Your London shortlist, twice a week
Thursday 1 October
This weekend in London,
picked for you
A handpicked mix of free things, weekend events, date ideas and one wildcard.
Free
Free to do, worth knowing about.
Chelsea Physic Garden Open Weekend
Chelsea Physic Garden opens its gates for a free weekend of garden exploring, activities and events in one of London’s oldest botanical gardens.
Chelsea · 3–4 Oct · Free
Ceramics in the City 2026
Independent ceramicists take over the Museum of the Home for a free weekend of handmade pots, sculpture and contemporary ceramics.
Hoxton · 3–4 Oct · Free
Know someone who’d use this?
This weekend
On this weekend and worth knowing about.
London Latino Film Festival
London’s new Latino film festival brings films from across Latin America and its diasporas to cinemas and cultural venues around the city.
Across London · 2–6 Oct · Tickets vary
The Big Draw Festival Launch 2026
The Big Draw kicks off its 2026 festival with drawing, workshops and creative activities at the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration.
Clerkenwell · 2–3 Oct · Free & paid events
Date idea
For a memorable day (or night).
Renoir and Love
Renoir’s paintings of love, friendship and social life arrive at the National Gallery in a major new exhibition opening this weekend.
Trafalgar Square · From 3 Oct · £20–£25
Wildcard
A less obvious pick to try this weekend.
Croydon Harvest featuring the Walnut Fair
A centuries-old Croydon fair returns with live music, crafts, food, animals and autumn traditions across a free weekend celebration.
Croydon · 3–4 Oct · Free
Pick a side
Pick your weekend mood?
Results in the next email
Last poll
What sounds most like your October?
- Culture fix – 32%
- Something spooky – 55%
- ❌ None of the above – 13%
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