18 Events and Festivals to Attend in London This October 2026
October might be one of the best months to experience London if you like having something different to do every weekend.
The city moves properly into autumn, but the calendar is far from quiet. Film festivals take over cinemas, major art fairs arrive in Regent's Park, London celebrates Black History Month, Oktoberfest brings Bavarian beer halls to the capital, and Halloween gradually takes over the final week of the month.
There are also some events that are easy to overlook.
You can watch an NFL game in London, experience Japanese culture in Trafalgar Square, attend Diwali celebrations, explore a month-long festival in Bloomsbury, listen to Korean music, join a history festival in Chelsea or spend an evening at one of London's many Halloween events.
So if you're wondering what events and festivals to attend in London this October 2026, here are 18 worth putting on your calendar.
1. Chelsea History Festival
1–4 October 2026
If you're interested in London's past, start October in Chelsea.
The Chelsea History Festival brings together the National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Chelsea, Chelsea Physic Garden and other local venues for several days of talks, walking tours, performances, exhibitions and history-focused events.
The 2026 festival runs from 1–4 October, with guest curator John Simpson, BBC World Affairs Editor. Some events are free while individual talks and tours can cost up to £40.
It is a particularly good option if you want to explore Chelsea beyond the usual shopping streets.
You can learn about the neighbourhood while actually walking through it.
2. Black History Month
1–31 October 2026
October is Black History Month in the UK, and London has a huge programme of events throughout the month.
Rather than being one single festival at one location, Black History Month is a citywide opportunity to attend exhibitions, talks, performances, workshops and cultural events.
London Museum Docklands is running a dedicated programme from 1–25 October, exploring the experiences and legacies of Londoners of African heritage. Events include talks about Billy Waters, African Americans in Britain during the Second World War and other aspects of Black history.
If you're visiting London in October, this is one of the best months to explore some of the city's history that isn't always included in the standard tourist itinerary.
3. Japan Matsuri
4 October 2026
Head to Trafalgar Square on Sunday 4 October for Japan Matsuri.
Running from 10am to 8pm, the free festival celebrates Japanese culture, food and entertainment with performances, demonstrations, workshops and food and drink stalls.
It is one of the most accessible cultural festivals in London because you don't need to travel across the city to find it.
You can simply get off at Charing Cross and walk into Trafalgar Square.
And if you're interested in Japanese food, this is a particularly good event to combine with an October day in central London.
4. Oktoberfest in London
Throughout October
You don't need to travel to Munich to experience Oktoberfest.
London has several Oktoberfest celebrations throughout October, with beer halls, Bavarian food, live music and plenty of steins.
One of the events at Between the Bridges on the South Bank runs until 17 October, with October sessions on 9–10 and 16–17 October.
There is also Oktoberfest on Clapham Common from 9–24 October, spread across three weekends.
The big Finsbury Park Oktoberfest event ran from 1–3 October, so if you're planning your visit later in the month, don't rely on that one there are still other options.
Expect German beer, bratwurst, pretzels, music and a very different atmosphere from an ordinary London pub.
5. BFI London Film Festival
7–18 October 2026
Film lovers have one of the biggest events of the month to look forward to.
The 70th BFI London Film Festival runs from 7–18 October, with more than 250 films from around the world across features, shorts, series and immersive works.
The main London venues include BFI Southbank and the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall, alongside other cinemas around the capital.
You don't have to be a film critic or industry professional to attend.
There are public screenings, premieres, talks and special events, and the festival also has LFF for Free, a programme of free talks, workshops, screenings and other activities at BFI Southbank from 9–18 October.
If you've ever wanted to experience London during a major film festival, October is your chance.
6. NFL London Games
4, 11 and 18 October 2026
American football returns to London with three NFL games across October.
The first two are at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:
4 October: Indianapolis Colts vs Washington Commanders
11 October: Philadelphia Eagles vs Jacksonville Jaguars
The third game is at Wembley Stadium:
18 October: Houston Texans vs Jacksonville Jaguars
The NFL's official 2026 London Games information confirms all three fixtures.
Even if you're not a serious NFL fan, attending one of these games can be a fun London experience.
The atmosphere around the stadiums is part of the event.
7. Royal Parks Half Marathon
11 October 2026
You don't have to run the Royal Parks Half Marathon to enjoy the atmosphere.
Taking place on Sunday 11 October, the 13.1-mile route passes through four Royal Parks Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, St James's Park and The Green Park as well as landmarks including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and the Royal Albert Hall.
The roads close for the race and there is a festival atmosphere around the event.
If you're staying in central London that weekend, expect some changes to roads and transport around the route.
But if you enjoy sport, it can also be a brilliant day to stand along the course and cheer runners on.
8. Frieze London and Frieze Masters
14–18 October 2026
October is one of the biggest months of the year for London's art scene.
Frieze London and Frieze Masters return to Regent's Park from 14–18 October.
Frieze London focuses on contemporary art, while Frieze Masters presents art from different periods and traditions. Both fairs bring galleries and artists from around the world to London.
General admission begins from Thursday 15 October, while the opening day is invitation-only.
You don't need to be a serious collector to enjoy the experience.
Even if you never buy anything, walking through the fair gives you a glimpse into one of the biggest moments on London's annual art calendar.
9. Bloomsbury Festival
1–31 October 2026
Bloomsbury effectively becomes a festival throughout October.
The 20th anniversary Bloomsbury Festival runs from 1–31 October, with more than 150 arts, culture and science events across the neighbourhood.
Expect talks, exhibitions, walks, performances, music, workshops, film and family activities.
The great thing about this festival is that it encourages you to explore Bloomsbury itself rather than simply going to one venue.
You might start at the British Museum, wander through the streets around Russell Square and then discover an event you hadn't planned on attending.
10. K-Music Festival
28 September–23 November 2026
October also brings one of London's best opportunities to experience contemporary Korean music.
The K-Music Festival runs from late September through November, with numerous performances during October across venues including Southbank Centre, Rich Mix and Royal Albert Hall.
The 2026 programme moves across traditional Korean music, jazz, hip-hop, experimental music, gaming soundtracks and cross-cultural performances.
One particularly unusual event is Korean Games in Concert on 11 October at the Southbank Centre, where the National Gugak Center's ensemble performs Korean gaming soundtracks using traditional Korean instruments.
If you want an event that's different from London's usual tourist calendar, this is a strong choice.
11. London Literature Festival
20 October–1 November 2026
Book lovers should head to the Southbank Centre from late October.
The London Literature Festival runs from 20 October to 1 November 2026.
The 2026 festival is curated by Dua Lipa, founder of the Service95 Book Club, and includes conversations, poetry, readings and events with established and emerging writers.
There are events throughout the final third of October, including poetry and music nights, author conversations and special programmes.
It's also a nice excuse to explore the South Bank when the evenings start feeling properly autumnal.
12. London Restaurant Festival
Throughout October
If your idea of a good festival involves eating, this one should be on your list.
London Restaurant Festival's Autumn Edition runs throughout October 2026, with special menus, restaurant events, masterclasses, neighbourhood experiences and food-focused events across the capital.
There are events ranging from brunches and restaurant takeovers to wine pairings, cocktail experiences and special tasting menus.
Some events sell out quickly, so this is one where checking the programme before your visit makes sense.
13. Diwali on the Square
25 October 2026
One of London's most colourful free events takes place in Trafalgar Square on Sunday 25 October.
Diwali on the Square runs from 1pm to 7pm and is free to attend.
The event includes music, dance, cultural performances, workshops, a market and food stalls. There are also family activities including sari and turban tying, yoga, meditation and dance workshops.
It is open to everyone and is one of the best opportunities in October to experience the atmosphere of London's Indian, Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities in the centre of the city.
If you're visiting London from India, it can also feel like a particularly familiar yet very London experience.
14. Dark Arts at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
16 September–8 November 2026
October is an excellent time to visit Warner Bros. Studio Tour London because the Dark Arts experience is running throughout the month.
The 2026 event runs from 16 September to 8 November, transforming parts of the Harry Potter Studio Tour with a darker, Halloween-inspired atmosphere.
And if you want something even more atmospheric, the Studio Tour's NOX experience takes place on 29, 30 and 31 October.
This is particularly good for Harry Potter fans who have already visited the studios before and want a different version of the experience.
15. Halloween in London
31 October 2026
By the end of October, Halloween takes over London.
There isn't one single official “London Halloween Festival”. Instead, the city fills with themed events from family activities and haunted attractions to parties, theatre, ghost walks and late-night events.
The official Visit London calendar lists 31 October as Halloween and highlights spooky attractions and experiences across the city.
If you're visiting specifically for Halloween, don't leave your planning until 31 October.
Some of the most popular experiences require advance booking.
16. London Museum's Black History Month Programme
October 2026
Black History Month deserves another mention because there is enough happening to make it an entire cultural day out.
At London Museum Docklands, the October programme includes free talks exploring different aspects of Black history in London and Britain.
For example, Finding Billy Waters on 10 October explores the story of Billy Waters, a Black celebrity of Regency London, while African Americans in Britain during the Second World War takes place on 11 October.
The programme is a good reminder that October isn't only about Halloween and autumn events.
It is also an important month for learning more about London's history and communities.
17. October Half-Term
26–30 October 2026 for many London schools
If you're travelling with children, the final week of October is particularly busy.
Many London schools have their October half-term during 26–30 October, although school dates can vary. Visit London lists that week as the main October half-term period.
This means museums, attractions, family shows and Halloween experiences can become considerably busier.
The upside is that London puts on a huge number of family events during the break.
The downside?
Book popular attractions ahead of time.
18. A Halloween Evening at Chelsea Physic Garden
30 October 2026
If huge Halloween parties aren't really your thing, there are quieter alternatives.
Chelsea Physic Garden is hosting Ghost Stories in the Garden on 30 October, from 6:30pm to 8pm.
The evening combines storytelling, music and folklore around the turning of the year and the traditions surrounding Samhain. Tickets are currently listed at £18.50, including a hot beverage.
It is a much more atmospheric way to spend Halloween season than going to a massive club night.
You get darkness, history, plants, storytelling and an unusual London setting all in one evening.
How to Choose the Right October Event
With so much happening, you don't need to try to attend everything.
If you're visiting London for the first time, I'd prioritise:
Japan Matsuri
BFI London Film Festival
Diwali on the Square
Halloween
Oktoberfest
If you've already seen London's famous attractions, look at:
Chelsea History Festival
Bloomsbury Festival
K-Music Festival
London Literature Festival
Frieze
If you're travelling with children, consider:
Dark Arts at Warner Bros. Studio Tour
October half-term events
Halloween activities
Japan Matsuri
Bloomsbury Festival family events
And if you simply want something different, try K-Music Festival, the Royal Parks Half Marathon atmosphere or Ghost Stories at Chelsea Physic Garden.
A Simple Way to Plan October in London
The easiest way to enjoy London's October calendar is to divide the month into weekends.
Early October:
Chelsea History Festival, Black History Month events and Japan Matsuri.
Second weekend:
BFI London Film Festival, NFL London Games, Royal Parks Half Marathon and Oktoberfest.
Middle of October:
Frieze, Oktoberfest and more London Restaurant Festival events.
Final week:
London Literature Festival, Diwali on the Square, half-term and Halloween events.
Halloween weekend:
Dark Arts, NOX, ghost stories and London's wider Halloween programme.
You don't need to build your entire trip around one festival.
London is at its best when you combine an event with the neighbourhood around it.
Go to Frieze and walk around Regent's Park.
Visit Japan Matsuri and explore Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden afterwards.
See the NFL at Tottenham and spend some time around the stadium.
Go to the London Literature Festival and continue along the South Bank after your event.
That's how an event becomes part of a London day rather than the entire day.
Final Thoughts
October 2026 is shaping up to be one of those months when there is almost too much happening in London.
There are major international events such as the NFL London Games and Frieze, huge cultural festivals such as Bloomsbury Festival and K-Music Festival, and major annual celebrations including Diwali and Halloween.
Then there are smaller events that can give you a very different experience of the city.
A history festival in Chelsea.
A Japanese cultural celebration in Trafalgar Square.
A Korean music performance at the Southbank Centre.
Ghost stories inside Chelsea Physic Garden.
A film festival screening somewhere in central London.
That variety is what makes October so good.
You can spend one weekend watching an NFL game, another exploring art, another eating your way through a food festival and the final weekend celebrating Halloween or Diwali.
So if you're going to be in London this October, don't just ask what sights you should see. Check what's actually happening while you're there.
That's often where the best London experiences are.
Planning your next London day out? Discover more neighbourhood guides, hidden gems, food spots and things to do on LondonYaar.com.
Follow @rohan.londonyaar for more London places, stories and things worth knowing before you visit.