We are more than halfway through the year, October is coming, and most people are scratching their heads thinking, “where did the year go?” No bother, you simply need to fill the month up with all the exciting events you can, celebrating the start of Autumn with a fresh outlook and a hunger for entertaining events. Luckily, London does most of that for you - all you have to do is turn up to any of these events that are on this October.
If you saw your friends swanning about London mid-September in lederhosen whilst munching on pretzels, there is nothing to worry about. You haven’t missed anything. That was simply the first of four Oktoberfest weekends (5 if you include the veganised version!) The main ones - and those truest to the namesake, of course - are two weekends at Millwall Park, and in Tottenham. Respectively, these are happening 3-6 and 10-13 October, and 24-26 October. This is your time to braid your hair, pull up your socks and celebrate this festival of beer, merriment and Bavarian culture.
The Millwall Park events promise all things Bavarian, like beer, food and dancing, to name just a few. The Tottenham event is particularly exciting - and equally Bavarian - because it is a Halloween Oktoberfest Special. There are a range of different tickets available, including free-standing tickets if you book ASAP, so get onto the website and find the package that best suits you.
For the vegans out there - worry not. There is an Oktoberfest just for you that includes all the fun of the Bavarian celebration, without the Bratwurst. It is a free event that incorporates all the favourites with a vegan twist, like vegan ”'würstl” and “knödel” as well as vegan beers. There are plenty of stalls offering goods and it is a great day out this October if you want to enjoy Oktoberfest vegan style.
When staying at The Montcalm Royal London House, you are accustomed to fine dining and exceptional food. Whether it is from the in-house dining options, or the Finsbury Square restaurants that are just a short distance away, you probably have a taste for the good stuff.
The London Restaurant Festival pays tribute to the good stuff when it comes to dining, that’s for sure. It takes place in over 250 restaurants across the city throughout October and is in its 11th year of showstopping dishes and experiences.
The festival is not just limited to meals. The programme encompasses more than 60 events, including restaurant-hopping tours, tasted menus, masterclasses, wine pairing events, talks and events with famous chefs as well as demonstrations. There are even options for whole weekends dedicated to culinary marvel.
This art week is one of the highlights of the art year in London, with events in Regent’s Park to showcase some of the incredible talents of the world’s leading artists, featuring over 160 internationally acclaimed galleries. You can view and buy the exhibited art and appreciate the emerging talent charging through the art scene. A key feature of the event are the talks that will be presented. They deal with the world of modern art 100 years after the foundation of the Bauhaus school of art teaching and grapple with the impact of art on the extended social world.
Tickets sell out fast and are available online, so it is recommended you get onto that hotel wifi and book your spot ASAP. Though the full speaker programme is yet to be released, you can expect an excellent line-up considering it is Lydia Yee and Matthew McLean’s second-year co-programming.
The much-anticipated world tour of multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning, singer-songwriter, Ariana Grande kicks off in the UK in Birmingham on 14 September. It makes its way through the UK and Ireland and will be ready for you to enjoy in London on 15 and 16 October. Get ready to have the roof of the O2 Arena blasted off as the top notes of her recent single “No Tears Left To Cry” bounce around the room.
Her most recent album, Sweetener, which was released in August of 2018, is ready to be performed for a live audience and is one of the top events going down in London this October. Tickets are selling like hotcakes, so make sure you get your hands on yours immediately. Before heading to the concert, you can pre-game in style by grabbing one of the hotel’s signature cocktails at the bar and channelling your inner diva!
Throughout October, Architecture on Stage events will be taking place at London’s much-adored Barbican Center. This is a vital event of the architecture world’s calendar, as well as an insightful, informative experience for those with a passion for architecture. Talks are given by the world’s most widely acclaimed experts of the field, explaining their architecture practices and offering information on not only their projects but also the impact of the field on the world at large.
Talks within the event include Mexican architect Tatiana Bilbao on her work orientating around social and economic sustainability, British engineer Anthony Hunt in conversation with architect and engineer Maria Smith, as well as events focused on the state of the Barbican in its 50th year.
A lot is happening this October, so you have no excuse not to make the most of the month and your time in London. Start the Autumn off right with London hotels special offers, a plethora of fun activities and events to attend, enrich your cultural experience and expand your knowledge of everything from vegan Bavarian foodstuffs to the Barbican’s architecture.
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