October is a good month to make plans in London. Japan Matsuri fills Trafalgar Square with food and performances, the BFI London Film Festival brings new films to screens across the city, and MCM Comic Con takes over ExCeL. Closer to home, there’s live jazz in Deptford, a run through Greenwich Park and a full calendar of YourTRIBE resident events.
Start October with food and a full day out
Japan Matsuri, Trafalgar Square
On Sunday 4th October, Japan Matsuri takes over Trafalgar Square with Japanese food stalls, music, dance and martial arts demonstrations. Go hungry, meet friends there and give yourselves time to see the performances as well as the food. See Japan Matsuri’s programme.
Something new to eat at Borough Market
From 6th to 11th October, Borough Market hosts a pop-up with food businesses founded by refugee entrepreneurs – including makers of Syrian kunafa, Ukrainian honey, Palestinian-inspired granola, teas and spice blends. Stop by if you’re around Southwark, or make a trip of it with friends. See the TERN pop-up.
Make one big London plan
See a film at the BFI London Film Festival
The BFI London Film Festival runs from 7th to 18th October, with new films, premieres and conversations with filmmakers across London. If you’re 16 to 25, a free BFI 25 and Under account unlocks a limited number of £6 festival tickets, including some premieres – more are released Fridays at 1pm, so check back if a screening sells out. Browse the festival and read the ticket details.
Stand in the Yard at Shakespeare’s Globe
The Globe’s outdoor season ends on 25th October, so you’ve got a few weeks left to catch Much Ado About Nothing or As You Like It. Standing in the Yard puts you close to the actors, with the stage in front of you and the sky above. Yard tickets are £10, with a limited number of £5 Rush tickets released online at 11am each Friday for the following week’s shows. See the Globe’s performances.
Meet your favourite characters at MCM Comic Con
From 23rd to 25th October, MCM Comic Con takes over ExCeL London for a weekend of cosplay, gaming, tabletop and celebrity panels across film, TV and anime. ExCeL turns into thousands of costumes, queues for panels, strangers who recognise your reference – build a day around whichever panels line up and browse Artist Alley for hours. See MCM Comic Con’s programme.
Explore the festival curated by Dua Lipa
Southbank Centre’s London Literature Festival runs from 20th October to 1st November, and this year it’s curated by Dua Lipa through her Service95 Book Club. The line-up includes Zadie Smith, Patti Smith and Ta-Nehisi Coates. Some headline events are likely to sell out fast, but there’s free programming across the fortnight too, so it’s worth a look even if some of the ticketed talks are gone. See the London Literature Festival.
Find something happening close to home
Run or cheer in Greenwich Park
On Sunday 25th October, The One in the Park brings 5K and 10K races to Greenwich Park – a good excuse to sign up with a friend and train together through October, or just head down to cheer and enjoy the views across the city. See The One in the Park.
Go out in Peckham, or take it slowly in Deptford
Peckham Levels has Friday Selector with DJ Austin Moulton playing Multi Story on Friday 30th October, 7.30pm–1am, if you want a night out around Rye Lane. Check the event listing.
For a slower Saturday, the Albany has free live jazz in its Deptford café on 3rd October, 1–2pm, played by musicians from Trinity Laban – no ticket needed. Pair it with lunch and a wander round Deptford Market. Find Jazz Saturdays.
Make time for Black History Month
At the on 3rd and 10th October explore stories through objects and art. In Deptford, Deptford Scratch: Global Majority Spotlight brings new writing and performances to Deptford Lounge on 29th October, with pay-what-you-decide tickets.
Halloween: how much of a scare do you want?
YourTRIBE has October covered from group trip to full night in: join residents for a return-travel outing to Thorpe Park Fright Nights (book your own park ticket, YourTRIBE sorts the travel), take a Ghost & Crime Walking Tour through historic London for scares with a story, then bring it home with Halloween Soirée: A Gothic Dream on 31st October.
For a separate night out, Halloween at Kew runs from 16th October to 1st November, with an illuminated trail, live performers and themed encounters that get scarier as the evening goes on. Explore Halloween at Kew.
Nights In Are the New Nights Out
Not every good night needs a trek across London. YourTRIBE’s resident events calendar is full of evenings built for exactly that: Neon Naked Life Drawing at Southwark, open to residents across the sites, Golden Week Chinese Calligraphy and Mahjong, Cine Club, a CuppaPug Puppy Social outing, Face Yoga and Aromatherapy, Mat Pilates, and an Oktoberfest night, all part of the mix across the resident calendar this month.
Good to know: the clocks go back on 25th October
If you’re new to a UK autumn, the clocks fall back an hour at 2am on Sunday 25th October, marking the end of British Summer Time – an extra hour in bed, but darker evenings from here on as we enter cosy season.
How residents find out what’s on
Every YourTRIBE resident gets the month’s events sent straight to their inbox, so the moment something catches your eye book it. Trips and workshops with limited spaces go fast, so it’s worth booking early for the ones you don’t want to miss.
You don’t need to fill every weekend. Choose the event you’re most excited about, invite someone along, and leave room for the plans that come together on the day.
Looking for London student accommodation with the city around you and a calendar of things happening at home? Explore YourTRIBE’s locations.