Diwali in Trafalgar Square, Halloween at the Tower and Kew, Comic Con at ExCeL and a free storytelling festival. Plus the clocks go back.
Things to do in London this weekend: 24 and 25 October
The weekend before half-term, and you get an extra hour in bed: the clocks go back at 2am on Sunday 25 October. Here is what is on.
Diwali on the Square, free
Sunday 25 October, 1pm to 7pm in Trafalgar Square. Free, no ticket. Around 200 dancers open the day, then there is music and dance on the main stage, workshops and vegetarian and vegan food stalls. Full details in our Diwali on the Square guide.
Halloween at the Tower of London
From Saturday 24 October to 1 November, daily from 10.30am to 4pm. It is included in the normal Tower ticket.
Halloween at Kew
The evening trail at Kew Gardens is on until 1 November. This weekend it runs from 6pm to 10pm on Saturday and from 4pm on Sunday. Book a slot first.
MCM Comic Con, ExCeL
London’s big comic, film and gaming convention is at ExCeL from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October.
Big Story Festival, IWM London
A free family storytelling festival at the Imperial War Museum in Lambeth, Sunday 25 and Monday 26 October, 10am to 6pm. Entry is free and a few activities cost extra.
Scare-free Halloween at the Wetland Centre
SUPER Natural, a Halloween for younger children, starts on 24 October at the WWT London Wetland Centre in Barnes. It is included in the normal entry ticket.
Wallace and Gromit at Young V&A
Inside Aardman: Wallace and Gromit and Friends is at Young V&A in Bethnal Green until 15 November, so half-term is a good time to go.
Half-term plans
Half-term starts on Monday. See free things to do in October half-term, where kids eat free and Halloween for families.
Sources
- London.gov.uk: Diwali on the Square 2026
- Londonist: Diwali on the Square
- Historic Royal Palaces: Halloween at the Tower
- Visit London: October half-term
- ianVisits: Halloween at Kew
- ExCeL: MCM Comic Con 2026
- MCM: 2026 dates
- IWM: Big Story Festival
- WWT: SUPER Natural
- ianVisits: Inside Aardman
- Time Out: clocks go back 2026
Last checked: 16 October 2026. Dates and prices can change, so check with each venue before you go. Photo: LBM1948 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
