London always has something going on, no matter the season. Browse the top events happening across the city every month in 2026.
Events by Time and Season
From historic landmarks and royal parks to bustling street markets, London is packed with things to do all year. Whether you want to plan your trip months or find plans for this weekend, here are the city’s top events and activities.
- This Weekend: See what’s happening around town right now.
- Spring in London: Top outdoor spots, flower festivals, and city walks.
- Summer Highlights: Open-air cinema, food festivals, and live concerts.
- Year-Round Picks: Everyday favourites and iconic sights.
If you are planning your first trip, be sure to catch classic London landmarks like the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, which runs throughout the year.
October
Autumn arrives in full force this October, bringing a packed cultural calendar to the capital. From red carpets and world-class gallery exhibitions to street celebrations and spooky Halloween spectacles, here are the top events and activities across London this month:
London Events October 2026: Must-See Events & Highlights
- BFI London Film Festival
- Dates: October 7 – October 18, 2026
- Location: BFI Southbank (Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XT), Southbank Centre, and partner cinemas citywide.
- Details: Catch international premieres, indie screenings, and red-carpet galas featuring global stars and emerging filmmakers.
- Frieze London & Frieze Masters
- Dates: October 14 – October 18, 2026
- Location: The Regent’s Park, London NW1 4NR (Frieze London in the south; Frieze Masters in the north).
- Details: Discover cutting-edge contemporary art alongside ancient, modern, and old master works under large temporary pavilions in the park.
- London Literature Festival
- Dates: October 20 – November 1, 2026
- Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX.
- Details: Attend live readings, panel discussions, and book clubs featuring world-renowned authors, poets, and cultural figures.
- NFL London Games
- Dates: Select Sundays across October (dates vary by fixture).
- Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (782 High Rd, London N17 0BX) and Wembley Stadium (London HA9 0WS).
- Details: Catch the energy of American football regular-season games played in front of massive stadium crowds in the UK.
- Black History Month
- Dates: October 1 – October 31, 2026
- Location: Citywide venues, including the Black Cultural Archives (1 Windrush Square, London SW2 1EF) and major national museums.
- Details: Celebrate Black culture, history, and community through specialised talks, walking tours, theatre performances, and art showcases.
- Halloween at Kew Gardens
- Dates: Mid-to-late October through October 31, 2026
- Location: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond TW9 3AE.
- Details: Wander along illuminated night trails filled with pumpkins, glowing fire effects, and seasonal autumn displays.
September
September is one of the best times to experience London. As summer winds down and the autumn cultural calendar kicks off, the city fills up with world-class design showcases, riverfront festivals, open-door architecture tours, and West End debuts. Here is your ultimate guide to the top events happening across London this September.
London Events September 2026: Must-See Events & Highlights
- Totally Thames
- Dates: September 1 – September 30, 2026
- Location: Along the River Thames, spanning central stretches from Richmond to Greenwich.
- Details: Celebrate London’s iconic river with art installations, boat races, guided mudlarking walks, and live music performances along the water.
- Open House Festival
- Dates: September 12 – September 20, 2026
- Location: Venues across all 32 London boroughs and the City of London.
- Details: Step inside hundreds of private homes, government buildings, and historic architectural landmarks for free guided tours.
- London Fashion Week
- Dates: September 18 – September 22, 2026
- Location: The Strand, 180 Strand (London WC2R 1EA), and various runway venues across central London.
- Details: Experience the UK’s premier fashion showcase featuring designer runway collections, digital shows, and citywide public installations.
- London Design Festival
- Dates: September 12 – September 20, 2026
- Location: Design districts citywide, including Brompton, Shoreditch, Bankside, and Mayfair, with hub exhibitions at the V&A Museum (Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL).
- Details: Explore large-scale outdoor sculptures, landmark public pavilions, and cutting-edge craft and furniture exhibitions across the capital.
- The Great River Race
- Dates: Mid-September 2026 (typically a Saturday)
- Location: River Thames (starting from Millwall Slipway, E14 3QS and finishing at Ham House, Richmond TW10 7RS).
- Details: Watch London’s 21.6-mile river marathon featuring over 300 traditional rowing boats, fancy-dress crews, and spirited water competitors.
- Black on the Square
- Dates: Early September 2026 (typically the first Saturday)
- Location: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN.
- Details: Enjoy a free, full-day celebration of Black British culture, featuring live music, spoken-word stages, Caribbean and African food stalls, and artisan markets.
- BBC Proms: Last Night of the Proms
- Dates: September 12, 2026
- Location: Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP.
- Details: Experience the flag-waving finale to the world’s most famous classical music festival, broadcast live with traditional singalongs and orchestral masterpieces.
- Buckingham Palace Summer Opening
- Dates: Throughout September until late September 2026
- Location: Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA.
- Details: Tour the 19 State Rooms decorated with treasures from the Royal Collection and stroll through the palace’s private west garden.
