London
Greenwich Cutty Sark
Film and music evenings
In Greenwich step aboard the Cutty Sark for a unique night of film, music and history. On 9 October, enjoy Sheep, Actually (2025), Paul Wyatt’s new documentary on wool and design, with drinks, live music and a Q&A. On 17 October, broadcaster Charlie Connelly presents Attention All Shipping, a witty show about the Shipping Forecast. Later in the month, on 26 October, enjoy legendary folk with Fairport Convention.
Family adventures on deck
Families can climb high on the Cutty Sark Rig Climb Experience until 31 October for stunning views of London. Half term brings Sailor Superstitions with spooky tales, while little ones can enjoy weekly Ship Mates play sessions. Visitors can also meet historic Character Encounters and join interactive tours, talks and audio guides.
Discover more events at Royal Museums Greenwich.
Royal Observatory Greenwich
Transformation works at the Royal Observatory
From 8 September 2025, parts of the Royal Observatory close for First Light, a major redevelopment project. The Peter Harrison Planetarium, Modern Astronomy galleries and Altazimuth Pavilion will close until spring 2028. Visitors can still explore Flamsteed House, the Prime Meridian line and the Meridian Observatory until spring 2027.
Astronomy courses and activities
The Royal Observatory offers astronomy courses for beginners and enthusiasts. Classes take place at the National Maritime Museum and online, covering astrophysics, astrophotography and the search for life. Families can enjoy Observatory Unlocked with talks, science demonstrations and solar observing every weekend. Self-guided visitors can download the audio tour using the Smartify app for an immersive journey through the ‘Home of Time’.
Book tickets in advance at rmg.co.uk.
Greenwich National Maritime Museum and Queen’s House
Exhibitions and displays
Explore Pirates at the National Maritime Museum until January 2026. The show uncovers the myths and brutal truths of pirate life. Visit the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition from 12 September to see stunning images of the night sky. At the Queen’s House, view Jacqueline Bishop’s The Keeper of All the Secrets, exploring Caribbean histories and women’s resistance.
Special events
Celebrate Diwali at the Museum on 25 October with storytelling, performances and lantern making.
Families and young people
Join Myths and Legends half term fun from 25 October to 2 November. Families also enjoy Safe Harbour, SENsory Sailors, Play Tuesdays, Discover Sundays, family trails and Queen’s House trails.
Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre
Take a Super Store Tour or Behind the Scenes tour. Families join CoderDojo, SENsory Social Club or From Object to Art.
Check rmg.co.uk for booking.
London Zoo gets ready to open the doors of ZooTown – where imaginations run wild
Alana and Florence in ZooTown (c) ZSL London Zoo
CHILDREN are being invited to imagine their future as they get to try out roles ranging from vets to scientists to zootritionists at London Zoo’s brand-new role-play experience, ZooTown.
Opening on Saturday 18 October, ZooTown gives kids license to embrace their love of play and tickle their curiosity for the natural world in an oasis of activities inspired by ZSL’s conservation work.
The space boasts over a dozen engaging and interactive play stations where kids aged three to eight will be immersed in the world of a ZSL conservationist – be that a horticulturalist, scientist or zookeeper. They will enjoy more than a thousand toys to play with including 300 zebra poo balls, 150 zoo post parcels and 13 role-play experiences. Sensory play and smell interactives also make up the ZooTown world to keep the littlest tots and older kids engaged, challenged and entertained.
A zoo-within-a-zoo, ZooTown is a town based entirely on a ZSL conservation zoo, and the product of a collaborative effort to inspire and empower the next generation of conservationists. Meticulously designed in consultation with ZSL’s experts and child focus groups, ZooTown will be available for individuals and school groups to visit, with the space providing amazing opportunities to learn through play.
From treating poorly animals in the Vet Hospital, to fighting germs in the Science Lab, there is something to spark interest for every child in ZooTown, making it a place where imaginations really can run wild. The 63 cuddly toy animals in the Vet Hospital – including parrots, Komodo dragons and tigers – have genuine scannable microchips fitted by ZSL’s vets.
Tickets are bookable online in advance alongside a London Zoo ticket, three days ahead of a visit, from Wednesday 15 October. Each ZooTown session lasts 45 minutes.
Dorset
Weymouth is set to be invaded by pirates
The Dolmen (photo credit) present Weymouth Pirate Fest 2025 (3rd to 5th October 2025) – a weekend of live music, parades, and seafaring shenanigans.
This is proudly sponsored once again by We Are Weymouth (BID) as well as some fantastic additional financial support from Hardy’s Hophouse, The Fantastic Sausage Factory, The Duke of Albany, The Panama Cocktail Bar, The Cheese Rack and Weymouth Tattoo and Piercing.
This much-loved festival has grown from humble beginnings into a legendary celebration. Its origins can be traced back to 1994 when Mark Vine brought a pirate flavour to Weymouth’s Tall Ships Race. The idea evolved through Waterfest 2000, and later, with the creative spark of singer-songwriter Taloch Jameson of The Dolmen, became a full-blown pirate adventure.
During the weekend, the Nao Victoria will not be alone within the harbour. Weymouth’s own tall ship The Moonfleet will also be gracing the quayside with her presence!
From intimate gatherings in The Pirates Keep to huge parades throughout the town, Weymouth Pirate Fest has developed into a major event on the South Coast. The Dolmen’s pirate-inspired albums – Spirits of the Sea, Storm, and most recently Devils Crest – provide the soundtrack for what is now a vibrant weekend of music, costumes, and family fun.
Children’s activities at various venues including The Nothe Fort, Palm house and Library
Nationwide
Hot Wheels Stunt Show
The UK is revving up for high-octane action as the #1 selling toy in the world and The Original Stunt Brand™ brings the all-new Hot Wheels Stunt Show to arenas for the very first time. 4-5 Oct – Newcastle (Utilita Arena) 25-26 Oct – London (OVO Arena Wembley) In just one month, this turbo-charged live spectacular will ignite the stage with epic jumps, jaw-dropping tricks, and full-throttle thrills for fans of all ages. From lifelong collectors to young challengers chasing racing glory, audiences will watch their favourite Hot Wheels roar to life and push the limits of what’s possible.
Watch as world-class drivers take a variety of Hot Wheels vehicles through a series of stunt challenges, with each competition getting more difficult and even more epic. Witness the iconic Hot Wheels cars, Street Bikes, and ATV’s execute precision driving skills, backflips, ramp jumps, take on the iconic 10-meter-tall 360-loop and more!
Featuring interactive fan experiences, larger-than-life Hot Wheels displays, and special appearances by legendary Hot Wheels vehicles including GT Scorcher, Boneshaker, Rodger Dodger and more, Hot Wheels Stunt Show is the next-level experience for fans of all ages. Whether you’re a die-hard collector or a young challenger dreaming of racing glory, this show is a must-see, edge-of-your-seat experience – for audiences of all ages.
Fun Palaces return in 2025 for a weekend of culture, science and community-led creativity
3-5 October 2025 Nationwide: Free
Fun Palaces 2025 invites people of all ages to join a nationwide celebration of creativity, culture, and community. Covering a wide range of genres and interests, from music and movement workshops to DJing and printmaking, friendship bracelet making to sword fighting, bulb planting to orienteering, learning to knit to repairing and recycling garments, there are plenty of different workshops and activities on offer for everyone to enjoy.
Whether it’s young people crafting in a café, hands-on workshops taking over a town centre, or pop-up storytelling in a library, every Fun Palace celebrates the imagination, generosity, and talent within its community. In 2025, this spirit continues with the introduction of Tiny Fun Palaces — which makes space for small, intimate gatherings in living rooms, on allotments, down hallways, or along high streets.
Fun Palaces are being regularly uploaded, and a live list can be found here
If you would like to start your own Fun Palace, sign up here or email hello@funpalaces.co.uk
Matilda The Musical
Casting was announced today for the upcoming tour of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Matilda The Musical, which this year celebrates 15 years on stage. The highly acclaimed musical, based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book, begins performances at the Curve in Leicester on 6 October 2025.
Following its run in Leicester in October, Matilda The Musical travels to Bradford, Liverpool, Plymouth, Sunderland, Edinburgh, Manchester, Southampton, Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich, Milton Keynes and Cardiff where the show will play over Christmas until 17 January 2027. Final tour dates will be announced in September 2025.
The internationally renowned musical continues to play to packed houses in the West End at the Cambridge Theatre and has been seen by 12 million people across 100 cities around the world.
For all tour booking visit