🦊 Tricky London

Morning, London! Happy Thursday. Half term is reaching its grand finale, with a potentially wet Halloween tomorrow to roll us into the weekend. A bit of rain won’t stop the costumes or the sugar rush though. London’s ghouls (and kids) are definitely a resilient bunch.

You might already know this, but Halloween actually began as an Irish festival. Irish immigrants later brought it to America, adding costumes and carved lanterns, and the rest is history.

Anyway, there’s plenty of good stuff in here that isn’t orange or covered in cobwebs, in case you’ve reached your limit. Next stop? Christmas. Unbelievable.

Let’s dive in.

. LONDON SNIPPETS .
Bits that caught our eye

🎡 The London Eye Is Getting a Makeover. After 25 years of spinning tourists above the Thames, the London Eye is getting a glow up. All 32 capsules are being removed and upgraded, starting with one that was floated down the river like a very polite spaceship. Expect new tech, better safety and zero impact on your selfie backdrop, unless you were really hoping for capsule number 17. Full story

🍺 Guinness Sets a Date for Covent Garden Brewery. After three years of teasing, Guinness has finally confirmed its new Covent Garden brewery will open on 11 December. The Open Gate Brewery promises pints, tours and stout-fuelled good times at Old Brewer’s Yard. London, your Christmas pint just got sorted. Full story

💋 Bridget Jones Joins Leicester Square’s Movie Legends. Bridget is getting her own statue on the Scenes in the Square trail, alongside the likes of Harry Potter and Paddington. It’s the first rom-com to be honoured, marking 25 years since Bridget Jones’s Diary hit the big screen. Big knickers not confirmed, but fingers crossed. Full story

. CHRISTMAS .
London Lights Up!

London’s streets will soon be glowing one by one. Here’s when the magic flicks on across town:

Mon 3 Nov – 💡 Oxford Street Lights
Thu 6 Nov – 🪽 The Spirit of Christmas, Regent Street
Thu 6 Nov – 🎨 All is Bright, Carnaby Street
Wed 12 Nov – 🎭 The Theatre of Christmas, Covent Garden
Wed 12 Nov – 🧑‍🎄 Merry Marylebone Lights, Marylebone
Wed 12 Nov – 🥧 Switch-On Party, Old Spitalfields Market
Wed 12 Nov – 💎 Bond Street Lights
Thu 13 Nov – 🎁 Christmas Lights Switch-On, Leadenhall Market
Thu 14 Nov – 🌿 Christmas at Kew, Kew Gardens
Sat 15 Nov – ✨ Chelsea Lights Up
Sun 16 Nov – 🎉 Belgravia Switch-On Party
Wed 19 Nov – ☃️ Kids Christmas Lights, Soho
Tue 25 Nov – 🏙️ The Shard Light Show, London Bridge
Mid-Nov (est.) – 🚂 King’s Cross Christmas Lights, Coal Drops Yard & Granary Square
Mid-Nov (est.) – 💈 West End Lights, St Martin’s Lane & Leicester Sq
Mid-Nov (est.) – 🎭 The Strand Lights, Savoy & Villiers Street
Mid-Nov (est.) – 🪩 Connaught Village Lights
Mid-Nov (est.) – 🍺 The Churchill Arms Lights, Kensington
Mid-Nov (est.) – ✂️ Savile Row Christmas Lights
Early–Mid Nov (est.) – 🌟 Mayfair Christmas Lights
Thu 4 Dec – 🎄 Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Trafalgar Square

Get your cameras ready!

. FEATURED EVENT .
Kensington’s Halloween!

Our friends over in Kensington have really gone all out this Halloween. From ghost hunts and pumpkin painting to haunted tours and spooky teas, there’s something for every little (and not-so-little) monster. Zoom in below to see the whole lineup. 👻 Info

. CASUAL EINSTEIN .
2 for 1: Wow your kid, and outsmart the other parents

Fun Fact: You’re basically half human, half bacteria. 🧫🧍 Your body carries around roughly 37 trillion human cells and about the same number of microbial ones. You’re not just a person. You’re an ecosystem with opinions.

London Fact: Churchill’s War Cabinet once ran the country from an abandoned Tube station. 🚇🥂 Before the official bunkers were ready, they set up shop in Down Street station, hidden beneath Mayfair.

. EVENTS SCOOP .
What’s on this week?

🎸 The Strings Club Half Term camp @ Various locations
Date & Loc: Oct 27-31, across London
In case you need something fun for today/tomorrow! The team at Strings Club run some incredible five-star rated holiday camps. Packed with music, creativity, and proper screen-free fun. Tip: Use Code NEWCUS10
Age: 4–11yo | Info

🖼️ Decoding Pictures: Family Tour @ National Gallery
Date & Loc: Oct 30, Trafalgar Square WC2N
A fun, interactive tour helping families uncover hidden stories and clues in famous paintings. Discover art through games, puzzles and imagination.
Age: 5–11yo | Price: no cost (book. req) | Info

🐱 Mog the Forgetful Cat @ Southbank Centre
Date & Loc: Oct 30–Nov 2, Southbank SE1
Judith Kerr’s beloved cat takes the stage in a playful adaptation full of mischief, music and forgetful blunders. Join Mog as she causes chaos and wins hearts all over again.
Age: 3+ | Price: from £16 | Info

🎬 Family Film Week @ Barbican
Date & Loc: Oct 30–Nov 2, Barbican EC2Y
A week of screenings, workshops and film fun. From Zog and The Secret of Kells to K-pop adventures, it’s a cinematic treat for all ages.
Age: Film dep. | Price: from £2.5 | Info

✨ Wendy & Peter Pan @ Barbican Theatre
Date & Loc: until Nov 22, Barbican EC2Y
The RSC reimagines JM Barrie’s classic in Ella Hickson’s witty retelling. Join Wendy and Peter in this high-flying mix of fairy dust, sword fights and heart.
Age: 7+ | Price: from £25 | Info

🤼 Dweeb-A-Mania @ Polka Theatre
Date & Loc: Oct 30–Nov 9, Wimbledon SW19
Mega-nerds Kemi and Norah crash a wrestling party and become champs. Expect flying kicks, fake blood and big laughs in this punchy comedy about being proudly different.
Age: 8–13yo | Price: from £11 | Info

🔤 Alphabet Soup @ Southbank Centre
Date & Loc: Oct 30 (Thu), Southbank SE1
Cook up poems and stories in this playful family workshop by A Line Art. Add your tasty words to a growing food-inspired art installation.
Age: 5–11yo | Price: no cost | Info

🦉 WOW! Said the Owl @ Little Angel Studios
Date & Loc: Oct 30–Nov 8, Islington N1
Tim Hopgood’s gentle story of a curious owl discovering the world’s colours comes to life through charming puppetry. A wonder-filled treat for little ones.
Age: 2–5yo | Price: £13 | Info

🐻 We’re Going on a Bear Hunt @ Little Angel Theatre
Date & Loc: Oct 30–Nov 8, Islington N1
Michael Rosen’s classic adventure told with puppets and song. Expect splashes, mud and plenty of “We’re not scared!” energy.
Age: 3–8yo | Price: £13 | Info

🌊 The Tempest: Family Workshop @ Shakespeare’s Globe
Date & Loc: Oct 30 (Thu), Bankside SE1
Step into Shakespeare’s world in a playful workshop of games and storytelling. Discover the magic and mischief behind The Tempest.
Age: 5–8yo | Price: £10 | Info

🐇 Alice in Wonderland Adventure Tour @ Royal Opera House
Date & Loc: Oct 30-31, Covent Garden WC2E
A 75-minute behind-the-scenes adventure through Wonderland. Explore backstage, meet performers, and enjoy themed surprises, lunch and a creative gift.
Age: 5+ | Price: from £20 | Info

💀 Spooky Skeletons & Sugar Skulls @ British Museum
Date & Loc: Oct 30–31, Bloomsbury WC1B
Celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos with storytelling, mariachi music and art workshops inspired by skeleton traditions from around the world.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

⏰ Back to the Future in Concert @ Royal Albert Hall
Date & Loc: Oct 30–31, South Kensington SW7
Watch the 1985 classic on the big screen as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performs Alan Silvestri’s iconic score live. A time-travelling favourite in full symphonic glory.
Age: 8+ | Price: from £28 | Info

🎃 Kensington’s Halloween: The Playful Park of Peculiar @ Holland Park
Date & Loc: Oct 31 (Fri), Kensington W8
A spooky day of costume parades, live shows, crafts and curious creatures in the park. Expect giant pumpkins, ghoulish games and plenty of treats.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

💀 The Book of Life @ The Garden Cinema
Date & Loc: Oct 31-Nov 2, Holborn WC1A
Mark Día de los Muertos with Guillermo del Toro’s vibrant animated tale of love, courage and remembrance. A dazzling family film for the season.
Age: 6+ | Price: pay what you can | Info

🚀 Holiday to Space @ Royal Observatory Greenwich
Date & Loc: Oct 31 (Fri), Greenwich SE10
Join Ted and Plant as they explore the Solar System on a cosmic holiday. Includes a planetarium show and hands-on workshop.
Age: 3-6yo | Price: from £5 | Info

🎮 WiFi Wars @ artsdepot
Date & Loc: Nov 1 (Sat), North Finchley N12
A live comedy game show where the audience joins in via their phones. Expect quickfire quizzes, mini-games and plenty of chaos.
Age: 6+ | Price: from £13.75 | Info

💀 Day of the Dead @ Camden Market
Date & Loc: Nov 1–2, Camden NW1
A weekend fiesta with live mariachi, Latin DJs, face painting and food stalls celebrating Mexican Día de los Muertos traditions.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎆 Battersea Park Fireworks @ Battersea Park
Date & Loc: Nov 1–2, Battersea SW11
London’s biggest fireworks show lights up the Thames with music, food and fun. Saturday’s the big bang, Sunday’s the family night.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £9.50 | Info

🎇 Fireworks & Drone Festival @ Alexandra Palace
Date & Loc: Nov 1–2, Alexandra Palace N22
An epic night of fireworks, drone light shows, live music and street food with stunning views over London.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £15 | Info

🐢 Hare and Tortoise @ Half Moon Theatre
Date & Loc: Nov 1 (Sat), Limehouse E1
A joyful retelling of Aesop’s fable with music and song. Follow two friends as they race through the seasons and learn that slow and steady wins the race.
Age: 3+ | Price: £9 | Info

⚙️ Let’s Engineer Together @ Royal Institution
Date & Loc: Nov 1 (Sat), Mayfair W1S
Build bridges, launch rockets and design marble runs with real engineers. A creative crash course in how things work (and sometimes don’t).
Age: under 12yo | Price: from £10 | Info

🌸 Columbia Road Flower Market @ Bethnal Green
Date & Loc: Nov 1-2, Bethnal Green E2
A London classic bursting with colour, chatter and charm. Browse blooms, street music and East End buzz every weekend.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🦕 Dino Tours @ Natural History Museum
Date & Loc: Nov 2 (Sun), South Ken SW7
Explore the Dinosaur Gallery after hours with an expert guide. Get close to fossils and uncover secrets of the T. rex and Triceratops.
Age: 7+ | Price: £25 | Info

💀 Day of the Dead Family Festival @ Horniman Museum
Date & Loc: Nov 2 (Sun), Forest Hill SE23
Celebrate Mexico’s Día de los Muertos with live music, dance, crafts and a colourful ofrenda honouring loved ones.
Age: Everyone | Price: £6 | Info

🧁 The Big Monster Bake @ Discover Children’s Story Centre
Date & Loc: Nov 2 (Sun), Stratford E15
Join author Fiona Barker for spooky tales, silly songs and a Halloween quiz before crafting your own take-home monster.
Age: 3+ | Price: from £5 | Info

🏺 Young Archaeologists: Foreshore Walk @ Fulham Palace
Date & Loc: Nov 8 (Sat), Fulham SW6
Explore the Thames foreshore with the Young Archaeologists’ Club and uncover artefacts and stories hidden in the riverbank.
Age: 8–16yo | Price: £16 | Info

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. HALLOWEEN SPECIAL .
Last chance!

🕷️ Hair-Raising Halloween @ Hyde Park
Date & Loc: Oct 30, Hyde Park W2
Drop in for free creepy-crawly fun: mystery “feely boxes”, bat hunts and spooky nature trails for little explorers.
Price: no cost | Info

💀 Halloween Spectacular @ Chiltern Open Air Museum
Date & Loc: Oct 31 (Fri), Chalfont St Giles HP8
Lantern-lit buildings, woodland walks, fire shows and marshmallow toasting. A perfect Halloween night out.
Price: from £16 | Info

🍬 Trick-or-Treat Trail @ Covent Garden
Date & Loc: Oct 31 (Fri), Covent Garden WC2
Follow the spooky trail through Covent Garden collecting treats and uncovering surprises at every stop.
Price: no cost | Info

🎃 Pumpkin Patch & Trick-or-Treat Lane @ Parsons Green
Date & Loc: until 31, Fulham SW6
Thousands of pumpkins, a haunted house and London’s biggest Trick-or-Treat adventure for kids.
Price: from £6 | Info

🎉 Spooktacular Party @ Chiswick House & Gardens
Date & Loc: Oct 31–Nov 1, Chiswick W4
Face painting, crafts and a disco for mini monsters at this lively half-term party.
Price: £18 (child) / £6 (adult) | Info

🌲 Halloween Trail @ Priory Farm Discovery Land
Date & Loc: until Nov 2, Redhill RH1
Follow a spooky woodland trail, ride tractors to the pumpkin fields and meet cheeky scarecrows along the way.
Price: from £9.50 | Info

🎃 Halloween @ Kew Gardens
Date & Loc: until Nov 2, Richmond TW9
Kew Gardens transforms after dark into a ghostly, glowing adventure with haunted woods, flickering pumpkins, and eerie fairgrounds. Toast marshmallows and wander through neon cobwebs and beastly bats.
Price: from £16.50 | Info

👻 Halloween @ Kenwood House
Date & Loc: until Nov 2, Hampstead NW3
Explore Kenwood’s picturesque grounds on a spine-tingling Halloween trail. Follow clues, uncover ghostly stories, and discover the mansion’s haunting past in this family-friendly adventure.
Price: from £10 | Info

👻 Hobble’ween @ Hobbledown Heath
Date & Loc: until Nov 2, Hounslow TW14
A week of Halloween-themed performances, trails, crafts and a monster parade at the adventure park. Pumpkin Patch too.
Price: from £17.50 | Info

🏰 Halloween @ Hampton Court Palace
Date & Loc: until Nov 2, East Molesey KT8
Haunted trails, ghostly projections and eerie soundscapes fill Henry VIII’s palace. Keep an eye out for spirits in the Great Hall.
Price: | Info

🎩 Witches & Wizards Week @ Bocketts Farm Park
Date & Loc: until Nov 2, Leatherhead KT22
Reptile shows, scavenger hunts, creepy crafts and hundreds of pumpkins grown on site.
Price: from £15 | Info

🏰 Halloween Half-Term @ Eltham Palace
Date & Loc: until Nov 2, Eltham SE9
Follow creepy clues, play gruesome games and enjoy storytelling in the gardens of this historic palace.
Price: from £10 | Info

🧙 Super Natural Halloween @ London Wetland Centre
Date & Loc: until Nov 2, Barnes SW13
Brew potions, make willow wands and meet marshland creatures in this wild, family-friendly Halloween week.
Price: from £10 | Info

🎃 Pumpkin Trail @ Headstone Manor Museum
Date & Loc: until Nov 2, Harrow HA2
Solve clues and spot pumpkins hidden around the historic manor grounds.
Price: no cost | Info

🦇 Halloween Family Fun @ London Zoo
Date & Loc: until Nov 2, Regent’s Park NW1
Meet the Zoo’s creepiest creatures, craft a flapping bat, and pick a pumpkin at Boo at the Zoo.
Price: from £20 | Info

🧟 Meet the Monsters! @ Museum of Water & Steam
Date & Loc: until Nov 2, Brentford TW8
Steam engines become monsters in this playful half-term takeover. Join the Monster Hunt and Halloween crafts.
Price: from £4 | Info

. SPREAD THE LOVE .
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