Featured Events in London in October, 2025 (March Updated)

Set against the backdrop of cultural and artistic rebellion, Nigerian Modernism celebrates the achievements of Nigerian artists working before and after the decade of national independence from British colonial rule in 1960. Nigerian Modernism tells the story of artistic networks which spanned Zaria, Ibadan, Lagos and Enugu, as well as London, Munich and Paris. Through groups like the Zaria Art Society and Mbari Artists' and Writers' Club, they fused Nigerian, African and European techniques and traditions to create vibrant, multidimensional works. Explore a diverse range of paintings, sculpture, textiles and poetry from over 50 artists including Uzo Egonu, El Anatsui, Ladi Kwali and Ben Enwonwu MBE.

Set against the backdrop of cultural and artistic rebellion, Nigerian Modernism celebrates the achievements of Nigerian artists working before and after the decade of national independence from British colonial rule in 1960. Nigerian Modernism tells the story of artistic networks which spanned Zaria, Ibadan, Lagos and Enugu, as well as London, Munich and Paris. Through groups like the Zaria Art Society and Mbari Artists' and Writers' Club, they fused Nigerian, African and European techniques and traditions to create vibrant, multidimensional works. Explore a diverse range of paintings, sculpture, textiles and poetry from over 50 artists including Uzo Egonu, El Anatsui, Ladi Kwali and Ben Enwonwu MBE.

Frieze London is an iconic contemporary art fair held in the British capital, London, held in a custom-made tent in Regent’s Park every October. The fair focuses on displaying contemporary artworks of the 21st century, attracting top galleries and artists from around the world. Masters is its sister fair, held in another custom-made tent in Regent’s Park. Focusing on displaying artworks before 2000, including ancient art, classical art and modern art, it provides viewers with an opportunity to explore art history.

A Virtual Reality Art Exhibition that you can view in any location and on any device. Please see the above picture instructions for how you can view it on a tablet/mobile. You can view the exhibition with or without a virtual reality headset. Copy this link to view the Virtual Reality Art Exhibition on a computer/laptop: https://edu.cospaces.io/PMB-KAV The Virtual Private View of the Exhibition was held on Thursday 14th of May 2020 at 8:15pm on Zoom (Virtual drinks provided.)

Priscilla The Party! is an immersive reimagining of the iconic and award-winning musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Delivered in three acts with breaks between for fine dining in the Mezzanine or bar snacks on the Dance Floor. Featuring the dance-floor classics like I Will Survive, It's Raining Men and Finally, doors open one hour before show time where two cocktails cost just £15 and a pre-show entertains you before the main event. The performance ends with a dazzling finale show-casing the award-winning costumes and head-dresses which the show is famous for. The evening ends with a disco from our resident DJ. The audience can expect an extravagant display of eye-popping costumes, an exhilarating soundtrack that encourages everyone to sing along and a show which unfolds all around them. There will be immersive dance floor tickets as happens at Guys and Dolls at the Bridge Theatre, with DJ and pre-show entertainment similar to Here Lies Love at the National Theatre, a party sing-a-long atmosphere like ABBA Voyage at the ABBA Arena, cabaret tables with dining options similar to Cabaret at the Playhouse Theatre and dining options and post-show party as happens at Mamma Mia! The Party – in other words, something for everyone! From its dazzling debut in Sydney in 2006, the musical created by Allan Scott and Stephan Elliott has taken the world by storm. It initially graced the London stage in 2009, before conquering Broadway in 2011. The enduring message of acceptance and inclusivity that Priscilla carries remains as significant today as it was when the curtains first rose.

Two exhibitions, two influential British artists, one ticket Edward Burra runs in parallel with an exhibition of works by Ithell Colquhoun, offering visitors the chance to see two influential British artists with one ticket.

Agony and ecstasy go hand-in-hand in Pablo Picasso’s exuberant masterpiece The Three Dancers. A milestone in modern art from 1925, this painting now forms the centrepiece of an exhibition celebrating the work’s centenary. For Picasso, The Three Dancers marked a radical break away from his serene, classical phase and the beginning of a new period of emotional violence and expressionist distortion. It sits at a crossroads between madness, philosophy and the avant-garde: a place where identity is disrupted and the body itself is at stake. Tate Modern’s exhibition tells the story of this landmark painting through a selection of key works from across Picasso’s career, exploring themes of sex, death, and the politics of dance. A vibrant programme of live performances accompanies the exhibition, taking inspiration from one of the most influential artists of the 20th century and bringing The Three Dancers to life 100 years after its creation.

Agony and ecstasy go hand-in-hand in Pablo Picasso’s exuberant masterpiece The Three Dancers. A milestone in modern art from 1925, this painting now forms the centrepiece of an exhibition celebrating the work’s centenary. For Picasso, The Three Dancers marked a radical break away from his serene, classical phase and the beginning of a new period of emotional violence and expressionist distortion. It sits at a crossroads between madness, philosophy and the avant-garde: a place where identity is disrupted and the body itself is at stake. Tate Modern’s exhibition tells the story of this landmark painting through a selection of key works from across Picasso’s career, exploring themes of sex, death, and the politics of dance. A vibrant programme of live performances accompanies the exhibition, taking inspiration from one of the most influential artists of the 20th century and bringing The Three Dancers to life 100 years after its creation.

The artwork is displayed on powder-coated steel gates, designed by Whittle and made at Glasgow Sculpture Studios. It was unveiled on 5 October 2023 at the Queen’s House in Greenwich. Feeling Blue has been developed in response to RMG’s large and varied collections, as well as the history and cultural significance of Greenwich. The 160 x 155 cm tapestry is filled with richly evocative textures, symbolic shapes, and tropical colours. It was woven by hand over a period of six months by Naomi Robertson and Elaine Wilson at Dovecot Studios. They used a variety of techniques, yarns, and over 150 colour mixes to add variety and depth to the surface of the tapestry. Dominating the tapestry is the phrase ‘feeling blue’ which stands out from a background of blues and greens, the combination of different shades resembling water in motion. Blue is immediately associated with oceans and seas but there are also more emotive connotations which Whittle chose to explore. The colour blue, and in particular the term ‘feeling blue’, is used to describe sadness or depression. While the exact origin of the term is uncertain it has been suggested that it comes from the tradition of ships flying blue flags and officers bearing a painted blue band when a captain or officer died. For others, blue symbolises tranquillity. In the Queen’s House the colour blue is used throughout for decoration, notably the balustrade of the Tulip Stairs. Drawing on her research of the British naval uniform, Whittle also reflects on the legacies of British colonialism. From the mid-eighteenth-century, the Royal Navy introduced a uniform for officers made from a deep blue fabric. The colour was achieved using a dye from the indigo plant that was native to India. Until the end of the eighteenth century the indigo plant was grown, harvested and processed by enslaved people on North American plantations. Indentured labourers in India and modern-day Bangladesh also produced indigo for the East India Company. Today, Navy blue endures as a colour of authority from police to military officers, though the history of the colour and connection to colonialism is little known. Whittle continues her exploration of maritime worlds by the inclusion of coloured ropes – reminiscent of those used on ships. For Whittle, rope is a symbol of both hope and oppression. Ropes are associated with bondage, imprisonment and even execution but are equally symbolic of lifelines for people in distress. Whittle’s ongoing engagement with the climate crisis is found in the decorative coral that frames the tapestry. The delicate pastel pinks and vibrant yellows evoke the beauty of tropical oceans and are a reminder of the importance of reefs. Decorative cultured freshwater pearl beads have also been stitched onto the tapestry. As well as representing an oceanic realm, Whittle connects Feeling Blue with two sixteenth-century paintings the Armada Portrait and Sir Francis Drake which will be displayed alongside the tapestry. In both portraits, pearls are used as a symbol of wealth, some of which was derived from colonial trade and exploitation. The tapestry is hung on a set of blue ‘gates’, which are an important component of Whittle’s work. Whittle sees the ‘gates’ as reminiscent of fencing, suggesting containment and control. Placed within the gallery space the gates no longer act as a barrier. Instead, Whittle uses the gates to expand rather than restrict as visitors are free to walk around them and view the tapestry from both sides. The decorative fretwork on the panels evokes the architecture of the Queen’s House, in particular the Tulip Stairs. Alberta Whittle, said: “The commission has been a wonderful opportunity to think deeply about maritime histories and consider the powers in place that decide how these histories are portrayed. This new tapestry is a chance to explore these ideas of power alongside the rhythms of the ocean and its vulnerability under climate colonialism. The commission has also provided me with the opportunity to continue to work with Naomi Robertson and Elaine Wilson at Dovecot Studios and the rest of the fantastic weaving team.” Celia Joicey, Director of Dovecot Studios, said: "This commission represents the contemporary significance of tapestry as a collective medium. Started in the midst of the 2021 lockdown, it is testimony to a group of people responding creatively and collaboratively to the Museum collections. Feeling Blue embodies the passion, focus and skill of Dovecot’s weavers, Alberta Whittle’s endlessly interesting ideas and the care and enterprise of the commissioning team." Katherine Gazzard, Curator of Art, Royal Museums Greenwich, said: “At Royal Museums Greenwich, we are committed to working with contemporary artists whose practice engages with our historic sites and collections, as well as with the present challenges facing our communities and our planet. The opportunity to commission a contemporary tapestry from Alberta Whittle and Dovecot Studios spoke powerfully to this ethos. The finished tapestry will go on public display in the Queen’s House, our flagship art gallery. When the Queen’s House was built in the early 17th century, it was at the cutting edge of art and design. Commissions like Feeling Blue help us to honour that legacy, ensuring that, four centuries after the building’s completion, the Queen’s House continues to showcase artistic innovations and new perspectives.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Feeling Blue Alberta Whittle Tapestry by Dovecot Studios 2023, cotton, linen, synthetic yarn, cultured freshwater pearl beads Tapestry woven for Dovecot by Naomi Robertson, Master Weaver, and Elaine Wilson Displayed on powder coated steel gates made by Glasgow Sculpture Studios Purchased with assistance from the Contemporary Art Society

With the hottest headliners and music legends both past and present, this is the ultimate festival experience that you do not want to miss!

Discover never-before-seen royal and court fashion treasures in Dress Codes, a new exhibition at Kensington Palace. Explore the codes and conventions of royal clothing, and the powerful impact fashion can make when boundaries are pushed and dress codes evolve. Among the highlights of this exciting new exhibition are pieces worn by a young Queen Elizabeth II, Diana, Princess of Wales, Dame Vivienne Westwood, Princess Margaret and Queen Victoria. Dress Codes will showcase both recognisable and rarely-seen treasures from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, a collection of 10,000 objects spanning 500 years, cared for by Historic Royal Palaces. Stunning items from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection on display in 2025 include an extremely rare Japanese court suit dating from the early 20th century, and a never-before-seen 1920s Reville court dress worn to Buckingham Palace. Alongside these spectacular examples of royal and court dress, discover how dress codes can be reset and re-made for today through designs by our Young Producers, aged 14-17. This new partnership with local youth groups paves the way for a new generation of young people to contribute to the arts and fashion industries.

Discover never-before-seen royal and court fashion treasures in Dress Codes, a new exhibition at Kensington Palace. Explore the codes and conventions of royal clothing, and the powerful impact fashion can make when boundaries are pushed and dress codes evolve. Among the highlights of this exciting new exhibition are pieces worn by a young Queen Elizabeth II, Diana, Princess of Wales, Dame Vivienne Westwood, Princess Margaret and Queen Victoria. Dress Codes will showcase both recognisable and rarely-seen treasures from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, a collection of 10,000 objects spanning 500 years, cared for by Historic Royal Palaces. Stunning items from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection on display in 2025 include an extremely rare Japanese court suit dating from the early 20th century, and a never-before-seen 1920s Reville court dress worn to Buckingham Palace. Alongside these spectacular examples of royal and court dress, discover how dress codes can be reset and re-made for today through designs by our Young Producers, aged 14-17. This new partnership with local youth groups paves the way for a new generation of young people to contribute to the arts and fashion industries.

Step into the world of regal elegance with Royal Style in the Making, a captivating new exhibition at Hillsborough Castle. Unveiling the intimate bond between royal clients and fashion designers, discover how the British fashion industry has crafted the iconic style of the British royal women. The exhibition showcases three stunning outfits on display, including the extraordinary toile used in the design of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s coronation gown, worn in 1937. Original design drawings feature some of Britain’s finest designers including Madame Handley Seymour, Norman Hartnell, Hardy Amies and Oliver Messel. Don’t miss sketches from David Sassoon, for Diana, Princess of Wales, including her handwritten comments. A thrill for fashion fans, don’t miss this unique journey into regal elegance and history, only until 04 January 2026.

Enter the captivating world of leading contemporary artist Do Ho Suh. Korean-born, London-based artist Do Ho Suh invites visitors to explore his large-scale installations, sculptures, videos and drawings in this major survey exhibition. Is home a place, a feeling, or an idea? Suh asks timely questions about the enigma of home, identity and how we move through and inhabit the world around us. With immersive artworks exploring belonging, collectivity and individuality, connection and disconnection, Suh examines the intricate relationship between architecture, space, the body, and the memories and the moments that make us who we are. Wander through the passages and thresholds of Suh's renowned fabric architectures. Discover his early installations, delicate works on paper and videos. Move across Seoul, New York and London through his life-sized replicas of past and present homes. Encounter sculptures that explore the tradition of monuments. Experience the breadth and depth of Suh’s inventive and unique practice over the last three decades, including new and site-specific works on display for the first time.

The sower, the woodcutter, a shepherd girl. These are the subjects that made French artist Jean-Francois Millet famous. Marking the 150th anniversary of his death, this is an opportunity to see some of Millet’s best-loved paintings and drawings. Born into a farming family in Normandy, Millet moved to the village of Barbizon in 1849 where he put the people who spent their life working on the land, often the poorest of the poor in 19th-century France, at the heart of his work. He knew these people and his realistic, unsentimental approach to painting them was completely new. See his iconic 'L’Angelus' (1857‒9) from the Musée d’Orsay, Paris, a painting typical of the dignified way he captured the working people of his age. A husband and wife stand with their heads bowed. Lit by an almost ethereal, filtered light, they’ve stopped working in the fields to say the Angelus prayer. Admired and copied by Vincent van Gogh, he inspired Impressionists and Post-Impressionist artists including Edgas Degas and Camille Pissarro. His combination of subject and effects of light and tone saw his popularity soar at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. Experience the beauty and quiet power of Millet’s work – an artist who created some of the most realist yet timeless paintings of the 19th century.

When critics first saw Georges Seurat’s new style of painting, they thought it might bring about the death of painting itself. But what was it about artists like Paul Signac, Anna Boch, Jan Toorop and Henri-Edmond Cross, that ruffled so many feathers? Neo-Impressionists painted in small dots of pure colour. Viewed from a distance, the colours blend to create nuanced tones and an illusion of light. Now known as pointillism, this technique simplified form and played with colour in an entirely new way, verging on the edge of abstraction. Alongside this exciting approach to colour, their style went hand-in-hand with radical political ideas. They captured late 19th-century European society through luminous landscapes, portraits and interior scenes, while also depicting the struggles faced by the working class, in reaction against the industrial age. Most of the paintings we’re exhibiting were collected by Helene Kröller-Müller, one of the first great women art patrons of the 20th century. She assembled the most comprehensive ensemble of Neo-Impressionist paintings in the world. Collected with the aim of being publicly accessible, these works now form part of the Kröller-Müller Museum in the Netherlands, which Helene Kröller-Muller founded. See these radical visions of pure colour for yourself in Radical Harmony: Helene Kröller-Müller’s Neo-Impressionists. This exhibition is a collaboration between the National Gallery and the Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo

Kerry James Marshall is an internationally acclaimed artist. Marshall enhances the presence of Black figures in paintings built on principles codified in the tradition of Western picture-making he encountered in books and museums available during his childhood. He places Black bodies front and centre in his lyrical, frequently large-scale figurative paintings and murals.Marshall’s work is informed by his own memories, art historical styles and genres, contemporary culture and science fiction, among other points of reference. He uses these to comment on the past, celebrate everyday life, and imagine more optimistic futures.Organised thematically, this exhibition features 70 works including a new series of paintings made especially for the show and his commemorative sculpture Wake which evolves each time it is exhibited.

Marie Antoinette, the famous queen who was regarded as a symbol of vanity by later generations and was guillotined during the French Revolution, was the godmother of fashion that led the trends in France and even Europe in the 18th century and was known as the "Rococo Queen". The V&A Museum in London will explore the story between this luxurious queen and Britain. It is said that Marie regularly sent courtiers to Britain to obtain fashion information, which triggered a craze for tracking British clothing, books and gardening at the time. In addition, this special exhibition will also analyze the profound influence of Marie on today's fashion and popular culture.

Kerry James Marshall is an internationally acclaimed artist. Marshall enhances the presence of Black figures in paintings built on principles codified in the tradition of Western picture-making he encountered in books and museums available during his childhood. He places Black bodies front and centre in his lyrical, frequently large-scale figurative paintings and murals.Marshall’s work is informed by his own memories, art historical styles and genres, contemporary culture and science fiction, among other points of reference. He uses these to comment on the past, celebrate everyday life, and imagine more optimistic futures.Organised thematically, this exhibition features 70 works including a new series of paintings made especially for the show and his commemorative sculpture Wake which evolves each time it is exhibited.

Marie Antoinette, the famous queen who was regarded as a symbol of vanity by later generations and was guillotined during the French Revolution, was the godmother of fashion that led the trends in France and even Europe in the 18th century and was known as the "Rococo Queen". The V&A Museum in London will explore the story between this luxurious queen and Britain. It is said that Marie regularly sent courtiers to Britain to obtain fashion information, which triggered a craze for tracking British clothing, books and gardening at the time. In addition, this special exhibition will also analyze the profound influence of Marie on today's fashion and popular culture.

Experience the thrill of the London Oktoberfest Run 5k, taking place at the Lodge Cafe in London on 5th October 2025. Lace up your running shoes and join fellow participants for a scenic 5k run through Hyde Park. The event promises an exciting atmosphere filled with energy and camaraderie. Secure your spot today for just £25 and get ready to enjoy a memorable day of running in the heart of London. Stay tuned for more details to be announced soon!

It’s an informal and fun practice competition for starter, beginner and improver same-sex and equality dancers. ​There will be no B or A class in the graded Ballroom and Latin competitions. Couples are kindly requested not to enter in a competition in which they have previously competed in B class or higher (classification in senior categories excluded), however you may enter another competition in which you have not previously competed in the higher classes (ie if you ordinarily dance in B Ballroom you may enter the Latin competition if you have not competed in B or A class). The dances for 2025 will be as follows: Change Partner Rumba (No partner needed, any ability)Same Sex Cha Cha Cha C and D Class (classifications will take place on the day)Starters Cha Cha Cha (any gender, couples who have not competed before, excluding the fun comp)Solo Dances – Rumba (any gender, classes C, D and beginners will dance together – No A, B dancers please)Samba (any gender, all levels will dance together)Line Dance – Rio Cha Cha (solo competition, all levels will dance together)Same Sex Jive C and D Class (classifcations will take place on the day)Sequence Dance – Mayfair Quickstep (any gender, all levels will dance together)Argentine Tango (any gender, all levels will dance together)6 Legged Jive (3 people dancing together of any gender, all levels will dance together)Short Break Change Partner Quickstep (No partner needed, any ability)Sequence Dance – Saunter Together (any gender, all levels will dance together)Same Sex Waltz C and D Class (classifcations will take place on the day)Line Dance Quarantine Cha Cha Cha (solo competition, all levels will dance together)Starters Waltz (any gender, couples who have not competed before, excluding the fun comp)Solo Dances – Waltz (any gender, classes C, D and beginners will dance together – No A, B dancers please)Viennese Waltz (any gender, all levels will dance together)Line Dance – Midnight Samba (solo competition, all levels will dance together)Same Sex Tango C and D Class (classifcations will take place on the day)Slow Foxtrot (any gender, all levels will dance together)6 Legged Rumba (3 people dancing together of any gender, all levels will dance together)The above categories are subject to change on the dayN.B. All competitors must be 16 or above No refunds, however tickets are transferable. Information Source: Equality Dance | eventbrite