All weekend
CHELSEA HISTORY FESTIVAL: The National Army Museum, the Royal Hospital Chelsea and Chelsea Physic Garden team up for Chelsea History Festival, which covers local, national and global history through walks, talks and other events. Hear about 5,000 years of female rulers, take a tour of the Royal Hospital Chelsea or attend a haunting evening of after-dark storytelling — among many other events this weekend. 1-4 October 2026
BLOOMSBURY FESTIVAL: After a truncated Bloomsbury Festival last year, it's back to full strength for 2026, with events happening throughout October. Highlights this weekend include a photography exhibition chronicling the festival's history, walking tours around Bloomsbury and St Giles, and a live music performance featuring the kanklės, a traditional Lithuanian folk instrument. Browse the full programme. 1-31 October 2026
KOREA EXHIBITION: The big news at the British Museum at the moment is the (sold-out) Bayeaux Tapestry exhibition, but the venue is 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
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. Highlights include 1979 Cuba-set film Fresas Y Chocolate (Strawberry and Chocolate) about two university students who challenge each others' ideas and beliefs. 2-6 October 2026
OSSIE CLARK: The Fashion and Textile Museum's newest exhibition Ossie Clark/Celia Birtwell spotlights the life and work of the legendary rock 'n' roll fashion designer and his collaborator and wife. 2 October 2026-April 2027
CERAMICS IN THE CITY: The Museum of the Home's annual Ceramics in the City fair returns to Hoxton, with independent ceramicists selling tableware, stoneware and decorative pieces. Meet the makers, explore techniques and buy directly from stallholders including Emily Wilcox, Susan Swales and Schneider Schneider. 3-4 October 2026
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
OKTOBERFEST: Raise a stein and embrace the spirit of Munich with various Oktoberfest in London events happening in London this weekend, 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 thrown in.
FROM JAPAN WITH LOVE: A major Design Museum retrospective of Japanese creative director NIGO charts his career from Harajuku streetwear to international fashion and design. View more than 700 objects from NIGO's personal collection — including a recreation of his teenage bedroom — until Sunday. Until 4 October 2026
FESTIVAL OF THE GIRL: Islington's Business Design Centre hosts the Festival of the Girl, ahead of the International Day of the Girl (11 October). Aimed at girls and their families, the event aims to inspire, engage, and to break down harmful gender stereotypes. 3-4 October 2026
Saturday 3 October
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 presents a pollinators exhibition and announce their honey competition winners. FREE, 11am-3.30pm
BIG DRAW FESTIVAL: Worldwide celebration of drawing, the Big Draw Festival is launched at the House of Illustration, which opened earlier this year in Clerkenwell. Today's the main day of the launch, where visitors of all ages can take part in workshops, talks and activities for both lifelong artists and enthusiastic doodlers. 11am-4pm
SEWING MACHINE MUSEUM: The monthly opening of Balham's 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 straight after the game. Read our guide to ice hockey in London for an introduction (or refresher) on the sport. Doors 5pm
BLACK HISTORY MONTH KARAOKE: Sing along to favourite songs with Millfield Theatre's in-house DJ at a karaoke party celebrating Black History Month. Caribbean food is available to buy, with a free glass of wine for the first 10 people to arrive before 7pm. Doors 6pm
IMMERSIVE QUEEN EXTRAVAGANZA: For one day only, Queen's legendary 1986 Budapest concert takes over the Roundhouse — remastered and remixed. Brought to life by Playback Live, it offers a chance to relive the magic of the band's final filmed gig. A giant LED screen, powerful surround sound, synchronised concert lighting, displays from Queen's archive, and an exclusive merch shop provide gig-style immersion as you sing your heart out with Freddie and the band. 7pm (sponsor)
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
ANIMAL FARM: Dov Citron adapts and performs Orwell's Animal Farm as a one-man show 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. 7.30pm
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. 7.45pm
Sunday 4 October
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. Our roundup also points you in the direction of a few American-themed bars. 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
ANTIQUES FAIR: Adams Antiques Fairs once again takes place at the Royal Horticultural Halls in Westminster, where dealers sell furniture, ceramics, jewellery, silver and other collectables. A queue often forms before doors open, so arrive early if you want to be one of the first inside. 10am-4/30pm
GIANT LONDON FLEA: Organised by Hackney Flea Market and Walthamstow Flea Market, The Giant London Flea takes over Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for a day of vintage, pre-loved and independent stalls. Expect furniture, homewares, clothing and collectible items from a range of traders aiming to promote sustainable shopping. 10am-5pm
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, and craft and retail stalls. 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 William Morris and John Ruskin. The monthly open day is a chance to see inside, visit the rooms and view furniture created by Dickinson that's still in situ. FREE, 10.30am-4.30pm
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
EDWARDIAN TEA SALON: Herstory tour guide Mandy and actors from the Lyric ensemble present a semi-immersive Edwardian tea salon at the Hammersmith Club. Trace the history of tea, accompanied by a cream tea served with scones and tea from the woman-owned Eisa Tea Company. 3pm
SYMPHONIC SOUL: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performs Motown and classic soul with vocalists Gloria Onitiri and Trevor Dion Nicholas. Conductor Michael England leads the orchestra through an evening of hits including Respect, I Heard It Through the Grapevine, My Girl and Ain't No Mountain High Enough. 3pm/7.30pm
