAPAN EXHIBITION: The first exhibition at the newly reopened Young V&A in Bethnal Green is Japan: Myths to Manga, which explores how landscape and folklore have influenced Japan's culture, technology and design. In keeping with the spirit of the museum, it's family-friendly, with manga-making, Taiko drumming and other hands-on activities to take part in. From 14 October
RUMFEST: As if there wasn't enough booze flying around for London Cocktail Week (above), The Rumfest takes over the ILEC Conference Centre in Earl's Court for two days of tastings, seminars and masterclasses themed around the spirit. 14-15 October
FAMILY FILM CLUB: Take the kids along to Family Film Club at Barbican Cinema — this week's film is Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken, a newly-released Dreamworks animation about a teenage girl who discovers that she's a giant kraken princess tasked with saving the oceans. 11am
CABARET: Karla Bear and Tanya Hyde are on cabaret duties at legendary LGBTQ+ club The Two Brewers in Clapham tonight, while DJ Demon and DJ Sam Londt take the decks later on in the night. The joint is open for 11 hours, so make sure you pace yourself! It's free entry before 9pm. 5pm-4am
LOUD WOMEN: Anarchopunk party band Hagar the Womb, cyborg-housewife-glitch-kitsch-supermarketcore group The Red Stains, and London's own Twat Union are on a line-up overspilling with talented female bands, at the Hope & Anchor Islington's Loud Women night. From 6pm
MURDER MYSTERY EVENING: Valence House in Dagenham hosts a murder mystery evening, where you need to work with your fellow detectives to solve clues. Ticket includes a welcome drink and evening meal. Age 18+. 7pm-10pm
DIANA ROSS: Legendary Motown singer Diana Ross brings her Music Legacy Tour to the Royal Albert Hall for two evenings. See her perform hits from her solo career, as well as her time as lead singer of The Supremes, including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, and Stop! In the Name of Love. 7.30pm (repeated tomorrow)
JAMALI MADDIX: Comedian and Taskmaster star Jamali Maddix headlines Plosive's night of stand-up in Dulwich tonight — supported by Kemah Bob, Tamsyn Kelly and Morgan Rees. 8pm-10.30pm
Sunday 15 October
VINTAGE KILO SALE: Give your wardrobe a refresh at the Croydon Vintage Kilo Sale, taking place at Fairfield Halls. Stock is priced by weight, at £20 per kilo, but there's no minimum or maximum purchase. 10am-4pm
MORDEN HALL: Take a breezy 45-minute guided tour of Morden Hall Park in south London today, walking along the meandering Wandle, and learning how this river was used to manufacture everything from textiles to snuff. FREE, 11am and 12.30pm
WALLACE COLLECTION TOUR: With a collection of 5,500 works, the Wallace Collection contains many Black presences — but often, they are hidden. Black History Walks offers a guided tour of the gallery, focusing on the religious, cultural and social significance of the Black presence in the artworks. 11am-1pm
GARDEN TOUR: Join a member of the garden team for a guided walk around the gardens of Fulham Palace. You'll hear about the history of the green space, including how it has been used by the different resident Bishops of London, as well as projects which the current team are working on. Age 14+. 12.30pm-1.45pm
ST GILES: Take a walk with guide Laura Agustin through the central neighbourhood of St Giles to uncover a history of Londoners who weren't famous, well-educated or well-heeled. You'll see buildings set up to 'rescue' the poor from their misery - but were they always so miserable? This tour looks at middle-class prejudices and attempts to improve things that often punished the poor. 1pm
ARSENAL V VILLA: The Emirates Stadium in north London hosts this afternoon's clash between Arsenal Women and Aston Villa Women — and tickets are as little as £13.65 for adults, so worth going even if you're a neutral. KO 2pm
THE NOTEABLES: If, to paraphrase Andy Bernard, you love the sound of voices, singing unencumbered by instruments, then The Noteables are for you. The acapella pop chamber choir appear for two shows at Waterloo's Union Theatre today. 4pm and 7.30pm
SUNDAY CONCERT: It's the turn of the Eusebius Quartet to headline this week's Sunday Concert at Conway Hall. The group, formed in 2016, perform works by Haydn, Bartok and Beethoven as part of Europe's longest-running series of chamber concerts. 6.30pm
DARREN CRISS: American actor and singer-songwriter Darren Criss is at the London Palladium for one night only. He performs the hits of his career, with his four-piece band and special guests, Starkid’s Lauren Lopez and Joey Richter. 8pm
Good cause of the week
Remember the Ever After Garden — the carpet of 25,000 illuminated white roses in Grosvenor Square? Well, it's back from 16 November 2023. You are invited to dedicate a rose in memory of a loved one, whilst making a donation in support of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Participants can hand-write their own dedication or, if unable to visit in person, can have the dedication written by a steward. The now-annual tradition has raised £450,000 since it was first created in 2019.
