Things To Do in London This Weekend (Oct 25–26, 2025) — 5 perfect picks
If you’re in London this weekend (Oct 25–26, 2025) and want something better than scrolling endless event lists, here are five tightly chosen plans that work whether you’re rolling solo, with kids, with a date, or showing friends the city. They’re local, seasonal and properly London pumpkin patches, markets, Diwali joy and street art that actually feels alive.
1. Brent Cross Diwali Festival community warmth in North London (Sun 26 Oct)
This one’s the weekend’s emotional centrepiece: Brent Cross Shopping Centre’s free Diwali Festival curated by storyteller Seema Anand. Expect diya (clay lamp) workshops, henna stations and two lively dance slots the day runs roughly from 12:00–17:00 and is aimed at families and anyone who wants a friendly, colourful Diwali out in the open. The influencer brief and event notes confirm the date, activities and that the event is free.
How to get there: take the Northern Line to Brent Cross (about a 10-minute walk) or bus routes 112, 210, 266, 611. Free parking is available at the shopping centre if you’re driving. Practical tip: arrive before 12pm if you want to take part in the diya workshop it’s a short session and popular.
Why go: it’s warm, joyful and a great intro to Diwali for first-timers live dhol and dance, hands-on workshops, and festive food and retail offers inside the mall.
2. Borough Market Autumn Harvest & October Plenty vibes (Sat 25 Oct)
If you want seasonal food culture, Borough Market is doing what it does best: leaning into autumn with squashes, game, root veg and rich cheeses the market’s Autumn pages and October features make it clear October is harvest time here. This weekend is a brilliant time for mulled cider, wood-fired flatbreads and grabbing produce to cook with when you get home. Borough Market also stages October Plenty-style processions and harvest features across the month.
How to get there: London Bridge station (Northern & Jubilee lines, plus National Rail) and a short walk brings you into the market. Best time: arrive at opening (10:00) to beat the heaviest crowds and get the good stalls. Local tip: take cash for small traders but most accept contactless.
3. Parsons Green / London Pumpkin Patch pick, carve, pose (Sat–Sun, Oct 25–26)
Not all pumpkin patches mean a two-hour train trip London’s own patch at Parsons Green runs 25–31 Oct (the central “London Pumpkin Patch”), and it’s perfect for families or anyone who wants a low-fuss Halloween vibe without leaving the city. Pick your pumpkin, enjoy themed stalls and photo areas, and get carving inspiration.
How to get there: Parsons Green (District Line) the patch is a short walk from the station. Tip: book a morning slot if you want calmer crowds and sweeter light for photos.
If you prefer a bigger family-friendly farm experience, Hobbledown Heath in Hounslow runs a larger pumpkin patch through October and is a short trip from West London it’s ideal if you want pumpkins plus adventure-play and animals.
4. Southbank Diwali/Arts Preview & family-friendly events (Sat 25 Oct)
The Southbank Centre is running Diwali-linked family events in their “Arts in the Garden: Light & Colour” programming and other free/low-cost activities around the weekend. It’s the kind of riverside, cultural celebration where you’ll find rangoli, craft stalls and short performances a focused, atmospheric pre-fest preview that’s easy to pair with a Thames walk. Check the Southbank Centre events listings for exact timings and ticketed family sessions.
How to get there: Waterloo (Jubilee, Northern, Bakerloo, Waterloo & City) or Embankment (Circle/District) — walk along the riverside to the Queen Elizabeth Hall roof garden or the festival location. Tip: combine a Southbank visit with Borough Market (it’s a 20–25 minute riverside walk).
5. Shoreditch October Art Walk fresh street art & autumn moods (Sat 25 Oct)
Shoreditch street art tours run year-round and Saturday public tours are common local providers and guides take you through ever-changing murals, artist backstories and permissioned works by Banksy, Eine, Stik and more. The tours are ideal for visitors who want the city’s creative underlayer rather than the usual museum route. Sites and tour operators publish pickup points and times; many run in the early afternoon on Saturdays.
How to get there: meet near Old Spitalfields Market or Liverpool Street both are easy from central London (Liverpool St is served by Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan lines and National Rail). Local tip: wear comfortable shoes and bring a camera the light in late October is gorgeous for mural photos.
Extra weekend planning tips (real local hacks)
Timing matters. If you want the best photos and smaller crowds, aim for morning market visits (Borough Market) or early workshop slots (Brent Cross). Pumpkin patches are quieter on weekday mornings but still doable at weekends if you book early.
Transport: Oct evenings are cool and sometimes windy take the Tube where possible and check TfL live updates before you travel. For Brent Cross, Northern Line is simplest; for the Southbank and Borough, use Waterloo/London Bridge respectively.
Kids: Brent Cross and Parsons Green patches are both family-friendly; Hobbledown Heath is a full-day win if you have energetic children. Book any required time slots in advance for pumpkin patches or Southbank family sessions.
Weather & layers: late Oct in London favours layers, waterproofs, and comfy shoes courtyards and riverside paths can be chilly after sunset.
Photographer’s note: For glowing autumn imagery, aim for the “golden hour” (about an hour before sunset) Borough Market and the Southbank riverside look especially cinematic then.
Quick weekend route (if you want to try all five in a single relaxed loop)
Start Saturday morning at Parsons Green for pumpkin patch photos, head into town midday for Borough Market lunch, then stroll the Southbank riverside for an afternoon craft session or Diwali preview. Finish with a Shoreditch street-art walk in the late afternoon. On Sunday, save the family-friendly Brent Cross Diwali Festival for a full, social afternoon. This keeps travel sensible and gives you museums/indoor options if it rains. (Adjust orders depending on ticket times and energy levels.)
Final Word Your London Weekend Awaits
London never runs out of plans, but weekends like this when Diwali lights meet autumn pumpkins and the Thames glows gold at sunset are the ones that make you fall a little bit in love with the city again.
So don’t over-plan it. Pick two or three of these events, grab your Oyster card, and let the weekend unfold. Maybe you’ll end up with a perfect pumpkin photo, maybe you’ll catch a free dhol beat at Brent Cross, or maybe you’ll just find your favourite riverside spot for mulled wine that’s the real London magic.
And if you want someone to guide you through that magic week after week showing you what’s new, what’s free, and what’s worth your time come hang out with us.
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