If you’re planning a family day out in London this month, maybe for a weekend trip or for half-term, there’s a huge range of quirky and interesting things for you to see and do – and many of them are free. Each month I pick out some of the best things to do in the capital – here’s my choice for October 2019.
Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of the achievements and history of black people in the UK. There are loads of events going on in London for this, including food festivals, live performances and educational talks, and many are family-friendly. The details are here.
Cost: Varies according to event.
BFI London Film Festival
Discover the best new films with 12 days of screenings, events and talks at the BFI London Film Festival from October 2nd to 13th. The programme includes works for younger audiences, such as Abominable, Dreamworks’ latest animated tale, and a selection of short films on the themes of family and home.
Cost: Varies according to event.
Frieze Sculpture
Frieze Sculpture is a free outdoor sculpture display in Regent’s Park and in 2019 it’s on display until October 6th. The display features 20 new and significant works by leading 20th-century and contemporary artists from around the world, including Tracey Emin and Tom Sachs.
Cost: Free.
Dance Umbrella
Dance Umbrella is a contemporary dance festival which takes place across London from October 8th to 27th, with a busy programme of performances, workshops and talks. Highlights include performance parkour and DU: Fairfield Takeover, a weekend of shows and free events at Croydon’s Fairfield Halls.
Cost: Varies, but many events are free.
New Scientist Live
New Scientist Live is a festival of science, technology and culture and this year it takes place from 10th to 13th October at Excel London. The show features more than 150 exhibits and features, including a planetarium and a VR rollercoaster.
Cost: Adults from £31 per day, under-17s from £21 per day, under-sixes free.
Bloomsbury Festival
Bloomsbury is an attractive area in central London, and the Bloomsbury Festival is a ten-day celebration of its creativity. Running from 11th to 20th October, 2019, the festival offers a programme of arts, science, literature, performance, discussion and reflection, and includes family events.
Cost: Varies – some events are free.
Japan House London
Anno’s Journey is a family-friendly exhibition at Japan House London until 27th October. The exhibition showcases the life’s work of prolific storyteller and award-winning illustrator, Anno Mitsumasa, and it is the first ever display of his work in the UK. The exhibition invites readers to discover, or rediscover, the joys of picture books and imaginative storytelling.
Cost: Free.
Horniman Museum
Brick Wonders is at the Horniman Museum and Gardens until 27th October 2019. The exhibition showcases some amazing wonders from around the world, all made entirely from LEGO® bricks. There are more than 50 models on display, and visitors can work on their own designs in the interactive play areas.
Cost: Adults from £8.00, children from £4.50, under-threes free.
Giant pumpkin, Covent Garden, London. Image courtesy of Capco Covent Garden
Halloween
Halloween is on Thursday October 31st this year, and towards the end of the month many places in London have Halloween-themed activities and events. The Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace usually run events, so keep an eye on their websites to see what’s on. I’ve written a separate post about free family-friendly events and activities in London for Halloween (including a pumpkin carriage installation at Covent Garden) which you can read here:
Free Halloween things to do in London for families
Cost: Varies according to event.
Museums at Night
The Museums at Night festival sees an array of the country’s major museums, heritage sites and historic properties open their doors after dark. The festival has events taking place across London from 31st October to 2nd November, 2019. There’s a range of free and ticketed night-time activities on offer, including live performances and tours by torchlight.
Cost: Varies according to event.
Somerset House 24/7
Somerset House’s major winter exhibition 24/7 explores our inability to switch off from our 24/7 culture. The exhibition features a host of immersive works which explore the unrelenting pressure to consume and produce. One of the works allows you to be wrapped in a copper blanket, to block any electro-magnetic signal getting to you, and you can also learn about the experience of an artist who went for six months with no internet access. From October 31st 2019 to 23rd February 2020.
Cost: Adults £14, students £11.00 under-12s free.
From 24:7 exhibition, Somerset House: Tatsuo Miyajima, Life Palace (tea room), 2013 © Tatsuo Miyajima; Courtesy Lisson Gallery
Royal Opera House
Live at Lunch is a series of free lunchtime performances inspired by the Royal Opera House’s heritage and its operas and ballets. Artists from the ROH as well as guest artists perform from 1pm on specific dates until 28th February, 2020. Performances take place in newly opened-up spaces of the Royal Opera House.
Cost: Free.
Sculpture in the City
Sculpture in the City is an annual event featuring contemporary works by internationally renowned artists. The works are displayed in public areas in the City of London. The art works from the 9th edition of the event are in place until April 2020. You can find out more about the pieces on display here
Cost: Free.
Parks and gardens
London is home to many wonderful public parks, gardens and open spaces, and autumn is a great time enjoy them. How about deer-spotting in Richmond Park, boating in Hyde Park or climbing Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath for marvellous views of the city?
Cost: Free entry, charges for activities vary.
More on London
If you’d like a moneysaving sightseeing pass for your trip to the city, The London Pass includes a one-day hop-on hop-off bus tour, as well as free entry to more than 80 attractions, tours and museums, such as the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and The View from The Shard. The pass also gives you fast-track entry at some of the most popular attractions, so you don’t have to waste time queueing.
If you’d like a London guidebook, I recommend both the Lonely Planet London Travel Guide and the London Marco Polo Travel Guide. If you need accommodation, check out my post about family-friendly places to stay in the capital.
Each month I publish a round-up of great things to do in London, so do pop back to see it, or you can subscribe to my blog (by entering your email address in the box on the right, where it says ‘YOU’D LIKE MY POSTS BY EMAIL?’) and it will be emailed to you automatically.
You can read my November round-up of top things to do in the city here:
Things to do in London with kids: November
Here’s a post with loads of ideas for fantastic free stuff to do in London for families with a teen in tow:
60 free things to do in London with a teenager
Over to you
Do let me know if you have any tips for great days out in London.
Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links, which means that if you clicked through and made a purchase I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you. All opinions and words are my own, as ever.
Ooh – I like the sound of the Film Festival. I might see if my two want to go along to any films there…..
Nell (Pigeon Pair and Me) recently posted…Landal Darwin Forest: a long weekend in a Peak District luxury log cabin
Excellent! Let me know how it goes, if you see any 🙂
Such fab choices!
Thanks Sarah!