Things To Do This Weekend In London: 26-27 October 2024

All weekend

LONDON LITERATURE FESTIVAL: London Literature Festival continues throughout the weekend and beyond at Southbank Centre, celebrating the written and spoken word in all its forms. Saturday is Poetry Day, hosted by the National Poetry Library, with free events for all ages, with additional events starring actor Rupert Everett, and foreign correspondent Lindsey Hilsum. Biologist Richard Dawkins is among those on Sunday's programme. 22 October-3 November

VISIONS OF NATURE: Mixed reality experience Visions of Nature opens at the Natural History Museum, imagining what the future might look like 100 years from now. Put on a headset and travel virtually around the world, interacting with virtual plants and creatures, learning how human intervention has saved them from extinction. Age 8+. From 24 October

MCM COMIC CON: Halloween isn't the only reason to dig out your fancy dress costume this weekend. MCM Comic Con returns to ExCeL for three days of celebrity guests, panel discussions, cosplay, tabletop and video games, and more. 25-27 October

FILM AFRICA: London's biggest festival celebrating African cinema, Film Africa begins on Friday night with an absolute wealth of events going on this weekend. Highlights include The Kids Are OK, about Nigeria's youth-driven alternative creative scene, and Record Found Here, a documentary about the Egba Women's Revolt, a resistance movement against colonial taxation in the late 1940s in Abeokuta. Screenings take place at various venues around London. 25 October-3 November

SPOOKY SCAVENGER HUNT: Looking for the perfect Halloween group activity in central London? Try StreetHunt Games, who have two self-guided immersive mystery games to choose from, suitable for ages 10+. Your team must solve a series of clues, ducking down alleys and dipping into spooky historic spaces across the city. Do you have what it takes? (sponsor)

MEDIEVAL WOMEN: Both famous and forgotten women have their stories told in the British Library's new exhibition, Medieval Women: In Their Own Words. It uses 140 items including books, an ivory cross, textiles and a lion's skull to break free from traditional narratives and tell the real stories. 25 October-2 March

TIM BURTON EXHIBITION: The Design Museum opens a new exhibition dedicated to the world of film director Tim Burton. His fantastical style is explored through a collection of 600 drawings, paintings, photographs, sketchbooks, moving-image works, sculptural installations, sets and costumes, including Jenna Ortega's dress from Netflix series Wednesday. 25 October 2024-21 April

LOST IN LIGHT: Light art collective Squidsoup — famous for their dangling light curtains at events such as Winter Light — take over a three-storey warehouse in Shoreditch for a collection of immersive light installations. Sensory playground Lost In Light is suitable for all ages, with visitors walking from room to room immersed in illuminations and sounds. From 25 October

FASHION SALE: Head to the Truman Brewery on Brick Lane for the Smart Works Fashion Sale, where vintage and sample pieces from several brands are available at discounted prices. Dresses, athleisure and accessories are among the items for sale, with proceeds going to Smart Works, a charity which helps women acquire the clothing, coaching and confidence they need for job interviews. 26-27 October

F1® FAMILY FUN: Take pole position with your teens this half term at The Formula 1® Exhibition, London. Go head-to-head in interactive games to test your driving reflexes, and take a family selfie in front of famous cars, such as Sir Lewis Hamilton's championship-winning Mercedes W09. Learn about fascinating F1® technology and its evolution through the eras, as well as what the next generation of racing cars could look like. Children over 1.2m in height can also drive a lap of the famous Silverstone race track on state-of-the-art simulators. Until 31 December (sponsor)

FRIEZE SCULPTURE: Last chance to get your annual fix of abstract outdoor artworks in Regent's Park. This year's Frieze Sculpture features an ersatz Roman mosaic, pillars of pills, and a nightmarishly comical scrotum flower with chicken feet. FREE, Until 27 October

WILDLIFE ART: You've got until the end of this weekend to see the Society of Wildlife Artists' annual show, The Natural Eye, at Mall Galleries. View works by artists including a couple of famous faces (wildlife presenter and conservationist Chris Packham and comedian and artist Jim Moir, AKA Vic Reeves, both have artworks in the show), alongside 350 other pieces spanning paintings, drawings, sculptures, and prints depicting wildlife from around the globe. Until 27 October

BLOOMSBURY FESTIVAL: Coming to a close this weekend, Bloomsbury Festival is a celebration of culture in the local area, with theatre, music, exhibitions, talks and walks. Final events include an all-day folk music festival, a family Lego building session, an afternoon of klezmer music, and a literary walk around King's Cross. Until 27 October

WIMBLEDON BOOKFEST: Literary celebration Wimbledon BookFest comes to a close this weekend, with a packed programme over the two final days. Novelist Mishal Husain, fashion designer Zandra Rhodes, cookbook author Mary Berry, and military experts Tim Spicer and Damien Lewis are among the famous faces you can see this weekend. Until 27 October

HALLOWEEN EVENTS: Getting started in a big way this week... Halloween! Immerse yourself in spooky season with London's best Halloween events, spanning terrifying escape rooms, night-time walks and epic parties. We can also direct you to London's spookiest film screenings, and pumpkin patches in and around the capital, if that's more your bag.

NEW AFTERNOON TEAS: In the mood for fancy food you can still eat using your fingers? Work up your appetite by reading our pick of the best new afternoon tea menus available in the capital right now. Themes span bees, the new Devil Wears Prada musical, and police history.

HALF TERM: The school break begins on Saturday, meaning plenty of family-friendly events taking place around London. Browse our half term events guide for theatre shows, exhibitions and other events and activities for all ages. 26 October-3 November

ICE RINK: With 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, below hundreds of fairy lights. Oh, and it has a roof, meaning rain won't stop play. Get in there early and practise your moves before the seasonal crowds find it. Alternatively, try one of London's year-round ice rinks. 26 October-3 February

Saturday 26 October

FARMERS' MARKET: Shop a wide array of fresh produce and artisan goods from over 25 vendors, including farm-reared organic produce, vegan treats, Mediterranean goods, and homemade pies at the Wembley Park Farmers' Market, which takes place once a month. 9am-3pm

COOKBOOK SALON: Emily English, better known by her online alias @emthenutritionist, is at the Charlotte Street Hotel to introduce her new cookbook, So Good. Begin with a juice and yoghurt-granola crunch pot before sitting down for a Q&A, followed by a chance to try some of her brunch dishes. 10.30am-12.30pm

STAMPEX INTERNATIONAL: The Philatelic Traders Society brings together stamp collectors and traders from all over the world for Stampex International at the Business Design Centre in Islington. Join businesses, societies, exhibitors, influencers and hobbyists to trade collectibles. Today's the final day. 10.30am-4pm

MADE LONDON: Browse and buy goods from 120 exhibitors spanning jewellery, homeware, ceramics, textiles, furniture, lighting and design at Made London, which is in its final day at One Marylebone today. The fair focuses on original and innovative designer-makers from across the UK and beyond. 10.30am-5pm

HALLOWEEN MARKET: Things get spooky in Islington Square, where the usual Saturday market transforms into a Halloween special. Arrive hungry to enjoy Halloween-inspired street food including blood orange pulled pork tacos, pumpkin spice caramel cupcakes, gooey red velvet cookies, and eyeball doughnuts. Building blocks and an art and crafts station are provided to keep kids entertained, with beer pong for the adults. 11am-5pm

RUN TO WINE: A social 5k run is followed by a well-earned wine tasting with cheese and charcuterie, in this Run to Wine event. It starts and finishes at the Omnibus Theatre in Clapham. 12pm-3pm

JAZZ BRUNCH: Probably not one to tackle on a hangover, 108Brasserie in Marylebone hosts a jazz brunch, with live musicians providing the soundtrack to the afternoon as you tuck into unlimited antipasti, salads and seafood, alongside seasonal new brunch dishes. Finish up in the Pie Room, filled with decadent desserts including lemon meringue pie, pecan pie and salted caramel apple pie. 12.30pm-4pm

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ICE HOCKEY: North London women's ice hockey team the Haringey Greyhounds take on the Bristol Huskies, on their home turf ice at Alexandra Palace. Watch the match, then, if you fancy taking to the ice yourself, stick around for the disco. Doors 5.45pm

PINK OKTOBERFEST: It's the second and final weekend of Pink Oktoberfest at Between the Bridges on South Bank. Bavarian-style boozing meets queer fun, with drag queen Rhys's Pieces hosting proceedings, joined on stage by other queer drag and alt-cabaret artists. 6pm-11pm

HALLOWEEN CEILIDH: Join the Ceilidh Liberation Front for a lively Halloween Ceilidh at Grand Junction in Paddington. Dancers of all abilities can take part, with a host helping you to follow the steps, accompanied by live folk music. A bottle of whisky is up for grabs for the person wearing the most creative outfit (note that no heels are allowed at the venue). 7pm 

PRINCESS ESSEX: Today's your last chance to see Princess Essex,  a new play by Anne Odeke, set in Southend in 1908, about the first woman of colour to enter a beauty pageant in the UK. It's on at Shakespeare's Globe. 7.30pm

DEMONS: "They will make cemeteries their cathedrals and the cities will be your tombs". It's time to psyche yourself up for Halloween — and Queer Horror Nights will help you, with their late night screening of Lamberto Bava's 1985 horror film Demons, at Rio Cinema in Dalston. 10pm-2am

Sunday 27 October

CLOCKS CHANGE: A reminder that the clocks go back an hour at 2am on Sunday morning. Sadly that means winter truly is coming, but fear not, we've put together some ideas for brightening up the dark nights here in London.

STAGES AND CELLS: Meet outside the Bow Street Police Museum for a 'stages and cells' themed guided walk around the local Covent Garden area. Hear stories of crime and theatre dating back to the 17th century, a time when the area was rife with pickpockets, sex workers and gin palaces. 11am

VINTAGE FAIR: In need of a fancy new outfit ahead of the festive season? Frock Me! vintage fair returns to Kensington Town Hall, bringing together 100 exhibitors selling vintage and antique clothing, textiles and jewellery. It's not unusual for designer items to turn up at these events, so keep your eyes open. 11am-5.30pm

GIRLS IN FILM: As part of the Little Venice Film Festival, which showcases work by UK and international filmmakers with underrepresented voices, head to the BBC Maida Vale Studios for a celebration of female talent in the film industry. Watch films created by and featuring women, followed by Q&As and a networking session. 12pm-8.30pm

BRIXTON WINDMILL: A lantern-carving workshop, spooky storytelling and arts and crafts are among the Halloween events at Brixton Windmill today, catering for a variety of ages. The windmill's shop and cafe are open too. FREE, 1pm-4pm

DIWALI ON THE SQUARE: London's biggest free Diwali celebration is back. Diwali on the Square takes place in Trafalgar Square, offering an afternoon of entertainment that's open to everyone. Expect Bollywood dancing and Punjabi singing medleys, meditation, yoga and plenty to keep kids entertained. FREE, 1pm-7pm

HOCUS POCUS: Rooftop Film Club at the Bussey Building in Peckham screens legendary Halloween film Hocus Pocus, transporting viewers to Salem and telling the story of three no-good witching sisters. It's a family-friendly screening, with kids welcome at the venue until 5pm. 2pm

FASHION CINEMA: To mark the opening of the new Tim Burton exhibition (see above), the Soho Hotel hosts the exhibition's curator Maria McLintock to discuss Burton's long-time collaboration with costume designer Colleen Atwood. That's followed by a screening of Burton's 1990 film Edward Scissorhands, and there's also the option to add a three-course meal after the screening. 4.30pm

CUTTY SARK CONCERT: British folk-rock band Fairport Convention bring their autumn tour to Greenwich, with a one-off performance on board the Cutty Sark. Head for the tea clipper's copper hull for an evening of Fairport favourites and some surprises from albums old and new. 7pm

BASEMENT ORCHESTRA: 50-piece musical band Basement Orchestra rock up at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow, for a programme of haunting music, both classical and modern, with a Halloween theme. 7pm-9pm

LAST OF THE LIZARDMEN: Southend rockers Last of the Lizardmen play the Good Mixer in Camden tonight, featuring tracks from their 2024 album Reptile Oblivion. Lost Gravity support. 7pm-11pm