Fall in love with London this autumn!
Step into October and discover the season’s events along the river.
A haunting half-term
Halloween is just around the corner! Enjoy these spooky and fun events, for all ages.
Unleash Ghostly Legends at Tower of London
This October half term, experience a spine-chilling adventure at the Tower of London. With a thousand years of history, the Tower is home to restless spirits that come alive this Halloween.
Discover Ghostly Legends Follow in the footsteps of infamous ghosts as eerie installations and surprises unfold around every corner. Don't forget to grab a trail map upon arrival and see how many ghosts you can spot on your visit.
Nearest Pier: Tower
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Shakespeare's Tales
Get ready for some thrills at Shakespeare’s Globe.
Immerse your family in the magic of Shakespeare with specially crafted activities for our younger audience members, running throughout October. Explore shows, storytelling sessions, workshops, and family tours that will introduce your little ones to the world of the Bard.
Nearest Pier: Bankside
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Choctober Half Term
Head to the Old Royal Naval College on 31 October for a chocolate-filled day of family fun! Inspired by the Chocolate House exhibition, explore the spooky history of drinking chocolate. Try your hand at making a hot chocolate lolly with experts from the Chocolate Museum, then gather around for spooktacular storytelling about the ghoulish side of Greenwich and chocolate’s dark past.
Nearest Pier: Greenwich
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Gory Stories Tour
Prepare to be horrified at the Golden Hinde from 28 - 3 November as they peel back the pages of history to reveal the darkest and most spine-chilling tales ever told.
Join their expert storytellers as they guide you through centuries of bloodshed and brutality. Gory Stories is a family friendly tour that explores our gruesome past leaving you both fascinated and horrified.
Nearest pier: London Bridge City or Bankside
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A tour for the curious
At Fulham Palace - a secret door, waiting to be stepped through...
The door will open on 29 October, taking you back in time to explore the house and historic rooms before continuing your adventure outdoors. Complete challenges, take in your surroundings and dress the part of a true Palace resident using our costume collection.
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Cookie Decorating
Get ready for a spooktacular Halloween adventure at Chelsea Physic Garden on 29 October! Join in for a fun cookie decorating session, where you’ll explore autumn colors and creatures, and enjoy a wander through the beautiful autumn Garden. Perfect for children aged 5 and up, with each child needing an adult to assist.
Nearest Pier: Cadogan or Battersea Power Station
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Spend the day making unlimited journeys (and memories) aboard our services with your family and sail pier-to-pier across London. A Family Hop-on Hop-off gives unlimited all-day travel to 2 adults and up to 3 children (5 to 15). Kids 4 and under travel free.
London Literature Festival
The London Literature Festival returns to Southbank Centre 22 October - 3 November, offering the capital's longest-running celebration of the written and spoken word. Every autumn, the festival presents a stellar lineup of renowned authors alongside emerging literary talents, making it a must-attend event for literature enthusiasts.
Nearest pier: London Eye (Waterloo)
Get ready to light up your November with the Battersea Park Fireworks!
On the 2 and 3 of November, South London's grandest fireworks display returns for a two-night extravaganza in Battersea Park.
Saturday Night promises a magnificent firework show, a traditional bonfire, and an array of winter comfort foods, cosy mulled wine, and glow-in-the-dark face-painting.
Come along Sunday night for a family-oriented experience. Alongside delicious food, drinks, and face-painting, Sunday offers a unique, earlier light display perfect for the little ones, replacing the traditional bonfire with an awe-inspiring show.
Secure your spot early!
Nearest Pier: Battersea Power Station
Diwali at Greenwich Peninsula
On 2 November, the Peninsula will come alive with a vibrant celebration of Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Enjoy a day filled with South Asian traditions, from lively dance and music performances to henna tattoos and a chai tea ceremony. Get creative with lantern-making and join the Riverside Lantern Parade in the evening. Delicious food will be at the heart of the festivities, with Canteen Food Hall and Bar serving flavorful dishes, alongside independent South Asian food vendors offering both savory and sweet treats.
Nearest pier: North Greenwich
Diwali in Trafalgar Square
Join the Diwali celebrations at Trafalgar Square on 27 October for a vibrant, free event! Enjoy lively stage performances, take part in dance workshops, and unwind with yoga and meditation sessions. There’s also a children’s zone packed with fun activities, making it a perfect family day out.
Nearest Pier: Embankment
Refresh at Clipper Lounge EMB
If you're near Embankment, stop by Clipper Lounge EMB at Embankment Pier! Enjoy stunning riverside views with a drink from our menu of cocktails, beers, and more. Open to Uber Boat by Thames Clippers passengers and the public, it's the perfect spot for a quick refreshment or relaxing break by the Thames.
Making a Rukus!
Opening 11 October at Somerset House, this exhibition, curated by Topher Campbell, explores the joy, resistance, and creativity of Black LGBTQIA+ people in Britain. Featuring archive materials, contemporary art, and new works, it celebrates decades of activism, community, and pride.
Nearest Pier: Embankment
Don't miss
BFI London Film Festival
BFI London Film Festival returns this October for its 68th edition, in partnership with the British Film Institute. Taking place from 9-20 October across various South Bank venues, the festival will also stream select events on BFI Player for those unable to attend in person. Highlights include the world premiere of the restored Watership Down and the public premiere of Steve McQueen’s highly anticipated Blitz. Don’t miss out on this exciting celebration of film!
Nearest pier: London Eye (Waterloo)
Between The Bridges: Pink Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is back with a series of fantastic events, including Pink Oktoberfest on 19 and 26 October! Get your lederhosen ready for two unforgettable nights by the Thames, featuring spectacular performances from some of the UK’s greatest drag stars and entertainers.
Nearest Pier: London Eye (Waterloo)
It's an artsy October
The Decorative Fair
The Decorative Fair returns from 1-6 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
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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. This October, 1-54 returns to Somerset House from 10-13 October for its 12th year, featuring over 60 international exhibitors.
Nearest Pier: Embankment
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Affordable Art Fair Battersea
The Affordable Art Fair Battersea from 16 - 20 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.
Discover your perfect piece with curated selections of works all priced between £50 and £7,500.
You can make a night of it with Art After Dark Lates or bring the whole family for some creative fun during Family Hour on the weekend.
Nearest Pier: Battersea Power Station
Find out moreGravesend Town Pier Pop Up
Gravesend Town Pier has reopened this autumn for a special pop-up event, transforming its original passenger entrance rooms into a vibrant café serving hot drinks and French crepes. Visitors can enjoy live art, exhibitions, and workshops, with performances adding to the atmosphere. Highlights include an art day with Duncan Grant, a sustainable wreath-making workshop, live riverscape painting, and an exhibition by photographer Vince Bevan titled Landscapes of Fishing. Open every Thursday to Sunday until 20 October, this event follows the recent Franklin Festival celebrating Gravesend’s maritime history.
