Unmissable Things to Do in London in October 2021
Here’s our Unmissable Things To Do in London this October to make your autumn extraordinary!
Beautiful People: The Boutique in 1960s Counterculture | Fashion & Textile Museum, Bermondsey Street | Until 13 March 2022 | £12.65
“We were young, rich and beautiful, and the tide – we thought – was turning in our favour. We were going to change everything, of course, but mostly we were going to change the rules.” – Marianne Faithfull.
Discover the Chelsea boutiques, designers and clothes that made history and changed attitudes to gender and sexuality.
Glamrou: From Quran to Queen | Soho Theatre | 4-9 October | 9:30pm | From £13
The long-awaited show from Muslim drag queen author Glamrou comes to Soho Theatre.
Roots | Wilton’s Music Hall | 5-30 October | 7:45pm | From £12.50
1927 was the buzziest theatre company, and now they are back with these dark animated folktales which channel tyrannical ogres, magic bird’s hearts and very, very fat cats.
BFI London Film Festival | Multiple Venues | 6-17 October
After a mostly online 2020 edition, the London Film Festival returns to cinemas across the capital – and the UK. There are lots of kooky, offbeat gems to be found in the programme: take a chance and see something unusual, particularly from the Dare strand. Or play things safer with the latest from directors Edgar Wright (Last Night in Soho), Wes Anderson (The French Dispatch), Kenneth Branagh (Belfast) and Joel Cohen (The Tragedy of Macbeth). Also, don’t miss Kristen Stewart as Lady Di in the much-hyped Spencer – possibly a big awards contender.
The Artist’s Garden | From 7 October | Dawn to Dusk
Built in 1870 by Sir Joseph Bazalgette, the vast undiscovered half-acre roof terrace on top of London’s Temple Underground Station between the Thames and the Strand is coming to life as The Artist’s Garden from 6 October 2021 – 30 April 2022. The garden features work by London based artist Lakwena Maciver, internationally renowned for her joy-inducing palette, dynamic designs and profound, succinct messages.
Shingai | Woolwich Works | 8 October | 7:30pm | From £21.50
Shingai raises the roof at Woolwich’s new creative centre, which reminds us of Berlin’s modern and airy halls.
Streatham Literature Festival | Streatham Space Project | 8-17 October
Books are here to save your autumn and this festival is full of inspiration for what to read, by authors including courtroom thriller writer Nicola Williams and queer comedienne Rosie Wilby.
GIRLS | Woolwich Works | 10 October | 1pm & 5pm | From £15.50
This show is unstoppable, emotional and unmissable. Join seven women who will open your eyes and expand your mind.
Superblue London | 6 Burlington Gardens, W1S 3ET | From 12 October | 10am – 7/8pm | From £12
Artist duo A.A. Murakami’s Silent Fall engages sight, smell, sound and touch in this immersive site-specific installation created for Burlington Gardens.
For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy | New Diorama Theatre | From 12 October | Tue-Sat @ 7:30pm, Sat @ 3pm | £18
Nouveau Riche are the UK’s most exciting new theatre company, with their previous ‘Queens of Sheba’ hitting perfection. This new show about six young black men in group therapy is bound to be stunning.
New Nordics Festival | Jacksons Lane | 12-16 October | 7:30pm | £15
Need some Scandi noir for winter? Try these new plays from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands – both live and digital.
Roundhouse Rising Festival | The Roundhouse | 19-23 October | Times Vary
Support new artists at this incubator nurturing the pure talent of our young people.
Queer Cabaret at Festival of Radical Care | Albany, Deptford | 17 October | Free
A marvellous free chance to get down with the Kings, Queens and in-betweens to celebrate care radically through queer joy, swagger, spoken word and lip syncing.
SUCKER 4 U | Pleasance Theatre | 19 & 20 October | 8:30pm | £10
‘A new queer horror-comedy about the whirlwind romance between a normal man and a giant tentacled death-god from beyond the stars.’
Little Wimmin | Battersea Arts Centre | 20-28 October | 8pm | Pay What You Can
A cheeky feminist performance art romp that proudly parodies one of literature’s classics.
Sharon Eyal Live | Selfridges Loading Bay | 21-23 October | 8pm | £22.40
A slightly expensive chance to see eye-popping dance in Selfridge’s basement.
The Drop | Aldgate | 28 October-31 December | From £31.95 pp
An immersive trip down below.
Weirdos Comedy Presents: Murder at the True Crime Convention | Museum of Comedy | 29-31 October | Times Vary | £15
Weirdos defy definition but should make you laugh if you have a soul.
Fright Night Cinema | Rivoli Ballroom | 23-29 October | Times Vary | From £5
The most gorgeous venue in London to spook yourself silly with films like The Crow, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Shining.
Lachlan Werner: Voices of Evil | Pleasance Theatre | 26 & 27 October | 6:30pm | £8
The Exorcist meets The Muppet Show. A bloody queer campy horror show!
Doc’n Roll Film Festival | Multiple Venues | From 28 October
Let the music play and delve deeper into the cult artists who drive change.
Dia de Los Muertos Extravaganza | Chicha Lewisham | 29-31 October
London’s Latino Mecca (And Peruvian Restaurant) celebrates Day of the Dead with a mariachi, drag brunch and a costume party.
Did we miss any big incredible things to do in London this month?
We almost certainly did – please let us know in the comments below!
Occasionally the To Do List team are forced to work together.
Rupert likes: free, cheap & offbeat London, especially: cabaret, art, theatre, pop-ups, eating out, quirky films, museums, day trips, social enterprise & much more.
Stuart likes: nice pubs, film marathons, not doing real marathons, bad comedy, plays/musicals with shorter second halves, and the Oxford comma.
Ali Brice is doing a work in progress at The Bill Murray on Tuesday 5th October at 6.45pm.
It’s called ‘I Tried To Be Funny, But You Weren’t Looking’ – which is a great title.
Ali Brice is doing a WIP of his new show ‘I Tried to Be Funny, But Your Weren’t Looking’ at The Bill Murray on Tuesday 5th October.