What's on in London this month

The best things to do this October as a student

Autumn is beginning in London, and we've got plenty of recommendations on what to do to enjoy the new season.

We've got events running in your hall all month, as well as events in the city. Find Halls Life events here.

If you want to get out and about, here's what's on in the city across October 👇

📅 7 – 18 October

Now in its 70th year, the London Film Festival is back this October. Movies, big and small, will be screened across 12 days and nights at cinemas and venues across the city.

Standard tickets are £6 for those aged 25 and under and will be released on Fridays at 1pm from now to 16 October. 

There are also Q&As and events you can sign up to.

👉 Explore the schedule

📅 Month of October

Black History Month is an annual celebration of the achievements of Black communities and the remembrance of Black history across the world. In the UK, Black History Month takes place throughout October.

The National Gallery: Talk and Draw online session, 30 October, 4-5pm on Zoom: A relaxed online workshop exploring Black and minority figures in the collection, looking at how identity and lived experience are portrayed in historic art. Book your ticket.

Black Culture Market - 10-11 October, 12-5pm, Brixton

A shopping and cultural experience celebrating producers of the African & Caribbean community. Expect gifts, cards, unique prints, jewellery, skincare, clothes and other original accessories. Book your ticket.

Other events

Visit blackhistorymonth.org.uk  to find out about events across London in October.

📅 1 – 3 October

Head to Finsbury Park to enjoy the annual celebration of Oktoberfest. Expect a Bavarian beer tent atmosphere with long tables, German food, Bavarian FestBeer, live music, singing and a crowd ready to celebrate together. Please note, this event is 18+ only and you must bring ID. Discounted student tickets are £10.

👉 Find out more about Oktoberfest 

📅 16 October – 1 November 

Halloween at Kew returns for its third year as an after-dark illuminated trail through the Gardens, complete with a Headless Horseman, fire performers, and a cursed tomb. Sessions run 6pm–10pm (16–24 Oct) and 4pm–10pm (25 Oct–1 Nov). Food and drink like hot toddies and monster marshmallows are available on-site. 

👉 Find out more about Halloween at Kew

Larger Than Life: Starring Wallace & Gromit, Shaun and More: Lightroom, King's Cross

📅 From 14 October

Step inside Lightroom's immersive Aardman experience, where the walls and floor come alive with projections celebrating 50 years of Wallace & Gromit, Shaun and more, from a kitchen table experiment to the iconic Wrong Trousers train chase. The 50-minute show loops all day and student tickets are discounted at £15. (Lightroom is also right near CSM!)

👉 Find out more

The 90s: Art and Fashion: Tate Britain

📅 From 8 October

Tate Britain is hosting an autumn show about British art, fashion, photography and pop culture in the final decade of the last millennium. Expect over 100 works from nearly 70 artists!

Anyone aged 16–25 gets in for £5 via Tate Collective (which is free to sign up for).

👉 Find out more

Es Devlin: Other Worlds: The Design Museum

📅 From 2 October

Enter the imaginative world of British artist and designer Es Devlin in the first retrospective in Europe celebrating her 30-year creative practice across sculpture, stage design, music, language and light. Student tickets from £12.82.

👉 Find out more

Photo: Federico Di Mambro