Things to do
HALLOWEEN: It's the spookiest day of the year, and there are plenty of Halloween parties and events going on around London to celebrate. We've picked out a couple of highlights below, but there's plenty more terrifying fun in our complete guide to Halloween in London.
POP UP JUNGLE: Inject some greenery into your life — and we don't mean Halloween slime — at the Bergamotte pop-up jungle. The French plant shop brings more than 4,000 types of greenery to east London, in all manner of sizes and prices (beginning at £2), to encourage Londoners to green up their homes. It's card payment only, and no bags are provided, so bring your own if you think you could be tempted. Old Truman Brewery (Brick Lane), free entry, just turn up, 31 October-3 November
24/7: Somerset House’s new exhibition, 24/7, looks at the non-stop nature of modern lives, and how we can protect ourselves from it, through over 50 artworks. They include an isolation chamber, and a copper blanket which blocks out smartphone signals. Tying in with the exhibition, the Somerset House ice rink hosts some 24 hour openings this winter. Somerset House, £14/£11, book ahead, 31 October-23 February
CAFE CONVERSATIONS: It's the last event in Thames Clippers' Cafe Conversations series. Board a free sailing along the Thames aimed at anyone who struggles to meet new people, whether you're retired, work from home, or simply live far from friends and family. Enjoy interesting conversations about a variety of topics and ideas with friendly, like-minded people, while seeing London landmarks from the river. Battersea Power Station Pier, free, book ahead, 11.50am-1.05pm
ROOFTOP ICE RINK: Winter is coming, as evidenced by the opening of another of London's seasonal ice rinks. Take to the roof at Skylight for an evening that combines Halloween party with ice rink launch event. Be one of the first to try out the real-ice rooftop rink, kick back in those rooftop igloos, and dance the night away to live DJs. Skylight Tobacco Dock, £5-£15, book ahead, 5pm-11.30pm
HALLOWEEN AT KING'S CROSS: Halloween events needn't be expensive — King's Cross hosts a free, open-to-all Halloween party. Giant skeleton puppets, free face painting, dance performances, and LED skeleton drummers are all part of the fun — and there are prizes for the best skeleton costume. Granary Square (King's Cross), free, just turn up, from 5.30pm
HISTORY OF HAIR: Social and cultural historian Professor Joanna Bourke talks about how hair has been seen as symbolic of empowerment, deviance, and identity throughout history. The promotion of grooming products, military regulations and the political significance of facial hair are all covered. Barnard's Inn Hall (Holborn), free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm
NIGHTCLEANERS: Watch a screening of 1975 documentary Nightcleaners, about the campaign to unionise the women who cleaned office blocks at night, who were being underpaid. It was originally made as a campaign film, and is now recognised as an important political work of the 1970s. The screening is introduced by Sally Alexander, who was a leading figure in the Cleaners Action Group during the campaign. Bertha DocHouse (Bloomsbury), £12.50/£10, book ahead, 6.30pm
NOSFERATU: It seems apt to watch Nosferatu — widely-recognised as the world’s first horror film — on Halloween. The Cabinet of Living Cinema perform the live score in accompaniment to the 1922 black and white vampire film. Age 14+. Gunnersbury Museum, £20, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
BREXIT PARTY: Are we in? Are we out? In for now, but who knows what's coming? Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience toast the current political armageddon with a Halloween Brexit party that is set to end the world as we know it. A Boris lookalike DJs right through until the early hours. Jeff Wayne's The War Of The Worlds The Immersive Experience (Leadenhall Street), £12, book ahead, 8pm-2am
LATE NIGHT JAZZ: See London-based band Bonsai tootle their trumpets at Royal Albert Hall's Late Night Jazz. The jazz fusion group plays tracks from their new album, Bonsai Club. Royal Albert Hall, £5-£16.50, book ahead, 9.30pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Here's the only tube map you need today — one ghost for every central London tube station. If you want to know more about the Reclining Man of Liverpool Street, the Reflected Spook of Paddington, or the Spooky Squirrel of West Brompton, then step through the looking glass to our original article. Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube if you dare.
Good cause of the day
Book ahead for a chance to meet Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes next week. In addition to her sporting achievements, she's an Honorary Colonel in the British Army — hear her discussing her time in the military, the impact of this on her mental health and the importance of supporting veterans, with proceeds going to Stoll, which provides supported housing to vulnerable veterans. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- London Zoo's male silverback gorilla Kumbuka has died.
- Looks like Crossrail won't be fully up and running until 2022.
- The south London family choosing to live on a bench.
- London's first Muslim Pride event will take place in the spring.
