All weekend
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: Disney's High School Musical cheerleads its way into the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre from Monday, marking 20 years since the film first introduced us to Troy, Gabriella and the students of East High. 12 October 2026-3 January 2027
LIGHT AND MAGIC: Light and Magic is Tate Britain's celebratory exhibition on pictorialism, the first international art photography movement, developed across the world from the 1880s. 14 October 2026-21 February 2027
SNAP HAPPY: The latest exhibition at the Photographers' Gallery, Snap Happy! looks at the history of children as photographers — from post-war camera clubs and school projects to magazines, manuals, toys and family snapshots. View photographs and archival material showing how photography became an everyday pastime for younger generations. 14 October 2026-21 February 2027
WALLACE & GROMIT: Lightroom in King's Cross launches Larger Than Life, an immersive 50‑minute experience from Aardman that projects Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Morph and archival material across Lightroom's four 11‑metre walls and floor. From 14 October 2026
FAIR PLAY: Brand new event Fair Play Art Fair is at One Marylebone, bringing together 70 independent artists, each chosen by a selection committee, to showcase and sell their work. Unusually for an art fair, there's no upfront booth fee for the artists, making it more accessible for creatives from all backgrounds (hence the event's name). Look out for a programme of artist-led supper clubs, DJ nights and interactive experiences alongside the contemporary art. 15-18 October 2026
WIMBLEDON BOOKFEST: Elif Shafak, Celia Imrie, Robert Harris, Mary Beard and Sebastian Barry are among the speakers at this year's Wimbledon BookFest, which takes place at venues around central Wimbledon throughout this weekend and into next week. 15-25 October 2026
SHONIBARE AND GAINSBOROUGH: Yinka Shonibare's 1998 work 'Mr. and Mrs Andrews without their Heads' is displayed alongside Thomas Gainsborough's original 'Mr and Mrs Andrews' at the National Gallery, allowing visitors to compare one of Britain’s most celebrated works and its reimagining, side by side. FREE, 15 October 2026-7 February 2027
LOVE NEVER DIES: Phantom of the Opera sequel Love Never Dies is performed in concert at the London Palladium, starring cast members including Jamie Muscato, Celinde Schoenmaker and George Blagden in a show which reunites the masked Phantom with his only true love and musical protégée. 16-18 October 2026
HALLOWEEN AT KEW: We've compiled a guide to London's Halloween events, but worth a specific mention is Halloween at Kew. Back for a third year, and by the same team as the magnificent annual Christmas at Kew, it's a spooky light trail through the gardens after dark, with fire gardens, glowing pumpkins and an illuminated haunted wood. Pick between daylight, twilight and moonlight sessions. 16 October-1 November 2026
HANSEL AND GRETEL: Engelbert Humperdinck's opera Hansel and Gretel gets a family-friendly showing at the Cockpit Theatre in Marylebone, taking you into the spooky woods with two lost siblings. Age five+. 17-18 October 2026
UK RUMFEST: UK RumFest brings together more than 400 rums, masterclasses and trade showcases under one roof in Earls Court. Hosted by Global Rum Ambassador Ian Burrell, the weekend features tasting booths, masterclasses, a main stage, 'golden' tokens for certain premium pours, and Caribbean street food — plus a DJ-led Carnival Hour. 17-18 October 2026
OKTOBERFEST: Don your lederhosen and raise a stein: Oktoberfest is going strong in London this weekend. The beery German festival has taken root at several venues around the capital, offering bratwurst, oompah bands and vast quantities of beer, at venues from King's Cross to Clapham. Our Oktoberfest guide has everything you need to know.
KYOTOGRAPHIE: The work of two established photographers, Kawada Kikuji and Iwane Ai, are shown together at Japan House London in an exhibition of prints and large immersive projections — and this weekend is your last chance to see it. FREE, until 18 October 2026
ANISH KAPOOR: Mirror sculptures, Vantablack-coated objects, seemingly depthless voids, and recent visceral paintings and sculptures are all part of Anish Kapoor's Hayward Gallery exhibition, which closes this weekend. Until 18 October 2026
FRIEZE SCULPTURE TRAIL: A reminder that Frieze Sculpture Trail — a free open-air art display alongside the altogether spendier Frieze Art Fair — is still ongoing, and this year's is the best one yet. Take an autumnal stroll through Regent's Park seeking out treats including a palm tree made from reclaimed tyre rubber, and a colourful warrior figure. FREE, until 1 November 2026
Saturday 17 October
MINISTRY OF SOUND GAMES: Legendary nightclub Ministry of Sound turns into a gym for the day, for Ministry of Sound Games. The music-led fitness competition pairs live DJs and nightclub production with five workout zones — warm-up, Wattbike cardio, Concept2-powered functional fitness and finisher, plus stamina work — and a recovery and after-party. 8am/12pm
FLOWERS IN THE FIELDS: Trafalgar Square's Georgian church St Martin-in-the-Fields gets a floral makeover for festival Flowers in the Fields, which comes to an end today. Blooming lovely installations are on display all over the building, with demos taking place all day. 11am
PHOTO WALK: Celebrate Black History Month with a relaxed photography walk around Poplar Union and aboard the day boat, 'Jena'. Capture images exploring people, places and perspectives, then print one and make a handmade origami envelope to take home. Suitable for all abilities, with no photography experience needed. 11am-1pm
AURORA ORCHESTRA: Children aged three–seven and their families can sing, dance, play games and discover orchestral instruments at Aurora Orchestra: Meet the Instruments at Kings Place. This lively, interactive concert features original songs, two presenters and activity tables in the foyer, including instrument-themed colouring and shaker-making. 11am/1.30pm
MAKE AND MEND: Muswell Hill Creatives' Make and Mend Festival brings hands-on workshops and a makers' market to Hornsey Town Hall. Sessions include sashiko embroidery, linocut and fabric printing, paper lampshade design, candle-making and family zine-making session — all led by local businesses and creatives. 11am-5pm
PUMPKIN PAINT POUR: Try fluid art at this beginner-friendly workshop at Forty Hall Estate in Enfield, creating a marbled ceramic pumpkin with acrylic paints and a Halloween twist. Aprons and gloves are provided, and the finished pumpkins can be collected the following week once cured. Suitable for ages 16+. 1pm-3pm
ANIMAL QUEENDOM: Science journalist Catherine Blackledge explores fierce female animals at the Royal Institution, from murderous mammals and record-breaking birds to spectacular snakes and self-cloning insects. Aimed at children aged 7-13, though audiences of all ages are welcome, with copies of The Animal Queendom available to buy after the event. 2.30pm-3.45pm
ALL-DAY INDIE: Non-stop indie anthems, DJs, confetti and immersive visuals come to Boxpark Wembley for the AllDay Indie Indoor Festival. Expect street food, cocktails and a crowd reliving the glory days of indie mayhem. 5pm-11pm
CARNIVAL 60 FINALE: The Carnival 60 series of events, marking six decades of Notting Hill Carnival, comes to a close today. Dexter Khan, a Notting Hill Carnival pioneer and founder of Cocoyea London, talks about Carnival history, mas on the road, and the event's future, at the Listening Lounge. 6pm
QUIZ NIGHT: Gather a team of up to eight for Chickenshed's quiz night at the Cafe in Southgate. There are eight question rounds, a picture round, a Joker card to double your points and a raffle — with a ploughman’s supper and complimentary drink included. 7.30pm
NERINA PALLOT: Singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot brings her Fire Escape Symphonies solo tour to the Exchange in Twickenham, following her Royal Albert Hall performance. Performing solo with songs, stories, piano and guitar, Pallot returns to the grassroots venues that have shaped her career. 7.30pm
STRATFORD EAST SINGERS: Theatre Royal Stratford East's community choir, led by Creative Director Byron Gold, returns for an evening of live music spanning UK garage, musical theatre, dance, classic R&B and original compositions — performed with a live band. 7.30pm
BELLE & SEBASTIAN SPECIAL: How Does It Feel To Be Loved? brings its annual Belle & Sebastian special to Signature Brew Haggerston, with a playlist spanning Belle & Sebastian, Dusty Springfield, the Magnetic Fields, Orange Juice, the Supremes, the Cure, R.E.M. and plenty more. 9pm
Sunday 18 October
CLASSICAL COFFEE MORNING: Start your Sunday at the Royal Albert Hall, where the Classical Coffee Morning has classical guitarist Eva Victoria Schockmel performing in the Elgar Room. A hot drink and pastry is included in your ticket. 11am
HARVEST FESTIVAL: Explore urban growing and food production at the Garden Museum’s Harvest Festival, with stalls, talks and workshops on community gardens, fermentation, seasonality, herbs and growing fruit in the city. Entry includes the museum's collection galleries and gardens; individual talks and workshops require separate booking. 11am-4pm
VINTAGE FASHION FAIR: More than 100 dealers from across the UK and further afield bring rare vintage and antique clothing, jewellery and textiles to Kensington Town Hall. Frock Me! Vintage Fashion Fair spans three floors, with pieces ranging from Victorian-era finds to pre-loved designer labels including Ossie Clark, Bill Gibb and Biba. 11am-5.30pm
BLACK LITERATURE FESTIVAL: Enfield Black Literature Festival brings 13 published authors, guest speakers, and workshops for budding writers to Dugdale Arts Centre. There are also bookstalls, a blind book swap, a Windrush Exhibition and Caribbean cuisine — with author panels covering heritage, identity, wellbeing and more. 1pm-7pm
FOOTBALL: London City Lionesses play Everton in the WSL at the CopperJax Community Stadium in Bromley this afternoon. Adding to the excitement, there's an Oktoberfest theme, with live music, branded steins, pretzels, fancy dress and German-inspired food. KO 2pm
EMMELINE PANKHURST: Actress Liz Grand brings the story of the influential suffragette to life in this one-woman show at Upstairs at the Gatehouse (Highgate). The play explores Pankhurst's fight for women's right to vote, including the imprisonments, hunger strikes and direct action that shaped the campaign. 4pm
HOME OF CHESS: Jason Kouchak hosts an evening of chess with British grandmasters Stuart Conquest and Luke McShane in The Assembly Room at Simpson's in the Strand. Conquest begins with a simultaneous match against 12 players, McShane then faces the top three blindfolded, and the evening finishes with a new variant called 'Jazz Chess'. 5pm-7.30pm
ICE HOCKEY: Romford Raiders face Sheffield Steeldogs in a Planet Ice National League fixture at Sapphire Ice & Leisure in Romford. New to the sport, or need a refresher? Here's our guide to ice hockey in London. 5.15pm
DIWALI DINNER AND DANCE: Celebrate Diwali at Blackheath Halls with Bharatanatyam and Indian classical dance from Natyasri Dance Company. The evening also includes a meal from local restaurant Everest Inn. Find other Diwali events and celebrations in London this year. 6pm
SOFAR SOUNDS: Discover the next big thing at Sofar Sounds, a spontaneous night of live music in the taproom at Small Beer Brewery in Bermondsey. Sample mid-strength beers alongside wine, spirits and soft drinks while listening to the evening's performers. 7.30pm
HORROR FOR A CAUSE: The Cinema Museum screens cult horror film The Return of the Living Dead (1985) in an evening supporting efforts to save the museum. Refreshments are available in the café/bar. 7.30pm
MADDIE MORRIS: Folk singer and BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award winner Maddie Morris brings traditional song into conversation with contemporary issues at Ye Olde Rose & Crown in Walthamstow. 7.30pm
DOCTOR WHO QUIZ: Test your knowledge of the 2005-2017 run of TV show Doctor Who at The Fighting Cocks in Kingston, with questions covering everything from the Silence to the Sontarans. Brush up on the Eccleston, Tennant and Smith eras before you come, and consider a spot of fancy dress. 7.30pm
