20+ Great Ways to Spend October
Top things to do this October
As the leaves change this October, embrace the autumnal with pumpkin picking, Halloween trails and seasonal arts & crafts. Soak up catchy tunes and empowering female leads at Dolly Parton’s musical 9 to 5 and skate on the Natural History Museum’s ice rink for the last time!
Featured image: 9 to 5 The Musical
Words: Imogen Willis
MUSIC
Opera at the Palace, Fulham Palace
Fulham Palace has partnered with the National Opera Studio for an evening of classic arias and modern opera. For an extra special evening book a ticket to their pre-show three-course dinner in the Palace’s historic rooms.
8 October
Katriona Taylor & Her Band – St Andrews Church, Wimbledon
Join the live show celebrating the album launch of Blind Passion, Katriona Taylor’s fifth album release. Singer and songwriter, who is visually impaired herself, celebrates the music of blind artists, such as Stevie Wonder, Jose Feliciano, Diane Schuur and Ray Charles, as well as some of her own original songs.
16 October
London Mozart Players: Spotlight on…Leia, Fairfield Halls
Tune in for the final concert in the Spotlight On series, when LMP brings the music of three classical giants to life. The concert showcases the talents of 14-year-old violinist Leia Zhu, who will play Tchaikovsky’s lyrical and expressive Violin Concerto in D. LMP will also perform Beethoven’s Eighth Symphony and Mozart’s Overture to The Magic Flute.
9 October
Gregory Porter, Royal Albert Hall
Double Grammy Award-winning jazz and soul singer Gregory Porter returns to the Royal Albert Hall this October for four special shows. Relax to soothing hits from his Grammy award-winning albums Liquid Spirit and Take Me To The Alley.
13 – 16 October
Cliff Richard: The Great 80 Tour, Royal Albert Hall
Join one of Britain’s most successful solo artists of all time on his UK tour to celebrate his 80th birthday. With 14 No. 1 singles and 7 chart-topping albums, this promises to be an evening of well-known favourites, such as Devil Woman and We Don’t Talk Anymore.
23 – 27 October
FAMILY
Hocus Pocus Trail, Wimbledon Town Centre
Dust off your broomsticks and hats and join Love Wimbledon’s free treasure trail around Wimbledon Town Centre. Start the trail at Fielders in Wimbledon, look for the Hocus Pocus poster and scan the QR code to begin. Then, watch the videos and listen carefully to Merlin to find your next clue and solve the riddle.
Be sure to make a stop at Multea Choice and Polka Theatre along the way for a special treat and pick up your certificate from Polka at the end of the trail.
16 – 31 October
Halloween Trail at Discovery Land, Priory Farm
Visit Discovery Land at Priory Farm for their Halloween trail. Follow the Treasure Map to find the Pumpkin Pirates hidden treasure, venturing through ancient woodland, green pastures, and around the fishing lakes – with Halloween surprises along the way!
9 – 31 October
After an incredible 16 years of bringing festive joy to the iconic setting of the Natural History Museum, the ice-skating rink returns for the final time. Book tickets, strap on your skating boots and do your last skate round the iconic Christmas tree.
22 October 2021 – 16 January 2022
Autumn Half Term Activities, Watts Gallery Artists’ Village
Swoop in for a bewitching half term full of autumnal and creepy crafts in the enchanted woodland at Watts Gallery Artists’ Village. Book onto the Make Space to make autumnal creatures with clay and find the Golden Oak Leaves around the Artists’ Village during their interactive talks on art & nature.
24 – 31 October
THEATRE
9 to 5 The Musical, New Wimbledon Theatre
Dolly Parton’s smash-hit musical arrives in Wimbledon straight from London’s West End. Follow the story of three frustrated workmates as they hatch a plan to kidnap their sexist and egocentric boss in a bid to reform their office. Expect laughs aplenty and well-known tunes along the way.
19 – 23 October
Stephen K Amos, Before and Laughter Tour, Guildford, G-Live
Bafta-nominated and RTS award-winning writer, actor, broadcaster, and comedian Stephen K Amos presents a night of feel-good comedy, full of fun and laughter to bridge divisions and discord and help us see more clearly what we all have in common.
28 – 29 October
How to Survive an Apocalypse, Finborough Theatre
Featuring top up and coming actors, this romantic comedy portrays a young and successful millennial couple that become convinced that the end of days is coming. Trading in their urban party lifestyle for hoarding supplies and learning to hunt, their obsession begins to take its toll on their relationship…
28 September – 23 October
Red, Polka Theatre
The wolves have seized power from Queen Sukotai and Alpha Wolf now sits on the throne. What will happen now and where is RED?
Inspired by Little Red Riding Hood, this exciting visual and physical storytelling production with Sign Language, will take the audiences on a thrilling mission to help RED.
25 September – 31 October
Rice, Orange Tree Theatre
Brimming with wickedly humorous observations on globalisation, politics and family, this is the UK premiere of a powerful new play from Asian-Australian writer Michele Lee, which has won numerous awards including the Australian Writers’ Guild Award for Best Original Stage Play.
9 October – 13 November
Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical, New Victoria Theatre
Based on the Oscar-winning movie, Priscilla is the hilarious and heart-warming adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus bound for the Outback to put on the show of a lifetime. Two worlds collide on this fabulous journey of self-discovery and friendship, and along the way our trio discover the true power of love, acceptance, and sass!
18 October – 23 October
ART
Illuminature, London Wetland Centre
Step into the wetland habitat after dark for a nighttime trail featuring illuminated light sculptures of iconic wetlands wildlife including owls, geese and otters. If you’re lucky the wetland animals around you may also make an appearance.
22 October – 9 January
Japan After Hours, Kew Gardens
Enjoy an evening of Japanese plants, art and culture in Kew Gardens’ Temperate House as part of the autumn festival. Sip on sake as you learn about traditional flower arranging and watch live dance and theatre performances.
8 – 9 & 15 – 16 October
Ignite the darkening winter nights with a trail of light, lanterns, fantasy and fire in the Edwardian gardens of Polesden Lacey. Watch the flickering flames and lights as they dance to an enchanting soundtrack.
22 October – 7 November
AUTUMN FESTIVALS
Oktoberfest, Richmond Athletic Ground
Dress up in the traditional Bavarian dress of lederhosen or dirndl to celebrate Oktoberfest. There will be live oompah bands to kick off the festivities alongside traditional food, steins of German beer and fun DJ sets.
30 September – 2 October
Pumpkin Festival, Crockford Bridge Farm
Celebrate everything pumpkin at Crockford Bridge Farm’s festival. Show off your artistic skills in the pumpkin decorating area, try fun pumpkin-themed games, visit the pumpkin market, or ogle at impressive pumpkin displays. Afterwards enjoy fresh apple juice straight from the tap, or homemade soup and toffee apples.
1 – 31 October
Apple Day, Fulham Palace
Celebrate the produce of Fulham Palace’s walled orchard at their annual apple day. There is something for all ages from live folk music, woodworking and apple-themed food and drink market stalls to autumnal workshops for little ones aged 1 – 4 with Monkey Music.
3 October
Secretts Pumpkin Week, Hurst Farm, Surrey
For a proper family day out head to Secretts during their pumpkin picking week. Take a spooky trip to their pumpkin fields and pick your favourite from the crop, try pumpkin-themed foods and enter their fancy dress competition. Make sure to get tickets in early September as they sell out fast!
23 – 30 October
OUTDOORS
Wimbledon Guild’s Waggy Walk is back, ensuring a fun day for dog owners and lovers alike. Choose from either the 4k or 7k loop across Wimbledon Common and enjoy free goodies from the Hand in Hand pub, Pet Pavilion and local estate agents John D Wood & Co. All funds raised will go towards Wimbledon Guild’s vital work in the Merton community.
2 October
Pumpkin Picking Weekends, Crockford Bridge Farm
Open exclusively for the first two weekends of October, you can step onto the fields at Crockford Bridge Farm to harvest your very own pumpkin. Find your favourites and put them in the wheelbarrow to take home to eat, use as an ornament, or save for Halloween carving.
2-3 & 9-10 October
Pick-Your-Own Pumpkins, Priory Farm
Hop on a tractor for a ride out to Priory Farm’s pumpkin fields, where you can pick your own gourd from the ground this Halloween. Priory Farm Estate grows over 10,000 pumpkins every year of all shapes and sizes so there’s something to suit everyone from large to warty. Booking essential.
Selected dates
Get your running shoes on and take in the changing autumn leaves on Wimbledon Common. Travelling along bridleways and paths, this is a beautiful route featuring friendly wombles to cheer you on along the way.
31 October
Open for residents, members, and local visitors, there will be a dazzling firework display with a variety of food stalls and seasonal drinks such as Bailey’s hot chocolate – served from the resort’s Hideaway Bar. There will also be music, entertainment and children’s attractions and inflatable rides.
