28 Things To Do In London This Weekend (8 - 11 October 2026)

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Watch Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey

Have you seen Christopher Nolan’s interpretation of The Odyssey yet? If not, why not? This blockbuster is worth every second of its 172-minute runtime (that’s 10,320 seconds, or 2 hours and 52 minutes to be precise). Homer’s almost 3,000-year-old epic – and Odysseus’ 10-year journey after the Trojan War – is told through flashbacks, hallucinations, and the perspective of those waiting for him at home. Shot on IMAX 70mm film across Greece, Morocco, Iceland, Scotland and Italy, it’s been said that this is best seen at the (now sold-out) IMAX theatres, but if you don’t have a ticket it’s absolutely worth booking a seat at your local cinema this weekend instead. Katie Silcox

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Taste test London’s newest frozen Greek yoghurt

PIN IT

All the way from Madrid, though more like a love letter to Greece, MYKA has opened its doors at St Christopher’s Place. Step inside and be transported to a sun-drenched Greek island, with a beautiful blue-and-white Cycladic interior setting the scene. Their frozen yoghurt is an ode to authentic Greece, blending Greek yoghurt with goat’s milk kefir for the smoothest and freshest spoonful. And no MYKA experience is complete without toppings. From crumbles to compotes to rich sauces, build your cup just the way you like it. Or skip the decision-making and order the MYKA Special, a signature creation featuring baklava and kataifi. Justine Neyrand

Address: 14a St Christopher’s Place, London, W1U 1NH

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Try Soho’s new Japanese hand rolls

Head straight to Miokuru this weekend, a hip Japanese-inspired counter dining restaurant that’s new to the Soho scene. Inside, the disco-chrome bar overlooks an open-plan kitchen, where the chefs prepare sumptuous plates of hand-rolled sushi made from seasonal British ingredients. Standouts from the menu include the ultra-delicate pressed scallops alongside a selection of Cornish white crab hand rolls. For the cherry on top, artisanal cocktails and London-brewed beers are served in elegant frosted glasses. Stuck for choice? Opt for a fluorescent green melon sour served in a long-stemmed glass. The sake mezcalita matches the mood of the head-bopping electronic music, which feels quite Berlin in spirit. Zana Wilberforce

Address: 6-8 Warwick Street, London W1B 5LU
Book here

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Brunch on Filipino dishes at Bintang

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Trace the life and legacy of Frida Kahlo at Tate Modern

Frida Kahlo: The Making of an Icon looks back at the artist’s early days as a painter in Mexico, tracing her life through a series of instantly recognisable self-portraits, rare photographs and depictions of her many eras and selves that followed. Born and raised in Mexico City to a mestiza mother and German-Hungarian Jewish father, Kahlo’s mixed heritage and personal style are brought into focus throughout her working life as she grapples with her identity, with archival clothing, jewellery and personal items on display. The exhibition also looks at her wider influence on a new generation of artists living and working in Mexico, as well as her ubiquitous impact on pop culture today. Six large-scale public murals around Bankside have just been unveiled to continue your Frida Kahlo-inspired weekend, alongside a colourful installation on Carnaby Street. With this being the highest pre-selling show in Tate’s history, it’s safe to say that Fridamania lives on. Zana Wilberforce

Now until 3 January 2027
Address: Bankside, London SE1 9TG
Book here

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Discover the global culture and influences on your doorstep

Travel to Saudi, India, Sri Lanka or Ethiopia this weekend, all without leaving London. Women in Travel CIC’s intimate, female-led tours take you on a multicultural journey throughout our city, each through the eyes of women. Food is a big part of each tour, but so are personal insights into the traditions of each country, via history, art, architecture, literature, music and more. Brought to life by guides with real-life knowledge, understanding, ties and connections to each culture, these tours go beyond sightseeing and delve deep into the stories and fabric of each society, showcasing how they have influenced the UK capital. You might drink Saudi coffee for breakfast, eat Ethiopian misir alicha and injera for lunch, or eat Indian sweets for dessert, all while tracing the global influences – trade, migration, design and cultural ties – that make London, well, London. Katie Silcox

Saturday 10 October, times and prices vary
Book here

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Cool off with contrast therapy at AIRE Ancient Baths

At AIRE’s signature hydrothermal circuit in Covent Garden you’ll experience five-star luxury, especially if you book a massage treatment. The candle-lit subterranean thermal bathing experience includes a Flotarium salt bath, eucalyptus steam room and Frigidarium, meaning you can reap the benefits of contrast therapy, flowing from the space’s warm waters into cold plunge pools and back again for a circulation and brain-boosting rush that’s instantly energising. Best of all, as soon as you step inside, you are cocooned away from the busyness of the outside world, without actually needing to leave London. Becki Murray

Address: 2-3 Robert Street, London, WC2N 6BH
Prices start from £140 for the entry-level AIRE experience, The Ultimate Bath.
Find out more here

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Wander around one of London’s prettiest neighbourhoods

Notting Hill is one of those places where you can easily spend a day wandering aimlessly. Start by walking all the way down Portobello Road market – picking up antiques, vintage clothing, jewellery and art – before stumbling onto Golborne Road to browse Berber rugs and handcrafted ceramics at Moroccan interior stores like Fez. If you’re staying for dinner, make a reservation at Michelin-starred The Ledbury, or go for Detroit-style pizzas at Ria’s, vegetarian plates at Holy Carrot, Palestinian dishes at Akub, or modern European at Straker’s. Katie Silcox

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Stay out late in Soho

Sink into Soho and watch as mixologists craft your drinks with finesse at the statement stainless-steel counter inside Soma. Serving cocktails with an Indian twist (think chicory, hibiscus and jamun flavours), our favourite is ‘Paan’ – mixed with East London Gin, rose and betel Leaf, oyster and Champagne vermouth and a wine blend. For an intimate evening, book a spot in the lounge area and let the ambient jazz soundtrack set the mood; curtains at one end of the bar create a sense of privacy, making it ideal for lingering over drinks. Soma is open until 3am on Friday and Saturday, giving you plenty of time to get lost in conversation. Justine Neyrand

Address: 14 Denman Street, London, W1D 7HJ
Open 6pm-3pm Friday and Saturday; 5pm-10.30pm Sunday

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Visit the V&A East Museum’s first exhibition: The Music Is Black: A British Story

It was almost 10 years in the making, but the V&A East Museum has opened, and its first temporary exhibition, The Music Is Black: A British Story, spotlights and celebrates 125 years of Black music and how it’s influenced British culture. Photography by Dennis Morris, Jennie Baptiste and Eddie Otchere is showcased alongside clothing worn by Little Simz, Seal and Dame Shirley Bassey, and objects like Joan Armatrading’s childhood guitar. But that’s not all. There are also two permanent, and free-to-enter galleries that explore global culture through fashion, art, architecture, performance and design. Fuel up at Café Jikoni, brought to life in partnership with Ravinder Bhogal and Nadeem Lalani Nanjuwany, the founders of Jikoni, and informed by the V&A East’s Youth Collective (16–24-year-olds from Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest) to ensure a space that’s affordable and welcoming to all. Katie Silcox

Now until 3 January 2027
Address: V&A East Museum, 107 Carpenters Road, London, E20 2AR
Book here

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Secure a table at Nikita Pathakji’s restaurant in Clapham

You may recognise chef Nikita Pathakji from her stints on MasterChef: The Professionals (2022) and Great British Menu (2026) or, perhaps, from attending her always-sold-out supper club, held at her family home in Clapham (if you were one of the lucky ones to secure a place). Tasting Nikita’s dishes just became easier as she, alongside her mum Rima and sister Isha, have opened their very first restaurant, MAAI by Nikita on Abbeville Road in Clapham. Using seasonal British produce to create dishes including chaat tartlets, BBQ paneer with palak purée, and her signature octopus ‘tako yaki’ doughnuts, the family will offer an à la carte menu or tasting menu, with vegetarian options available. Katie Silcox

Address: 33-35 Abbeville Road, London, Sw4 9LA

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Go Greek at these two new London restaurants

Greek restaurants Maza Mayfair and Taverna Ermou bring a taste of Athens to central London. Expect old Athenian charm, elevated and time-honoured Greek dishes, and a big dose of filoxenia – aka friendly hospitality – in both. Maza Mayfair is inspired by co-owner Christina Mouratoglou’s heritage, while Taverna Ermou is a direct implant from the streets of Athens (one of its Greek counterparts, Ergon House, sits on Ermou street in the centre of the Greek capital). Katie Silcox

Addresses: Maza Mayfair, 21-23 Bruton Place, London W1J 6NB / Taverna Ermou, 38-40 James Street, London W1U 1EU

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See the Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style exhibition

What does 10 decades of dressing look like as a monarch? Coinciding with the 100-year anniversary of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s birth, Caroline de Guitaut, Surveyor of the King’s Works of Art, attempts to answer the question. Including more than 200 items from 10 decades of her wardrobe – many never-displayed-before – this is the largest ever showcase of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch’s wardrobe, and an insight into the history, artistry and diplomacy behind royal dressing. Highlights include her christening robe, her silver lamé bridesmaid dress, plus her Norman Hartnell-designed wedding dress and Coronation dress. But don’t miss the smaller details, like design sketches and fabric swatches. Katie Silcox

Now until 18 April 2027 (extended due to popular demand)
Address: The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, London, SW1A 1AA
Book here

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Book a table at All Roads, the permanent home of London’s cult supper club

All roads lead to Brixton this weekend: Malika Greene and Paschelle Brown have opened the doors to their first permanent restaurant, located on Atlantic Road. With the same warm energy and thoughtful tastes that made their supper club so popular, at All Roads Brixton dishes like torched mackerel on toast, wings marinated in a sweet black tea, and pork chop with a pimento peppercorn sauce reflect their Caribbean heritage and are designed for sharing – although we’re willing to bet you’ll wish you didn’t have to. Growing up, food was “always about people,” the couple reflected as they opened their restaurant doors, “it was how we connected, celebrated, gifted and marked moments”. Now, they say, they’re ready to “welcome our longstanding supper club guests, new faces and the wider community to All Roads.” And this is reason enough to jump on the Victoria line and (re)pay a visit to Brixton this weekend. Katie Silcox

Address: 44 Atlantic Road, Brixton, London, SW9 8JN

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Go back in time to Ancient Egypt at Ramses and the Pharaohs’ Gold exhibition

We know you’ve heard about Tutankhamun, but what do you know about Ramses II? Three thousand years ago, this Ancient Egyptian pharaoh ruled for almost 67 years (far longer than ‘The Boy King’s’ 9-10 years). In his time he led the Battle of Kadesh, built temples such as Abu Simbel, and signed the world’s first recorded peace treaty – living until roughly 90 years old and fathering more than 100 children, Ramses II left quite a legacy on the world. That legacy has been brought to life in this thoughtfully curated exhibition that takes you up close and personal to more than 180 ancient artefacts including gold masks; 3,000-year-old statues (some showcased just centimetres away, and without glass casing); amulets, rings and necklaces; silver coffins from the royal tombs of Tanis; and – arguably the star of the show – Ramses II’s carved cedar coffin. Presented in a way that allows visitors the time, space and information to take it all in, this stand-out historical exhibition also utilises modern tech at times, notably in the immersive depiction of the Battle of Kadesh and the VR experience at the end, which takes you back in time to meet his first wife, Queen Nefertari, as she takes you on a tour of Abu Simel. Katie Silcox

Currently booking until 31 October 2026
Address: NEON at Battersea Power Station, 2 Circus Road East, London, SW11 8DQ
Book here

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Take a day trip

While not technically in London, all of these trips are very easy to reach from London – whether for the day or overnight. Top spots include Oxford to spot the university (and Harry Potter) landmarks; Canterbury to see the cathedral; Winchester to shop on a historic high street; The Cotswolds for summer rambles; Margate for a day at the beach; and Brighton to shop the pretty lanes (and Laines) before heading straight to the sea. All are less than two hours from London. Katie Silcox