Looking for the best things to do in London in October? We’ve got you covered
You’re in plenty of time to book tickets to the best events in London, from theatre shows to art exhibitions, and there are always pop-ups opening across the city, but our handy guide features the best of what’s on in London in October so you won’t miss a thing.
Autumn is in full swing in October – yes that means pumpkin spice aplenty – but there’s way more on the calendar to get excited about before Halloween swings around, including Black History Month, Frieze and Diwali. Film fans are in luck too with the London Film Festival running in October – the perfect excuse to get out to your local indie cinema. And with London Cocktail Week and UK Coffee Week both happening in October, you’ll have no problem staying hydrated either.

1. Catch Adrien Brody in The Fear of 13
Tim Sheader is the new Artistic Director at Donmar Warehouse and he’s kicking off his debut season in style with The Fear of 13, starring Oscar winner Adrien Brody in his London theatre debut. Based on a documentary by David Sington, the play, written by Lindsay Ferrentino and directed by Justin Martin, tells the story of Nick Yarris, spent 22 years on Death Row after a traffic stop turned into a conviction for a murder he didn’t commit.
From Fri 4th October 2024
41 Earlham Street, London WC2H 9LX
donmarwarehouse.com

2. Party at Drumsheds
Drumsheds is gearing up for its biggest season yet this autumn, with more than 20 shows featuring 100+ artists including Dom Dolla, The Martinez Brothers, The Streets and DJ EZ for Rinse’s 30th anniversary.
From Fri 4th October 2024
6 Glover Drive, London, N18 3HF
drumshedslondon.com

3. Watch a World Premiere at the London Film Festival
The BFI London Film Festival is returning this October, with a brand new Elton John documentary, a Pharrell Williams biopic (retold with LEGO animation) and a period drama from Academy Award and BAFTA-winner Steve McQueen on the programme – alongside many more premieres.
Thurs 9th – Sun 20th October 2024
Various locations
bfi.org.uk

4. Explore This Massive Batman Exhibition
Batman is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year and DC and Warner Bros aren’t letting a big milestone like that pass by quietly. After a stop in Manchester this summer, Batman Unmasked, an exhibition featuring an epic collection of Batman memorabilia, is in London for the whole of October.
From Tues 1st October 2024
45 Wellington Street, London WC2E 7BN
batmanexhibition.com

5. Try Award-Winning Korean Fried Chicken at This Pop-Up
As the winner of K-Chicken War on Netflix, it’s safe to say that chef Byungtae Ahn knows a thing or two about Korean fried chicken. Since he won the show in 2022, he’s launched 101 Chicken in New Jersey and now he’s bringing his chicken to London with Oh Gee, which will be in residency at The Hoxton Shoreditch this October.
From Tues 1st October 2024
The Hoxton, 81 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3HU
@ohgeechicken

6. Immerse Yourself in Runway History at This Vogue Exhibition
Lightroom in King’s Cross has already taken us through the career of David Hockney and blasted us to the moon with Tom Hanks, and soon it’ll have us stomping down the runway with Vogue. The next immersive exhibition to take up residence in the space will be Vogue: Inventing the Runway, which’ll explore the history of the fashion runway show, from the couture salon presentations of the early 20th century to the large-scale spectacles of today.
From Fri 25th October 2024
12 Lewis Cubitt Square, London, N1C 4DY
lightroom.uk

7. See NYC Icon Fran Lebowitz Live in Conversation
She’s been a New York City icon since the 1970s, but Fran Lebowitz became internationally beloved for her no-nonsense, slightly curmudgeonly, sense of humour in 2021 when a Netflix docu-series about her (Pretend It’s a City, directed by Martin Scorsese) was released. Now, the social satirist is coming to London. Lebowitz will be live in conversation for one night at the Barbican, sharing her take on a little bit of everything, including her time spent writing a column for Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine. Tickets are already being snapped up, so don’t hang around before getting yours.
Mon 28th October 2024
Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
barbican.org.uk

8. See the Stage Adaptation of This Legendary Kubrick Film
Armando Iannucci (the satirist behind The Thick of It, Veep, The Death of Stalin and I’m Alan Partridge) and Sean Foley (who’ll also be directing) are bringing Stanley Kubrick’s iconic Dr Strangelove to the Noel Coward theatre this autumn, in what will be the first ever stage adaptation of one of the legendary director’s films. The 1964 black-and-white film, which satirises the fear of nuclear war during the Cold War and famously had Peter Sellers starring in three different roles, is widely considered to be one of the best movies ever made. Steve Coogan is taking on the lead for the stage version, with Giles Terera playing the role of General Buck Turgidson, and the combo of Kubrick’s source material, Iannucci and Coogan has got us very excited for this one.
From Tues 8th October 2024
85-88 St Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4AP
drstrangelove.com

9. Dine at Highly Anticipated New Restaurant AngloThai
Over the past couple of years AngloThai, the British-Thai kitchen concept run by husband and wife team John and Desiree Chantarasak, has been popping up across town (including residencies at Newcomer Wines and Outcrop) and releasing very popular meal kits (including a banquet box with Irish beef and sai ua hot dog kits), and now they’re going perm with their very own restaurant in Marylebone this October.
October 2024
22-24 Seymour Place, London W1H 7NL
anglothai.co.uk

10. Shop from Independent Black Makers at This Market
The Black Culture Market is back this October with an edition for Black History Month, giving Londoners the chance to support emerging entrepreneurs and businesses of African and Caribbean descent. The market will be returning to its usual venue at Brixton‘s Department Store, stacked with stalls selling unique prints, jewellery, male grooming kits, skincare, gifts & cards, clothes, accessories and more – all from independent Black makers.
Sat 5th & 6th October 2024
Downstairs at The Department Store, 248 Ferndale Road, Brixton, London SW9 8FR
blackculturemarket.co.uk