London City Newsletter, Oct 5 2026

A new warehouse music venue for Royal Docks — Ironworks has announced a limited autumn series of electronic-music events at Thames Wharf, with an industrial warehouse and an open-air riverside terrace. The programme includes Eric Prydz on Oct 10 and Groove Armada on Oct 31.

Harrow’s Bodhana makes chess history — Bodhana Sivanandan has become the youngest Woman Grandmaster in history at 11. The Harrow schoolgirl completed her final qualifying norm at the Chess Olympiad, and FIDE confirmed the achievement in its October rating list.

National museums will stay free for everyone — The government has dropped plans to charge overseas visitors to England’s national museums. Free general admission continues, including for friends and family visiting from abroad. Temporary exhibitions and some events can still cost extra.

NYC After Dark (Fri Oct 9, 9pm–1am, South Bank) — DJ Mike Menace plays 1980s disco, boogie, synth-pop and new wave at the BFI Bar. Free, ages 18+. No booking; entry is first come, subject to capacity.

SoLo Craft Fair (Sat Oct 10, noon–5pm, City of London) — Browse more than 100 independent makers beneath Leadenhall Market’s covered roof. Entry is free, with a free workshop from noon–3pm.

Features From The Black (Tue Oct 6–Sat Oct 10, 11am–5pm, North Greenwich) — Axematic curates Black diasporic art at Firepit for Black History Month. Entry is free, with late opening until 7pm on Thursday.

Festival of the Future (Sat Oct 10, 10am–5.30pm, Battersea) — Explore architecture and design through workshops, studio tours and portfolio advice at the Royal College of Art. Free, ages 16+; book a Saturday ticket and arrive at 9.45am.

The Other Art Fair (Fri Oct 9–Sun Oct 11, Brick Lane) — Meet independent artists at the Truman Brewery and browse the under-£300 selection. General admission is £22. Saturday runs 11am–7pm and Sunday 11am–6pm; Thursday’s opening night is £32.

Ahir Shah: Golden (Tue Oct 6, 7.15pm, Soho) — Catch Shah’s new stand-up show downstairs at Soho Theatre. Tuesday’s listed tickets are £21–£24. The show runs for about an hour; recommended for ages 14+.

Pop Up Jazz Club (Sat Oct 10, 8–11pm, Herne Hill) — Local singers and a house band play vocal jazz at candlelit tables in Station Hall. £9. Doors open at 7.30pm; bring your own drinks, as there is no bar.

BFI film-inspired crafts (Sat Oct 10, 10.15am and 12.15pm, South Bank) — Make an insect character at Build A Bug at 10.15am, or a tie-dyed mermaid tail at The Mermaid Parade at 12.15pm. Each BFI Southbank session lasts 75 minutes. Free drop-in, subject to capacity; film tickets are separate.

Family Barn Dance (Sun Oct 11, 3–4.30pm, Camden) — Dance together to live folk music at Cecil Sharp House, with a caller teaching the steps. £11 adults, £9 under-18s and £2.50 under-2s. Children must attend with an adult; advance booking is strongly recommended.

South London Jazz Orchestra (Sun Oct 11, 3–5pm, Denmark Hill) — Take the family to Ruskin Park Bandstand for a free afternoon of big-band jazz. This is an outdoor performance, so check the forecast before heading out.

New Scientist Live (Sat Oct 10, 10am–5pm, Royal Victoria Dock) — Try hands-on exhibits, a humanoid robot and a tractor simulator, with a new Family Stage at Excel. Saturday's listed advance tickets are £49 adults and £20 ages 6–17. Under-6s are free with a paying adult.

The Tallyman — This recently opened pub has waterfront seating and a Faber seafood shack. Try fish and chips or the Maldon oysters. Open daily from noon. Canary Wharf.

Pearl — The Beaumont’s new Mediterranean restaurant is opening this October in Brown Hart Gardens. Native lobster linguine is £28 with an aubergine parmigiana at £23. Mayfair.

Dishoom Borough — Coming next week, the new Hop Exchange restaurant welcomes guests from Oct 12. Its Oct 12–20 soft launch takes 50% off food with walk-ins welcome. Borough.

Clementine — Anna Higham’s new café from Quince Bakery is due to open on Sat Oct 10 at 190 New North Road. Islington.