Things to Do in London This Weekend: 9–11 October 2026
Friday 9 October, Saturday 10 October and Sunday 11 October 2026
If you're wondering what to do in London this weekend, you have a pretty good excuse to leave the house.
From the BFI London Film Festival and a major art fair in Shoreditch to a celebration of the Bayeux Tapestry, autumn walks, Oktoberfest, a huge craft show at Alexandra Palace and one of London's biggest half marathons, there is plenty happening across the capital from 9 to 11 October 2026.
And this is one of those weekends where you don't necessarily need to book one enormous attraction.
You can spend Saturday morning looking at art, have lunch somewhere around Shoreditch, walk through an autumn park and finish the evening beside the Thames.
Or you can make Sunday about films, food, museums or cheering runners through central London.
Here are some of the best things to do in London this weekend.
1. Watch a film at the BFI London Film Festival
Film fans have one of the biggest events in London's cultural calendar happening right now.
The 70th BFI London Film Festival runs from 7 to 18 October 2026, bringing films, series and immersive work from around the world to venues across London. The festival's main venues include BFI Southbank and the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall, alongside cinemas across the capital.
That means this weekend is right in the middle of the festival.
There are screenings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, ranging from international films and documentaries to genre cinema and special presentations.
One particularly useful thing about the festival is that you don't have to be a serious film critic to enjoy it.
Pick something that sounds completely different from what you'd normally watch.
You could make a film screening the centrepiece of your evening and then head along the South Bank afterwards for dinner and a walk beside the Thames.
When: 9–11 October
Where: Multiple cinemas and venues across London
Good for: Film lovers, unusual cinema experiences and a different night out
The programme is extensive, so check the individual film and venue before travelling.
2. See the Bayeux Tapestry celebrations at the British Museum
Something genuinely historic is happening in London this year.
The Bayeux Tapestry is being displayed at the British Museum from September 2026 to July 2027, marking its first return to England since it was made almost 1,000 years ago. The 70-metre-long embroidered artwork tells the story of the events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
This weekend, the surrounding celebrations make the visit even more interesting.
The Big Bayeux Bash takes place on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October from 11am to 4pm at the British Museum.
It includes free, family-friendly activities inspired by the medieval world, including workshops and drop-in sessions.
The actual tapestry exhibition has proved extremely popular, so don't assume you can simply turn up and see it without a timed ticket.
But even if you don't have a tapestry ticket, the weekend celebration itself gives you another reason to visit the area.
When: 10–11 October, 11am–4pm
Where: British Museum, Great Russell Street
Good for: History, families and anyone interested in 1066
3. Explore The Other Art Fair in Shoreditch
If you want something less traditional than a museum gallery, head to Shoreditch.
The Other Art Fair takes over The Truman Brewery on Brick Lane from 8 to 11 October.
It brings together independent artists and original artwork alongside installations, performances, workshops, DJs and other activities. The organisers describe it as an art fair designed to make contemporary art more accessible rather than simply presenting a conventional gallery experience.
The weekend opening times are:
Friday 9 October: 4pm–10pm
Saturday 10 October: 11am–7pm
Sunday 11 October: 11am–6pm
This could be particularly good for people who want to discover artists rather than simply walk through another famous museum.
And once you're finished, you're already in one of the best parts of London for food, coffee, vintage shops, street art and nightlife.
Where: The Truman Brewery, 83 Brick Lane
Good for: Art, independent artists and Shoreditch
4. Spend a few hours at Knit + Stitch at Alexandra Palace
Not every London event this weekend is about museums, films or food.
At Alexandra Palace, Knit + Stitch runs from 8 to 11 October.
The event brings together hundreds of craft workshops, demonstrations, interactive features, textile art galleries and more than 300 specialist craft suppliers.
The weekend timings are:
Friday 9 October: 10am–5:30pm
Saturday 10 October: 10am–5:30pm
Sunday 11 October: 10am–4:30pm
You don't need to be an expert knitter to enjoy it.
If you like textiles, handmade objects, crafts, sewing, design or simply browsing unusual things, it is a very different kind of London day out.
And because you're at Alexandra Palace, you can combine it with a walk through the surrounding park and views across London.
Tickets: From £15.50
Where: Alexandra Palace
Good for: Craft lovers, families and anyone looking for something different
5. Cheer on runners at the Royal Parks Half Marathon
Sunday morning will look very different across central London.
The Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon takes place on Sunday 11 October.
The 13.1-mile route passes through four Royal Parks Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James's Park and Kensington Gardens as well as landmarks including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and the Royal Albert Hall.
You don't have to be running to be part of the day.
Find a suitable viewing point, grab a coffee and cheer on the runners.
It can also be a good excuse to explore central London on foot, although remember that road closures and diversions will affect parts of the route.
When: Sunday 11 October
Good for: A lively Sunday morning and supporting runners
If you're planning to drive into central London, check travel conditions before setting off.
6. Go to Oktoberfest on the South Bank
Fancy making Friday or Saturday night a little louder?
Between The Bridges on the South Bank is hosting Oktoberfest on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October, from 6pm to 11pm.
The event transforms the venue into a German-style beer hall with Bavarian food, large steins, live brass music and DJs. On these dates, Old Dirty Brasstards are scheduled to perform.
It is worth noting that the event is ticketed, although the venue describes the wider Oktoberfest setup as part of its South Bank offering.
You could easily turn this into a South Bank evening:
Start with a walk along the Thames → stop for food → Oktoberfest → finish with the London skyline after dark.
When: Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October, 6pm–11pm
Where: Between The Bridges, South Bank
Good for: Groups, live music and a lively night out
7. Make the most of London's autumn parks
You don't have to attend an event every day.
October is one of the nicest times to simply walk through London.
The city's parks are beginning to change colour, and current autumn guides from Visit London and The Royal Parks are highlighting places including Richmond Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, St James's Park, Green Park and Kensington Gardens.
For this particular weekend, try:
Richmond Park if you want a longer walk and autumn landscapes.
Greenwich Park if you want autumn colour with London views.
Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens if you want to stay central.
St James's Park if you want autumn scenery surrounded by major landmarks.
And if you're already going into central London for the Royal Parks Half Marathon on Sunday, you can make a full day of exploring the parks afterwards.
8. Visit a London market
Markets are an easy weekend option because you don't have to plan your entire day around them.
Borough Market is a good choice for food, particularly if you want to build a Saturday around eating your way through London.
Borough Market
It is open on Saturday from 9am to 5pm and Sunday from 10am to 4pm according to its current listing.
For a more east London atmosphere, head to:
Spitalfields Market
Or make your way towards:
Camden Market
The point isn't necessarily to spend hours shopping.
Pick a market based on the neighbourhood you want to explore afterwards.
9. Spend a rainy afternoon in a museum
London doesn't need perfect weather to make a good weekend.
If Saturday or Sunday turns wet, museums are an easy backup.
The British Museum is particularly relevant this weekend because of the Bayeux Tapestry celebrations, while the Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum and Science Museum give you plenty of options around South Kensington.
Natural History Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum
Science Museum
The nice thing about London is that you can often combine a museum with somewhere completely different afterwards.
Museum in the afternoon.
Pub or restaurant in the evening.
That's a pretty good rainy-day plan.
10. Try something from the London Restaurant Festival
October is also London Restaurant Festival season.
There are events running throughout the month, and this weekend has several food-focused options.
On Saturday 10 October, the festival lists events including II Bambini Club Italian in Shoreditch and the ALL Accor Weekender at The Hoxton Shoreditch.
On Sunday 11 October, the festival has the Gourmet Odyssey Shoreditch, taking guests through three restaurants in the neighbourhood.
This is a good option if you'd rather make the weekend about eating than sightseeing.
Just check individual availability before travelling because some events are already marked as having limited tickets or being sold out.
11. Explore Shoreditch after The Other Art Fair
If you're heading to The Other Art Fair, don't immediately go home afterwards.
You are already in one of London's most interesting neighbourhoods for an unplanned afternoon.
Walk along Brick Lane.
Look at the street art.
Browse independent shops.
Stop for food.
Then continue towards Spitalfields.
The area works particularly well on a weekend because you can combine an organised event with the more spontaneous side of London.
You don't need a strict itinerary.
Just give yourself a few hours to wander.
12. Take an autumn walk along the South Bank
If you want something completely free, walk beside the Thames.
Start around Westminster Bridge and make your way towards the South Bank.
You'll pass some of the city's most recognisable sights, street performers, restaurants and riverside views.
And this weekend you can potentially combine the walk with several other things on this list.
Friday: Thames walk → Oktoberfest.
Saturday: British Museum → South Bank.
Sunday: Royal Parks Half Marathon → Thames walk.
It is one of those London activities that sounds simple but rarely feels like wasted time.
13. Head to Greenwich for an autumn Sunday
If you want to escape central London for a few hours, Greenwich is a great choice.
Start in Greenwich Park and walk uphill towards the Royal Observatory.
Then explore the historic centre, browse Greenwich Market and continue towards the river.
Greenwich Market
The current autumn guidance from Visit London specifically recommends Greenwich Park for seasonal scenery, including views from the higher parts of the park.
It's also an easy place to spend several hours without needing to constantly move between attractions.
14. Watch a West End show
Sometimes the best weekend plan is the simplest one.
Have dinner.
See a show.
Walk through London afterwards.
There is always a large choice of theatre in the West End, and October 2026 has a particularly strong theatre programme.
If you've been spending your day outdoors, an evening show gives you a completely different atmosphere.
And walking through central London after dark is part of the experience.
You don't necessarily need to build a complicated itinerary around it.
15. See London from above
If the weather is clear, use the weekend to see London from a different angle.
The London Eye is one option, particularly if you're already around the South Bank.
London Eye
Another option is to choose one of London's higher viewpoints and watch the city change as daylight disappears.
The important thing is to check the weather before booking a viewpoint.
A cloudy day can still look atmospheric, but if your main reason for going is the panorama, visibility matters.
A Simple London Weekend Itinerary
If you want to do several things without spending the entire weekend rushing around, here's one way to structure it.
Friday 9 October
Afternoon:
Visit The Other Art Fair in Shoreditch.
Early evening:
Walk around Brick Lane and Spitalfields.
Evening:
Head to the South Bank for Oktoberfest at Between The Bridges.
Saturday 10 October
Morning:
Head to the British Museum for the Big Bayeux Bash.
Lunch:
Explore Bloomsbury or walk towards Covent Garden.
Afternoon:
Choose between the BFI London Film Festival, a museum or an autumn park.
Evening:
Dinner and a walk along the Thames.
Sunday 11 October
Morning:
Watch the Royal Parks Half Marathon or take an autumn walk.
Afternoon:
Visit Greenwich, explore a market or head to a museum.
Evening:
Finish the weekend with dinner or a West End show.
If You Only Have One Day
Don't try to do everything.
For art lovers
The Other Art Fair → Brick Lane → Shoreditch dinner.
For history lovers
British Museum → Big Bayeux Bash → Bloomsbury → Covent Garden.
For film lovers
Autumn walk → BFI London Film Festival screening → South Bank dinner.
For families
Knit + Stitch at Alexandra Palace → Alexandra Park → north London dinner.
For a classic London day
Royal Parks → Westminster → Thames walk → West End.
For a night out
South Bank walk → food → Oktoberfest.
What About the Weather?
October in London can be unpredictable.
You might get a beautiful crisp autumn afternoon, followed by rain later in the evening.
So bring layers and a waterproof jacket, particularly if you're planning to spend time in the parks or walking between neighbourhoods.
Comfortable shoes are also a good idea.
This is London.
Even when your original plan is “one quick thing”, you somehow end up walking another 15,000 steps.
Final Thoughts
The weekend of 9–11 October 2026 is a particularly good example of why there is no single way to experience London.
You can spend the weekend surrounded by films at the BFI London Film Festival.
You can see one of the world's most famous medieval artworks being displayed in England again.
You can discover independent artists in Shoreditch, explore crafts at Alexandra Palace, drink steins beside the Thames or simply walk through London's parks as autumn takes over.
And you don't have to spend a fortune either.
Some of the best parts of the weekend walking through the parks, exploring neighbourhoods, watching the half marathon and wandering along the Thames cost nothing.
So pick the part of London that sounds most like your kind of weekend and go from there.
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.