London could not be more ready for the cold, wet months ahead. When we began compiling this list, the trees in the local parks were already dropping their leaves in a drought-induced simulation of Autumn. Here in Roar’s culture team, we’re thinking ahead to wet days and dark evenings, wondering: what does London’s cultural calendar have to offer us this Autumn?
New in London
1. The 90s are back
Open from now until February 14th, the Tate’s 90s exhibition explores the era’s photography, fashion and art through the lens of the youth culture, rebellion and optimism embodied by ‘Cool Britania’ spirit.
The exhibition highlights several important themes often missed when reminiscing about the 90s: Youth struggles, the reimagining of British history, defying sexual taboos, de-glorifying the “heroic chic” label, LGBTQ+ culture and nightlife, disability rights, the re-defining of beauty and gender, and the challenging of racial norms. The exhibition pays particular attention to the intersections between art and culture at the backdrop of Thatcherism, paying particular attention to how artists confronted political and social uncertainty through their work. It includes pieces by both Dame Vivienne Westwood and John Galliano whilst paying specific attention to the realist photography of the era, displaying photos by Corrine Day, Juergen Teller, Sophy Rickett and David Sims.
The Tate will be hosting streamings of the defining films of the 90s at regular intervals throughout the exhibition’s duration, including Trainspotting, Orlando and Bhaji on the Beach.
Sign up for the Tate Collective to receive discounted £5 tickets if you between the ages 16-25 and pay attention to entry timings: If you prefer a more relaxed environment, quiet hours are on the third Wednesday of each month from 10:00 -12:00.
2. Halloween at Kew
Taking place from the 16th October til the 24th October, from 6pm til 10pm, and the 25th October til the 1st November, from 4pm to 10pm, Halloween at Kew illuminates the gardens with live performances and pyrotechnics.
Available for all ages, off-peak hours offer discounted entry prices from £19.50. There are three different time slots to enter the gardens, with the most frightening being at dusk. Tickets run out quickly, so make sure to book quickly to enjoy the perfect start to Halloween in West London.
Pop along to Richmond, just one stop away on the District line, to stroll around the park, to revel in its autumn hues, and to visit the deer before dusk.
Galleries and Exhibitions
2. Richard Dadd at the Royal Academy
With the amount of tube advertisements about this exhibition, it’s unlikely you need us to tell you that it’s a prominent part of autumn’ s up-and-coming gallery lineup. Sometimes whimsical, sometimes bizarre: Dadd’s victorian fairytale scenes draw on British folklore to find fairies hidden amongst woodlands. They exist in a backdrop of Dadd’s sinister life story, having killed his father and then spent 20 years in the notorious Bethlam Mental Hospital. But this exhibition, entitled ‘Beyond Bedlam’, looks at exactly that: who is the artist both beyond, and alongside, his suffering?
3. Exhibitions at Auto Italia Gallery
This autumn, we’re equally trying to keep our eyes on smaller, independent galleries like Auto Italia – an independent gallery in Bethnal Green, which offers free entry from Thursday to Sunday.
Sensual/Mutual, an exhibition offered at Auto Italia, comprises unseen photos of queer life in the 70s and 80s. Documentation of lesbian life like that of ‘Scott’s’, a working-class motorcycle dyke bar in San Fransisco, is a rarity in queer photography archives, and its unseen nature gives the exhibition a tenuous, intimate sense which i’m eager to go and see.
4. Friday night drop-in and draw at a gallery near you
Whether you’re an aged third year, or a fresher who favours an early bedtime, not all of us want to party til midnight. Numerous art galleries are now running free art classes, including the Royal Academy, who host free professional-led drawing sessions on the first Friday of every month. There’s something slightly awe-inspiring at drawing, however badly, in the grandiose spaces of London’s galleries.
- Film and theatre
1) The BFI film festival
A stones throw from Waterloo Campus, this year’s BFI film festival ends on the 18th of October, so get last minute tickets fast!
The festival includes special presentations, public premieres and unique screenings.
A-list actors pop up across the catalogue, but often in refreshingly independent films drawing viewers to remote places and heartfelt stories. There’s a ‘pitch-black’ comedy about arranged marriage; a coming of age drama about a trans man mistaken for his cisgender brother; and a documentary about the 14th amendment across the wide-ranging lineup. Truly something for everyone. Plus under 25s get £6 tickets for all events, including premieres. There’s a limited number of cheap tickets, but they release new ones weekly.
2. French Film Festival 2026 – Ciné Lumière
From 18 to 29 November 2026, the French Film Festival London will be taking place at Ciné Lumière in the Institut Français. These two wonderful weeks will contain over 40 films and almost 100 screenings. Focussing on a range of genres, the festival encompasses both film shots in France and international films with French support. Among the highlights of the festival are the UK Premiere of Minotaur and a series of restorations including a screening of Blue Note on 20 November, followed by a Q and A with famous French actress Sophie Marceau. For students wanting to attend this illustrious festival, you can apply to the 25 and Under scheme at the Ciné Lumière, which is free to join and will give you £5 tickets.
5. Student tickets to the National Theatre
A stone’s throw from Waterloo Campus, the National Theatre always has plenty of film options on offer. Its discounted student tickets are a great option for those wanting to see a play on a tighter budget,
In ‘The Story‘, a white teacher is killed in a black neighbourhood. Four journalists seek their own story of events, inflected by race, repsonsibility and which stories journalists are willing to tell.
Starting a few weeks later in November, ‘Some Woman’ stars BAFTA winner Anne-Marie Duff as an invisibile-feeling woman until on day events a at station place her at the centre of attention. Little is yet know about the play — with the first critics reveiw due to be released any day now, but the prominance of playright Helen Edmundson means hopes are high.
6. Halloween films at the Prince Charles Cinema
Head over to the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square to begin this years spooky season. Though there are always plenty of film options available for those who are easily frightened, the PCC takes Halloween to the next level.
HORROCTOBER is in full swing, and the cinema is screening a horror film every night for the entire month. From showings of the Scream franchise to sing-along sessions of The Rocky Horror Picture Show (an amazing way to honour Tim Curry’s legacy), there is something available for every horror lover.
Are you a film buff? Make sure to grab tickets for their annual Film Quiz on October 27th to showcase your best cinema knowledge.
Food, drink and dance
1) Japanese Food and Culture Market
The pan-Asian Shōtengai Market takes a break each year over the colder January-March winter months, but returns to see us through summer and autumn.
Located in King’s Cross, Lower Stable Street will be turned into a typical Japanese local maket each month, with the first of these events running from the 15th til the 18th October and then from the 19th til the 22nd November.
Stalls will showcase traditional Japanese homewear and a wide range of Asian food featuing many London based vendors.
2) South London’s first Lesbian pub
Dorothy’s in Camberwell will soon be opening its doors to the public.
The bar is taking over the historic, long-vacant site of the former St George’s Tavern at 14 Coleman Road. Founded by Molly McCabe and Beth White, who crowd-funded the pub’s development, the venue aims to create a welcoming space for all, though the venue is dedicated as a safe-space for queer and non-binary people.
It will operate as a relaxed community hub during the day, perfect for working, studying, or casual coffee, and will transition into a lively pub and social space at night.
Make sure to follow their Instagram for exact timings of when the venue will officially open!
3) Battersea Park Fireworks
Who doesn’t love Bonfire Night! If you haven’t had the pleasure of attending Battersea Fireworks show before, it is London’s biggest and brightest Bonfire display, and it is is officially returning on Saturday the 7th of November and Sunday the 8th of November. Organised by the team behind London’s iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks, this massive two-night event.
Tickets are always snapped up fast, with prices startting at £16.70 for entry. Following their website and set a reminder for when they are made available.
Go and “Remember Remember the 5th of November” … but also remember that no tickets are sold at the gate. Make sure to book in advance.
If you don’t manage to secure a ticket, our top-tip is to head to Chelsea Embankment to catch the fireworks from there. Alhough arrive quickly, it gets extremely busy!
Finally, What’s On at King’s?
1) King’s Musical Theatre
If you’re a KCL veteran, you might be old enough to remember 2023’s triumphant edition of Legally Blonde. If not, well – you’re in luck, because they’re going for round two!
From the 25th to 27th of November, KCL Musical Theatre will perform their rendition of the Little Mermaid at the Greenwood Theatre.
Tickets for students are usually discounted, they are exclusively available online via the KCLSU Events Page, with direct booking links dropping soon on Instagram.
Make sure to watch this space!
2) KCLSO Concert
The renouned KCLSO will be back again for their Winter concert, showcasing the following pieces:
Shostakovic’s ‘Festive overture’
Brahm’s ‘Piano Concerto No. 2’ (featuring the piano soloist Luca Spadano)
Strauss’ ‘Overture to Der Zigeunerbaron’
Falla’s ‘The Three-Cornered Hat’, Suite No. 2
The symphony orchestra at King’s always put on an impressive show. Usually held in the Chapel on Strand Campus, the beauty of both the room and the music will mesmerise you. This is a great opportunity to get involved with cultural life at King’s, aswell as a fantastic way to help the orchestra with funding.
Tickets for students are discounted, make sure to follow their Instagram and Website for more details to come soon.
We hope these suggestions give you a little inspiration for how to spend the next coming weeks in London. We are so fortunate to live in such a vibrant city, and hope to advise all of our readers to make the most of what it has to offer, even when the nights are creeping in and the weather is dreek.
All images Courtesy of Katie Sweeney.
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