What's on in London October 2026
Looking for what's on in London October 2026? This page gathers the city's cultural highlights into one place — exhibitions, theatre, concerts, cinema and family activities — so you can decide what to do without trawling a dozen sites.
We list each event's venue and neighbourhood, its dates and how to book, and order the page so our editors' picks and the most notable events appear first. It's the quickest way to turn "I'm free October 2026" into a plan, whether you want a big night out or a quiet afternoon with a free exhibition.
Browse everything on October 2026 below and follow any listing for full details. Prefer to narrow things down? Jump into exhibitions, theatre, concerts or films, or see what's free this week.
All events October 2026
Portrait of a City: A Century of American Photography
28/07/2026 - 04/10/2026
Tue-Sun 10:00-16:00
Dulwich Picture Gallery
Anish Kapoor
16/06/2026 - 18/10/2026
Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00 (Sat 20:00)
Hayward Gallery (at Southbank Centre)
Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art
28/03/2026 - 01/11/2026
Daily 10:00-17:45
Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)
Linda Dounia - Once Upon A Garden - FREE
12/09/2026 - 18/10/2026
10:00-17:00
Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)Murder in the Cathedral: OT in the Church
12/10/2026 - 07/11/2026
Mon/Wed/Fri 19:30; Thu/Sat 16:00 & 20:00
Orange Tree TheatreHokusai: Thirty-six views of Mt. Fuji from the Iuchi Collection
20/10/2026 - 17/01/2027
Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00
Dulwich Picture GalleryThe John Madejski Fine Rooms - FREE
16/12/2025 - 29/01/2027
Tue-Sun 11:00-16:00 (Fri 21:00). Closed 2 October, 6 November & 4 December 2026
Royal Academy of ArtsTim Walker's Fairyland: Love and Legends - FREE
08/10/2026 - 07/02/2027
Daily 10:30-18:00; Fri-Sat until 21:00
National Portrait Gallery
Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style
10/04/2026 - 18/04/2027
Check website
King's Gallery, Buckingham PalaceBecoming America - How Science Shaped a Nation - FREE
23/10/2026 - 25/04/2027
Daily: 10:00-17:00 (Pre-book online)
Science Museumfor colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf
02/09/2026 - 03/10/2026
19:00
Yard Theatre
A Month in the Country
22/08/2026 - 03/10/2026
Mon-Sat 19:30 (+ Thu & Sat 14:30, from 29 Aug)
Donmar WarehouseEileen Cooper RA
03/09/2025 - 03/10/2026
Mon-Sat 11:00-18:00
Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery (Tower Bridge)Hepworth and Nicholson: The Hampstead Studio Photographs
06/06/2026 - 04/10/2026
Daily 10:00-18:00
Courtauld GalleryIn Focus: Nurse Catherine Pine
06/03/2026 - 04/10/2026
Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm (last entry 4.30pm)
Florence Nightingale MuseumThree Men in a Boat
18/09/2026 - 10/10/2026
Mostly Tue/Wed/Fri/Sat 19:30; Thu/Sat 14:30 & 20:00; selected Tue 18:30
Rose TheatreEnd of the World and Hard-Boiled Wonderland
08/10/2026 - 11/10/2026
19:00; Sun 14:00
Barbican Centre (Theatre)Kiell Smith-Bynoe & Friends: Kool Story Bro
10/10/2026 - 11/10/2026
Sat 20:00, Sun 19:30
Soho Theatre WalthamstowWho Are We?
14/10/2026 - 16/10/2026
Wed-Thu 19:30; Fri 18:30
Queen Elizabeth Hall (at Southbank Centre)The Mousetrap
15/05/2025 - 17/10/2026
Mon-Sat 19:30 (+ 15:00 Tue & Thu; 15:00 & 16:00 Sat)
St Martin's TheatreKyotographie Kawada Kikuji x Iwane Ai
03/06/2026 - 18/10/2026
Mon–Sat 10:00–20:00; Sun & BH 12:00–18:00
Japan House LondonMusquiqui Chihying: A Life of Navigation - FREE
25/08/2026 - 18/10/2026
Hayward Gallery (at Southbank Centre)
Natalie Williams & Jamie Safir Trio
30/09/2026 - 21/10/2026
30 Sep, 14 Oct and 21 Oct 18:20 & 21:00
Ronnie Scott'sJane Eyre
24/08/2026 - 24/10/2026
Mon-Sat 19:30 (+ Thu & Sat 14:30, from 27 Jun)
Southwark Playhouse Elephant
As You Like It
14/08/2026 - 25/10/2026
Mostly 19:30; some matinees 14:00; Sun 13:00 & 18:30 (see booking page)
Shakespeare's GlobeFrequently asked questions
What's on in London October 2026?
The list above shows cultural events across London October 2026 — exhibitions, shows, concerts and cinema — updated day by day, with our picks first.
What free events are on October 2026?
London has free culture on every day of the week. See our free things to do page for everything on with no ticket required.
Can I find events suitable for children?
Yes — our for-kids page collects family-friendly events and activities across London, with dedicated round-ups during half-term and the school holidays.
How accurate are these dates and times?
Listings are refreshed continuously and all dates and times are shown in London time, so what you see reflects what's actually on.