13 Fantastic Things to Do in London and Surrey this Autumn
13 Fantastic Things to Do in London and Surrey this Autumn
Discover the most captivating autumn events with our curated list of 13 must-see shows and exhibitions. Book your tickets early to ensure you don’t miss out!
Main image: Wimbledon Art Fair
Art & Exhibitions
Painting the French Riviera
Royal Academy of Arts, 2 October – 31 January
This is an exciting new exhibition for art lovers and Francophiles alike, exploring how artists including Monet, Morisot, Matisse and Klein found inspiration in the azure skies and luminous sea in the South of France.
Amar Kanwar
Serpentine North, 23 September – 31 January
New Delhi based artist and filmmaker Amar Kanwar will present new and existing works that will transform the building into a meditative visual and sonic environment alongside the premiere of a new seven-screen film installation titled The Charcoal Man.
Katherine Hubbard: The Great Room
Studio Voltaire, Clapham, 7 October – 12 January
Spanning photography and sculptural installation, this exhibition centres the shifting relationship between a mother and daughter, photographer and subject, to reflect on experiences of visibility, grief and illness.
Wimbledon Art Fair
Wimbledon Art Studios, 5-8 November
Discover thousands of artwork for sale for all tastes and budgets that you can buy directly from the creators themselves, with a chance to meet the makers and purchase original art.
Theatre Shows
The Lives of Others
Adelphi Theatre, West End, 14 October – 9 January
This new limited-run play starring Keira Knightley is set in 1984 East Germany, exploring the themes of surveillance, censorship, and the power of intimacy. It follows a writer and actor couple whose apartment is bugged by a Stasi officer on a mission to accuse them of subversion. But the more he listens in on their private life, the harder it is for the agent to remain unmoved by what he hears. Set to be a powerful and moving drama, we’re excited to see what the A-list actress brings to this piece.
Jane Eyre
Rose Theatre, Kingston, 13-24 October
We can’t wait for this production of Charlotte Bronte’s classic coming to Kingston this autumn.
Freedom beckons when Jane Eyre is offered a position as governess at the home of the brooding and enigmatic Mr Rochester, where she finds herself drawn to Rochester’s charm. But when long-buried secrets come to light, she must choose between the man she loves and the woman she wants to become.
Legally Blonde: The Musical
New Wimbledon Theatre, 20-24 October
Legally Blonde The Musical is back with a fabulous new production starring Amber Davies as Elle Woods. Follow the iconic fashionista from California to Harvard Law School in this hilarious musical based on the beloved movie.
Festivals
London Literature Festival
Southbank Centre, 20 October – 1 November
Hosted by superstar Dua Lipa, the London Literature Festival features a series of in-conversation events with the likes of Zadie Smith, Mustafa, Patti Smith and more.
Barnes BookFest
Barnes, 25-27 September
This year’s Barnes Bookfest is packed with an exciting line-up of literary events, including Michael Whitehall at a special dinner event at Home SW13, new author Rukky Brume on New Voices with Meena Alexander and Leodora Darlington, and BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner interviewing author Robert Verkaik about The Writer and The Traitor.
Guildford Book Festival
Guildford, 3-18 October
Highlights of this year’s programme at Guildford Book Festival include: novelist Sebastian Faulks discussing his latest book, Farewell to Eden; Mary Portas OBE talking bout her revolutionary retail years; and renowned novelist Elif Shafak in a special event ahead of the publication of her latest book, In One Brief Moment All Eternity.
Wimbledon BookFest
Wimbledon, 15-25 October
Always an autumn highlight, Wimbledon Bookfest is back with a stellar planned programme. Speakers this year include Celia Imrie, Julian Clary, Elif Shafak, Ben Okri, Maggie O’Farrell, Marina Hyde, Victoria Hislop, and many more. There’s still tickets left for many of the events so get booking!
Clapham Book Festival
Clapham, 17 October
Don’t miss the 10th year of Clapham Book Festival, with their traditional literary walk through Clapham; a talk on crime fiction with Vaseem Khan, Abir Mukherjee and Julie Anderson; the prize presentation of the first Penelope McNeile Writing Competition; a history talk with Elizabeth Buchan and Anne Sebba; and Gordon Corera in conversation with Adam Raphael.
Wimbledon International Music Festival
Wimbledon, 3-9 November
WIMF is back again this year, bringing a month-long programme of world-class music to Wimbledon. This year promises another brilliant line-up spanning jazz, classical, folk and world music.
