All weekend
SIX DAY LONDON: See some of the world's best cyclists hitting the boards at Six Day London, a competition which pits them against each other in a gruelling competition. If you can drag your eyes away from the action, there's a party atmosphere to enjoy, with live music and DJs. Lee Valley VeloPark, from £19, book ahead, 22-27 October
ABANDONED ENGINEERING: Photos of stunning examples of abandoned engineering go on display at a free exhibition. Shots from around the world, including railway yards and nuclear bunkers, feature, to publicise the new series of TV show Abandoned Engineering. Gallery @ Oxo, free, just turn up, 23-27 October
WHERE LIGHT FALLS: St Paul's Cathedral serves up a right treat in the form of Where Light Falls. See historic scenes projected onto the exterior building, paying tribute to the St Paul's Watch, a group of people who protected the building from destruction during the Blitz. St Paul's Cathedral, free, just turn up, 24-27 October
MADE LONDON: Over 120 exhibitors covering ceramics, wood, silver, gold, glass, textiles and more showcase their wares at contemporary craft fair MADE London — Marylebone. Step inside a beautiful former church to peruse the one-of-a-kind objects. See something you like? Treat yourself, or maybe make a start on your Christmas shopping. One Marylebone, £10, book ahead, 24-27 October
EAST ASIAN FILMS: It’s the first weekend of The London East Asia Film Festival, with films from Taiwan, Thailand, China, and other countries. The productions cover topics as diverse as ‘stories of women’, ‘Halloween horror’ and ‘Samurai season’. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 24 October-3 November
COMIC CON: Cosplay at the ready — Comic Con is in town. For three days, comic book characters, cosplayers and special guests take over ExCel. Stock up on merch, meet celebrities including Simon Pegg and Mark Gatiss, and revel in the impressive costumes on display. ExCel, from £17.50, book ahead, 25-27 October
GHOST TRAIN: Board a ghost train at Ongar station and ride it out to North Weald. The Epping-Ongar Railway's Halloween event is open to adults and kids alike, and includes a chance to meet real owls, play spooky games, watch magic shows and attend storytelling sessions in addition to a trip on the ghost train. Epping Ongar Railway, £16/£10, book ahead, 26-27 October (and 30-31 October)
ADMISSION ONE SHILLING: Actress Dame Patricia Routledge and concert pianist Piers Lane team up for a pair of shows telling the story of Myra Hess. Pianist Hess was best known for the concerts she performed inside the National Gallery during Blitz blackouts in the second world war, and Routledge and Lane combine spoken word with music to recreated those concerts. Bishopsgate Institute (Liverpool Street), £21, book ahead, 26 and 27 October
MANOLO BLAHNIK: Final chance to see Manolo Blahnik exhibition An Enquiring Mind. Shoes and fine art don't sound like a good match, but it makes perfect sense once you see classic Manolo Blahniks displayed in front Wallace Collection's paintings of fashionable folk. It's a frilly and flamboyant showdown to see who can be the most stylish. Wallace Collection, free, just turn up, until 27 October
LADYBIRD BOOKS: Last chance to see The Garden Museum’s nostalgic exhibition dedicated to the Ladybird Books. Particular focus is on books from the series which teach children about the natural world, with original artworks on display that may well take you right back to your childhood. The Garden Museum (Lambeth), included in admission (£10), just turn up, until 27 October
CHIHULY AT KEW: It's your final weekend to see glass artist Dale Chihuly's eye-catching works brightening up Kew Gardens. As you wander around the huge botanical garden, look out for splashes of colour on lawns, in flowerbeds and in the conservatories and glasshouses. Kew Gardens, included in admission, book ahead, until 27 October
SECRET RIVERS: Time's trickling away to see Museum of London Docklands' excellent Secret Rivers exhibition. Find out about the hidden watercourses of the city, their histories, geography, and the secrets that have been dredged up in them through the centuries. Museum of London Docklands, free, just turn up, until 27 October
HALLOWEEN: Things are starting to get spooky as London gears up for Halloween. Take a look at our guide to Halloween events and parties in London, for adults and for kids. Dig out your witch costume, and get partying.
HALF TERM: Running out of ways to keep the kids busy? Take a look at our guide to spending half term in London — we've covered events, exhibitions, theatre shows and restaurants for all ages.
Saturday 26 October
HARVEST CELEBRATION: Borough Market celebrates the season with a family-friendly harvest celebration. Learn how to use seasonal produce at free cooking demonstrations, keep the kids entertained with storytelling and face painting, and donate your homegrown apples to make a community cider. Borough Market, free, just turn up, 24-26 October
SECRET SHOREDITCH: Embark on a guided tour around some of the secret spaces of Shoreditch, visiting a community garden and the world's first council estate, among other sites. Wander down Brick Lane and surrounding areas, hearing local stories as you go and learning about community projects in the area. Shoreditch, £15, book ahead, 11am-1.30pm
MECCANO SHOW: South East London Meccano Club hosts a Meccano Show, dedicated to the construction toy. See working models, including cars and funfair rides, and have a go at building your own and entering it into a competition. Eltham United Reformed Church, £5, just turn up, 10.30am-4.30pm
FAMILY FUN DAY: Chaos, contagions and catastrophe are the themes of the Royal Institution's Family Fun Day. Aimed at 7-12 year olds and their families, the day consists of talks, hands-on activities and workshops, including a talk about disaster scenes in films, and a look at contagious bugs. Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16/£10, book ahead, 11am-4pm
DIWALI: Several Diwali celebrations take place in London in the coming weeks, including today's lantern parade. Learn about Rangoli art, take part in a drumming workshop and make your own reflective lantern, before showing off your handiwork in the lantern parade when night falls. National Maritime Museum (Greenwich), free, just turn up, 11am-4.30pm
SEASONAL SHINDIG: The Geffrye Museum is currently closed for refurbishment, but that's no reason for the fun to stop. Head to its gardens for a seasonal shindig, and celebrate autumn with dancing, crafts, food and drink. Geffrye Museum (Hoxton), free, just turn up, 12pm-4pm
DIGITAL GRAFFITI: Using stencils, paint effects and animated images, contribute to the creation of a digital graffiti wall. Part of the Big Draw Festival, visitors of all ages are welcome to make their mark on the communal artwork. Royal Society of Sculptors (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 12pm-8pm
NIRVANA BREWERY: Doing Sober October? Head to Nirvana Brewery's open day for a tour of the brewhouse and taproom, and a chance to sample the alcohol-free beers. Pick up tips on pairing the beers with food, and get yourself a free pint of the Classic IPA. Nirvana Brewery (Leyton), £10, book ahead, 1pm-6pm
COUNT DRACULA: As part of London Month of the Dead, author Roger Luckhurst gives a talk about Bram Stoker’s London. Hear about the Dracula author’s time as business manager of the Lyceum theatre, walking along the Thames from Chelsea to the Strand, and managing pre-eminent Shakespearean actor Sir Henry Irving. Brompton Cemetery Chapel, £12, book ahead, 1pm
SINEAD O’BRIEN: As part of new music festival Roundhouse Rising, Irish poet and performer Sinead O’Brien takes to the stage. Expect her unique blend of spoken lyrics and art rock, with support by indie band Weird Milk and London singer and rapper R.A.E (Rising Above Everything). Roundhouse (Camden) £10, book ahead, 7pm
Sunday 27 October
FREE TATTOOS: For one day only, New Cross tattoo parlour South City Market is offering free inkings to celebrate its first birthday. Choose your free design from the selected flash sheets, then get down there early, as it's first come, first served. South City Market (New Cross), free, just turn up, all day
URBAN FOREST: Join Paul Wood, author of London is a Forest, for a two hour walkshop exploring the urban forest of Walthamstow. See some of the area's diversity of trees, including unusual maples, a swathe of birches, hazels, foxglove and Indian bean trees, as well as one of the Great Trees of London. Walthamstow Central station, £15-£20, book ahead, 10.30am-12.30pm
NORTH LONDON WALK: Take a whistlestop tour through north London's history. This guided walk around Islington covers green spaces, churches and historic buildings. See a river that isn't actually a river, and visit areas that were once home to monastic land and dairy farms. Highbury & Islington station, £11.37, book ahead, 10.30am-12.30pm
HALLOWEEN DOG SHOW: Canine charity All Dogs Matter holds a fundraising Halloween dog walk and show. Meet at the pub before going on a group walk across Hampstead Heath, then return to the pub for the fancy dress show and prizes. Spaniards Inn (Hampstead), £5 entry per dog, just turn up, 11am
ASTONISHING ARCHAEOLOGY: Fulham Palace hosts a family fun day, delving into the world of archaeology. Handle real artefacts, and find out about the Romans who used to live on the site, through trails, crafts and tours. Age 3+. Fulham Palace, free, just turn up, 11am-3pm
LIVE MUSIC: Enjoy an evening of Spanish-themed music, without leaving London. Classical guitarist Michael Christian Durrant and flamenco guitarist Samuel Moore perform, along with soprano Nia Coleman and pianist Laura Serra, bringing classical music to a bohemian loft space. Shoreditch Treehouse, £28, book ahead, 6pm-9pm
ANTHONY DANIELS: Meet Mr C-3PO himself as actor Anthony Daniels takes to the stage to talk about playing the droid in the Star Wars films. The event celebrates the launch of Daniels' new memoir, I am C-3PO: The Inside Story, and is part of London Literature Festival. Southbank Centre, £15-£25, book ahead, 7pm
A THOUSAND SHIPS: Board the Cutty Sark for a night of science, story and seafaring adventure. Dr Helen Czerski hosts the event, which celebrates the tea clipper's 150th birthday, and features science writers, comedians, marine biologists, singer-songwriters and historians — most of them called Helen. Cutty Sark (Greenwich), £30-£46, book ahead, 7.30pm
HAVANA MOON: In March 2016, the Rolling Stones played a massive free concert in Havana. It's thought 500,000 locals turned out to watch the band play, and the Havana Moon immersive experience is a chance to experience the gig for yourself. Footage of the concert is blown up on a supersize ultra HD video projection, with live music and backing dancers. O2 Forum (Kentish Town), from £23.50, book ahead, 8.30pm
