All weekend
HALLOWEEN: There are plenty of Halloween events taking place in London this weekend. Our things to do in London for Halloween guide has you covered, whether you're hankering for pumpkin picking, adults-only parties, or family-friendly trails and storytelling sessions.
THE HORROR SHOW: 200 artworks and culturally significant objects feature in The Horror Show! A Twisted Tale of Modern Britain — a major new exhibition at Somerset House, open from Thursday. It explores the British cultural psyche in three acts, Monster, Ghost and Witch, looking back at the horror genre over the last 50 years and how it has reacted to the most troubling times. 27 October-February 2023
MCM COMIC CON: Dust off your cape and check your superhero outfit still fits — MCM Comic Con is back at ExCeL London. Immerse yourself in three days of all things pop culture, including a chance to meet TV and film stars, hear from industry insiders at panel discussions, take part in games, and show off your cosplay costume. 28-30 October
CHINESE FOOD FESTIVAL: Head to Bedford Square Gardens to try all manner of dishes at the Chinese Food Festival. Brands repping the different regions and cuisines of the country can be found in the Food Carnival area. There are also lantern making and woodblock printing workshops, a craft market, and live performances. 28-30 October This event has been cancelled.
WEIRDOS COMEDY: The Weirdos Comedy gang are doing a specially spooky show — The Envelopes, in which audience members receive a package containing various art and strange items with instructions which only they know about. Together, you and the comedians will solve a spooky mystery. 28-30 October
HALF TERM: Kids off school this week? Struggling for ways to keep them entertained? Our guide to half term events in London has oodles of ideas, featuring pirates, witches, elephants, dinosaurs and more, across exhibitions, theatre shows and other fun events. Until 30 October
LONDON LITERATURE FESTIVAL: The annual London Literature Festival at Southbank Centre never fails to bring in big names; Greta Thunberg. Josh Widdicombe and Rob Beckett feature on this weekend's programme. Until 30 October
MEXICO: Time's also running out to see Kew Gardens' Mexico festival, a celebration of the Central American country featuring art and horticultural installations in the Temperate House. There are also live music and dance performances this weekend. Until 31 October
TOP EXHIBITIONS: Several of our top recommended exhibitions for this month open in time for this weekend. Make time to see Strange Clay at Hayward Gallery, Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize at Cromwell Place, Koestler Arts: Freedom at Southbank Centre, or The New Black Vanguard at Saatchi Gallery.
SELF-GUIDED MYSTERY: Here's a unique way to celebrate spooky season: sniffing out evidence of crime on a self-guided adventure around historic bits of London. Streethunt offers games that are part treasure hunt, part escape room, part murder mystery. You'll get instructions and clues sent directly to your phone for you and your friends to solve as you get your steps in, exploring a new side of the city. Slots are available 9am-7pm, seven days a week and our readers get 20% off with code LondonistH20. (sponsor)
CLOCKS CHANGE: A reminder that the clocks go back an hour at 2am on Sunday. Hurrah for an extra hour in bed, but boo to the evenings getting darker. Here are 9 things to do in London to brighten up the dark nights.
Saturday 29 October
LIVE SURGERY: Steel your stomach to hear all the details of the horrors of surgery in the days before anaesthesia and antiseptic. The Old Operating Theatre opens its doors for a special tour focusing on Victorian era medical procedures in the oldest surviving operating theatre in Europe. 10am
CELEBRATING DIWALI: The Diwali celebrations continue at the British Museum, with a family-friendly day of dance performances, traditional arts and crafts, storytelling and other activities. Aimed at age 5+. FREE, 11am-3.30pm
CARIBBEAN LITERATURE: Hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, Bocas UK is a one-day festival of readings and conversations celebrating writing from the Caribbean diaspora, at the British Library. Guests include Celeste Mohammed, Canisia Lubrin and Shivanee Ramlochan. 11am-8.30pm
LONDON GAY MEN'S CHORUS: Head to Alexandra Palace for the London Gay Men's Chorus Halloween Ball. Described as an 'homage to the ghoulish' and a 'cauldron of camp', it's an all-singing, all-dancing performance by Europe's largest gay choir, featuring spooky and Halloween-themed tunes. 2.30pm/7.30pm
ICE HOCKEY: Also at Alexandra Palace today, watch ice hockey team the Haringey Huskies take on the Bristol Pitbulls, in their fourth game of the season. New to the game? Swot up with our guide to ice hockey in London. Doors 5pm
HERNE HILL FIREWORKS: London's Bonfire Night celebrations ignite today, with a firework display at Herne Hill Velodrome. It's a Halloween-themed display, raising money for the upkeep of the cycling track, with a bonfire, fireworks and food and drink stalls. 5pm-9pm
DAY OF THE DEAD: Lambeth's Chino Latino restaurant celebrates Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, with a special four-course menu. Tuck into sushi, ceviche, beef tacos, Peruvian corn and more, along with live music. From 6pm
CATHEDRAL CONCERT: Evolving imagery from videographer Heather Britton sets the backdrop for a climate change-themed concert in Southwark Cathedral tonight. Choral ensemble The Sixteen are joined by improvisational violinist Lizzie Ball for All the Ends of the World, which explores our relationship with Earth. 7pm
LEGACY AND HOPE CONCERT: As part of Black History Month, the Pegasus Opera Company — which champions performers of African and Asian heritage — performs a Legacy and Hope Concert. Head to Clapham Library to hear classical singers and a community choir performing songs from composers of African, Caribbean and Asian heritage, and songs inspired by the Black diaspora. 7pm-9pm
SUPER HIGH RESOLUTION: Head to Soho Theatre for Super High Resolution, a fast-paced and darkly funny play about being a doctor in the modern NHS, and the limits of anyone's ability to care for other people. 7.30pm (and various dates until December)
THUMPING TOMMYS: Get into the Saturday spirit, with a heady brew of Irish and American folk music (with an English twist) from The Thumping Tommys, who're bringing Camden's Green Note to foot-stomping life tonight. 8.30pm
SPOOKY SKATE: Open to all ages, Fromage on Ice is an ice skating disco at Ally Pally — and this month it's a Halloween special. Skate and dance to Halloween and pop songs, with dance-offs, a costume competition and glowsticks. Under-8s must be accompanied by an adult on the ice. 8.30pm-11pm
Sunday 30 October
HOWLOWEEN DOG WALK: Take your pooch for a Halloween dog walk on Hampstead Heath, organised by — and raising money for — canine charity All Dogs Matter. Stride out with other dogs and their owners, and don't forget your costume. There are prizes for best-dressed adult, kid and dog. 10.30am-1pm
THAMES FORESHORE WALK: Community archaeologist Mike Webber leads a guided walk along the Thames foreshore, talking about the artefacts found on the river's beaches, and explaining how the Thames shaped London into the city we know today. 10.30am-1.30pm
CATFORD FOOD MARKET: Catford Food Market launches in its new location today — you'll now find it alongside the river on Adenmore Road, next to Catford Bridge station. Expect to find a range of south London-based food traders including Almada Portuguese bakery, Bei Root vegan Lebanese dishes, and Harlem 2 Manila Filipino street food. 10am-4pm
FAMILY COMEDY: See out half term with Comedy Club 4 Kids at Artsdepot in North Finchley. It's a regular comedy show set-up — just with jokes suitable for a younger audience (age 6+) and their families. 12pm/2.30pm
HALLOWEEN CRAFTS: Head to Leytonstone's Stone Mini Market, for a craft workshop where you'll make your own pumpkin and moon-shaped 3D garland — perfect for decorating the house this Halloween. 2pm-4pm
BOOK BLIND DATE: Here's a blind date with a difference — the 'date' in this case is a book with its cover hidden by wrapping paper. A few written details describe what you can expect from the book — will you choose a dangerous, classic or romantic date? While you're at SoLo Craft Fair Shop in Elephant and Castle, why not grab a wine or coffee from Little Louie's Cafe. 2pm-4pm
HORRIFIC HAMPSTEAD: Join Footprints of London guide Marilyn Greene for a Halloween-themed walking tour around Hampstead detailing the hangings, highwaymen, murders and fatal accidents of the area. Did you know that the last two women to be hanged in Britain committed murders in Hampstead? Expect to hear plenty more historical trivia like that on this walk. 2.30pm
