TonightFestival18:00
BFI London Film Festival: Wednesday Premiere
BFI Southbank · South Bank
"The UK's biggest film festival is in full swing—book ahead for arthouse premieres and stick around for the Q&As."
Check venueVenue ↗
Wednesday, October 7
Tonight Nearby London
LFF, Frieze Week & Underground Gigs
Tonight, quickly
London's autumn cultural season is in full swing tonight with the BFI London Film Festival taking over the South Bank. If you want to dodge the red carpets, head to Soho Theatre for sharp alternative comedy, or catch a cheap cult classic at the Prince Charles Cinema.
This weekend · Oct 9–Oct 11
It's Frieze Week, meaning the city is flooded with late-night gallery hops, warehouse afterparties, and international art crowds. Balance out the high-brow gallery hopping with a sweaty indie disco at Moth Club or a cheap Sunday pint and guitar bands at The Windmill.
What's on tonight
Art10:00 - 18:00
Hyundai Commission: Autumn Opening Week
Tate Modern · South Bank
"The massive new Turbine Hall installation is an autumn London rite of passage—go on a Wednesday evening before the weekend crowds descend."
FreeVenue ↗
Comedy21:30
Late Night Alternative Comedy
Soho Theatre · Soho
"The most reliable spot in Central London for progressive, weird, and wonderful late-night stand-up."
£12-£15Venue ↗
Music19:30
Wednesday Experimental Sessions
Cafe OTO · Dalston
"East London's haven for leftfield and improvised music is perfect for an affordable mid-week sonic trip."
£10Venue ↗
Film20:30
35mm Cult Film Screening
Prince Charles Cinema · Soho
"Nothing beats seeing a classic horror or neon-soaked thriller projected on glorious 35mm just off Leicester Square."
£11-£14Venue ↗
Music20:00
Jazz Improv Night
Vortex Jazz Club · Dalston
"A purely volunteer-run jazz institution where Wednesday nights usually bring phenomenal up-and-coming players."
£10Venue ↗
Drag & Cabaret20:00
Alt-Drag Community Night
The Divine · Dalston
"The spiritual successor to The Glory hosts its reliably chaotic, brilliant mid-week queer showcases."
£8Venue ↗
Theatre19:30
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs Run
Royal Court Theatre · Chelsea
"Catch the best new writing in the UK; grab a £15 standing ticket if you're booking last minute."
From £15Venue ↗
The weekend ahead
ArtFri · 11:00 - 19:00
Frieze London
The Regent's Park · Camden
"The anchor of London's art calendar—pricey, but essential for contemporary art lovers and people-watching."
From £46Venue ↗
NightlifeFri · 23:00 - 06:00
FABRICLIVE Friday
Fabric · Farringdon
"Friday nights here are dedicated to bass, dubstep, and drum & bass over a vibrating bodily sound system."
£20Venue ↗
ArtSat · 11:00 - 19:00
1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair
Somerset House · Strand
"A stunning, vibrant showcase of African contemporary art taking over the gorgeous rooms of Somerset House."
£25Venue ↗
NightlifeSat · 23:00 - 06:00
Saturday Underground Electronic
Corsica Studios · Elephant & Castle
"Intimate, sweaty, and stripped back—the best club in South London for pure techno and leftfield electronics."
£15Venue ↗
NightlifeSat · 23:00
Saturday Indie Disco
Moth Club · Hackney
"Gold-sequined ceilings, cheap pints, and a dancefloor heavily leaning on The Smiths and Joy Division."
£8Venue ↗
Drag & CabaretSat · 21:00
Weekend Queer Cabaret
The Divine · Dalston
"Get there early to secure a spot for back-to-back drag performances before it turns into a massive party."
£10-£15Venue ↗
MusicSun · 16:00
Sunday Indie All-Dayer
The Windmill Brixton · Brixton
"The beating heart of South London's guitar scene is best experienced on a sleepy Sunday with a £5 ticket."
£5Venue ↗
MarketSun · 08:00 - 14:00
Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia Road · Bethnal Green
"Go right at 8am to avoid the crush, or hold out until 2pm when the barrow boys slash prices."
FreeVenue ↗
London going-out FAQ
✦What's on in London tonight?
The BFI London Film Festival is taking over the South Bank for cinema lovers, while Soho Theatre remains the best central bet for spontaneous, high-quality late comedy.
✦Free things to do in London this weekend?
Check out the massive new Hyundai Commission at Tate Modern's Turbine Hall, or take a Sunday stroll through the East London markets like Columbia Road and Brick Lane.
✦Best live music in London tonight?
Head East to Dalston. Cafe OTO and Vortex Jazz Club both run excellent, affordable experimental and jazz nights on Wednesdays.
✦How to get cheap theatre tickets in London?
Check the National Theatre's Friday Rush at 1pm for £10 tickets for the weekend, or ask the Royal Court box office about £15 standing tickets for tonight.
✦Where is the best LGBTQ+ nightlife this weekend?
The Divine in Dalston (from the founders of the legendary closed venue The Glory) is the essential spot for alternative drag, or hit the Royal Vauxhall Tavern for classic cabaret.
✦Are the trains running late this weekend?
The Night Tube runs on Friday and Saturday nights on the Victoria, Jubilee, and most of the Central, Northern, and Piccadilly lines. For Wednesday night, standard last trains are around midnight.