Art is high on the agenda this weekend, courtesy of Frieze London, Frieze Masters and the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair.
Plus the 90s are back at Tate Britain, as are architectural tours of around one of London’s most-loved landmarks. These are 27 of the best things to do in London this weekend (16 – 18 October 2026).
Come rain or shine, Londoners can never get bored – and this weekend’s line up proves it. Whether you’re ducking into galleries or settling into a cinema seat to avoid the autumn showers, exploring some of London’s best outdoor entertainment areas, or booking a table for dinner with loved ones, these are the restaurants, events and exhibitions to know this weekend. Get set for a fun one!
Celebrate art week across London
Boemo Diale, Thapelo, 2026, Mixed media on canvas, 110 x 140 x 5 cm. Courtesy of kumalo turpin.
It’s art week in London, and 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair is back for its 14th edition. Showcasing contemporary artists from Africa and the diaspora, the work of over 100 established and emerging artists will be on show, presented by more than 40 galleries. Alongside this, expect a week of talks about African Modernism, the future of collecting African Art, fine art from Addis Ababa, and more. Frieze London and Frieze Masters have taken over Regent’s Park for the 24th year (this is your insider’s guide to Frieze, courtesy of Dina Andrzheychik (Membership Lead EMEA & APAC, Frieze and Frieze Masters). And lastly there are plenty of satellite events taking place across the capital this weekend too – we’re particularly taken by this travel photography exhibition presented by Mr & Mrs Smith in their Frieze London debut. Katie Silcox
Discover just how deep the Barbican’s concert hall is at the architectural tour
Barbican Centre
The Barbican has been the topic of many a conversation recently: they’ve just released their stunning Brutalist-inspired 23-piece homeware collection in collaboration with Made, and they’re giving away plant clippings as the Barbican Conservatory prepares to close for a redesign (this ‘plant adoption’ event has been a total sell-out with one remaining and taking place on 2 December). Most of us think we know The Barbican – perhaps you’ve been to an exhibition held here, or to watch a musical performance – but how much do we really know? Do you know how deep its theatre and concert hall go, for example? (They’re deeper than the closest tube station!). Or that its dolphin fountain is a Grade II-listed structure? Find out more about this – and so much more – with a 90-minute tour of the estate that’s become a prime example of how architecture can inspire and shape culture. Katie Silcox
Now until 30 November 2026
Address: Tour begins at Level G, Barbican Centre Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS
Book here
Give in to nostalgia at The 90s: Art and Fashion exhibition
Juergen Teller, Young Pink Kate London 1998 (c) Juergen Teller, All Rights Reserved
Edward Enninful OBE’s highly anticipated exhibition, The 90s: Art and Fashion opened last week, and will no doubt draw a Gen X and elder millennial crowd who experienced the highs and lows of the decade. Through more than 200 photographs, paintings, sculptures and garments, and featuring almost 70 artists, the exhibition takes you through six rooms of nostalgia that will likely leave you wanting more. Highlights will be personal but might include Young Pink Kate London (1998) by Juergen Teller (pictured); Yinka Shonibare’s The Swing (2001) or the red hooded dress by Alexander McQueen from his Autumn/Winter 1998 Joan collection. There’s plenty of merch to buy as you exit, too, including hardback exhibition books (£40), polaroid cameras (£170) and a cassette player with headphones (£85). Katie Silcox
Now until 14 February 2027
Address: Tate Britain, Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG
Book here
Discover how the French Riviera inspired the art of Picasso, Cézanne, Monet (and more)
Claude Monet, Morning at Antibes, 1888. Oil on canvas, 65.7 x 82.1 cm. Philadelphia Museum of Art: Bequest of Charlotte Dorrance Wright, 1978-1-22
Many of us spend the colder seasons dreaming of spring and summer on the French Riviera, but this dream is nothing new. The South of France has long been an inspiration for dreamers and doers, including some of the greatest painters of the 19th and 20th centuries. Picasso, Cézanne, Renoir, Monet and Matisse are among the best-known who immortalised the Côte d’Azur through their multi-coloured work, and this exhibition showcases their resulting art from the region. Gaze across the Iles d’Or sea courtesy of Henri-Edmond Cross’ neo-impressionist Les Îles d’Or (1891-1892); discover Claude Monet’s The Valley of Sasso di Bordighera (1884); and dive into Yves Klein’s ANT 84 (1960), which he created using live female models covered in paint to transfer colour onto canvas. You might not come away covered in paint but you will come away with your fingers hovering over the ‘book now’ button for next year’s Riviera romp. Katie Silcox
Now until 31 January 2027
Address: Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD
Book here
Browse this free, open-air exhibition dedicated to Amy Winehouse
Curated in partnership with Studio Eye, this outdoor photography display at Kings Cross is an impactful homage to musical and cultural legend, Amy Winehouse. Marking the 20th Anniversary of her album Back to Black and transforming 30 benches across Granary Square and King’s Boulevard into an open-air gallery, this exhibition pays tribute to Amy’s life as a deeply soulful lyricist —and to the voice that is wholly unique and forever hers. Taken by photographers who worked closely alongside her, each photograph offers a an intimate look into Amy’s life, capturing her fun and witty personality that so many fans fell in love with. Orla Sullivan
Now until 15 October
Address: Granary Square and King’s Boulevard, Kings Cross, London, N1C 4AA
Find out more
Grab a handmade bao at Soho’s newest opening
There’s a new reason to wander down Tisbury Court. Bon Bao is a new tucked-away counter specialising in two styles of handmade Chinese bao: soft, steamed Zheng Bao and Sheng Jian Bao, pan-fried until crisp underneath (still something of a rarity in London). My pick? The OG Pork with ginger and sesame, followed by the Golden Hour with a salted egg-yolk bun with a rich molten middle. Come hungry – you’ll want to try more than one. Bibiana Obahor
Address: 4 Tisbury Court, London,W1D 6BG
Visit the V&A’s must-see Schiaparelli exhibition before it ends next month
Elsa Schiaparelli is a superstar in fashion circles, but her name is lesser known outside of it. The V&A is set to change that with the first ever UK exhibition dedicated to the designer. Schiaparelli is famed for her playful, witty and shocking styles that kickstarted fashion’s relationship with the art world. She collaborated with Dalí, Cocteau and Man Ray, proving that what we wear doesn’t have to be limited to looking conventionally pretty. Schiaparelli showed women that fashion could also be interesting, funny, demanding and desirable. Find out about her legacy through the 400 objects that the V&A has unearthed, including her iconic lobster dress and upside-down shoe hat. Ella Alexander
Now until 15 November 2026
Address: V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL
Book here
See Westminster Cathedral’s domes come to life with light, music and storytelling
Did you know that the mosaic domes inside Westminster Cathedral were never completed? Architect John Francis Bentley died before finishing the designs, but from now until January they will come to life spectacularly every evening. Recently extended, the light-filled Luminescence display projects 360º video-mapping onto the cathedral’s domes. Alongside it there’s live performances of Beethoven, Vivaldi, Bach et al by the Lux Aeterna choir, and a story-filled adventure scripted by Olivier Award-winning writer Tim Whitnall and narrated by Downton Abbey star, Hugh Bonneville. A percentage of every ticket contributes to the upkeep of the cathedral. Katie Silcox
Now until 30 January 2026
Tickets start from £32.50; book here
Sip and Paint at London’s Art Bar
If you’re looking to wind down this weekend, one of the best ways is to pick up a new hobby or fall back into a hobby you once loved. PopUp Painting hosts live paint and sips every week, encouraging guests to create their own masterpiece à la artists spanning Van Gogh, Monet, Banksy and beyond. Make new friends, mingle, sip on a glass of something sparkly, and have a laugh as you learn a new skill, guided by trusted artists. There is no such thing as a mistake here – just happy memories (and a painting to take home at the end of the day). Orla Sullivan
10 October 2pm – 4pm; 4.30pm; 7.30-10pm.
Address: 300 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7JH
Tickets cost £39.99; book here
Shop for vinyl at a new record store in Shoreditch
Fancy some good old tunes this weekend? Dance your way down to the iconic Old Street Records. Established in London in 2010, it recently opened a new record store inside its Shoreditch music venue. Committed to compiling music “with feeling” and curated in collaboration with Cigarette Records, expect a selection of 5,000 records (with hopes to reach 10,000) ranging from jazz to pop to reggae. Come, and let the beat move your feet! Justine Neyrand
Thursday to Saturday, 12pm-6pm.Address: 350 – 356 Old Street, London EC1V 9NQ
See Bharti Kher’s recently revealed thought-provoking sculptures at the V&A
Bharti Kher Sculptures installation, 16th July 2026
Recently unveiled at the V&A South Kensington, admire the thought-provoking sculptures of London-based artist Bharti Kher. She beautifully blends artistic styles: while referencing classical sculptural techniques with classical drapery in some works, she honors her Indian roots with a signature bindi in others. Interlacing themes of the body, womanhood, and cultural identity, and using a unique melange of materials, Kher’s hybrid works push people to perceive the world in a different light. Justine Neyrand
Now until 24 January 2027Address: V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RLEntry: free, no tickets needed
Watch Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey
ANNE HATHAWAY and TOM HOLLAND in THE ODYSSEY (2026), directed by CHRISTOPHER NOLAN. Credit: Syncopy Production / Universal Pictures / Album
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
Taste test London’s newest frozen Greek yoghurt
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
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
Brunch on Filipino dishes at Bintang
Take a seat at Bintang and enjoy London’s first-ever Filipino brunch. Bringing the rich flavours of the Philippines to London, try the authentic Filipino breakfast: the Silog, accompanied by garlic rice, a fried egg, cherry tomatoes, and pickles. Or, indulge in their sharing brunch plates, like the seafood palabok, a delicious noodle dish topped with smoked mackerel. Most importantly, in true Filipino fashion, surround yourself with your loved ones and feel as though you’ve washed ashore on the Philippine coast as you enjoy a taste of its culture this weekend. Justine Neyrand
Address: 93 Kentish Town Rd, London NW1 8NY
Trace the life and legacy of Frida Kahlo at Tate Modern
Frida Kahlo,
Untitled [Self-portrait with thorn necklace and hummingbird]. 1940. Nickolas Muray
Collection of Mexican Art.
Now until 3 January 2027
Address: Bankside, London SE1 9TG
Book here
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 17 October, times and prices vary
Book here
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
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
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
Visit the V&A East Museum’s first exhibition: The Music Is Black: A British Story
Photo: © David Parry/ V&A
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
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
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
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
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
Go back in time to Ancient Egypt at Ramses and the Pharaohs’ Gold exhibition
Gold-plated Wooden Mask from the Coffin of Amenemope – Ramses & The Pharaohs’ Gold Exhibition © NEON_World Heritage Exhibitions
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
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
Lead image includes: Gamal ElKheshen, Maqam Al-Nour X, 2025, Acrylic on canvas, 120 x 160 cm. Courtesy of Gallery Misr
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