Fall in love with London this Autumn

Shakespeare's Tales

Enter the Forest of Arden for some Shakespearean mischief! From 27-30 October, children aged 5-8 and their grown-ups can join other families in a Globe rehearsal room for games and activities exploring the play's language, characters and themes. Led by an experienced Globe practitioner (actor, teacher or director).

Nearest Pier: Bankside

Halloween Aboard The Golden Hinde

This October half-term, from 24- 1 November, step aboard The Golden Hinde to discover a darker side to life at sea. Enjoy an interactive talk in the Great Cabin on Tudor witches, ghostly legends, sailors' superstitions and Francis Drake beyond the grave, then tour above and below deck. 

Nearest pier: London Bridge City or Bankside

Half-term Theatre

This half-term, join Hansel and Gretel at Fulham Palace on 30 October as they get lost in the woods and stumble upon a tempting gingerbread house. Their excitement soon takes a spooky twist when the seemingly kind old lady reveals her mysterious side! And on Friday 31 October they have Oscar the skeleton.

Nearest pier: Putney

From 3 October 2026 to 31 January 2027, fall in love with Renoir at the National Gallery. See waltzing couples, stolen glances and friends raising a glass through the eyes of an Impressionist unmatched at capturing how people connect. Walk through Montmartre with 'Bal au Moulin de la Galette' (1876), on display in the UK for the first time, alongside 40 paintings from collections across the world.

Nearest pier: Embankment

The 90s: Art and Fashion

Opening 8 October at Tate Britain, The 90s: Art and Fashion is curated by Edward Enninful OBE. Explore a decade of bold creativity and rebellion, where art, fashion, photography and music collided to change British culture. See iconic images by Juergen Teller, David Sims and Corinne Day, work by Steve McQueen, Damien Hirst and Sarah Lucas, and collections from Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and John Galliano.

Nearest pier: Milbank

Light and Magic: The Birth of Art Photography

Opening 14 October, Tate Modern presents the first major exhibition to explore pictorialism as a global movement. See over 200 rare prints by more than 80 artists, from Seoul to Sydney and New York to Cape Town, and discover how pioneers of the darkroom transformed art photography.

Nearest pier: Bankside

Tim Walker's Fairyland: Love and Legends

Opening 9 October at the National Portrait Gallery, Tim Walker's Fairyland: Love and Legends explores queer identity, community and love through the lens of one of Britain's foremost photographers. See new portraits of activists, performers, artists and writers, all created over five years in Walker's whimsical, fairytale-inspired style.

Nearest pier: Embankment

The Decorative Fair

The Decorative Fair returns from 29 September - 4 October, and it’s not just for interior designers. As one of London’s leading art fairs, it’s a must-visit for anyone passionate about antiques, fine and decorative art, or 20th-century design. Of the three annual editions (Spring, Autumn, and Winter), the Autumn Fair is a standout, with over 130 specialist dealers showcasing a remarkable selection of objects and art.

Nearest pier: Battersea Power Station

1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair

Founded in 2013 by Touria El Glaoui, 1-54 is the first and only international art fair dedicated to contemporary African art and its diaspora. Held annually in New York, Marrakech, and London, the fair's name reflects the 54 countries of the African continent.1-54 returns to Somerset House from 16-18 October, featuring over 60 international exhibitors.

Nearest Pier: Embankment

Affordable Art Fair Battersea

The Affordable Art Fair Battersea from 14 - 18 October offers the chance to explore the thrill of art collection with thousands of original artworks. 100 leading galleries from around the world will be showcasing the best in contemporary art, offering a world of inspiration.

Nearest Pier: Battersea Power Station