Fun in London this October 2013:
October is a great month to be in London, as we start warming our houses and our hearts for the onset of winter and the town lays on an array of treats to keep the lengthening nights at bay.
Not only is it the month of the harvest, meaning that every London restaurant will be launching their new seasonal menus and every pub will be tapping barrels of the latest golden ale, but there are tons of free and cheap events to get your teeth into.
Perhaps due to the changing season, London seems to be more a bit more reflective in October, with art fairs, new theatrical seasons and exhibitions cropping up all over the place. Here are a few of the arty and less arty options on offer!
Tomorrow: Elmgreen & Dragset Exhibition – Satirical art duo make over the V&A
The Victoria & Albert Museum’s Textile Galleries are turned into major installation
The stage is set – but for what? The quirky art duo behind installations at the Serpentine Gallery, the Tate Modern and the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square (the boy on the rocking horse) have been commissioned to turn the textile galleries at the famous V&A museum into an enormous set for an “unrealised" play.
The story, which we’re not sure of, surrounds an elderly architect and promises to surprise and delight unsuspecting audiences. The project is hugely ambitious and is an unmissable event for lovers of modern art, site-specific performance and large-scale installations.
Address: Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2RL
Timings: 10:00am – 5:45pm
The Big Draw London
The Big Draw is a festival of - you’ve guessed it - drawing, in all its forms, throughout London and throughout October.
Anyone can participate; of any age and any skill level; and with more than 900 (!) events across the UK, there’s something for everyone.
The brainchild of Campaign for Drawing - a charity promoting the importance of art and drawing in education and general welfare - this festival is a stunning reminder of the amazing things that can happen when we unleash our creative side.
And if you’re one of the many people who say that they can’t draw, it doesn’t matter - this really is a celebration of letting your pencil roam freely in the company of hundreds of thousands like you.
Venues vary, most events are free. Please consult their website for more details
Sarah Lucas Sculpture – Everyday objects evoking extraordinary situations
The bawdy and humourous sculptor exhibits old and new at the Whitechapel Gallery
As one of the UK’s most iconic sculptors, Sarah Lucas has shaped objects and opinions since the 80s and has been exhibited all over Britain. She is known for her use of the most everyday objects to create lewd, satirical and often provocative sculptures that never fail to generate debate.
The Whitechapel Gallery has commissioned new work for this exhibition, so fans won’t want to miss it, which will be displayed alongside time honoured classics such as “Au Naturel" and “Two Fried Eggs and a Kebab".
Address: Whitechapel Gallery, 77 – 82 Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7QX
Timings: Every Tuesday to Sunday, 11 – 6
London Bicycle Film Festival – Celebrate our favourite two-wheeled creation through film!
Events and films surrounding the humble bicycle
From its totally unverified invention in 1493 (sic), the bicycle has been an icon of European culture, and over recent years, has become a pillar of London transport. With our recent successes in competitive cycling, the mood couldn’t more piqued for this unique London festival.
As well as documentaries and films celebrating the friendly bike, there are a host of other cycle-related events to push your pedals, including Bike Polo – a truly British team sport normally involving horses (here replaced with bikes), mallets and goal-scoring – BMX demonstrations and a myriad of cycling activities.
Address: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
London Restaurant Festival 2013
London is the UK’s culinary hub, and as the world’s most culturally diverse city, you’d expect the food culture to follow suit.
With events featuring the biggest names from cookery and TV, and with menus ranging from a mere £10 to £ As Much As I Like, the London Restaurant Festival has something for everyone’s palette.
The festival has participating restaurants in every corner of London - check their website for a list - including novelty events like Tapas-Tours around the capital, and passport-ticketed food in over 400 participating restaurants.
Address: Various locations over London
Tickets: Click here for tickets
Timings: Visit the website for different event times.
Japan Matsuri 2013
Say “konnichi-wa" to the land of the rising sun in this festival of Japanese Culture in Trafalgar Square!
Try your hand at Manga drawing, get your calligraphy on with Kanji-writing, sample traditional and modern Japanese foods, watch a Taiko drumming and Kabuki theatre demonstration, play Japanese games and even sing Karaoke in this free festival!
And if, by shere negligence, you forget to wear your Kimono and Hakama to this event, fear not, as you can always pick one up once you’re there!
Address: Trafalgar Square, Westminster, London, WC2N 5DN
BFI London Film Festival 2013
Film buffs cannot miss this huge event by the UK’s most respected film institution. With screenings of new and old films, red-carpet Gala events and a constant stream of film-related events, there is no bigger or better film festival to be a part of in the UK.
Now in its 57th year, the festival also arranged film by a set of genres you might not be familiar with, including “Experimenta," “Debate," “Love," and “Dare."
Members of the BFI get first dibs on tickets, so there’s no better reason to become a member for the discounted rate of £35!
Address: BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, South Bank, London SE1 8XT
Tickets: Book tickets online or by phoning The BFI Southbank Box Office on 020 7928 3232 open 11.30am - 8.30pm.
Timings: There are various timings depending on the film. Check with the website for more information.
Frieze Art Fair
Visit the Frieze Art Fair in Regent's park to see and buy art from more than 1,000 of the world's leading artists.
Whether you are an art investor or can only only afford to view in amazement some of the best artworks from across the globe, the Frieze Art Fair is a must-attend event. Housed in a temporary bespoke structure in Regent's Park in the heart of the London, the show sees specially commissioned artwork displayed alongside curated exhibitions of contemporary art.
The funny, the beautiful and the shocking all make an appearance at the Frieze Art Fair, and there are plenty of projects, short films and talk programmes on top of the art exhibitions. A spin-off event entitled Frieze Masters will be returning this year to showcase classic art from before the turn of the 20th century, which will this year include a section dedicated to solo artist presentations.
Address: Regent's Park, Chester Rd, London NW1 4NR
Tickets: From £32 for adults or £50 including Frieze Masters
Timings: 12:00pm to 7:00pm, except Sunday October 20th (12:00pm to 6:00pm)
Wildlife Photographer of the Year – Candid capturing of the best of nature
Incredible photography from amateurs and professionals in competition for this prestigious award
Anyone who has watched the BBC’s “Planet Earth" or “Life" series will know the sometimes death-defying lengths that photographers and film-makers will go to in order to capture images that would otherwise be completely unseen by 99.9% of the global population.
But thank heavens they do, as every year this exhibition awes, inspires and educates with its remarkable collection of professional and amateur photography of the wonders of nature. Prepare for the familiar and the totally alien as photographers go to – quite literally – the ends of the earth to capture wildlife in its most honest state, as well as loveable, home-spun pictures that are inspirational and will want to make everyone blow the dust of their old camera’s and head into the garden!
Address: Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD
NFL Jaguars vs 49ers
You might not immediately associated Wembley Stadium with American Football, but in recent years London’s most iconic sports stadium has played host to some of the biggest games on the NFL calendar.
This year is no exception, and fans of American Football will be hankering to get their mitts on tickets for this major clash between two giants of the NFL, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the 5-time Superbowl champions, the San Francisco 49ers.
More than the sport itself is the Ameircan cultural fair that surrounds this event, with merchandise and celebrated American food and drink available at the event all day.
Address: Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London HA9 0WS
Tickets: For ticket information visit the Wembley Stadium's website
Timings: The match starts at 5pm.
BluesFest 2013
The Royal Albert Hall is hosting one of the world’s most iconic blues festivals between the 29th October and the 1st November. The line-up is mind-blowing, and blues and rock fanatics will be unable to stay away from one of these mega concerts.
As well as mainstage events, there are smaller, intimate gigs with more huge names in the large number of private concert rooms inserted throughout the Royal Albert Hall, with names like Georgie Fame, Marcus Bonfanti and Dr. Feelgood. There are lesser-known but up-and-coming artists such as Gregory Porter and Natalie Williams.
But the biggest attraction has to be the auditorium, where there are headline acts such as Robert Plant, Van Morrison, Bobby Womack and Chris Rea. Truly an event not to be missed.
Address: Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP
Tickets: Tickets are going fast and start at GBP10 but range up to GBP150 for the best seats at the best acts. Click here for more info.
Ski and Snowboard Show
London’s gnarliest festival hits “Earls Court 2" from the 30th October to the 3rd November, and it is going to be off the chart. With demonstrations from leading professional skiers and snowboarders as well as lessons in whatever frosty skill you desire, from beginner skiing and snowboarding, through to freestyle and advanced, there’s something here for everyone.
Even if you want to just kick-back in the apres-ski bars, or take part in a wine-tasting, or sample some alpine cuisine, or you want to pass the time ice-skating for free, or attend talks on mountaineering...I could go on, but there is just too much to get your ice-pick into at this event.
This is an absolute bargain for an event so diverse, and snow-addicts and the curious alike are going to flock fast, so book asap to avoid disappointment!
Address: Earls Court 2, Lillie Road, London SW5 9TA
Tickets: Tickets range from £10.00 concession to £18.00 adult, and other events inside range from free to £10.00, but most are an extra £5.00. Please visit the website for more details.
Halloween in London
It’s time to get spooky! Halloween, the night of all things ghastly and ghostly has arrived.
Shudder in your boots on the one night of the year where ghosts and ghouls of the most macabre kind come out to play.
There’s plenty going on in London over the scariest night of the year - just make sure you’re armed with enough garlic to ward off the vampires. It’s safe to say (or is it?) that London Dungeon is the place to be on the night of Hallows’ Eve. Be prepared to scare yourself silly after being chased and then coming face to face with headless horsemen, witches and zombies galore.
Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, City of London, Greater London SE1 7PB
Asian Art in London
Asian artwork has had a huge influence on London culture, and with one of the largest Asian concentration this side or the Urals, that is no surprise.
In celebration of the artwork of the Far-and-Middle East, this ecclectic festival brings together traditional and contemporary art from a collection of over 60 dealers, galleries, museums and auction-houses.
There are exhibitions and talks in venues such as the V&A, the British Museum, Sotheby’s and SOAS.
Tickets: Prices vary, but most exhibitions are free. Click here for more information
Festival Ice rinks
What could be more romantic than getting a warming cup of mulled-wine, donning a pair of ice-skates and skating hand-in-hand outside Hampton Court Palace?
Nothing; that’s what. And the venues don’t stop there! With venues including the London Eye, the Tower of London, Somerset House and the Natural History Museum, this rapidly growing London tradition is everyone’s dream of a perfect London evening out.
In the days before Health & Safety, the Thames would freeze over and people would get their skates on there. But as that’s no longer the case, this is a pretty wonderful substitute. Prices vary, Click here for more information.
London events in November
