All weekend

HALF TERM: If you've got kids off school from this weekend, take a look at our guide to things to do in London in October half term. Pirates, dinosaurs and playgrounds all feature. 22-30 October

LONDON LITERATURE FESTIVAL: A highlight of the literary calendar, the annual London Literature Festival at Southbank Centre never fails to bring in big names. Graham Norton is among those appearing this weekend, alongside creative workshops and games, kids' events and more. 20-30 October

SEEING AUSCHWITZ: We're invited to reflect on the horrors committed by Nazi Germany, as more than 100 images captured by perpetrators, victims and liberators go on display at Seeing Auschwitz. The display, created in collaboration with the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum also features testimonies from survivors.From 20 October

ALEXANDER THE GREAT: The British Library has just opened a new exhibition, Alexander the Great: The Making of a Myth. Delve into the truth behind the king reported to have built an empire that stretched across the world, ridden across the sky on a flying chariot, and descended to the bottom of the sea in a glass bell. 21 October-19 February

ELMER: One for families with younger children — and just in time for half term — Horniman Museum unveils an exhibition celebrating the works of children's author David McKee, with Elmer the Elephant taking centre stage. There's plenty for older generations too, with Mr Benn and King Rollo featuring. 21 October-April 2023

CLOSE TO HOME: Hundreds of dancers of all ages weave together real-life stories of migration, community, activism and history at Close to Home, part of Lewisham Borough of Culture. Head to Sedgehill Academy in Bellingham for the outdoor performances, and a weekend of celebrations. FREE, 22-30 October

ICE RINK: With more than two months to go until Christmas, the first of London's seasonal ice rinks opens for business. Ice Rink Canary Wharf is located at the foot of east London's skyscrapers, beneath twinkling fairy lights. Oh, and it has a roof, meaning rain won't stop play. Read our complete guide to Christmas ice rinks for the lowdown on where else you can get your skates on this year. 22 October-February 2023

BACKYARD CINEMA: The autumn season at Wandsworth's Backyard Cinema continues. This weekend, pick from Hocus Pocus, E.T., The Greatest Showman, Frozen 2, Minions and Elvis — and kick back on giant beanbags in an immersive setting to watch the film. Drinks and snacks are available from the Big Top Bar on site. Ongoing

BLOOMSBURY FESTIVAL: With the annual Bloomsbury Festival drawing to a close this weekend, take your pick from a whole programme of events going on in the central London district — many (though not all) events are free. We like the look of this silent film screening in a chapel, the embroidery workshop, a chance to learn about poet Nazrul Islam, and the literary walk through Bloomsbury. Until 23 October

LONDON COCKTAIL WEEK: Sup your way through the final weekend of London Cocktail Week. Buy yourself a wristband for £15 to take advantage of £7 signature cocktails in more than 350 bars across the capital throughout the festival. Masterclasses, pop-ups and food pairing events are also taking place. Until 23 October

MEDICULTURE FESTIVAL: Medical-themed stand up comedy, anatomical art lessons and demos in a Georgian operating theatre are on the agenda for Mediculture, a mini-festival of all things medical, taking place at venues around London Bridge. FREE, until 26 October

MONTH OF THE DEAD: Get warmed up for Halloween early with London Month of the Dead events. Take a guided tour of Nunhead Cemetery or hear about the scientists and inventors buried in Brompton Cemetery. Until 31 October

MARINER'S REVENGE: Staged in the spooky attic rooms of Admiral's House in Greenwich's Old Royal Naval College, 1797: The Mariner's Revenge is a dark comedy with booming sea shanties and puppetry, which tells the tale of a crew's epic struggle for revenge. Ticket includes a free rum cocktail. Until 12 November

PETER PAN'S LABYRINTH: Three classic stories (yup Peter Pan, Pan's Labyrinth and Labyrinth) meld together in this surreal alt-comedy show/outrageous party from The Sleeping Trees, who've been described as "the love child of Month Python and the League of Gentlemen." The show's setting, in the bowels of The Vaults, only makes this more enticing. Until 7 January

IN PLAIN SIGHT: Wellcome Collection's new display In Plain Sight is one of our top exhibitions to see this month. It explores how we see, and how we are seen by others, taking into consideration the different experiences of sighted, partially-sighted and blind people. FREE, 20 October-12 February

AUTUMN WALKS: Take some time out to enjoy London in all its autumn glory. We've picked some of our favourite places to see gorgeous autumn leaves around the capital, from Royal Parks to riverside spots.

Saturday 22 October

DIWALI: The National Maritime Museum celebrates the Festival of Light with a day of free activities. Highlights include a sari demonstration, a talk about food rituals, rangoli workshops, and live music and dance performances. It culminates in a lantern parade from the museum to the Old Royal Naval College at sunset. FREE, 10am-8.30pm

STORYTELLING WORKSHOP: Every Saturday morning this month, the Bernie Grant Arts Centre in Tottenham is putting on family African storytelling workshops, led by performance storyteller Olusola Adebiyi AKA Sola Story. 10.30am and 11.30am

POETS'S CORNER: It's the final edition of Black History Month: Poets' Corner in Canary Wharf, with Nigerian-British author Sarah Aluko — who has a big Instagram following — taking to the stage in the Crossrail Place Roof Garden to share her work. FREE, 1pm

CROYDON FC: The mighty Croydon FC are at home this afternoon to Forest Hill Park. Kick off is at 3pm, although why not get to Croydon Sports Arena early for a pre-match pint. KO 3pm

SCI-FI SOUNDTRACK: Sci-fi soundtracks by the likes of composers Hans Zimmer and John Williams are performed by candlelight at Southwark Cathedral. A string quartet, plays music from Star Wars, Star Trek, Doctor Who, Dragonheart, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones and more — as Luke Jerram's Gaia installation hangs in the cathedral. 7pm

Sunday 23 October

OCTOBER PLENTY: One of those odd traditions that London does so well, the October Plenty is an autumn harvest celebration and procession, from Shakespeare's Globe to Borough Market. The Corn Queene leads the parade, laden with fruit and veg, joined by live music, dancers and actors performing for the crowd. FREE, 11am

TEA WITH PADDINGTON: Take the kids along to Waterstones Piccadilly for storytime and tea with the legend that is Paddington Bear. Tuck into marmalade sandwiches and sweet treats followed by a storytelling session. If you can't make it for tea, Paddington will be around all day if you want to stop by and take a photo with him. From 11am

TOMMY ROPER: Take the kids along to the National Army Museum in Chelsea to 'meet' Tommy Roper. An actor plays the role of the soldier from 2 Commando, training other soldiers for a top-secret second world war mission. Age 7+. FREE, 11am-2.15pm

FORTNUM SUPPER CLUB: Chefs Ruth Rogers and Sian Wyn Owen of The River Cafe cook at a special supper club at Fortnum and Mason restaurant, FIELD. The event is a celebration of their new book, The River Cafe Look Book: Recipes for Kids of All Ages, and is a chance to sample some of the Italian recipes found within, as well as hearing from the chefs about their inspiration. 12.30pm

BAWDY DRURY LANE: It's your last chance to catch the theatrical walking tour that is Minimum Labyrinth's Drury Lane. It's part guided walk, part street theatre, and "explores the rich cultural history of one of London’s most colourful, creative and dangerous quarters". 2pm-6pm

DINO BAPTISTE: Get your groove on to a night of high energy blues, courtesy of boogie-woogie pianist/singer and his backing band, Night Train. They're upstairs at Ronnie Scott's in Soho, playing music inspired by the likes of Ray Charles, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis. Doors 6.30pm

GUINNESS PUB QUIZ: Your £10 ticket for this quiz in the posh Cadogan Arms gets you a pint of Guinness, plus the chance to win a £300 bar tab (which, presumably you don't have to spend all on Guinness). Teams are a max of four people, so gather up your three smartest mates. 7pm-9.30pm

ULTIMATE FEMME FATALE: London Month of the Dead is in Brompton Cemetery tonight, for a candlelit concert with stories and songs dedicated to Luisa, Marchesa Casati Stampa di Soncino — one of the cemetery's most exotic residents. Ticket price includes a gin cocktail. 7pm