Unmissable things to do in London this October

A trip to Bocconcino is worth it! The Mayfair-based restaurant has been a fixture on Berkeley Street for 12 years, is split across two floors, with a more relaxed dining room upstairs and a livelier space downstairs, complete with a wood-fired pizza oven, seafood counter and live DJs.

The menu sticks to Italian classics, with fresh pasta made daily and Roman-style pizzas cooked in the wood-fired oven. The lobster linguine was a highlight, while the wild boar ragu is a good choice if you want something richer. There's also plenty of tableside service, including beef tartare finished with shaved truffle and the salt-baked sea bass, which is cracked open and served at the table. Come for a quieter lunch upstairs or head downstairs if you want dinner with more of an atmosphere.

Book here

Reviewed by Sharnaz Shahid, Deputy Online Editor

Ready-to-drink cocktail specialists MOTH are joining forces with Dishoom's atmospheric bar offshoot, The Permit Room, for an exclusive month-long October collaboration. The two brands have whipped up a bespoke creation built around the popular MOTH Mojito, blending rum, crisp mint, and lime with The Permit Room's signature twist. At a bargain £9 in an otherwise pricey city, it's an ideal pitstop for a fast, top-tier drink all through the month.

Available on the menu daily throughout October.  

If your little one is a fan of the Julia Donaldson classic The Gruffalo, then this Gruffalo-inspired afternoon tea is sure to delight. Served in the very swanky The Drawing Room at Raffles London at The OWO, it’s a real treat for children and pays full attention to detail. 

To start with are delicious dainty finger sandwiches playfully named after the book characters, like Roasted Fox (roasted ham) and Scrambled Snake (egg and mustard). But it’s the sweet course that is sure to excite little ones as scones and pastries are served on a three-tiered stand. Sometimes the scones can disappoint in an afternoon tea, but I’m pleased to report these ones were perfectly light and fluffy. The pastries are where the chefs’ creativity really shines through though – a Gruffalo biscuit made of cocoa shortbread, chocolate crémeux, and vanilla caramel, as well as a little mouse fashioned out of madeleine sponge. But the showstopper has to be the chocolate Gruffalo book that sits on the top tier, complete with a beautifully painted edible cover.

At £50 per child, the tea is on the slightly more expensive side when compared with other London offerings. But it’s perfect for a special occasion, or for little ones who are Gruffalo-obsessed, and really brings to life the magic of the book.

To book, visit raffles.com

Reviewed by Ainhoa Barcelona, Royal Managing Editor

We couldn't be more excited for Between the Covers Live!'s new book tour, which sees a group of celebrity fans of Agatha Christie going on tour to discuss and celebrite the legendary author on the 50th anniversary of her death. 

The guests include some amazing names incuding Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones, TV personality Rob Rinder, actor Nigel Havers, Professor T star Ben Miller, not to mention the bestselling author Lucy Foley, who recently penned a new Miss Marple novel, Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel. We couldn't resist reading this one the second it arrived in the post, and we can't wait to hear Lucy discuss it in person! 

If you're interested in joining, HELLO! readers can receive a 10 per cent ticket discount which can be found here, and the tour will take place from 5 October to 18 October, taking place across the country in Fareham, Oxford, Guildford, Winchester and Salford, to name a few! We'll see you there! 

​Between the Covers Live! takes place between 5 October to 18 October

Located just an hour outside the capital, Europe's biggest pumpkin festival has officially opened for the 2026 autumn season. What started as a traditional family farm patch has grown into a major seasonal attraction, now boasting over 1.5 million pumpkins and gourds across 100 distinct varieties.

Beyond the picking fields, the site features a 33-metre Observation Wheel overlooking the countryside, street theatre, live roaming musicians, seasonal food stalls, and more than 30 photo setups. Brand new for 2026 is The Pumpkin Valley - the festival's largest addition to date, featuring landscaped streams, wooden bridges, giant pumpkin sculptures and a themed Hobbit House framed by autumn planting.

Book tickets here

Saatchi Art's celebrated gathering of creative talent returns to Shoreditch this October, bringing together over 135 independent creators for four days of art, music, and discovery. Built on the principle that buying art should be welcoming and achievable, the fair allows visitors to cut out the middleman and buy directly from the artists themselves, with nearly 80% of exhibitors based in the UK across a wide range of mediums and price points.

Alongside a throwback 90s theme and work from featured guest artist Amelia Troubridge and Manumission, this autumn's edition spotlights an exciting new wave of debut talent. Highlights include former Lego designer Danielle Verbeeten’s hyperrealistic pastels, Holly Garbett’s memory-inspired oil paintings, Courtney Bae’s expressive portraiture, and Emmanuelle Walker’s striking geometric compositions.

The Other Art Fair London takes place at The Truman Brewery from 8 -11 October 2026.

Book tickets here

Taking place throughout October, the festival is back with over 60 events to choose from at London's hottest restaurants, hotels and bars - the perfect way to finally try out those spots you've been dying to visit. From exclusive dining experiences and chef collaborations to special menus and one-off events, there is something for everyone.

Whether it's an exclusive low-carbon lunch menu featuring sustainable dining at Sofitel London St James in the brand-new HIVE room, four courses of Latin-American tapas and Caribbean-inspired tacos at Crudo Shoreditch or carefully curated wine pairings with small plates in one of London's smallest wine bars, Tiny Wine, there is plenty to choose from. It's a great fit for those looking for standout food and cultural experiences this Autumn.

Book here

The Pleasures of Fanny – A Murder Mystery Musical runs from 2-6 October, introducing audiences to the wonderfully named Silvertown Lovies Amateur Group as they stage their latest musical. But when a sinister killing is uncovered, the evening takes a rather more murderous turn... With the venue as the scene of the crime in lockdown, each table becomes its own detective squad, piecing together suspects’ motives and movements before submitting their verdict and discovering whether they have successfully unmasked the killer. Performances are accompanied by a choice of afternoon tea, three-course lunch or three-course dinner, with audiences also invited – entirely optionally – to embrace the show's 1940s setting and come dressed for the occasion.

Book tickets here