The October list: The best things to do in October 2026
From intimate concerts and cultural highlights to a day out at the races and Halloween celebrations, here are the best things to do in London this October 2026.
- Words by: Sophia Baccanello
I think we have all begrudgingly come to accept that summer is officially over, and despite the desire to hold on through September and unseasonably warm weather sending our senses into confusion, October brings us autumn, a season which we might have forgotten brings its own pleasantries: thicker coats making their debut of the season, cosier evenings spent enjoying hearty dishes as the evenings darken, and the rich colour palette of the leaves painting the streets of London. Perhaps you don’t admit it earlier in the year, but I think a little bit of all of us longs for this warming embrace, not in temperature, but in other ways.
We kick off the season with the surprise opening of what is deemed to be one of the most exciting additions to the London entertainment scene, Apple Music Hall at Battersea Power Station. Even if you weren’t one of the Golden Ticket holders for Elton John, it offers an exciting space to enjoy new and established artists in next-level intimacy. Then comes the next offering from the seemingly unstoppable Public House Group, with the opening of seafood-led The Horses. Culture is in plentiful supply, with the BFI London Film Festival and Frieze for those in the film and art worlds, and those who simply wish to broaden their interests. Meanwhile, Langan’s 50th Anniversary takes us back to the simpler time of 1976, and a slightly eye-opening return to the prices of that era for one night. Of course, the month rounds off with Halloween. Love it or hate it, one fact is certain: Annabel’s does it best. So quit mourning summer, throw yourself into autumn, and discover our pick of the best things to do in London this month...
Apple Music Hall
Everyone’s favourite excuse for a cold beer in the spring sunshine has returned. When you start noticing an unusual flocking to the banks of the Thames, or an overflow of people vying for a perch at a riverside pub, you know the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race is back. It is a perfect representation of a British day out. Crowds arrive armed with picnic blankets, a selection of M&S’s finest picky bits, and the hope of catching a glimpse of the rowers as they race by. Follow the river or set up camp, it is a great way to spend the long Bank Holiday weekend. Pick your side, enjoy some friendly rivalry, soak up a bit of British camaraderie and pray for some sunshine.
When? Upcoming shows include: Oct 7 Skye Newman, Oct 13 Troye Sivan, Oct 22 Arlo Parks, Oct 29 Burna Boy
Where? North Entrance, Upper Ground Floor, Battersea Power Station, SW11 8BJ
The Horses, Clerkenwell
A new pub has arrived in Clerkenwell, and it is bringing a taste of the British coast with it. The Horses is the latest opening from Public House Group, the team behind the ever-popular The Pelican, The Hart and The Hero, transforming a Victorian watering hole into a relaxed yet refined neighbourhood spot. Downstairs, you'll find the familiar comforts of a traditional boozer, while upstairs, a more elegant seafood dining room puts oysters, fish and the best of Britain's coastline centre stage. Designed in-house with the building's history in mind, the interiors are full of character, while a Renaissance-style painting of horses now hangs proudly above the entrance. It feels like a pub with plenty of history, but one that has arrived very much for the here and now, and if it's going off the same blueprint as its brothers, it's safe to say you should book your table now.
When? Opened 28th of September
Where? 26-28 Ray Street, London, EC1R 3DJ
BFI London Film Festival
London is once again turning its attention to the big screen as the BFI London Film Festival returns to the capital. Bringing together some of the most anticipated films, emerging talent and established names from across the world, the festival offers plenty for both dedicated film lovers and those simply looking for something different to see. From major premieres and red-carpet moments to smaller, more intimate screenings, venues across the city will be filled with stories from every corner of the globe. With a packed programme spanning everything from Hollywood releases to independent gems and thought-provoking documentaries, there is plenty to discover. Whether you have your eye on one of the headline films or are happy to take a chance on something completely new, the festival is always a good excuse to switch off your phone, settle into a cinema seat and let someone else's story take over for a couple of hours.
When? 7th to 18th October
Where? Multiple venues in London
Frieze
The city is about to become a meeting point for the art world once again as Frieze returns to Regent’s Park. Bringing together leading galleries, emerging artists and collectors from around the globe, the fair is a chance to see everything from major contemporary works to new names making their mark on the scene. Alongside the galleries, there is plenty happening across the fair, with installations, talks, food and drinks adding to the atmosphere. Each year, Ruinart welcomes renowned contemporary artists to pay tribute to the Maison’s legacy through its annual art commissions, and this year Japanese artist Tadashi Kawamata will take over the Ruinart Art Bar with his Conversation with Nature exhibition. With so much to see and discover, Frieze is the perfect excuse to spend a day surrounded by art, before settling in for a drink and taking in the creative energy of one of London’s biggest cultural events.
When? 14th to 18th October
Where? The Regent's Park
Qatar Racing British Champions Day
For one of the biggest days in the British racing calendar, it’s worth making the short journey out of London. On Saturday 17 October, Ascot Racecourse hosts British Champions Day, bringing together some of the finest horses, jockeys and trainers for a final showdown on the season’s biggest stage. As Britain’s richest raceday, expect top-class racing, plenty of atmosphere and the sort of occasion that feels made for getting dressed up and settling in for an afternoon at the races. And while Ascot sits just outside the capital, it’s an easy escape, with direct trains from Waterloo taking around 52 minutes and the racecourse just a seven-minute walk from the station. So fear not if Royal Ascot came and went without you dusting off your top hat; there’s another chance to get your racing fix.
When? 17th October
Where? Ascot Racecourse, High Street, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7JX
Langan's Brasserie's 50th Anniversary
Langan’s is turning back the clock to celebrate 50 years in Mayfair. On October 20, the iconic brasserie will mark the occasion with a one-day-only throwback to 1976, bringing back dishes from its early years and, even better, their original prices. From lunch at 11am through to late in the evening, the restaurant will channel the spirit of the year it first opened, with food, drinks, service and entertainment all taking inspiration from its beginnings. Long-standing Langan’s favourites will sit alongside nostalgic dishes from the original menu, while the celebrations continue upstairs with live entertainment throughout the day. It’s a chance to experience a little of the Langan’s of old, with five decades of Mayfair history packed into one very special day, and with some dishes starting at just £1, it might just be the most tempting trip back to 1976 yet.
When? 20th of October
Where? Stratton St, London W1J 8LB
MA/NA Mayfair
MA/NA is bringing its Japanese dining experience into the daylight, opening its doors for lunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Set in the heart of Mayfair, the restaurant’s new daytime offering brings the same focus on precision, heat and rhythm to a tasting menu led by Executive Chef Leo Tanyag, with an ingredient-led approach that balances traditional Japanese techniques with a modern edge. Expect dishes such as O-Toro Tartare with avocado, truffle soy and fresh wasabi, Hamachi Carpaccio with citrus ponzu and yuzukosho, and Gyu Wasabi, pairing grilled rib eye with ginger and fresh wasabi. Already known for its refined dining, cocktails and late-night energy, MA/NA now offers a different way to experience the space, swapping the after-dark atmosphere for a more relaxed weekend lunch.
Where? 30 Upper Grosvenor St, London W1K 7PH
The Peninsula London x A World Within by KOZO
The streets of London are getting an artistic makeover this October as The Peninsula London unveils a rather unusual exhibition on wheels. Created in collaboration with Brooklyn-based artist KOZO, six cars from the hotel’s signature fleet have been transformed with intricate illustrations that appear to tear through the surface of the vehicles, revealing pastoral scenes of rolling parkland, grazing animals, rivers and stately homes beneath. Inspired by the hotel’s British setting and long-standing relationship with the automobile, the designs bring together familiar Peninsula motifs with KOZO’s distinctive micro-realist style, turning everything from a Rolls-Royce Phantom to an Austin Taxi into a moving canvas. The six cars will travel across the capital throughout October, coinciding with Frieze London and offering a rather different way to encounter contemporary art. More than simply a collection of individually decorated vehicles, A World Within is designed as one continuous story, with each car revealing another part of an imagined landscape where the past and present meet. It is an unexpectedly playful addition to London’s art calendar, and one that is best appreciated from the back seat.
When? October
Where? The Peninsula, 1 Grosvenor Pl, London SW1X 7HJ
Halloween at Annabel's
Halloween at Annabel’s is getting a suitably twisted makeover this year, with two nights of dark fairytales taking over 46 Berkeley Square on 30 and 31 October. In partnership with Don Julio 1942, the legendary club will transform into an upside-down wonderland for the first night, with wicked characters, creatures of the night and familiar stories taking a much darker turn. The celebrations continue on night two, with themed dining across the Club before things move into The Nightclub for a special edition of After Dark. Expect plenty of theatrical surprises, elaborate costumes and the kind of Halloween party that makes an ordinary night out feel like something straight out of a fairytale, well maybe a little more sinister.
When? 30th and 31st October
Where? 46 Berkeley Square, London W1J 5AT
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