What's on in London
This October, London fills its calendar with film, art and sport. The BFI London Film Festival runs from 7 to 18 October, Tate Britain opens The 90s on 8 October, and Frieze London and Frieze Masters take over Regent's Park from 14 to 18 October. The NFL London Games reach Wembley Stadium on 18 October, the London Literature Festival starts on 20 October and the EFG London Jazz Festival opens on 13 November. On stage, Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer plays Central Hall Westminster on 24 October, Hocus Pocus plays the Eventim Apollo on 25 October, and England meet Croatia at Wembley Stadium on 12 November.
Official events calendar for London
The festivals and public events below are the ones on London's official events calendar for the month, and each card links the organiser's listing with dates and venues. For the permanent sights, start with tourist attractions in London.
Black History Month
When: 1 to 31 October
Where: Venues across London
A month of talks, workshops, live music and exhibitions across the capital.
London Literature Festival
When: 20 October to 1 November
Where: Southbank Centre
Dua Lipa curates this year's festival of talks, readings and spoken word on the South Bank.
EFG London Jazz Festival
When: 13 to 22 November
Where: Venues across London
Ten days of live jazz across the capital, opening on 13 November and including Goldie, Mariza and Caravan Palace.
Live music and festivals in London
Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer
Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer comes to Central Hall Westminster on 24 October at 18:30.
Allysha Joy and the Actions of Love Choir
Allysha Joy and the Actions of Love Choir plays Blue Note London on 27 October at 19:00.
Owen Saward
Owen Saward plays The Lower Third on 27 October at 19:00.
Candlelight: The Best of Joe Hisaishi
Candlelight: The Best of Joe Hisaishi comes to Banking Hall on 13 November at 18:30.
Theatre, sport and shows in London
Hocus Pocus: Film with Live Orchestra
Hocus Pocus: Film with Live Orchestra comes to Eventim Apollo on 25 October at 13:30.
An Audience With Christian Horner
An Audience With Christian Horner comes to Cambridge Theatre on 26 October at 19:30.
Half Term Theatre
Half Term Theatre comes to Fulham Palace on 29 October at 11:00.
The Jury Experience: Frankenstein on Trial
The Jury Experience: Frankenstein on Trial comes to Shaw Theatre on 29 October at 18:00.
England v Croatia (England Fans Only)
England v Croatia (England Fans Only) comes to Wembley Stadium on 12 November at 19:45.
Ballet of Lights: Cinderella
Ballet of Lights: Cinderella comes to Shaw Theatre on 13 November at 18:00.
Current exhibitions in London
The 90s, Art and Fashion
Dates: 8 October to 14 February 2027
Where: Tate Britain
A look at the decade through art and fashion, curated by Edward Enninful.
Schiaparelli, Fashion Becomes Art
Until: 15 November
Where: V&A South Kensington
The first UK exhibition on Elsa Schiaparelli, from the 1920s to today's house under Daniel Roseberry.
Frida, The Making of an Icon
Until: 3 January 2027
Where: Tate Modern
Over 30 of Kahlo's works alongside garments, photographs and the objects of 'Fridamania'.
Henry Moore, Monumental Nature
Until: 31 January 2027
Where: Kew Gardens
Sculptures by Henry Moore placed across the gardens, with related drawings in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery.
The Bayeux Tapestry
Dates: 10 September to 11 July 2027
Where: British Museum
The embroidered account of the Norman conquest, on loan from France for ten months.
Ramses and the Pharaohs' Gold
Until: 1 January 2027
Where: NEON at Battersea Power Station
More than 180 authentic ancient Egyptian treasures, including colossal statues, royal coffins and gold, shown with immersive environments.
London tickets and tours
Keep the city and national holiday calendar in mind
Public holidays change the rhythm of a visit more than most travellers expect. Banks and offices close, many attractions switch to a holiday timetable and public transport runs a reduced service, so a day built around a single museum or market can fall flat. England and Wales share one bank holiday calendar, and it sets 8 dates for 2026. Two of them stand apart: nothing runs on the Transport for London network on Christmas Day, the Boxing Day service is limited, and Visit London warns that most attractions, shops and restaurants close on both days.
National holidays in England and Wales 2026
- 1 January New Year's Day
- 3 April Good Friday
- 6 April Easter Monday
- 4 May Early May bank holiday
- 25 May Spring bank holiday
- 31 August Summer bank holiday
- 25 December Christmas Day
- 28 December Boxing Day (substitute day, as 26 December falls on a Saturday)
Local holidays in London 2026
London adds no local holidays to that calendar: the England and Wales list above is the only one that applies in the capital. The extra dates kept elsewhere in the United Kingdom, among them 2 January and St Andrew's Day in Scotland and St Patrick's Day and the Battle of the Boyne in Northern Ireland, are not holidays in London.
The Greenwich tourist information desk keeps its 10:00 to 16:00 hours on bank holidays. The other centres publish their opening times on the official pages linked above, and it is worth checking them before a holiday weekend. On Easter Sunday large shops in London have to close by law, while small shops may open.
More about London
Tourist attractions in London
The London guide on Tourist Office gathers a one day itinerary, the twelve landmarks worth booking ahead and what the city offers for free.
London tourist information
Where the 7 official visitor information centres are, when they open and which bank holidays change their hours.
United Kingdom highlights
Beyond the capital, the country guide covers Stonehenge, Edinburgh Castle, the Lake District and the food worth trying.