40+ Things to Do in London for October Half Term

The family friendly guide to London for October half term is bubbling over with Halloween tricks and treats, Black History Month activities, and Bonfire Night events to end with a bang! Dig in for the usual multicultural mix of family friendly theatre, baby friendly raving, immersive experiences, and arts and crafts for all ages. Have a brilliant break!

40+ Things to Do in London for October Half Term

BABES CHOICE

Bloomsbury Festival, in and around Bloomsbury, WC1 (Russell Square tube/Euston tube/rail)
The annual family fest in London for October half term offers 100+ events and cultural activities, from live theatre to musical shows, kids’ trails and LEGO workshops. Check out the full programme online. All ages welcome (see guidance for individual events). 10am-late daily; various prices, many activities are FREE (Oct 18-27)

The Devil Wears Prada Musical at Dominion Theatre, 268-269 Tottenham Court Road, W1T 7AQ (Tottenham Court Rd/Leicester Square/Oxford Circus tube)
Tony Award nominee Vanessa Williams joins West End newcomer Georgie Buckland in a musical adaptation of the bestselling book and hit Hollywood movie. Recommended for ages 12+, under 5s not admitted. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (Wed & Sat); from £25 (opens Oct 24)

Tim Burton at Design Museum at Design Museum, 224–238 Kensington High Street, W8 6AG (High St Kensington tube)
Take a walk through the imagination of Tim Burton (Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands etc) via photos, sketchbooks, costumes and art. 10am-5pm (6pm Fri-Sun, 9pm Sat); adult from £19.69/child from £9.85/under 6s and members FREE (Oct 25-Apr 21)

UNIQLO Tate Play: The Joy of Not Knowing, Tate Modern (East Tank), Bankside, SE1 9TG (Southwark/Blackfriars tube)
Build dens, design quirky costumes, and make your mark on nature projections. There are cosy corners for under 5s with storybooks and viewfinders too. All ages welcome. 10.30am-6pm daily (last entry 5.15pm), closed for Relaxed Hours visitors on Tue Oct 29 at 10.30am-11.30am; FREE (Oct 26-Nov 3)

The Elmer Adventure & Happy Birthday Elmer at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail).
The patchwork elephant appears in The Elmer Adventure (Oct 30) with songs, puppets and storytelling from Tall Stories (The Gruffalo) for ages 3+. Happy Birthday Elmer (Nov 3) is a FREE event with crafts on Level 2 and party in the Clore Ballroom. Wear your most colourful outfits, make, play and dance to a live DJ! All ages. The Elmer Adventure is on Oct 30-Nov 3 at 11am & 2pm (Wed-Fri), 10.30am, 1pm & 3pm (Sat) & 11am (Sun); from £16. Happy Birthday Elmer is on Nov 3 at 10.30am-2.30pm for crafts, party 12.30pm onwards; FREE. (Oct 30 & Nov 3)

We also like
The Paddington Bear Experience is open for marmalade-loving fans; and find statues of the Peruvian bear on the Paddington Visits trail (ongoing); there’s still time to see Kim’s Convenience on stage (until Oct 26); the annual Diwali on the Square festival brings music, stalls and family fun (Oct 27); also in Trafalgar Square, check out Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers at National Gallery (until Jan 19)

HALLOWEEN

Frankenslime at Gootopia, Rathgar Road, 494 Rathgar Rd, SW9 7EP (Brixton tube)
Make gooey creations from glow-in-the-dark slime to personalised jars topped off with scents like toxic apple and candy floss. Finally, help create a GIANT slime and take a piece home. Also at Gootopia Wandsworth and Lewisham. Ages 3+. Various slots from 10am-5pm; £16.99 per child (Oct 19-Nov 3)

Halloween at the Tower of London, EC3N 4AB (Tower Hill tube)
Unleash the beastly legends of Halloweens past in London for October half term. Pick up a trail and look out for ghostly sights. Suitable for all ages. 9am-5.30pm (last entry 3.30pm); included with palace entry adult from £34.80/child 5-15 from £17.40/under 5s FREE (Oct 26-Nov 3)

Puppet Playcation: Halloween Workshops, Little Angel Studio, Sebbon St, N1 2EH (Highbury & Islington tube/rail, Angel tube)
Drop off your kids for petrifying puppet workshops. Children can make a spooky Halloween town (Oct 29-30), or design their own Franken-puppets (Oct 31). Bring a packed lunch. Ages 5-9, no younger ones admitted. 10am-4pm; £75/additional sibling £4 (Oct 29-30 & Oct 31 )

Halloween Family Workshops at Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ (Russell Square tube)
Create Haunted House Lanterns (Oct 29); make Spooky Shadow Animations (Oct 30); try your hand at Moving Monsters string puppets (Oct 31); or create a Halloween Hand Puppet from felt (Nov 1). Ages 5-12. 11am-1pm & 2-4pm; adult + child £10/additional adult or child £5/concs and Camden residents FREE. Tickets include free entry to the museum. (Oct 29-Nov 1)

Big Fish Little Fish Halloween Rave, at the Old Fireworks Factory, Woolwich Works, 11 No 1 Street, SE18 6HD (Woolwich tube/rail)
DJ Prime Cuts (Scratch Perverts) mixes a potent brew for the whole family to throw your bones around to. As always, there’s a baby chill out area, Nitty Natty crafting, licensed bar and stalls, bubbles, balloons, glitter and a parachute dance finale. Fancy dress encouraged! All ages, best for ages 0 to 8. 2pm-4pm; adult from £10/child from £8/pre-walking infant FREE (Nov 3)

We also like
There are toddler-friendly jump scares at Big Penny Social’s Halloween Bounce House in Walthamstow (Oct 21-25); get crafty with Museum of Brand’s Terrifying Tricks and Treats (Oct 21-Nov 3); hear Stories from the Enchanted Garden at Chelsea Physic Garden (Oct 27-31); show off your costumes at a dance-off for Horniman Museum’s Halloween Spooky Fun Day (Oct 31); hear spine-tingling tales and create a spooktastic tote bag for Halloween at Battersea Power Station (Oct 31)

SUPER NATURAL AND OUTDOORS

Halloween at Kew, Kew Gardens, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE (Kew Gardens tube/Kew Bridge rail, overground)
From the producers of Christmas at Kew comes another after-dark, family friendly trail in London for October half term. Crammed with spooky surprises, from fire artists to haunted woods, grinning pumpkins and bats-a-plenty. Hot toddies and hot chocolate with marshmallow on offer. 6pm-10pm (Oct 18-26), 4pm-10pm (Oct 27-Nov 3); adult £20/child £15/under 4s FREE/family tickets available (Oct 18-Nov 3)

Boo at the Zoo at London Zoo, Regent’s Park NW1 4RY (Regent’s Park/Camden Town tube)
Visit the Extinct Species graveyard, grab a trail card to Race Against Extinction, see the Pumpkin Patch, take part in spooky crafts and get your face painted. All ages. Included with regular zoo entry. 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm); adult tickets from £27-£33/child from £18.90-£23.10/under 3s FREE (Oct 19-Nov 3)

Fright Week at Epping Ongar Railway, North Weald station, CM16 6BT (Epping tube, then heritage bus ride to North Weald station)
Climb aboard the ghostly steam and diesel trains for another haunting journey through Epping Forest. Spooky activities include a visit from the Manic Magician. All ages. Departure times from 10.20am; adult £16-£18/child £10/under 3s FREE (Oct 25-28)

Explore the Super Natural at WWT London, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes, SW13 9WT (Barnes rail/Hammersmith tube and overground)
Dig in to potion making, wand crafting, modelling with clay, nature scavenger hunts and more. Kids are encouraged to dress up and tag @WWT London to win 2 family tickets to the centre. 10.30am-3.30pm; adult from £16.54/junior from £10.72/under 4s FREE/family from £46.22 (Oct 26-Nov 3)

StreetHunt Games, across London (start locations in Gunpowder Square, off Fleet St or Sicilian Avenue, Holborn)
This Halloween, do you dare attempt a self-guided scavenger hunt that will take you to some of London’s most mysterious sites? Try The Case of Colombia’s Finest (recommended for ages 13+) or Will Breaker (recommended for ages 10+) — all you need is a smartphone and comfy shoes! 9am-5pm daily; £18.15pp (incl. booking fee) with individual team sizes of 2 to 5 players. NB: Kids under 12 FREE (without separate device). (ongoing)

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Hew Locke: What Have We Here? at British Museum, Great Russell St, WC1B 3DG (Tottenham Court Rd tube, Euston tube/rail)
Celebrated Guyanese-British artist Hew Locke explores British imperial power through objects, ancient Indigenous drawings and provocative sculptural figures. All ages. 10am-5pm daily (8.30pm Fris); adult from £16/child under 16 and members FREE (Oct 17-Feb 9)

City of London: Slave Trade Money Trail Tour, Royal Exchange London, EC3V 3LL (Bank tube)
Walk the city of London for October half term with Darrel Blake of Black Rooted and learn how the Transatlantic Slave Trade affects the present day. All ages welcome. NB: Tour takes 3 hours so might be best for families with older kids (or babes in pushchairs). 11.45pm meet, 12pm start (Sats); adult from £25/child under 16 FREE (Oct 19/ongoing)

Windrush Adventures at Arts Depot (Creation Space), 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Join Dawn on a big ship from Jamaica to England where she’ll make new friends and, best of all, reunite with her mum. Writer Paula David and director Niall Moorjani evoke the Windrush experience through playful song, dance and storytelling. Ages 4+. 2.30pm; from £10 (Oct 20)

NB: Windrush Adventures is also playing at Lyric Hammersmith (Oct 26)

Ballet Black: Heroes at Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, E15 1BN (Stratford tube/rail/DLR/overground)
Casso Pancho’s Ballet Black return in their 22nd year with a new double bill. Award-winning choreographer, Mthuthuzeli November wonders what life is all about in The Waiting Game, while Sophie Laplane’s new piece explores triumph over adversity. Dazzling performances by the company that transformed the British ballet landscape. Ages 7+. 7.45pm; £13-£46.50 (Oct 23-26)

The Story of Flip Fraser at Shaw Theatre, 110 Euston Road London NW1 2AJ (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail, Euston tube/rail)
Experience the legend of a Jamaican boy who gave Voice to Black British Youth. Peter Randolph Fraser aka Flip Fraser was the first editor of Black British newspaper The Voice, and creator of theatre show Black Heroes in the Hall of Fame. This production tells his inspiring story through music, dance and memories. 7pm-9.30pm; from £21.84 (Oct 25)

We also like
Catch Lorraine Hansberry’s classic African-American saga A Raisin in the Sun for ages 14+, at Lyric Hammersmith (until Nov 2); David Oyelowo lights up National Theatre in Coriolanus (until Nov 9); visit Naomi at the V&A Museum, a retrospective on the Black supermodel (until Apr 2025)

SPECIAL EVENTS

Storyquest Sleepover at Discover Children’s Story Centre, 383-387 High Street Stratford, E15 4QZ (Stratford tube/rail/overground/DLR)
Tuck in for a night at the centre with scavenger hunt, paper lantern crafts, Monster Funfair, hot chocolate and stories by the ‘campfire’. Wake up to a hearty breakfast! Ages 5-11 and grownups. 6pm, bedtime 10pm, ends 8-9am on Oct 20; adult £59/child £59/optional air bed £5/carer FREE (Oct 19)

Hotsy Totsy Family Rave at Big Penny Social, 1 Priestley Way, E17 6AL (Blackhorse Rd overground)
Hotsy Totsy are raving again at Big Penny Social in London for October half term. Dance to family friendly tunes from resident DJ Joy Alarm and get your face painted by Maryam Luong. Bar is open too! Ages 0-8 and parents. 10am-1pm; from £7/under 1s FREE (Oct 20)

Horrible Histories Boat Tours: Terrible Thames, Tower Bridge Quay (in front of the Tower Hotel), E1Q 1LD (Tower Hill tube/rail)
Hear terrible tales about the likes of Julius Caesar, Henry VIII, Queen Boudicca and Jack the Ripper. These wildly popular boats tours are pure edutainment for all ages. 45 minutes tours from 10.45am-3.45pm (check times and availability online); adult ages 15+ from £25/child 4-15 £15/family £60-£70/ages 0-3 FREE (until Nov 3)

Phantom Peak: Hallowed Peak 2024, Canada St, Surrey Quays Road, SE16 7PJ (Canada Water tube/overground)
Experience Halloween in the immersive steampunk town with 100+ adventures, stories and games. Wander through escape rooms and join in live gameplay, quirky quests and more. Fancy dress encouraged. All ages welcome, under 16s must be accompanied. 6pm (Thu-Sat) & 12pm (Sat-Sun); adult £42/ages 17-25 £30/ages 4-16 £20/ages 3 and under FREE (until Nov 10)

The Gunpowder Plot at The Tower Vaults (next to Tower of London), 8-12 Tower Hill Vaults, EC3N 4EE (Tower Hill tube)
It’s 1605 and a shady group of agitators are plotting to overthrow Parliament. Go back in time with this 360 Layered Reality experience for ages 10+. NB: Some intense scenes (kids ages 10-15 need to sign a parental consent waiver and must be accompanied by an adult at all times). 10.30am-9.30pm (Wed-Thu), 10.30am-10pm (Fri), 9.30am-10pm (Sat), 10.30am-8pm (Sun); £45pp/child £10 discount (ongoing)

FAMILY THEATRE

Viola’s Room at One Cartridge Place, Woolwich, SE18 6DJ (Woolwich tube/rail, Woolwich Arsenal DLR/rail)
Follow the light fantastic at Punchdrunk’s latest immersive adventure, hosting a 90s-themed weekend for Halloween. Let Helena Bonham-Carter’s narration lead you through a labyrinthine installation, inspired by Barry Pain’s gothic mystery The Moon-Slave. For ages 12+ (not suitable for younger ones). Various time slots from 11am (Tue-Sun); £28.50-£45 (Oct 19-Nov 17)

Luna Loves Library Day at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
How many of us have lost and found ourselves amongst the library shelves? That’s Luna in this show based on the book by Joseph Coelho and illustrator Fiona Lumbers. Celebrate the magic of storytelling in south west London for October half term. Ages 5-8. 11am & 2.30pm; from £10 (until Oct 20)

Dance Umbrella Family Weekend x The Bobby Dazzler at Potters Fields, Tooley St, SE1 2AA (London Bridge tube/rail)
Put your boogie shoes on for a whole afternoon rammed with live cabaret, DJs, dance floor prizes and more. It’s all part of Dance Umbrella Family Weekend, taking over Potters Fields with The Bobby Dazzler, Hackney Showroom’s touring stage on wheels. 12pm-5pm; FREE (Oct 26)

FUNHarmonics Family Concert: Stan & Mabel at Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Stan and Mabel are auditioning for an orchestra but who will join this dog and cat in making music? The London Philharmonic Orchestra and presenter Polly Ives bring the picture book by Jason Chapman to life with music by Paul Rissmann. Ages 5+. 12pm; £8-£24 (Oct 26)

The Mystery of Little Angel Theatre at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN (Angel/Highbury & Islington tube)
This event is part interactive board game, part detective story. Help super sleuth Danyah Miller figure out a series of clues with camera footage, curious objects and a theatre map. Ages 6+. Various show times Wed-Sun: 10.30am, 11am, 1.15pm, 2pm, 4pm & 4.45pm (confirm times at booking); adult £15/child 1-17 £13/all tickets Fri 4.45pm £10/previews Sep 21-22 £8 (until Nov 17)

We also like
At Westfield London, CBeebies Rainbow Adventure promises interactive fun with all your favourite characters, for ages 0-6 (Oct 19-Nov 3); tickets are flying for the Eyecatchers dance shows for ages 1+, part of Dance Umbrella at Unicorn Theatre (Oct 26-27); buckle up for the Extraordinary Time Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen at The Exchange, Twickenham (Oct 29); check out more half term shows at Polka Theatre (until Nov 3)

MUSEUMS AND WORKSHOPS

RA Family Studio: Cut-Out Worlds at Royal Academy, Clore Learning Centre, 6 Burlington Gardens, W1S 3ET (Piccadilly Circus/Green Park tube)
Artist Eva Jonas leads a hands-on event, inspired by the Architecture Window exhibition. Families can try different techniques with blocks, wooden dowels and cardboards to make models of everyday scenes. NB: RA Family Studios are first come, first served – if it’s too full at the start, try joining later. All ages welcome. 11am-1pm & 2pm-4pm (drop-in); FREE (Oct 27)

House of Dreams Workshop with Artist Sally Kindberg at Swedenborg Hall, 20-21 Bloomsbury Way, WC1A 2TH (Holborn tube)
Inspired by the exhibition, Swedenborg’s Lusthus: Into the Garden, acclaimed artist/author Sally Kindberg shares live drawing and visual prompts. Each participant will get a printed template of a House of Dreams to fill with images and stories, then to cut out and fold into a free-standing house and garden. Ages 6-100. 2pm-4pm; FREE but booking essential (Oct 30)

Dinosaur rEvolution at Horniman Museum a Horniman Museum, 100 London Road, SE23 3PQ (Forest Hill overground)
If you’re in London for October half term, it’s your last chance to catch this exhibition, tracing the ancestry of birds to their dinosaur kin. Find out what connects a T-Rex to a chicken, see animatronic models, fossil skeletons, interactive art, games and dress up. All ages. 10am-5.30pm; adult from £9/child from £7/family from £19/under 3s FREE (until Nov 3)

Batman Unmasked in London at 45 Wellington Street, WC2E 7BN (Covent Garden tube)
Holy Half Term! Go behind the cape of the masked avenger in the DC hero’s 85th year. There are 9 themed rooms to discover props, costumes, weapons, vehicles, comics and more. All ages (PG for some content). From 10am daily (book time slot online); adult from £24.50/child from £22/toddlers 2-5 £12 (until Nov 3)

Half Term Family Day and Diwali Family Day at Museum of the Home, 136 Kingsland Road, E2 8EA (Hoxton overground)
Celebrate diverse families at the Half Term Family Day (Oct 29, 10.30am-4pm) with play, creativity and stories for families of all ages, shapes and sizes. Then come for the Diwali Family Day (Nov 3, 11am-4pm) with artist PiNS and the beloved Patchy Rangoli workshop, plus drop-in dance workshops with Bollywood Magic, storytelling, themed textiles and more. Both days are welcome to all ages and FREE (Oct 29 & Nov 3)

BONFIRE NIGHT

Ally Pally Fireworks Festival, Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY (Wood Green tube/Alexandra Palace rail)
London’s biggest and boomiest fireworks return with StrEATlife Festival village, music from The Cuban Brothers and Artful Dodger, Oasis tribute act Definitely MightBe and Abba Revival, live DJs, big top, funfair, bonfire and ice rink disco! All under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. 6.30pm-10.30pm (Fri) & 4pm-10.30pm (Sat); adult entry from £18.65 (Fri) & £19.75 (Sat)/child 11-15 £12.05 & £15.35 (Sat)/child 0-10 £6 daily (Nov 1-2)

Fireworks at Royal Gunpowder Mills, Beaulieu Drive, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1JY (Waltham rail)
Where better to experience Guy Fawkes Night than at the Royal Gunpowder Mills. Book for early bird tickets at this popular event with live music, kids’ entertainment, rides, food and drink and a breathtaking display. Gates 3.30pm; adult £12-£15/child 3-15 £8.50-£10/under 3s FREE but need a ticket (Nov 2)

Battersea Park Fireworks: Family Night, Albert Bridge Road, SW11 4NJ (Queenstown rail/Battersea Park tube)
Experiences the most lavish display in south London for October half term. Along with live performances, you can visit the Whizzbang Wonderland with street food, fairground attractions, kids disco. Sunday is Family Night with Octonauts experience and Kids Disco. Gates 6pm, gates close 8pm, fireworks 8.30pm, event close Midnight; adult from £13.10/child 5-15 from £8.80/under 5s FREE (Nov 2-3)

Richmond Family Fireworks Night, Richmond Athletic Ground, Kew Foot Rd, TW9 2SS (Richmond tube/overground)
The annual shebang includes mulled wine, food stalls, funfair ride and an after-party. The fireworks theme is ‘Colours’ so expect a spectacle to remember. NB: No tickets at gate, so buy online ASAP before they sell out. 4.30pm gates, 7pm fireworks; adult £12.50/child £7.50/under 5s FREE (Nov 3)

Coram’s Fields Fireworks, 93 Guilford St, WC1N 1DN (Russell Square tube)
Featuring slightly less scary sparks for babies and toddlers, this is central London’s most family friendly display. Technically not during half term but worth adding to your calendar and arrive early as it’s a popular one. Includes live music and dance shows, rides, food and drink stalls. All ages. 3.30pm-7pm, performances from 4.15pm, FREE (donations welcome) (Nov 5)

More Family Friendly Fireworks
Find more displays at Beckenham fireworks at Croydon Rd Recreation Ground, BR3 3PR (Nov 2);  The Walker Ground fireworks display in Southgate, N14 7JZ (Nov 2); and at Fortismere School, N10 1NE on Guy Fawkes Night (Nov 5)

**NB: Please note that all event timings and prices are subject to change/cancellation at short notice, so always check ahead with the venue (or the latest government guidelines) before making a trip!**