London October Events Guide: Festivals, Film Fests, and Autumn Highlights

London offers a packed schedule of seasonal events, festivals, and exhibitions throughout October 2026. Visitors can experience diverse cultural celebrations, historical showcases, and outdoor autumn activities across the city.

Festivals and Cultural Events

• Chelsea History Festival: Running from 1 to 4 October 2026, hosted by the National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Chelsea, and Chelsea Physic Garden through walks and talks.

• Black History Month: Held from 1 to 31 October 2026, featuring walks, talks, and tours highlighting Black Britons.

• Bloomsbury Festival: Taking place throughout October 2026 for its 20th anniversary, featuring a medical comedy night, filmmaking workshops, guided tours, Diwali celebrations, and museum treasure hunts.

• Month of the Dead: Running from 1 October to 1 November 2026, offering cemetery tours and talks.

• Big Draw Festival: Launching at the House of Illustration in Clerkenwell from 2 to 3 October 2026 with workshops and activities.

• London Latino Film Festival: Running from 2 to 6 October 2026 across multiple venues with around 60 films, screenings, and Q&As.

• Harvest Festivals: Celebrated at Morden Hall Park on 3 October 2026 with apple-pressing, Morris dancing, and a honey competition, and in Central Croydon on 3 to 4 October 2026 with free family activities.

• Festival of the Girl: Hosted at Islington's Business Design Centre from 3 to 4 October 2026.

Exhibitions and Theatre

• British Museum Korea Exhibition: Opening from 1 October 2026 to 31 January 2027, featuring ceramics, Buddhist sculpture, and paintings.

• Ossie Clark Exhibition: Hosted at the Fashion and Textile Museum from 2 October 2026 to April 2027, spotlighting designer Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell.

• The Cherry Orchard: Starring Kristin Scott Thomas at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 3 October 2026 to 9 January 2027.

Transport and Sport

• Vintage Bus Rides: Operating for free on 3 October 2026, running between Finsbury Park and Ash Grove Bus Station via a short stretch of the 106 route using 1930s-70s buses.

• NFL in London: American football games hosted across three Sundays between 4 and 18 October 2026 at Tottenham Hotspur and Wembley stadiums.