Things to do this autumn in London
From cultural outings to autumn walks topped off by a Sunday roast, plus big community and family events like Halloween and Bonfire Night, there are plenty of things to do in London this autumn...
By Natasha Sutton-Williams | Updated Sep 13 2024
With the days getting shorter and colder, how can we have more fun indoors? What does the autumn season look like in London’s theatres, museums and galleries? With the leaves turning red and yellow, where are the best places in London for an autumn walk? Where are the best and cosiest pubs in London, and which does the best Sunday roast? These are the questions everyone’s asking, so we set out to find some answers - here they all are, in our list of the best things to do in London this autumn…
Take an autumnal walk through a gorgeous London park...
Perhaps the best thing about this season is going for a long walk and wading through those autumnal leaves that fall from the trees in their yellows, reds and browns - it really is a sight to behold, and London has plenty of brilliant parks where you can revel in the changing of the season…
...or enjoy a riverside stroll
Whatever the time of year, a riverside stroll will do you wonders, and autumn walks tend to take on a slower, more contemplative pace. With the Thames having a walkable stretch of 34 miles over London, there’s much to see, explore and wander across. Lucky for you, we’ve put together out favourite slightly strolls besides the city’s riversides.
Then get comfortable in a cosy pub...
What better way to finish off an autumn walk than with a visit to one of Londons seriously cosy pubs - were talking warm, wood panelled pubs with fireplaces and the best food and drink to warm your body and sooth your soul. Check out our favourites from all over London…
Dig into a divine roast dinner
The end of barbecue season spells the return of that age-old British tradition; the Sunday roast. Maybe you make a mean roast dinner, or maybe it’s someone you know and love who does it best (or maybe not!), but if you fancy a slap-up Sunday roast from some of the best in the business - all without the hassle of cooking and washing up - check out our favourites…
Enjoy a campfire cocktail at The Midnight Apothecary
If sitting round a fire pit while toasting marshmallows and sipping cocktails tickles your fancy, then the Midnight Apothecary is for you. This community potager garden specialises in preparing botanical cocktails - the locally-sourced food and drink menus change with the seasons, using ingredients grown in the garden.
The Midnight Apothecary closes for the winter but is really popular during October when the fire (and maybe a Hot Toddy or two!) provide sweet, sweet comfort from the chill setting in.
Take in the last throws of summer at Chiswick House and Gardens
Chiswick House & Gardens 1 Aug 2024 to 29 Sep 2024
Chiswick House and Gardens have had a fantastic 2024 Creative Programme, generously funded by Arts Council England, centering around two food-themed art projects - Ayesha Weekes’ Harvesting Connection: A Communal Table and Jaixia Blue’s Flower Feast. These exhibits run into October, and there is plenty more going on besides.
Get out and see a show, like WHY AM I SO SINGLE?
Garrick Theatre 27 Aug 2024 to 13 Feb 2025
Coming to The Garrick Theatre at the end of August, the multi-award-winning writers of SIX bring you their all-new, highly anticipated second musical, WHY AM I SO SINGLE?
This Big Fancy Musical follows two besties through the ups, and mostly downs, of their dating lives in the era of Tinder (and Bumble and Grindr and Hinge and Feeld). A musical extravaganza about love, dating, friendship – and bees – explores the weird and wonderful hilariousness of being single, bringing the epic highs and hard-hurting lows of dating to the stage and tapping into something everyone has experienced at one time or another.
...or head to one of the many art exhibitions on this autumn, starting with Embodied Forms: Painting Now
Thaddaeus Ropac 2 Sep 2024 to 28 Sep 2024
An exciting exhibition in Mayfair’s grand Ely House brings together new works by seven artists who reconfigure the relationship between subjectivity and the body, interrogating how its complexities are given form in painting today.
Encompassing diverse material, stylistic and conceptual approaches, themes emerge and commingle across the exhibition, with the relationship between bodies and their environments – whether narrative and/or painterly – standing at the fore.
Shoreditch Town Hall
Shoreditch Town Hall 2 Sep 2024 to 23 Nov 2024
Celebrate the local community, the Drag Scene, the sisterhood and the building itself this Autumn!
Shoreditch Town Hall has announced their fantastic Autumn programme, celebrating the local community, the Drag Scene, the sisterhood and the history of the building itself. With a jam-packed season filled with VR, visual art, cabaret, history, music and more, there’s something for everyone at the iconic East London venue.
Autumn at The National Maritime Museum & Queen’s House
National Maritime Museum 13 Sep 2024 to 31 Oct 2024
The National Maritime Museum tells the story of Britain at sea in its purpose-built museum AND Queen’s House, the magnificent 16th Century mansion which is now used to display many of the items in its collection.
It’s always an interesting day out with fun activities for kids; highlights this autumn season include the new Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition, the Feeling Blue tapestry by multidisciplinary artist Alberta Whittle, and the Women of the RNLI exhibit.
Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers
The National Gallery 14 Sep 2024 to 19 Jan 2025
The National Gallery is bringing together the most loved of Van Gogh’s paintings from across the globe, some of which are rarely seen in public. They will be paired together with his extraordinary drawings in a a spectacular exhibition from 14th September 2024 to 19th January 2025.
An incredible chance to see so many of Van Gogh's paintings and drawings in one space. It might be the big stars that draw you in - quite literally in the case of 'Starry Night over the Rhône' - but there's also the opportunity to fall in love with new favourites.
Autumn Season at Cadogan Hall
Cadogan Hall 16 Sep 2024 to 1 Nov 2024
Every nation has its own way of making music, and every orchestra has a sound as distinctive and as fascinating as the culture it calls home. Hear for yourself as the 2024-25 Zurich International Orchestra Series brings nine great international orchestras to Cadogan Hall in its 20th anniversary year.
Alison Wilding: Testing the Objects of Affection
Alison Jacques 20 Sep 2024 to 26 Oct 2024
Alison Wilding (b. 1948 Blackburn, UK) presents her first exhibition at Alison Jacques, a widely anticipated overview of the artist’s highly influential 50-year career. Spanning work from 1975 to the present day, the show allows an unprecedented insight into one of Britain’s major sculptors.
THE CABINET MINISTER
Menier Chocolate Factory 21 Sep 2024 to 16 Nov 2024
Sir Julian Twombley is in trouble: his wife and son have run up massive debts and his political reputation is in the balance. The House of Commons is far from a safe space for him and the newspapers are sniffing blood. Can he save face and hang on to his sanity?
Arthur Wing Pinero’s breathless farce is given a new life in Nancy Carroll’s adaptation. A crack cast tackles this sparkling story of marriage, blackmail and class where all bets are off!
The Luminous
The Exchange 27 Sep 2024 to 1 Nov 2024
Three women. A book. One unforgettable night....
Part Victorian thriller, part contemporary tale of friendship and rebellion, this time-travelling, genre-busting new show combines RedCape Theatre’s unique blend of physical theatre, dark comedy and gripping storytelling. Touring this Autumn The Luminous will call at The Exchange in Twickenham on Friday 27th September and at Greenwich Theatre on Friday 1st November.
Taming of the Shrew
Globe Theatre 23 Sep 2024 to 26 Oct 2024
Following 2022’s Titus Andronicus, Director Jude Christian debuts in the Globe Theatre with Shakespeare’s playful yet challenging early comedy that asks us where we draw the line between entertainment and complicity, reality and the absurd?
Director Jude Christian says: The Taming of the Shrew is a provocative play that asks deeply uncomfortable questions about gender, power, punishment, and the roles we choose to play throughout our lives.
Films in Concert - at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall 27 Sep 2024 to 26 Apr 2025
The highly rated Films in Concert series continues at the Royal Albert Hall, with a great range of films from September through to November that appeal to elders, kids, and everyone in between.
The acclaimed Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra faithfully reproduce some of the most iconic film soundtracks of our time on the big stage. And the best part, it doubles as a film screening! There are few better ways to get your kids engaged into classical music than this popular series.
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical
Cambridge Theatre 30 Sep 2024 to 19 May 2025
For those who haven’t yet experienced the live phenomenon that is ‘Showstopper! The Improvised Musical’, the show is a fully realised musical created on the spot from audience suggestions. The cast transform suggestions for settings, genres, musical styles and even the name of the show into ingenious storylines with hilarious characters.
Spontaneous musical comedy at its finest, this is the first ever long-form improv show to have a full West End run and to be nominated and win an Olivier Award! Completely improvised and genuinely entirely different every night, this is a must-see show!
The Royal Observatory Greenwich October Lineup
Royal Observatory Greenwich 1 Oct 2024 to 31 Oct 2024
The Royal Observatory is open every day from 10am to 5pm and, in addition to the weekend planetarium shows (perfect for a fun day out as a family) and all the regular goings-on, there is an exciting lineup of events this October - including Halloween shows and interactive workshops, sci-fi screenings and a talk on Chinese astronomy.
One of The Boys
The Playground Theatre 1 Oct 2024 to 27 Oct 2024
Eve is on the brink of a ground-breaking career move; she is about to become the first woman in her company to land the role of CEO. Yes, she has had to compromise, make personal sacrifices, but it was all worth it... right?
Enter Heidi, a mysterious young executive with an agenda. As Heidi gains a foothold within the company, her presence begins to threaten the established culture in which the company thrives, as well as the position that Eve has worked so hard for. Will Eve’s ambition triumph over her conscience, or is it time to smash it all to the ground and start again?
October events at Cutty Sark
Cutty Sark 1 Oct 2024 to 31 Oct 2024
Cutty Sark is one of the biggest attractions in Greenwich, pulling in thousands of tourists every year to see the celebrated speedy sailing ship built in 1869, but on the 27th October there’s a very special event happening under the ship’s copper hull:
Fairport Convention have been entertaining music lovers for over half a century, with 2024 marking their 57th anniversary! During that time the band that launched British folk-rock has seen many changes, but one thing has remained the same - Fairport’s passion for performance. This performance will present a mix of long-established Fairport favourites and some surprises from albums old and new, and a night not to be missed!
Cutty Sark also has plenty to keep adults and kids occupied, intrigued and entertained throughout October, including guided tours, talks and activities, plus performances by The Sea Shanty Singers!
Nicola L. Solo Exhibition
Camden Art Centre 4 Oct 2024 to 29 Dec 2024
Camden Art Centre presents the first major institutional solo exhibition in Europe of French artist Nicola L.
Encompassing sculpture, performance, painting, collage and film all of which carry an air of wit, playfulness, and radical subversion—the show will be an opportunity to experience all aspects of Nicola L.’s multidisciplinary practice.
A Raisin in the Sun
Lyric Hammersmith Theatre 8 Oct 2024 to 2 Nov 2024
How do you create a meaningful life in a world designed to keep you down?
Groundbreaking, pioneering and challenging, Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun" broke barriers as the first play by a Black woman on Broadway. Directed by Tinuke Craig (Jitney, The Color Purple), this classic family drama full of humour and heart, remains relevant and powerful in a world still divided by inequality.
A Headlong, Leeds Playhouse, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and Nottingham Playhouse co-production.
Francis Bacon: Human Presence
National Portrait Gallery, London 10 Oct 2024 to 19 Jan 2025
Francis Bacon has long been considered one of the most outstanding painters of the twentieth century. Best known as a figurative artist, his work transforms the appearance of his subjects through an extraordinary use of paint.
Bringing Bacon and his sitters to life in an unparalleled way, paintings will be displayed alongside rarely-seen photographs and portraits of Bacon from the Gallery’s Collection.
City Festival of Music, Invention & Knowledge
City of London 10 Oct 2024 to 24 Oct 2024
An exciting programme of evening events performed and presented by world-class classical and jazz musicians, plus a series of FREE, Before They Are Famous lunchtime recitals, given by some of the UK’s brightest musical talents, in the beautiful and historic settings of Sir Christopher Wren’s (1632-1723) churches.
There is something for everyone to experience, discover and enjoy, including a series of complementary talks and workshops, with opportunities to appreciate the nature and beauty of the City, and uncover the histories and hidden mysteries of the music itself.
The James Bond Concert Spectacular at The O2
indigo at the 02 13 Oct 2024
Hosted by The Bond Experience’s David Zaritsky, Q The Music’s “James Bond Concert Spectacular” returns to indigo at The O2 this October with special guests Maud Adams and Britt Ekland from The Man With The Golden Gun.
Formed in 2004, Q The Music became the world’s first dedicated tribute to the legendary music of 007. The James Bond Concert Spectacular is widely considered to be the finest performance of the James Bond music since the originals, bringing the globally renowned franchise to life on stage.
Life On Our Planet in Concert at The Barbican
Barbican Centre 17 Oct 2024
Witness one of the greatest nature documentaries of our time, scored by the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican, widely considered one of the greatest musical halls in the country.
Not so much ‘for kids’ as it is ‘fun for all the family’, the stellar combination of stunning natural visuals with virtuosic classical orchestration render the event simply unmissable for fans of either ecology or orchestra. Reignite your love of both, or introduce your kids to the sublime beauty of both nature and music.
Bloomsbury Festival 2024
Bloomsbury Festival 18 Oct 2024 to 27 Oct 2024
Bloomsbury Festival returns this October with over 100 shows, exhibitions, events, concerts, family activities, walks and talks, all under the theme ‘Human.Kind’ which will explore AI, global strife, human existence and kindness. The 10-day festival will kick off on Friday 18th October with Bloomsbury Festival’s Big Night Out at Conway Hall, a free showcase of talent from across the festival programme with music, dance, pop-up performances and food and drinks.
Watch a scary movie on the big screen
Whether you're a hardcore horror mega-fan or a self-confessed Hallowimp, there's a Halloween movie event somewhere in London to en-witch your spooky celebrations.
The State We’re In
Camden People's Theatre 22 Oct 2024 to 10 Nov 2024
In 2015, Camden People’s Theatre staged a festival, the first incarnation of The State We’re In, in the year of a highly significant general election. In 2024, The State We’re In returns: three weeks of theatre and performance lifting the lid on Britain’s democracy, politics and public life.
Who gets to run the UK, and who doesn’t? Who does our society support, and who does it leave behind? What will this significant change in leadership and political direction mean for our country? And where does the climate crisis fit in – as a source of despair, or of hope?
The Next Generation of Sculptors
Bowman Sculpture Gallery 1 Nov 2024 to 22 Nov 2024
This exceptional showcase will feature works by 12 young artists hand-picked from London’s foremost art institutions, setting the stage for the next generation of sculptors. Each piece has been meticulously selected to highlight the unique vision and craftsmanship of its creator, offering visitors a glimpse into the future of sculptural art.
Bonfire Night in London
Remember, remember the 5th of November, traditionally known as Guy Fawkes Night. Wherever you are, you can expect to see fireworks light up the sky, but this year, as every year, London has some of the best Bonfire Night events in the country. There will be big, dazzling displays of fireworks that draw crowds from inside and outside of the capital, and there will be some more local and family-friendly events - including some eco andpet-friendly alternatives.
Lord Mayor’s Show
City of London 9 Nov 2024
There is nothing quite like the Lord Mayor’s Show – it’s the oldest civic procession in the world and the noisiest, largest and most colourful event in the City’s calendar for residents, workers and visitors alike.
It dates back more than 800 years, celebrating the ‘ordinary’ extraordinary people of the City of London. Come along and add to the noise and festivities as you cheer on those in the procession and become part of the Show’s history yourself.
London Jazz Festival 2024
London Jazz Festival 15 Nov 2024 to 24 Nov 2024
Every November, the EFG London Jazz Festival takes over the city with a diverse line-up showcasing global stars and emerging talent. As the biggest pan-city music festival in Europe, it brings over 100k audience members together at 300+ live shows at venues across the city, from basement jazz bars to the world’s finest concert halls.