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Level up your October with these events across the Square Mile
Spooky season is upon us, or Pumpkin Spiced Latte season depending on your preferred type of October. However you see the landing of Autumn into London, we’ve got a whole host of events taking place to keep you entertained.
From late-night ghost tours to some incredible Black History Month offerings, it’s time to get stuck in and see the City in a new light.
1. Beyond Bayeux: Tapestry Now, the new exhibition lands in the Guildhall Art Gallery (23 October onwards)
A brand new exhibition arrives at the Guildhall Art Gallery from 23 October. Beyond Bayeux: Tapestry Now complements the Bayeux Tapestry’s return to the UK for the first time in 1,000 years. The exhibition will be ‘pay what you can’, and will celebrate tapestry as one of the world’s oldest yet most vibrant and evolving art forms.
Catch the exhibition from 23 October or join a special exhibition tour on 24 October.
Cutting off The Garden Carpet Tapestry. Photography by Phil Wilkinson
2. Jump into Black History Month with these incredible events
Get into the middle of Black History Month in the Square Mile and enjoy events such as a book festival, live music and more.
Black British Book Festival (4 October): Enjoy Europe’s largest celebration of Black literature taking over the Barbican for one day on 4 October.
A House for Miss Pauline at Dr Johnson’s House (8 October): Join this book talk taking place at the home of literacy in London
Culture Mile’s Black History Walking Tour (16 & 23 October): Take part in this walking tour with renowned expert Tony Warner and uncover this important area’s relation to the history of black Britain.
Searching for Sancho at The London Archives (26 October): This roundtable and live performance celebrates the life of Ignatius Sancho, one of the 18th century’s most important and influential black figures. (Taking place in Clerkenwell, just outside of the Square Mile)
Always Already there at the Barbican (23–25 October): The first UK edition of George Lewis’ Afrodiasporic Incubator project featuring live music performances of various genres.
Black British Book Festival (c) Sledge Tshibangu
3. Experience Leadenhall Market in the most adorable light at their Wunderkammer new pop-ups (Thursday to Saturday 2–6pm)
A new address has arrived in Leadenhall Market as number 27 ¼ opens its tiny doors. Every Thursday to Saturday until December, you can experience a range of visiting brands selling their wares through the windows of the Wunderkammer. You can also peer through into the Lilliputian-sized video rental shop celebrating the market's cinematographic credentials.
Leadenhall Market's Wunderkammer.
4. Welcome in Oktoberfest with a beer or two, maybe three (Throughout October)
Any excuse to grab a massive beer! Oktoberfest is here, and you can take part in the festivities across the Square Mile. Citypoint Plaza are hosting their annual event, bringing you four days of workshops, beers, live music and Bavarian fun.
Munich Cricket Club are also joining in, having a specific Oktoberfest menu and deals taking place throughout the month.
5. Introduce the kids to a world of wonder this October half term
As October creeps in, so does the next school holiday. But worry not, there’s plenty to keep the kids entertained for the week in the Square Mile.
Second Saturday Activities at Guildhall Art Gallery (10 October) 3–13 year olds: Get stuck in with hands-on activities designed for children and families inspired by the art gallery and London’s fascinating history.
Barbican family film week (24 October to 1 November) all ages: Enliven the little one’s minds with some cinema greatness at the Barbican.
Children’s Trail 5–11 year olds: From towering skyscrapers to global icons, this trail will bring your kids around the City alongside Draco the Dragon and dive through the history and highlights of the Square Mile.
Halloween at the Tower of London (24 October to 1 November) all ages: The tower turns spooky. You never wanted to be locked up here, now you *really* don’t! Join the Tower of London for some scary fun during half term.
Tower Bridge Family Activity (10 and 27 October) 6–10-year olds: Discover how the vessels passing under Tower Bridge communicate as your little ones make their own maritime flags.
Second Saturday
6. Join in with The London Archives bumper programme of events (across October)
The London Archives are pulling out all the stops this month, with events on a range of topics. They’re buckling up for some Halloween fun, hosting a talk on slavery in the City, showcasing an evening of cabaret and song, as well as a behind-the-scenes tour, a live music performance and more.
See their full programme and get booking over on their website. Note: The London Archives are located in Clerkenwell, just outside the City of London boundary.
Halloween events at The London Archives
7. Catch a free guided talk of the famous London models (every Friday)
Head into the west wing of Guildhall and you’ll be met with two huge models of both London and the Square Mile. The London Centre is a free-to-visit space complete with models, exhibitions and events. You can also head in every Friday and join a completely free guided talk of the models, the history of London, and how planning shaped the city we know and love today.
8. Get in the spooky mood with these Halloween events (throughout October)
The coming of October means it’s time to get in the Halloween mood! If you’re still not feeling it, we’ve got these events to get you in the right spirit:
Phantom of the Opera (27 & 28 October): Step into an atmospheric silent film night at St Lawrence Jewry, showing the 1925 silent classic, ‘The Phantom of the Opera’.
What Lies Beneath Dabbers Bingo (20 October to 1 November): Step into the City’s dark undergrowth at Houndsditch and buckle up for an evening of spooky bingo!
Halloween at The London Archives (9–29 October): The London Archives are going all out this spooky season. You can expect a creative workshop, online book group, London’s dead: archives on show and much more! Note: The London Archives are located just outside the City boundary, in Clerkenwell.
Leadenhall Market (throughout October): A giant jewel beetle has taken over Leadenhall Market this Halloween, and to accompany it, some spooky walking tours will fill the October schedule alongside their Wunderkammer and SoLo Craft Fair workshops and markets.
Barbican ghost tours (1 October to 13 December): Beneath the Barbican lies nearly two thousand years of history, which all comes to life on these ‘Barbican at night’ tours, not for the squeamish.
The giant jewel beetle at Leadenhall Market.
9. Be a part of the first ever London Latino Film Festival (2–6 October)
2026 marks the first ever London Latino Festival, arriving into venues across London including the Barbican Centre and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. You can expect a programme of feature films, documentaries, premieres, awards and much more.
10. Venture through world-class arts and culture across the Square Mile
Robert Ryman- The Real Thing (From 8 October): The brand new addition to the Barbican's arts programme takes over the gallery from 8 October. The exhibition will highlight over 60 works from this famous artist created between the 1950’s to the 2010’s.
Beyond Bayeux and the Heritage Gallery at Guildhall Art Gallery: The Guildhall Art Gallery’s permanent collection is one of the finest collections of Victorian artworks, pair this with the Heritage Gallery and the new Beyond Bayeux exhibition, and you have a world-class space of cultural delights.
Londoners on Trial (throughout October): This free exhibition at The London Archives (just outside of the City boundary) highlights the history of crime and punishment in London between 1244–1924.
Yuko Mohri at Barbican Curve (From 1 October): The Barbican’s Curve reopens, presenting this multidisciplinary installation from renowned artist Yuko Mohri.
Sculpture in the City: Admire culture on your everyday commute, or take on the trail in your own time. Sculpture in the City collates a collection of sculptures and has dotted them around the Square Mile, giving anyone the opportunity to take in the work of world-renowned artists 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
'In Concert' at the Barbican Centre
11. Step first-hand into Roman History this Autumn at Billingsgate Roman House and Bath (every Saturday)
Under the cobblestones of the old City paths lies a 2,000-year-old story of Roman Londinium. Every Saturday you can join a guided tour of the remains of what was the Billingsgate Bath Houses, having survived thousands of years of fire, building and bombing.
Billingsgate Roman House and Baths
12. Head to university with no fees and no exams at Gresham College (throughout October)
Sounds perfect, right? Gresham College hosts frequent lectures from various professors sharing their expertise, all for free. Founded in 1597, Sir Thomas Gresham wanted to bring ‘new learning’ to Londoners for free, thus democratising education in this small corner of London.
Check out their lectures on their website, with topics including history, philosophy, technology, music and much more.
13. Take in the history of Dr Johnson in a new light (throughout October)
Dr Johnson’s House is more than just a museum; the space offers a history of the famous man, as well as Francis Barber and the famous resident cat, Hodge! As well as their regular offerings, they also host frequent walking tours around the Square Mile, late-night openings with bubbly, and more!
Dr Johnson's House
14. Have a nose around Mansion House before the new Lord Mayor takes up residence (5, 19 & 28 October)
Mansion House sits as the home of the Lord Mayor of the City of London, so we can guarantee it’s a gorgeous place to have a nosey around! Luckily for you, Mansion House offers guided tours you can join, taking you through the space that’s usually closed to the public.
The Egyptian Hall in Mansion House, City of London. Photo credit Matt Chung.
15. Catch the new temporary exhibition at the Bank of England Museum (From 5 October)
Step into a life-sized historic coffee house which brings the aftermath of the Great Fire of London to life. Following the Great Fire and the rebuilding of the City, international trade was booming, and new institutions and ways of working were being established. In partnership with the Insurance Museum, this new exhibition will examine the innovations that transformed the London financial district.
Image courtesy of Bank of England Museum.
16. Get flexible with the London Skyline at a rooftop yoga session (24 October)
Welcome in a new day with spectacular views of London with this rooftop yoga class at The Skyline London. Enjoy a glass of bubbly and have a sit-down brunch after awakening the senses. I couldn’t think of a better way to welcome in the weekend.
Yoga in the Skyline by Blue Orchid Hotel.
17. Immerse yourself in an illuminated river walking tour
Explore the world's longest public art commission on this guided tour. Spanning over 3.2 miles, Illuminated River is a spectacular public artwork with bespoke lighting from artist Leo Villareal. You’ll be able to join your choice of two routes, exploring the eastern or western bridges, experiencing the Thames in a whole new way on either tour.
Paul Crawley
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