This weekFri 23 to Thu 29 OctoberUpdated Sun 18 Oct, 13:24
Things to do in London this week: Fri 23 to Thu 29 October
Seven days of London: gigs, openings, exhibitions, one-night things. Rewritten every Monday.
Monday starts at The O2, where J. Cole opens a two night run with The Fall-Off Tour, his first solo headline tour in five years, doors at half six. At Covent Garden The Royal Ballet brings back Manon, MacMillan’s 1974 ballet of Paris, money and ruin, at half seven on the main stage, £9 to £207. Smaller rooms: the Brazilian singer Adriana Calcanhotto plays solo at the Clapham Grand from half six, from £29.90, and Alicia Witt is at Crazy Coqs at half six for £26. The Museum of Comedy’s Monday Club is £5 at seven, and upstairs at Ronnie Scott’s the Soul Sessions with Imaani start at quarter to eleven for £15 and run until three.
Tuesday is J. Cole’s second night and Manon’s second performance. The Canadian band the Besnard Lakes play the 100 Club at half seven, £22.50 in advance, and The Social has a PNKSLM showcase, the Swedish label’s Sibille Attar, Gone Future and Stephanie Gilbert, from seven for £11.25. Late on, Dragaoke at the Phoenix Arts Club is karaoke with a drag host, and free.
Wednesday is cheap and local. Woolwich Works runs its free Games Night and Stitch Night from half six, with no booking. At the 100 Club Atomic Rooster, re-formed and led by their early seventies guitarist Steve Bolton, play at half seven for £20 in advance. Too Many Cuckoos carries on at the Hen & Chickens for £16.50, a musician betting he can last a week without his credit card, and Ally Pally’s Rhythm Stick club night is £7.
Thursday is the week’s best night for a gig. Beth Orton plays Alexandra Palace, from £42.59, and Huey Morgan, the Fun Lovin’ Criminal, is at the Electric Ballroom at seven for £32.50. Rachel Parris previews The Rachel Parris Songbook at the Museum of Comedy at half eight for £10.25. Halloween arrives early at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, where Pick&Mix Cabaret does its Halloween Special from seven, £8 to £10, and at the Clapham Grand with the Gallifrey Cabaret’s Monsters and Aliens Ball, from £12.36. Garry Starr: Classic Penguins starts its run at The Other Palace, £20 to £45.
Friday has one job at lunchtime: tickets for the New Year’s Eve fireworks go on sale at 12 noon, through Ticketmaster only, £20 to £55 depending on the viewing area and whether you have a London postcode, and they go fast. The New Year’s Eve guide has the six areas. In the evening Professor Brian Cox brings Emergence to The O2, doors at six, the follow up to Horizons and an arena lecture on how snowflakes and galaxies come out of simple rules. Fat Freddy’s Drop play Alexandra Palace, from £58.94, Cast are at the Electric Ballroom at seven for £35, and Jen Brister heads the Hackney Comedy Experience at EartH, from £29.87. Tate Modern is open until nine and free, and at the Young Vic Girls begins in the Maria, from £25.
Saturday is the first day of half term, and the palaces turn to Halloween: Hampton Court and the Tower of London both run daytime costumed trails until 1 November, included with admission. Halloween at Kew carries on after dark from six, from £19.50, and the London Dungeon from £27; the Halloween guide has the rest. It is also closing night for four plays: Darkling at the Bush, £15 to £35, Thelma and Louise at the Young Vic, Man to Man at the Royal Court and Table 17 at the Kiln. The big rooms have Fally Ipupa at The O2, doors at half six, and the Reytons at Alexandra Palace, from £49.92, while Camden Oktoberfest fills the Electric Ballroom from two. Tate Modern is open to nine again, and Honcho runs at the RVT from ten.
Sunday morning the clocks go back an hour at two, so Saturday night gets an extra hour; the clocks guide has what that does to a night out. In the afternoon Diwali on the Square fills Trafalgar Square from one until seven, free and unticketed, a fortnight before Diwali itself on 8 November, and the Diwali guide has the temples. Crouch End Festival Chorus sings Mozart’s Requiem at Alexandra Palace at five, £11.95 to £35.95. Fally Ipupa’s second night at The O2 is sold out. The Sunday Cabaret is at the RVT from four, the Comedy Store Players make it up at half seven, £13.25 to £25.25, and F*Choir sing at EartH from half seven, from £9.24. Frieze Sculpture is free in The Regent’s Park until 1 November.
Prices and times here were read off each venue’s own page. The new listings this week were checked at source on 18 October: The O2 gave the J. Cole, Brian Cox and Fally Ipupa dates, the Royal Ballet and Opera gave the Manon performance list, Tate gave its Friday and Saturday hours, and the Mayor of London’s own New Year’s Eve page gave the ticket date and prices. Check before you travel, because a sold out night does not always say so until you reach the box office.
Friday
23 October-
Theatre £45 to £110, under 30s and students from £10
Main Stage: Kimberly Akimbo
Until 7 Nov
Kimberly Akimbo at the Main Stage. The run is published; the times and prices are on the booking page.
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Theatre £15 to £35
Bush Theatre: Darkling, by Titas Halder
Until 24 Oct
Titas Halder's play set in Bhopal in 1984, with Linnea Berthelsen, in 90 minutes. A Bush and Actors Touring Company co-production.
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Theatre From £31
Young Vic: Thelma and Louise
Until 24 Oct
Thelma and Louise at Young Vic, Main House.
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Free
Stargazing in Richmond Park
Until 31 Oct
The darkest sky inside London, far enough from the centre that the Milky Way is occasionally there. The park closes at dusk in winter, so this is a late summer and autumn thing.
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Theatre £25 to £74.50, standing tickets 10p
Royal Court Theatre: Man to Man
Until 24 Oct
Man to Man at the Royal Court Theatre. The run is published; the performance times and the prices are on the booking page.
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Comedy £5
Belly Laugh
Until 9 Dec
Comedy in the studio at Underbelly Boulevard, on Walker's Court in Soho. It is a run rather than one night, so there is more than one chance at it. Start time is on the venue's page.
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Exhibitions Free
Frieze Sculpture 2026 in Regent’s Park
Until 1 Nov
Eleven international artists across the English Gardens, curated for a fourth year by Fatoş Üstek. Free and outdoors until 1 November, so go on a weekday morning and have it to yourself.
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Exhibitions Free
Gabriel Orozco at White Cube Bermondsey
Until 8 Nov
Coinciding with Frieze London 2026, White Cube Bermondsey presents a major solo exhibition by Gabriel Orozco (b. 1962, Jalapa, Veracruz, Mexico). The exhibition juxtaposes over 100 new and existing wo
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Gigs Free
Bar Jams
Until 27 Oct
Live music in the bar at Underbelly Boulevard, on Walker's Court in Soho. It is a run rather than one night, so there is more than one chance at it. Start time is on the venue's page.
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Exhibitions
Alexandra Palace: BBC TV 90 at Ally Pally
Until 30 Nov
BBC TV 90 at Ally Pally at Alexandra Palace. The date is published; the time and the price are on the ticket page.
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Theatre £28 to £35, previews £10, under 30s and students £10 Sold out
Hampstead Downstairs: The Urmetazoan, by Alex Rugman
Until 24 Oct
The Urmetazoan, by Alex Rugman at the Hampstead Downstairs. The run is published; the times and prices are on the booking page.
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Theatre £250 per term
Alexandra Palace: Palace Performing Arts
Until 5 Dec
Palace Performing Arts at Alexandra Palace. The date is published; the time and the price are on the ticket page.
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Theatre
Hay Fever at Wyndham’s Theatre
Until 12 Dec
Christine Baranski makes her West End debut opposite Richard E. Grant in Coward's comedy of bad manners. Opens Tuesday.
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Theatre £15 to £55
Kiln Theatre: Table 17
Until 24 Oct
Marisha Wallace and Jamael Westman as two exes at one dinner, in the UK premiere of Douglas Lyons' comedy. 95 minutes, no interval.
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Talks
Bloomsbury Festival
Until 31 Oct
Bloomsbury Festival's twentieth year: 150 events through October in the squares, churches and colleges around Russell Square.
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Talks
London Month of the Dead 2026
Until 1 Nov
A month of torchlit cemetery tours, catacomb visits and macabre talks, starting with a moonlit walk in West Norwood on Thursday.
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Theatre £15 to £30
Royal Court Theatre: Blood of my Blood
Until 7 Nov
Blood of my Blood at the Royal Court Theatre. The run is published; the performance times and the prices are on the booking page.
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Theatre £15 to £25
Bush Theatre: The Hungry Ghost, by Mei Leng Yew
Until 31 Oct
The Hungry Ghost, by Mei Leng Yew at the Bush Theatre. The theatre publishes the run and puts the times and prices on the booking page.
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Theatre From £68 Selling fast
Harold Pinter Theatre: The Cherry Orchard
Until 9 Jan 2027
Kristin Scott Thomas is Lyubov Ranevskaya, losing the house and the orchard, in a run to 9 January.
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Theatre £10 to £60
Lyric Hammersmith, Main House: August Wilson’s Fences
Until 31 Oct
August Wilson's Fences at Lyric Hammersmith, Main House. The venue publishes the date and puts the performance time and the price on the booking page.
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Theatre Pay what you can, £12 to £30 (£16 recommended)
Battersea Arts Centre: Nina, by Caroline Williams
Until 24 Oct
Nina, by Caroline Williams at Battersea Arts Centre. The date is published; the time and the price are on the ticket page.
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Theatre £20 to £45
The Other Palace, Main House: An Oak Tree, by Tim Crouch
Until 15 Nov
An Oak Tree, by Tim Crouch in the Main House at The Other Palace. The theatre publishes the run and the room; the price is on the booking page.
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Comedy £20 to £45
Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody
Until 1 Nov
Comedy in the main theatre at Underbelly Boulevard, on Walker's Court in Soho. It is a run rather than one night, so there is more than one chance at it. Start time is on the venue's page.
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Theatre £15 to £29
Arcola Theatre, Studio 2: The Banality of Evil: Hannah Arendt, France 1940
Until 7 Nov
The Banality of Evil: Hannah Arendt, France 1940 at the Arcola Theatre, Studio 2. The run is published; the performance times and the prices are on the booking page.
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Talks £5
ESP Live From Soho
Until 2 Dec
A podcast recorded live in the main theatre at Underbelly Boulevard, on Walker's Court in Soho. It is a run rather than one night, so there is more than one chance at it. Start time is on the venue's page.
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Theatre From £25
The Lives of Others at the Adelphi: Keira Knightley in Robert Icke’s play
Until 9 Jan 2027
Robert Icke's first stage version of the Oscar winning film, with Keira Knightley, Stephen Dillane and Luke Thompson.
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Theatre £12 to £30, pay what you can on some dates
Battersea Arts Centre: Room 13
Until 1 Nov
Room 13 at Battersea Arts Centre. The date is published; the time and the price are on the ticket page.
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Seasonal From £19.50
Halloween at Kew: after-dark trail
Until 1 Nov
A lit trail with live actors and the headless horseman. Non-members from 19.50 off peak, and 1 pound on Universal Credit or Pension Credit. Opens 6pm, 4pm from 25 October.
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Theatre £12 to £39
Arcola Theatre, Studio 1: The Master Builder, by Henrik Ibsen
Until 21 Nov
The Master Builder, by Henrik Ibsen at the Arcola Theatre, Studio 1. The run is published; the performance times and the prices are on the booking page.
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Theatre From £25
Jesus Christ Superstar in London: Sam Ryder at Drury Lane
Until 9 Jan 2027
Sam Ryder's West End debut as Jesus, Matt Bomer as Herod to 31 October. First night Friday, 7.30pm, from £25, no fees.
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Seasonal From £27
Halloween at the London Dungeon
Until 1 Nov
The permanent show turns its dial up for the fortnight, which mostly means more actors and longer queues. Runs 17 October to 1 November, from 27 pounds. Book a slot.
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Pick Theatre £9 to £207
Manon: The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House
Until 25 Nov
MacMillan's Manon on the main stage to 25 November: Massenet, Paris decadence and no softening, £9 to £207.
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Comedy £20 to £45
The Other Palace, Main House: Garry Starr: Classic Penguins
Until 3 Jan 2027
Garry Starr: Classic Penguins in the Main House at The Other Palace. The theatre publishes the run and the room; the price is on the booking page.
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£29 to £48, children's ticket £7 Selling fast
MCM London Comic Con 2026 at ExCeL
Until 25 Oct
The UK's biggest comic con fills ExCeL for three days. Friday and Saturday entry has sold out; Sunday general entry is £29.
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Talks
Professor Brian Cox: Emergence tour at The O2
Brian Cox's new Emergence tour, from Kepler's snowflake to the cosmic web, on the arena screens for one Friday.
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Exhibitions Free
Tate Modern late opening
Open until nine on a Friday, free, nothing to book. Frida, Ana Mendieta and Julio Le Parc are the paid shows if you want one.
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Gigs From £58.94
Alexandra Palace: Fat Freddy’s Drop
Fat Freddy's Drop at Alexandra Palace. The date is published; the time and the price are on the ticket page.
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Comedy From £29.87
EartH Hackney: Hackney Comedy Experience with Jen Brister
Hackney Comedy Experience with Jen Brister at EartH Hackney, 19:00 to 22:30.
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Gigs £22.50
Errol Linton Quintet
A set in the art deco room under Brasserie Zedel, 7pm. One act and a piano rather than a revue, and the room listens.
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Comedy £15
JK Comedy Club Leicester Square: Friday night comedy, 7pm
A host and four professional comedians, a new bill every week. Fifty one seats in the Grosvenor Casino, a minute from Piccadilly Circus. Doors fifteen minutes before, over 18s, ID on the door.
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Gigs £31.95 to £101.95
Alexandra Palace: Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch
Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch at Alexandra Palace. The date is published; the time and the price are on the ticket page.
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Comedy £16.50 plus £1.50 booking fee
Hen & Chickens Theatre: Too Many Cuckoos
A musician bets he can last a week without his credit card, and when busking fails on the first day his friends get dragged in.
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Gigs £19 in advance plus booking fee
The 100 Club: Small Fakers
Small Faces tribute Small Fakers, called spot on by Kenney Jones, with The Hornets and DJ Dave Edwards.
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Comedy From £9.60
City Comedy Club: Friday night, 8pm
A drink is included in the ticket, alcoholic or not. Seating is allocated, so you are shown to a seat rather than fighting for one. Doors half an hour before, over 18s, ID checked.
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Comedy £15
JK Comedy Club Covent Garden: Friday night comedy
A host and four professional comedians, a new bill every week. Two hundred seats at Arboretum, and doors open a full hour before, so there is time to eat first. Over 18s, ID on the door.
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Comedy £15
JK Comedy Club Piccadilly Circus: Friday night comedy
A host and four professional comedians, a new bill every week. Fifty seats at BOX Piccadilly, about as central as a comedy room gets. Doors fifteen minutes before, over 18s, ID on the door.
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Comedy £10 to £20
The Other Palace, Studio: Monsters: A Killer New Musical Comedy
Monsters: A Killer New Musical Comedy in the Studio at The Other Palace. The theatre publishes the run and the room; the price is on the booking page.
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Comedy £15
JK Comedy Club Leicester Square: Friday night comedy, 9pm
A host and four professional comedians, a new bill every week. Fifty one seats in the Grosvenor Casino, a minute from Piccadilly Circus. Doors fifteen minutes before, over 18s, ID on the door.
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Gigs £25
Marvin Muoneke in concert
A set in the art deco room under Brasserie Zedel, 9.15pm. One act and a piano rather than a revue, and the room listens.
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Comedy From £9.60
City Comedy Club: the late show, 10pm
The late one. An hour straight through with no break, which is the format that suits a room this size after ten at night. Doors half an hour before, over 18s, ID checked.
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Gigs £15
Ronnie Scott’s Upstairs: Late Late Show with Viva Cuba
Viva Cuba in the upstairs room, doors 22:45 and on until three. Tickets from the club's own page.
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Gigs £12
Ronnie Scott’s: Late Late Show with TUCAN
TUCAN in the main room, doors 23:15 and on until three. Tickets from the club's own page.
Saturday
24 October-
Theatre £15 to £35
Bush Theatre: Darkling, by Titas Halder
Titas Halder's play set in Bhopal in 1984, with Linnea Berthelsen, in 90 minutes. A Bush and Actors Touring Company co-production.
-
Theatre £25 to £74.50, standing tickets 10p
Royal Court Theatre: Man to Man
Man to Man at the Royal Court Theatre. The run is published; the performance times and the prices are on the booking page.
-
Theatre £15 to £55
Kiln Theatre: Table 17
Marisha Wallace and Jamael Westman as two exes at one dinner, in the UK premiere of Douglas Lyons' comedy. 95 minutes, no interval.
-
Theatre From £25
The Lives of Others at the Adelphi: Keira Knightley in Robert Icke’s play
Until 9 Jan 2027
Robert Icke's first stage version of the Oscar winning film, with Keira Knightley, Stephen Dillane and Luke Thompson.
-
Theatre From £25
Jesus Christ Superstar in London: Sam Ryder at Drury Lane
Until 9 Jan 2027
Sam Ryder's West End debut as Jesus, Matt Bomer as Herod to 31 October. First night Friday, 7.30pm, from £25, no fees.
-
Pick Theatre £9 to £207
Manon: The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House
Until 25 Nov
MacMillan's Manon on the main stage to 25 November: Massenet, Paris decadence and no softening, £9 to £207.
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£29 to £48, children's ticket £7 Selling fast
MCM London Comic Con 2026 at ExCeL
Until 25 Oct
The UK's biggest comic con fills ExCeL for three days. Friday and Saturday entry has sold out; Sunday general entry is £29.
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Seasonal Included with admission
Halloween at Hampton Court Palace
Until 1 Nov
Daytime rather than a ticketed after dark trail: costumed characters through the state apartments and the maze, all of it inside the normal admission price.
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Seasonal Included with Tower admission, members free
Halloween at the Tower of London
Until 1 Nov
Daytime, not a scare event: costumed interpretation and family trails through half term, included with admission, no booking.
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Theatre £12 plus a £2 booking fee
Lyric Hammersmith, Little Lyric: Penguin
Penguin at Lyric Hammersmith, Little Lyric. The venue publishes the date and puts the performance time and the price on the booking page.
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Seasonal Free
Diwali at Marble Hill
Free Diwali at Marble Hill on 24 Oct, 2 to 7pm: dhol drummers, giant puppets, illuminations and a lantern workshop to book a slot for.
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Food and drink From £12.55
Electric Ballroom: Camden Oktoberfest
More live music, beer and bratwurst from Camden Oktoberfest, ten years on, with tables available as well as tickets.
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Cabaret £26
Moonglow: Songs Of The 1930s with Kate Garner
A show in the art deco room under Brasserie Zedel, 2pm. One act and a piano rather than a revue, and the room listens.
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Comedy £14.25
Museum of Comedy: James Campbell’s Comedy 4 Kids, 2pm
Stand-up for children from James Campbell, who started it in 2001. The theme in October: the funny life of teachers. Age 6+.
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Comedy From £9.60
City Comedy Club: Saturday brunch show, 4pm
A one hour set with no interval and drinks included, which makes it the rare comedy show you can do in the afternoon and still have an evening. Doors half an hour before, over 18s, ID checked.
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Comedy £15
JK Comedy Club Soho: Saturday afternoon comedy
A host and four professional comedians, a new bill every week. Sixty seats above the Spice of Life, two minutes from Leicester Square. Doors fifteen minutes before, over 18s, ID on the door.
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Comedy £14.25
Museum of Comedy: James Campbell’s Comedy 4 Kids, 4.30pm
Stand-up for children from James Campbell, who started it in 2001. The theme in October: the funny life of teachers. Age 6+.
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Comedy £15
JK Comedy Club Leicester Square: Saturday night comedy, 5pm
A host and four professional comedians, a new bill every week. Fifty one seats in the Grosvenor Casino, a minute from Piccadilly Circus. Doors fifteen minutes before, over 18s, ID on the door.
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Cabaret Ticketed
The Saturday Supershow! Cabaret, 5pm
One Saturday a month, twice in an evening, and a different bill each time. Five o'clock if you want dinner afterwards.
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Comedy From £9.60
City Comedy Club: Saturday night, 6pm
A drink is included in the ticket, alcoholic or not. Seating is allocated, so you are shown to a seat rather than fighting for one. Doors half an hour before, over 18s, ID checked.
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Exhibitions Free
Tate Modern late opening
Tate Modern stays open to nine on a Saturday too, free, with the Turbine Hall after dark and three paid shows upstairs.
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Gigs From £49.92
Alexandra Palace: The Reytons
The Reytons at Alexandra Palace. The date is published; the time and the price are on the ticket page.
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Gigs
Fally Ipupa at The O2
Until 25 Oct
The Congolese star brings his new album XX to the arena, billed as the UK's biggest Francophone show. Sunday is sold out.
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Gigs From £35.54 Sold out
EartH Hackney: Parable: Gui Boratto, live
Parable: Gui Boratto, live at EartH Hackney, 19:00 to 22:00. Sold out when we checked.
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Cabaret £22.50
Gary Crosby Presents Harlem Shuffle
A show in the art deco room under Brasserie Zedel, 7pm. One act and a piano rather than a revue, and the room listens.
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Comedy £15
JK Comedy Club Leicester Square: Saturday night comedy, 7pm
A host and four professional comedians, a new bill every week. Fifty one seats in the Grosvenor Casino, a minute from Piccadilly Circus. Doors fifteen minutes before, over 18s, ID on the door.
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Gigs £27 to £40.63
Alexandra Palace: Best of Both Worlds
Best of Both Worlds at Alexandra Palace. The date is published; the time and the price are on the ticket page.
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Comedy £16.50 plus £1.50 booking fee
Hen & Chickens Theatre: Too Many Cuckoos
A musician bets he can last a week without his credit card, and when busking fails on the first day his friends get dragged in.
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Gigs £35 in advance plus booking fee Sold out
The 100 Club: Znouzectnost
Znouzectnost share a three-band bill with Visací zámek and Dáša Fon Fľaša.
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Cabaret Ticketed
The Saturday Supershow! Cabaret, 7.30pm
One Saturday a month, twice in an evening, and a different bill each time. Five o'clock if you want dinner afterwards.
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Comedy From £9.60
City Comedy Club: Saturday night, 8pm
A drink is included in the ticket, alcoholic or not. Seating is allocated, so you are shown to a seat rather than fighting for one. Doors half an hour before, over 18s, ID checked.
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Comedy £15
JK Comedy Club Covent Garden: Saturday night comedy
A host and four professional comedians, a new bill every week. Two hundred seats at Arboretum, and doors open a full hour before, so there is time to eat first. Over 18s, ID on the door.
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Cabaret £10 to £26
The Other Palace, Studio: Outrageous! What the Frock: Crystal Carrington
Outrageous! What the Frock: Crystal Carrington in the Studio at The Other Palace. The theatre publishes the run and the room; the price is on the booking page.
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Comedy £16 advance, £19 on the door
Downstairs at the King’s Head: Comedy Cabaret
Alan Francis, Ashish Suri, Mad Ron and Sally Firth, with Michael Legge compering the Saturday bill.
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Comedy £15
JK Comedy Club Piccadilly Circus: Saturday night comedy
A host and four professional comedians, a new bill every week. Fifty seats at BOX Piccadilly, about as central as a comedy room gets. Doors fifteen minutes before, over 18s, ID on the door.
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Comedy £15
JK Comedy Club Leicester Square: Saturday night comedy, 9pm
A host and four professional comedians, a new bill every week. Fifty one seats in the Grosvenor Casino, a minute from Piccadilly Circus. Doors fifteen minutes before, over 18s, ID on the door.
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Cabaret £37.50
The Black Cat Cabaret
A show in the art deco room under Brasserie Zedel, 9.15pm. One act and a piano rather than a revue, and the room listens.
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Clubs From £37.50
Silent Disco London at The View from The Shard
Three DJs on glowing headphones at the top of the Shard, 9.30pm to 1am, over 18s, from £37.50.
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Comedy From £9.60
City Comedy Club: the late show, 10pm
The late one. An hour straight through with no break, which is the format that suits a room this size after ten at night. Doors half an hour before, over 18s, ID checked.
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Clubs Late
Honcho
A club night at the RVT, doors ten. It runs on well past the last tube, so work out how you are getting back before you go.
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Gigs £15
Ronnie Scott’s Upstairs: Late Late Show with Alsogood
Alsogood in the upstairs room, doors 22:45 and on until three. Tickets from the club's own page.
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Clubs £3 to £7
Electric Ballroom: LOOP
LOOP's DJs on party anthems, house, R&B and throwbacks, pitched at students, graduates and young professionals.
Sunday
25 October-
£29 to £48, children's ticket £7 Selling fast
MCM London Comic Con 2026 at ExCeL
The UK's biggest comic con fills ExCeL for three days. Friday and Saturday entry has sold out; Sunday general entry is £29.
-
Gigs
Fally Ipupa at The O2
The Congolese star brings his new album XX to the arena, billed as the UK's biggest Francophone show. Sunday is sold out.
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Pick Seasonal Free
Diwali on the Square
The largest Diwali celebration outside India, one until seven in Trafalgar Square. Free and unticketed. It fills from about two, so come at one for the space and stay for the lamps at dusk.
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Free
Big Story Festival at IWM London
Until 26 Oct
IWM's first Big Story Festival: free family drop-ins, drawing with Will Hughes and a 1940s sing along, plus paid author talks.
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Comedy £14.25
Museum of Comedy: James Campbell’s Comedy 4 Kids
Stand-up for children from James Campbell, who started it in 2001. The theme in October: the funny life of teachers. Age 6+.
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Sport From £30.08
Electric Ballroom: Progress Wrestling Chapter 199
Progress Wrestling's Chapter 199, Bonestorm, with new contenders and new champions after When September Ends.
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Gigs Free
Downstairs at the King’s Head: Crouch End Jazz
A free jazz jam, founded in 1985 and a weekly fixture at the King's Head for more than 40 years.
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Cabaret From £20
Soul Man
A one off in the Phoenix basement, 4pm. From £20. The room seats a few dozen, so nothing is far from the stage.
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Cabaret
Sunday Cabaret at the RVT
The Sunday institution, four in the afternoon, and the show this pub is best known for. A different bill most weeks.
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Gigs £11.95 to £35.95, concessions from £6.95
Alexandra Palace: Crouch End Festival Chorus: Mozart Requiem
Crouch End Festival Chorus: Mozart Requiem at Alexandra Palace. The date is published; the time and the price are on the ticket page.
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Cabaret £28
Paul Hazel: Songs from Stage & Screen
A show in the art deco room under Brasserie Zedel, 5pm. One act and a piano rather than a revue, and the room listens.
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Comedy From £9.60
City Comedy Club: Sunday night
A drink is included in the ticket, alcoholic or not. Seating is allocated, so you are shown to a seat rather than fighting for one. Doors half an hour before, over 18s, ID checked.
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Food and drink £2.50 per person, on the night
Woolwich Works: Sunday Quiz Night with Inquizition
Inquizition's Sunday quiz in the Visitors' Book Cafe: picture, music and mystery voices rounds, £50 to the winners. £2.50 each.
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Cabaret £30
Cameron Bernard Jones & Guillermo Nazara: Into the Light
A show in the art deco room under Brasserie Zedel, 7.30pm. One act and a piano rather than a revue, and the room listens.
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Gigs £27 in advance plus booking fee
The 100 Club: Mike Massé
Mike Massé returns with acoustic versions of classic rock songs, from the Beatles to Pink Floyd.
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Comedy £13.25 to £25.25
The Comedy Store Players: improv on a Sunday
The improv troupe that has held the Sunday night slot for decades, making the show up from audience suggestions. No two performances are the same. Doors an hour before, over 18s.
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Comedy £12
JK Comedy Club Covent Garden: Sunday night comedy
A host and four professional comedians, a new bill every week. Two hundred seats at Arboretum, and doors open a full hour before, so there is time to eat first. Over 18s, ID on the door.
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Comedy £12
JK Comedy Club Piccadilly Circus: Sunday night comedy
A host and four professional comedians, a new bill every week. Fifty seats at BOX Piccadilly, about as central as a comedy room gets. Doors fifteen minutes before, over 18s, ID on the door.
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Cabaret £10 to £20
The Other Palace, Studio: Musical Theatre House Party
Musical Theatre House Party in the Studio at The Other Palace. The theatre publishes the run and the room; the price is on the booking page.
Monday
26 October-
Theatre From £25
The Lives of Others at the Adelphi: Keira Knightley in Robert Icke’s play
Until 9 Jan 2027
Robert Icke's first stage version of the Oscar winning film, with Keira Knightley, Stephen Dillane and Luke Thompson.
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Theatre From £25
Jesus Christ Superstar in London: Sam Ryder at Drury Lane
Until 9 Jan 2027
Sam Ryder's West End debut as Jesus, Matt Bomer as Herod to 31 October. First night Friday, 7.30pm, from £25, no fees.
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Pick Theatre £9 to £207
Manon: The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House
Until 25 Nov
MacMillan's Manon on the main stage to 25 November: Massenet, Paris decadence and no softening, £9 to £207.
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Free
Big Story Festival at IWM London
IWM's first Big Story Festival: free family drop-ins, drawing with Will Hughes and a 1940s sing along, plus paid author talks.
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Gigs £30
Electric Ballroom: Archspire
Archspire's European Vacation 2026 tour, with Crown Magnetar, The Zenith Passage and Analepsy on the bill.
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Comedy £5
Museum of Comedy: The Monday Club
The Museum bar's weekly night of new material from circuit comics, £5 ahead or on the door from 6pm. Age 14+.
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Cabaret From £15
David Barry performs Dylan Thomas and Under Milk Wood
Dylan Thomas read aloud, including Under Milk Wood, which was written to be heard rather than looked at.
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Comedy £7
JK Comedy Club Covent Garden: Monday night comedy
A host and four professional comedians, a new bill every week. Two hundred seats at Arboretum, and doors open a full hour before, so there is time to eat first. Over 18s, ID on the door.
-
Comedy From £12
King Gong at the Comedy Store: the brutal open mic
Thirty comics try to last five minutes while the audience decides when they are done. Last Monday of the month, from £12. It is as brutal as it sounds. Over 18s.
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Cabaret £30
Alex Parker & Friends: A Sondheim Cabaret
A show in the art deco room under Brasserie Zedel, 8.45pm. One act and a piano rather than a revue, and the room listens.
Tuesday
27 October-
Theatre From £25
The Lives of Others at the Adelphi: Keira Knightley in Robert Icke’s play
Until 9 Jan 2027
Robert Icke's first stage version of the Oscar winning film, with Keira Knightley, Stephen Dillane and Luke Thompson.
-
Theatre From £25
Jesus Christ Superstar in London: Sam Ryder at Drury Lane
Until 9 Jan 2027
Sam Ryder's West End debut as Jesus, Matt Bomer as Herod to 31 October. First night Friday, 7.30pm, from £25, no fees.
-
Pick Theatre £9 to £207
Manon: The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House
Until 25 Nov
MacMillan's Manon on the main stage to 25 November: Massenet, Paris decadence and no softening, £9 to £207.
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Gigs £45 to £75
Hackney Empire: Dexys Midnight Runners
Until 28 Oct
Dexys Midnight Runners at Hackney Empire. The venue publishes the date and puts the performance time and the price on the booking page.
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Theatre £12 plus a £2 booking fee
Lyric Hammersmith, Little Lyric: Franky
Until 31 Oct
Franky at Lyric Hammersmith, Little Lyric. The venue publishes the date and puts the performance time and the price on the booking page.
-
Theatre Pay what you can, £9.50 to £30 (£15 recommended)
Battersea Arts Centre: The Dark, adapted from Lemony Snicket
Until 31 Oct
The Dark, adapted from Lemony Snicket at Battersea Arts Centre. The date is published; the time and the price are on the ticket page.
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Seasonal £15
Beyond the Veil at Highgate Cemetery
One night only: a one man gothic adaptation of George Eliot in the cemetery chapel, doors 7pm. Fifteen pounds including a glass of wine. Highgate runs no ghost tour and no Halloween event.
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Gigs £22.50
Electric Ballroom: NOAHFINNCE
NOAHFINNCE is back from a touring break with new single Mr Overwhelm, with Senses and Chloe Star in support.
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Comedy £10
JK Comedy Club Piccadilly Circus: Tuesday night comedy
A host and four professional comedians, a new bill every week. Fifty seats at BOX Piccadilly, about as central as a comedy room gets. Doors fifteen minutes before, over 18s, ID on the door.
-
Comedy £15, concessions £11, students £10
Cray Cray Cabaret at the Comedy Store: comedy and music
Headliners, a house band and musical guests, roughly every other month. £15, concessions £11, students £10, which is the club's cheapest ticketed bill after King Gong.
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Gigs £17 in advance plus booking fee
The 100 Club: The James Oliver Band
The James Oliver Band play a Solid Entertainments show.
-
Cabaret From £15
The Haunted Cabaret
A cabaret bill with the lights down for the season. Fifteen pounds, half seven.
-
Comedy £12.50
The Bill Murray: Material Girls Comedy
Material Girls Comedy at the Bill Murray, on stage 20:00. Angel Comedy's ticketed room, round the corner from the free one at the Camden Head.
-
Comedy £10
JK Comedy Club Soho: Tuesday night comedy
A host and four professional comedians, a new bill every week. Sixty seats above the Spice of Life, two minutes from Leicester Square. Doors fifteen minutes before, over 18s, ID on the door.
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Cabaret Free
Dragaoke: Drag Hosted Karaoke!
Karaoke with a drag host running it, free to get into, and it starts at half ten on a Tuesday. Turn up rather than plan.
Wednesday
28 October-
Theatre From £25
The Lives of Others at the Adelphi: Keira Knightley in Robert Icke’s play
Until 9 Jan 2027
Robert Icke's first stage version of the Oscar winning film, with Keira Knightley, Stephen Dillane and Luke Thompson.
-
Theatre From £25
Jesus Christ Superstar in London: Sam Ryder at Drury Lane
Until 9 Jan 2027
Sam Ryder's West End debut as Jesus, Matt Bomer as Herod to 31 October. First night Friday, 7.30pm, from £25, no fees.
-
Pick Theatre £9 to £207
Manon: The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House
Until 25 Nov
MacMillan's Manon on the main stage to 25 November: Massenet, Paris decadence and no softening, £9 to £207.
-
Gigs £45 to £75
Hackney Empire: Dexys Midnight Runners
Dexys Midnight Runners at Hackney Empire. The venue publishes the date and puts the performance time and the price on the booking page.
-
Theatre £12 plus a £2 booking fee
Lyric Hammersmith, Little Lyric: Franky
Until 31 Oct
Franky at Lyric Hammersmith, Little Lyric. The venue publishes the date and puts the performance time and the price on the booking page.
-
Theatre Pay what you can, £9.50 to £30 (£15 recommended)
Battersea Arts Centre: The Dark, adapted from Lemony Snicket
Until 31 Oct
The Dark, adapted from Lemony Snicket at Battersea Arts Centre. The date is published; the time and the price are on the ticket page.
-
Gigs From £47.67
Alexandra Palace: Overmono
Overmono at Alexandra Palace. The date is published; the time and the price are on the ticket page.
-
Cabaret £24.50
Matt Daniel-Baker: The Mindreader
A show in the art deco room under Brasserie Zedel, 6.30pm. One act and a piano rather than a revue, and the room listens.
-
Free
Woolwich Works: Games Night
Board games in the Visitors' Book Cafe: play theirs or bring your own, alone or with friends. Free, from half six, no booking.
-
Free
Woolwich Works: Stitch Night
Bring your knitting, crochet or sewing to the Visitors' Book Cafe for a cuppa with other makers. Free, from half six, no booking.
-
Exhibitions Free
Science Museum Lates: adults only
Over 18s only, the whole museum after hours with bars on every floor, a silent disco and a pub quiz. Free, and the last Wednesday of the month.
-
Comedy £10
JK Comedy Club Soho: Wednesday night comedy, 7pm
A host and four professional comedians, a new bill every week. Sixty seats above the Spice of Life, two minutes from Leicester Square. Doors fifteen minutes before, over 18s, ID on the door.
-
Comedy £11.25, concessions £9.25
Museum of Comedy: The Instant Musical
A musical made up on the spot from audience suggestions: songs, dance routines and plot twists. Suitable for all ages.
-
Theatre £10 to £45
Bush Theatre: The Bridge, by Alaa Shehada and Sam Beale
Until 11 Nov
The Bridge, by Alaa Shehada and Sam Beale at the Bush Theatre. The theatre publishes the run and puts the times and prices on the booking page.
-
Comedy From £9.60
City Comedy Club: Wednesday night
A drink is included in the ticket, alcoholic or not. Seating is allocated, so you are shown to a seat rather than fighting for one. Doors half an hour before, over 18s, ID checked.
-
Gigs £11 plus booking fee
The 100 Club: Silverwingkiller + Another Country $$$$ + Black Fondu
Silverwingkiller, Another Country $$$$ and Black Fondu share a three-band bill in the End of Year Series.
-
Cabaret From £33
The Covenant: Halloween at the Phoenix
The club's Halloween run, and the one thing here that sells out properly. Book it rather than turning up.
-
Comedy £10
JK Comedy Club Covent Garden: Wednesday night comedy
A host and four professional comedians, a new bill every week. Two hundred seats at Arboretum, and doors open a full hour before, so there is time to eat first. Over 18s, ID on the door.
-
Comedy £9.25
Museum of Comedy: Juliette Burton: Villain Era
Juliette Burton's Edinburgh Fringe hour on what fictional villains taught her about giving up being a good girl. Age 16+.
-
Cabaret £25 Sold out
Natalie Shay, The Story So Far
Sold out at the venue when we checked. A show in the art deco room under Brasserie Zedel, 8.45pm.
-
Comedy £10
JK Comedy Club Soho: Wednesday night comedy, 9pm
A host and four professional comedians, a new bill every week. Sixty seats above the Spice of Life, two minutes from Leicester Square. Doors fifteen minutes before, over 18s, ID on the door.
-
Gigs £12
Ronnie Scott’s: Late Late Show with Leo Richardson
Leo Richardson in the main room, doors 23:15 and on until three. Tickets from the club's own page.
Thursday
29 October-
Theatre From £25
The Lives of Others at the Adelphi: Keira Knightley in Robert Icke’s play
Until 9 Jan 2027
Robert Icke's first stage version of the Oscar winning film, with Keira Knightley, Stephen Dillane and Luke Thompson.
-
Theatre From £25
Jesus Christ Superstar in London: Sam Ryder at Drury Lane
Until 9 Jan 2027
Sam Ryder's West End debut as Jesus, Matt Bomer as Herod to 31 October. First night Friday, 7.30pm, from £25, no fees.
-
Theatre £12 plus a £2 booking fee
Lyric Hammersmith, Little Lyric: Franky
Until 31 Oct
Franky at Lyric Hammersmith, Little Lyric. The venue publishes the date and puts the performance time and the price on the booking page.
-
Theatre Pay what you can, £9.50 to £30 (£15 recommended)
Battersea Arts Centre: The Dark, adapted from Lemony Snicket
Until 31 Oct
The Dark, adapted from Lemony Snicket at Battersea Arts Centre. The date is published; the time and the price are on the ticket page.
-
Talks Free
Bloomsbury Festival: The Science of Growing Minds
Part of the Bloomsbury Festival, which runs across October in its twentieth year and puts about a hundred and fifty events into the museums, churches, libraries and squares of Bloomsbury. Free, walk in.
-
Gigs From £29.95
EartH Hackney: Weird Walk presents Samhain Ritual 2026
Weird Walk presents Samhain Ritual 2026 at EartH Hackney, 18:00 to 23:00.
-
Gigs £25
Electric Ballroom: And So I Watch You From Afar & Caspian
Joint headliners And So I Watch You From Afar and Caspian, with experimental artist otay:onii opening.
-
Cabaret £25
Eric Yves Garcia: The ABCs
A show in the art deco room under Brasserie Zedel, 6.30pm. One act and a piano rather than a revue, and the room listens.
-
Gigs £10 to £15
Bloomsbury Festival: Sankofa
Part of the Bloomsbury Festival, which runs across October in its twentieth year and puts about a hundred and fifty events into the museums, churches, libraries and squares of Bloomsbury. £10 to £15.
-
Comedy £12
JK Comedy Club Leicester Square: Thursday night comedy
A host and four professional comedians, a new bill every week. Fifty one seats in the Grosvenor Casino, a minute from Piccadilly Circus. Doors fifteen minutes before, over 18s, ID on the door.
-
Gigs £30.66 Sold out
Scala: Boy Kill Boy and DSM IV
Boy Kill Boy and DSM IV at Scala. Sold out at the time of writing, though returns do appear. Starts at 7pm, tickets £30.66.
-
Theatre £25 to £50, concessions from £20
Battersea Arts Centre: La Dame de Pique
Until 1 Nov
La Dame de Pique at Battersea Arts Centre. The date is published; the time and the price are on the ticket page.
-
Comedy From £9.60
City Comedy Club: Thursday night
A drink is included in the ticket, alcoholic or not. Seating is allocated, so you are shown to a seat rather than fighting for one. Doors half an hour before, over 18s, ID checked.
-
Comedy £18.75, concessions £11.25
Museum of Comedy: Terror at the Haunted Starbucks
Weirdos Comedy's annual Halloween show, part horror pantomime and part farce, with fancy dress welcome. Age 18+.
-
Gigs £12 plus booking fee
The 100 Club: Kloyd + Jessie Marcella
Kloyd and Jessie Marcella share a bill in the club's End of Year Series.
-
Cabaret From £33
The Covenant: Halloween at the Phoenix
The club's Halloween run, and the one thing here that sells out properly. Book it rather than turning up.
-
Comedy £31.95
Alexandra Palace: Gary Delaney: Gary On Laughing
Gary Delaney: Gary On Laughing at Alexandra Palace. The date is published; the time and the price are on the ticket page.
-
Comedy £6 advance, £8 on the door
Downstairs at the King’s Head: Comedy Try Out Night
Up to 16 acts trying new material, Wes Defoe and Dylan Kershaw among them, with Paddy Lennox compering.
-
Cabaret £26
Dino Baptiste & NightTrain: Boogie Woogie & Blues Piano
A show in the art deco room under Brasserie Zedel, 8.45pm. One act and a piano rather than a revue, and the room listens.
-
Gigs £15
Ronnie Scott’s Upstairs: Late Late Show with Jackson Mathod
Jackson Mathod Upstairs in the upstairs room, doors 22:45 and on until three. Tickets from the club's own page.
-
Gigs £0 to £12
Ronnie Scott’s: Late Late Show with Myele Manzanza
Myele Manzanza in the main room, doors 23:15 and on until three. Tickets from the club's own page.
Open anyway
EverythingNot on tonight in particular: these are open whenever you want them, and they are here so the list above can stay to things that are actually happening.
-
Sport Free
Dogs on Hampstead Heath
-
Exhibitions Free
Free entry: Westminster Cathedral
-
Food and drink Free
Leadenhall Market
-
Sport Free
Dogs in Richmond Park
-
Sport Free
Dogs in Battersea Park
-
Exhibitions Free
Free entry: Southwark Cathedral
Free this week
All free events-
Exhibitions Free
Tate Modern late opening
-
Seasonal Free
Diwali at Marble Hill
-
Exhibitions Free
Tate Modern late opening
-
Pick Seasonal Free
Diwali on the Square
Running late
Everything after 23:00-
Comedy From £9.60
City Comedy Club: the late show, 10pm
-
Clubs Late
The Social: Localism
-
Clubs From £37.50
Silent Disco London at The View from The Shard
-
Comedy From £9.60
City Comedy Club: the late show, 10pm
Guides for what is coming
All guides-
On now
Activity bars in London: darts, shuffleboard, mini golf and bingo
Competitive socialising, which is the industry's word for a bar with a game in it. What each one...
-
On now
Afternoon tea in London: the prices, the sittings, and the one that runs into the evening
The Ritz serves it at half past seven at night. What the grand rooms charge, and which of...
-
On now
Bars and pubs open near me: how late London actually drinks
Which parts of London are still serving at one, which stop at eleven, and how to get home....
-
On now
Rooftop bars in London: the free ones, the booked ones, and the seasonal ones
Where to drink with a view, what you need to book, and which rooftops cost nothing at all.
-
Sun 15 November to Thu 31 December
Christmas in London 2026: what to book, what is free, and the days themselves
The shows and concerts to book in October, the free things that need only a coat, and what...
-
Sat 24 to Sun 25 April
The London Marathon: how to enter, and where to watch it
Race day is Sunday 25 April 2027. When the ballot opens, the ballot odds nobody mentions, and the...
Listings are checked by us before they go in and re-checked when this page is rewritten. Times and prices can change on the night; the venue link on each event is the one to trust. How we choose what goes in.