The best things to do in London this weekend (24-25 October 2026)

1. Step into one of Scotland’s most beloved traditions with Ceilidh the Musical

Led by a lively caller, Ceilidh the Musical brings together a whirlwind of songs, stories and dances for a night to remember. Created by award-winning duo Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie (Noisemaker), and directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Sam Pinkleton (Oh, Mary!), this joyous and irreverent show invites you to join in the action as a story of family bonds, love and legacy unfolds around you.

Make sure to book your tickets for Ceilidh the Musical during its three-week run in London before it heads off on tour.

2. Visit the Imperial War Museum’s Big Stories Festival

Storytelling is set to take over the Imperial War Museum this weekend with the Big Stories Festival, the perfect family-friendly event for October half term. Meet beloved children’s authors, including award-winning writer Dame Jacqueline Wilson, acclaimed author Judith Eagle and many more. The first festival of its kind, the Big Stories Festival invites children and parents to explore the power of stories to spark imagination through a packed two-day programme of free drop-in activities. Inspired by IWM’s current exhibition, Childhood in War, which explores the experiences of young people living through conflict, the festival offers plenty of opportunities for families to get creative together.

Stop by the family hub to discover the art of storytelling through a variety of creative activities, from designing storyboards to bringing your own characters to life with a wooden spoon puppet and starring in a brand-new story. Join illustrator Will Hughes to learn how to draw characters and bring your stories to life, creating your own storybook to take home. Or sing and play along with Tom Carradine at Family Knees Up, where storytelling meets music in an interactive session featuring puppets and a good old-fashioned singalong for all the family.

Browse the Big Stories Festival’s programme of activities and plan your family day out at the Imperial War Museum.

3. See the spectacular Cirque Berserk!

Catch Cirque Berserk! as the award-winning company returns to the West End this week for a very short run, bringing some of the biggest and most spectacular stunts to the London stage.

Presented by Zippo, this adrenaline-fuelled circus show is tailor-made for the theatre stage, with an extravaganza of thrilling acts, from gravity-defying acrobatics and aerialists to daredevil stunt artists. Blending contemporary cirque-style artistry with adrenaline-fuelled action and traditional circus acts we all know and love, it promises a spectacular experience from start to finish.

The cherry on top? The show brings one of the world’s most hair-raising circus acts to the stage: the legendary motorcycle ‘Globe of Death’.

Book your tickets for Cirque Berserk!, the ultimate theatre-circus experience.

5. Get spooky aboard the Halloween Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

As the spookiest night of the year approaches, why not get into mischief aboard the Halloween Afternoon Tea Bus Tour? This October, there’s no better way to discover London’s top sights, from Westminster Abbey and the London Eye to Tower Bridge and more, while tucking into a delightful afternoon tea filled with witchy and sinister bites.

Beware of ghosts and goblins lurking as the bus navigates the streets of London, all while you listen to some of Halloween’s spookiest hits and tuck into ghoulishly good treats, combining sightseeing with seasonal fun.

On the menu, you’ll find savoury bites including Witch’s Egg & Cress Brioche, Dracula’s Prosciutto & Mozzarella Focaccia, Ghostly Cucumber Cream Sandwich and more. The sweet selection is just as spellbinding, with Witch’s Cauldron Tartlets, Moonlit Macarons and ghostly scones.

Book your tickets to hop aboard the spooky Halloween Afternoon Tea Bus Tour, and discover even more seasonal activities with our detailed Halloween in London guide.

6. Explore the golden age of Art Deco at the London Transport Museum

Discover the golden age of Art Deco at the London Transport Museum’s Global Poster Gallery, where you can explore more than 100 original posters, including rarely seen prints linked to London’s transport and Underground history.

Marking the centenary of the 1925 Paris Exhibition, where Art Deco first made its mark, the exhibition showcases over 100 original posters from the London Transport Museum’s collection, celebrating the era’s distinctive art and architecture. From avant-garde designs to eye-catching prints with bright colours and geometric shapes, discover the creative styles that defined this golden age of poster design.

Entry to the Global Poster Gallery is included with admission to the London Transport Museum. Alternatively, you can book a highlights tour of the museum’s collection of artworks and posters, focusing on the Art Deco era, which takes place daily at 12.05pm and 3.05pm.

Book your tickets to visit the London Transport Museum and discover the golden age of Art Deco.

7. Immerse yourself into Cantonese cuisine with a duck and dim sum brunch

Delight in a one-of-a-kind culinary experience at Yú Gé, the restaurant at Park Hyatt London River Thames, with a weekend brunch combining two Cantonese favourites in one dining experience. The menu brings Yú Gé’s signature Peking duck to the table in a variety of dishes, from duck spring rolls to signature Peking duck served with pancakes.

Pair it with a selection of steaming, flavoursome dim sum, including Har Gau, classic Cantonese shrimp dumplings served with bamboo shoots, followed by Siu Mai, an Iberico pork and prawn dumpling wrapped in a wonton-style pastry, before finishing with baby spinach dumplings.

Served exclusively at weekends, the brunch also includes a choice of chef’s signature dishes, from Wok-Fried Angus Beef Ho Fun to Vegetarian Fried Noodles and Yangzhou Fried Rice.

We recommend booking your table in advance. If you’re looking for more dumpling spots and restaurant recommendations, make sure to browse our Chinatown guide.

8. Walk in the footsteps of sporting legends at one of London’s stadiums

With the Ballon d’Or ceremony taking place in London this Monday, there’s no better time to relive some iconic sporting moments. Walk in the footsteps of football legends with one of London’s stadium tours, from the Arsenal Stadium Tour at Emirates Stadium to the Chelsea FC Stadium Tour, alongside plenty of other behind-the-scenes experiences across the capital.

Head to Wembley Stadium to explore one of the country’s most iconic sporting venues, which also hosts some of the biggest gigs, from Taylor Swift to Harry Styles and more. Take a tour of Wembley Stadium to delve into the history of this legendary venue, enter the players’ dressing room and follow in the footsteps of football greats as you walk through the players’ tunnel and out onto the pitch.

If you’re a rugby enthusiast, a visit to Twickenham is a must. Home to the World Rugby Museum, the stadium offers a fascinating look at the sport’s history and pivotal moments through a collection of artefacts. Then, take a tour of Twickenham Stadium to explore the Royal Box, step into the dressing room and walk through the players’ tunnel for a breathtaking view of the pitch.

Discover our top picks and insider tips before booking your stadium tour.

9. Attend the London Literature Festival with events curated by Dua Lipa

Southbank Centre’s London Literature Festival is back for another year, with plenty of events to attract readers of all ages, from readings and talks to workshops. This year, artist and Service95 Book Club founder Dua Lipa takes the reins as curator, putting together a series of events across the opening weekend. The programme is packed with talks featuring legendary authors and rising stars, alongside discussion panels, book launches and plenty more to look forward to.

On Saturday, don’t miss Dua Lipa in conversation with Zadie Smith, discussing the author’s 2000 debut novel, White Teeth. And if you’re interested in exploring the links between literature, music and lyrics, make sure to come back on Sunday for Dua Lipa’s conversation with music legend Patti Smith, discussing her intimate memoir, Bread of Angels.

Poetry lovers will be spoilt for choice this Saturday, with a full day dedicated to poetry. Starting at 11am, this free event showcases a curated selection of works from the National Poetry Library, chosen by its very own librarians. There will also be free drop-in poetry workshops open to all, making it a great opportunity to discover new voices and get creative.

Browse the London Literature Festival’s programme and take your pick.

10. See Keira Knightley return to the stage in The Lives of Others

For theatregoers looking for a gripping play that keeps them on the edge of their seats, The Lives of Others has just opened this month, marking Keira Knightley’s return to the West End stage for the first time in over 15 years. She takes on the role of actress Christa-Maria Sieland in this stage adaptation of the Oscar-winning film.

Set in East Germany, the story delves into a world of surveillance and deception, following Stasi officer Gerd Wiesler as he undertakes a secret operation to monitor novelist Georg Dreyman and his partner, Christa-Maria Sieland. From his post in the attic, Wiesler listens in on their conversations and documents their every move, turning their lives upside down. But as the operation unfolds, he begins to question where loyalty ends and personal freedom begins.

Secure your tickets for this gripping psychological thriller, featuring a star-studded cast and offering one of the season’s must-see dramas.

11. Join Dials After Dark at Seven Dials Market

Every Friday and Saturday night in October, Seven Dials Market comes alive after dark with vibrant live music from 7pm, from DJ takeovers by Voices Radio and live performances by Sofar Sounds to piano house classics and live bands.

This Friday, catch a Voices Radio takeover, with DJ Vanity Project behind the decks. Then, on Saturday, The Bandini Experience takes over Dials After Dark with a live band set, bringing diners to the dancefloor well into the night.

What’s more? You won’t go hungry, with over 21 food market traders serving up delicious bites throughout the evening. Tuck into steaming, fluffy baos at Yum Bun, devour one of Bleecker’s classics, from stacked cheeseburgers to its plant-based version, or head to Pick & Cheese, home to the world’s first cheese conveyor belt.

Looking for more things to do in Covent Garden, whether you’re visiting by day or night? Make sure to browse our detailed guide to the neighbourhood.

12. Visit one of London’s oldest theatres as it reopens for guided tours

London’s West End is home to more than 40 theatres, many with fascinating histories and a long list of award-winning shows. Among them is the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, one of London’s oldest theatres and well worth a visit. Now reopening its doors for guided tours, this is your chance to discover its colourful past, from royal scandals and famous divas to the dramatic events that have shaped its history. Having survived multiple fires, reconstructions, bankruptcy and even murder, there’s plenty to uncover within its walls.

Join your guide and immerse yourself in the birthplace of musical theatre, modern pantomime and moving scenery, while discovering the origins of theatrical terms such as crew, props and box office.

Bringing more than 350 years of theatrical history to life, the tour takes you around the grand theatre, from its halls to the stalls, sharing stories about its most famous performers, resident ghost and even a historical murder plot.

Book your tickets now for the guided tour of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane

13. Attend a screening at the Doc’n Roll Film Festival

The Doc’n Roll Film Festival returns to London for its 13th edition, bringing music documentaries from across genres and scenes to venues including BFI Southbank, the Barbican and Dalston’s Rio. Running for 18 days, the festival showcases 21 feature-length documentaries and five short films, celebrating the musicians and independent filmmakers behind some fascinating stories. Some screenings are also followed by Q&A sessions with artists and filmmakers, as well as live performances, so make sure to check the programme for the full details.

Highlights this weekend include Fugs Film!, an anarchic portrait of the influential 1960s New York band who put the punk into folk and pushed rock ’n’ roll into radical new territory. Another must-see is Amadou & Mariam: The Blind Couple from Mali, which tells the inspiring story of the Malian musical duo and their journey through life and music, celebrating their resilience and the joy they bring to audiences.

14. Enjoy an autumn-filled day in picturesque Highgate

As the clocks go back this Sunday, take it as your sign to embrace London’s cosy season and get up bright and early to explore the capital’s many parks, now covered in a crisp layer of golden and red leaves. There’s no better way to make the most of the season than by heading to Highgate and neighbouring Hampstead, where leafy surroundings and village-like streets lined with independent boutiques and cafés make for a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Wander across Hampstead Heath, making your way up to Parliament Hill, where leafy woodland paths lead to sweeping views across the city. Another must-do this season is a visit to Highgate, where you can stroll through quaint village streets before heading to Highgate Cemetery, a Victorian gem well worth exploring at this time of year. Join a guided tour of the West Cemetery to discover fascinating monuments and graves while hearing stories about some of the extraordinary characters buried here. As part of the tour, you’ll also get to enter the cemetery’s historic catacombs.

Find plenty more to do this weekend in our detailed guide to Hampstead and Highgate, from historic pubs to shopping gems and fascinating landmarks. 

15. Celebrate Diwali in Trafalgar Square

This Sunday, the Diwali Festival returns to Trafalgar Square, celebrating London’s Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities with a vibrant programme of performances and activities. Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali brings a colourful celebration to the heart of the capital, with over 200 dancers in vibrant costumes set to take to the stage and dance around Trafalgar Square’s iconic fountains during the opening ceremony.

Stop by the Bhajan Zone for performances throughout the day, including those by dance schools, or join one of the free dance workshops open to all, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned dancer looking to try a variety of styles, including popular Bollywood dances. You can also head to the Yoga and Meditation Zone to discover mindfulness practices and find a moment of calm amid the festivities.

Find plenty more activities and discover the spirit of Diwali by browsing the festival programme ahead of your visit.

Things to do this weekend under £20

• 🎭 Best for literature lovers: Visit the Jane Austen Experience, dress in Regency style and discover more about Austen’s life.
• 🎨Best for royal heritage: Head to Apsley House, home of the 9th Duke of Wellington, and admire its outstanding art collection, including works by Van Dyck and Titian. 
• 🌌Best for astronomy buffs: Explore the Royal Observatory, home of Greenwich Mean Time and stand on the world-famous Prime Meridian Line.
• 🧙‍♂️ Best for Harry Potter fans: Join the Wizard Walk and explore the movies’ top filming locations, as well as places that inspired key scenes.
• ⛴️ Best for history enthusiasts: Hop aboard the Tower of London River Cruise for a fascinating journey along the Thames, uncovering the river’s murky history.