15 Fantastic Things to Do in London in Fall 2023

Falling leaves, cuppas of Chai tea, and the delicate blue skies that signal the end of summer; London in the fall is a magical time. Though the warm summer days have come to an end and you might need an extra layer to stay warm as the temperatures drop, autumn is a great season to visit London – and there’s tons to do.

The vast majority of my trips to London have been in the Fall, and I first moved there in the Fall. I loved watching the leaves change color, discovering all that there is to do, and experiencing the transitory season in my favorite city.

In this post, I’ll cover everything you need to know about visiting London in Fall 2023, including why you should, what to do, and more. Whether your dates are confirmed, you found a London flight deal, or you’re just considering a trip to London and trying to decide when to visit London – this post will convince you that autumn is a magical time well worth a trip (or in my case, several!).

This post was originally published in June 2021, and was updated most recently in August 2023.

When is Autumn in London?

Before I jump into the list of all the things there are to do in London during the autumn, you might wonder if your trip dates actually fall in the fall. While it obviously varies from year to year based on the weather, fall in London is generally from September to mid-November. August is a warmer summer month, and after mid-November, the weather typically turns dark, rainy, and cold.

For reference, I classify the other seasons in London as:

• Winter: mid-November through mid-March
• Spring: mid-March through May
• Summer: June through August

If you’re visiting London in early autumn, you’ll likely experience warmer weather than later in the season. You may also not see leaves changing color or experience quintessential rainy (winter) weather. Later in the fall, the leaves will definitely be in full color, plus the weather is more volatile as winter sets in over Great Britain.

But enough talk about rain – there are plenty of other great reasons to visit London during the transition season of autumn/fall.

1. See Autumn Colors in London

Arguably the best part of visiting London in the fall is the chance to see London’s many green spaces change color – to orange, red, and yellow!

There are some incredible places for leaf-peeping and autumn colors in London. Some of the best include:

• Chelsea Embankment – A lovely tree-lined walk along the Thames that is gorgeous in the autumn months.
• Green Park – Despite the name, Green Park isn’t always green, especially when the leaves change each fall.
• Greenwich Park – Seeing the leaves change can be part of a great day trip to Greenwich.
• Hampstead Heath – In addition to having one of the best views of London, this area also shows off autumn’s best colors.

Plus I have nine more great places for fall colors in London.

2. Attend a Festival

London has incredible festivals and events all year long, but it really feels like autumn is the prime time for some of the best. While I don’t necessarily recommend planning your trip specifically for one of these festivals (unless you’re like really into that topic), they can be a fun way to add an extra day or half-day of activity to your itinerary. Best of all, you’ll come home with really unique memories since these don’t occur year-round!

3. Totally Thames

The Thames is more important to London than many visitors realize – it is truly the main artery and vein pumping in and out of the city. To celebrate the Thames’s important heritage, the Totally Thames festival occurs annually, throughout the month of September primarily on Sundays. The festival includes arts and education programs aimed at getting Londoners and visitors out to appreciate the river and the life it brings to the city.

4. Open House London

I first learned about Open House London when I moved there; unfortunately, I missed the dates that year because of the timing. In short, Open House London started as a chance to explore parts of London that are typically closed. Historic homes and buildings open up for visitors, and other events celebrate architecture and urban design. In 2023, the festival is currently scheduled for September 6th-17th.

5. London Fashion Week

Like every major city, London has its own Fashion Weeks; they typically occur in the late winter/early spring (February this year), summer (June this year), and autumn. In 2023, the autumn London Fashion Week will take place from September 15th-19th.

6. BFI London Film Festival

For another festival aimed at those who appreciate the arts, the BFI London Film Festival is a must-attend if you’ll already be in the city. The BFI (British Film Institute) started this festival in 1957 and today it screens over 300 films per year from 50 countries around the globe – including some premieres that get the full red carpet treatment. In 2023, the festival will take place from October 4th-15th.

7. Frieze London

While there are certainly cultural festivals in London, October is the month for arts festivals! Yet another one focuses on the more traditional medium; Frieze London is a contemporary art fair that takes over part of Regent’s Park each October (the 11th-15th, in 2023). This is a chance to engage with new and up-and-coming artists across a number of mediums – and it only lasts a short time so it’s a treat if you love art.

8. London Literature Festival

Not to be forgotten, there is also a literature festival in London! The London Literature Festival is sponsored by the Southbank Centre and will take place the final 11 days of October this year (20th to 30th). Details and the schedule haven’t been released yet, but it’s perfect for those who love the written word and want to hear talks and sessions about books across genres.

9. Africa on the Square

Once a year, Trafalgar Square transforms into a very specific experience: Africa on the Square is the cultural festival celebrating all things African, as diverse as you can imagine! They haven’t announced the dates for 2022 yet, but be sure to keep an eye on the site above if you’re keen on attending. The event typically has food stalls, a market, and live performances. Be prepared though – it’s popular and this single day draws crowds of more than 25,000 in normal years!

10. House Plant Festival

After this past year, many of us got to really love our house plants… is it any surprise then that in the city that has everything, there’s also a House Plant Festival? This festival is hosted by the Garden Museum and details for this year are scarce at this point. In 2023, the event will be on October 18th-29th.

11. OktoberFest

No, this article isn’t about Munich – London has its own official Oktoberfest celebration – but a number of other places throw Oktoberfest parties too. I’ve got a complete guide to all of your London Oktoberfest options in 2023, if you’re visiting London between mid-September and early November.

12. London Restaurant Festival

London is a great place to eat, so it’s unsurprising that there’s a festival to encourage us to try new places. The London Restaurant Festival typically occurs in the autumn each year; their website suggests that it starts in June this year (2023) but AmEx cardholders get special access to tickets starting May. Keep an eye on that link above for updates about participating restaurants and special menus.

13. London Jazz Festival

Finally, the London Jazz Festival can’t be ignored, though it straddles that fine line between autumn and winter. Maybe it’s that the hot jazz will heat you up! An incredible line-up has already been announced for 2023, when the festival will take place from November 10-19. No matter which style of jazz you enjoy, you’ll get to hear it live at this festival.

14. Celebrate or Memorialize a Holiday

Visiting London in the fall may also mean you’re visiting when a holiday is occurring! There are actually a number of holidays that occur during October and November:

• Canadian Thanksgiving – October 9 (2023) – While Brits don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, there are enough Canadian expats that some pubs and restaurants may offer a special deal or meal for the holiday.
• Halloween – October 31 – Halloween also isn’t a British holiday, but it’s been catching on. Turns out Brits love to put on “fancy dress” and have a party.
• Diwali – November 12 – This festival of lights is celebrated by a number of religious groups from India; the large population of Indian Britons make this a popular holiday in London.
• Bonfire Night – November 5 – Remember, remember… We all know about Bonfire Night from V for Vendetta, but this night is marked with bonfires and fireworks in different parts of London.
• Remembrance Day – November 11 – The British equivalent of American Veterans Day, this somber holiday is marked with events to memorialize the sacrifice made by the Armed Forces through the many wars Britain has participated in.
• American Thanksgiving – November 23 (2023) – Similar to Canadians, there are enough Americans in London that some pubs and restaurants offer an American Thanksgiving dinner. No promises it will top your family’s turkey dinner though!

As I mentioned with the autumn festivals in London, I wouldn’t necessarily plan your trip around these holidays – with the exception of Bonfire Night which is a fascinating and uniquely British event – but if they are occurring during your trip, you may want to participate.

15. See a Show Open (or Close) in the West End

Going to the theatre is one of the top activities to do in London. The West End is a world-class theatre district and many of the best shows in the world will appear on stage there early in their global tours. If you love live theatre and want to experience it in London, autumn is a great season for new shows opening and closing. Unlike festivals and holidays, these typically run for a long amount of time – so you can add a show to your London itinerary without having to change your entire travel plans.

After several slow years, there are tons of shows opening in theatres across London in the autumn of 2023. You can see the full list from Playbill here if you want to catch a newly-opened show during your London visit.

Should You Visit London in Autumn?

All this said: should you visit London in the fall? Yes, autumn is a great season to visit London. There’s lots to do, plus the city is beautiful with changing leaves and the last blue sky days of summer tapering toward winter.

If you’re trying to decide whether to visit London in the autumn compared with another season, I recommend it! Heck, it’s the season I’ve visited London the most often and I look forward to returning to London trips in the fall.

Have any questions about visiting London in the fall? Let me know in the comments.