It’s the season to fall in love with London

From world-class sport and breathtaking art programs, to seasonal celebrations including Halloween and Bonfire Night, autumn in London is bigger than ever in 2022. The crisp temperatures, tree-lined streets painted vibrant shades of red and gold, and the lure of hearty pub meals, make for a magnificent autumn affair.

Unparalleled Gastronomic Goodness

Foodies will leave satisfied after enjoying the London Restaurant Festival (October), celebrating the city’s vibrant cuisine and offering exclusive culinary experiences. London Cocktail Week, the citywide celebration of exquisite cocktails, will also kick off Oct.13-23 in watering holes across the city. Brand-new restaurants opening this autumn include Forno, a pasta and charcuterie production hub that will serve up gourmet pastries, soups and pizza. Akub will offer modern Palestinian cuisine and AngloThai will mix British ingredients with traditional Thai cooking resulting in thrilling “fusion” dishes.

Destination City (Oct. 15) will transform London’s Square Mile from dawn until dusk with immersive theatre featuring over 100 performers, a family-friendly mass treasure hunt, 16 doors into a ‘maze’ of adventures and three carnival-inspired fairs. Nearby pubs and restaurants will host ‘after parties’ to keep the celebration alive into the evening. Nightlife lovers will also be able to visit London’s hotspot club, The Cross, which reopened on 9 September after 15 years of closure. The Cross 2.0 spans six floors including a rooftop terrace, an underground basement club and ample space to drink, dine and dance.

World Class Art & Culture

With two major art fairs and countless exhibitions this autumn, now is the time for art lovers to book that trip to London. Frieze London and Frieze Masters (Oct. 12-16) will take over Regent’s Park, bringing together galleries from 42 countries to celebrate the creative spirit of the city. London regulars have heard of the world-famous Tate, the V&A and the National Gallery, but intimate and experimental art galleries are also well worth adding to a London itinerary this season.

Art lovers should look out for exhibitions like “The World We Make” by contemporary portraitist Amy Sherald, best known for her creation of Michelle Obama’s official portrait. More of her bold, super-colourful portraits of Black people will be on view Oct. 12 through Dec. 23 at Hauser & Wirth Gallery. London Ely House will host “Sturtevant: Dialectic of Distance”, retracing the performance and disconcerting replicas of American artist Sturetevant (1924-2014) (on view Sept. 8 through Oct. 3). Gabriel Orozco’s work using plant printing techniques showcasing indigenous plant life in Acapulco, Mexico City and Tokyo, will be on view at White Cube Oct. 12-Nov. 12.

Between gallery visits, visitors can discover the world’s best new films at the London Film Festival (Oct. 5-16). October also kicks off Black History Month in London, where travellers can join in the citywide celebration of Black communities with epic events across the city.

Get Prepared for Spooky Season

Those in the mood to be spooked can find the freakiest Halloween events, from ghost tours to costume parties, on and around Oct. 31. Unmissable, The London Dungeon will undergo a Halloween takeover 15-31 Oct, as will the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Thrill-seekers can’t miss the spine-tingling London Bridge Ghost Walking Tour and The Ghost Bus Tour London. For a magical night out, Adventure Cinema will transform into a haunted wonderland Oct. 29-31 for spooktacular screenings of Hocus Pocus, The Lost Boys and The Shining.

Enjoy a Truly British Bonfire Night

The festivities continue into November with Bonfire Night (Nov. 5), marking the historic moment when Guy Fawkes and his crew attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament and King James I in the Gunpowder Plot of Nov. 5, 1605. Get involved at The Gunpowder Plot in Tower Vaults, where Guy Fawkes will be played by Harry Potter actor Tom Felton, or enjoy one of many stunning fireworks displays. An essential evening in Brits’ calendars, there are always plenty of locations to choose from, with incredible displays lighting the night sky across the city. Top spots include Alexandra Palace, Wimbledon Park, Battersea Park and Chiswick Park amongst others.

Take a Stroll Through the Autumn Leaves

There’s no better way to appreciate London as the leaves turn to gold than in one of London’s plentiful parks. The iconic eight Royal Parks each provide their own unique charm, with Bushy Park and Richmond Park promising wild deer, and St James’s Park and Green Park granting unparalleled views of Buckingham Palace. Don’t miss Battersea Park either, which is packed with foliage for perfect autumnal colours and long strolls along the River Thames.

Witness the Best of International Sports

Autumn is jam-packed with unrivalled options for sport lovers making a trip to England’s capital city. Marathon runners will take to the streets of London during the London Marathon on Oct. 2 while American football fanatics can watch their favourite teams (Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers and more) duke it out at London’s famous stadiums during the NFL 2022 London Games (Oct. 2, 9 and 30). Rugby fans won’t want to miss the union autumn internationals in November as well.

Laura Citron, CEO at London & Partners, which runs Visit London, said: “London is glowing and awash with fantastic colours in Autumn. With Autumnal walks and Halloween festivities to an exciting range of cultural exhibitions and cosy pubs, our capital lends itself beautifully to the crisper days and nights. From Frieze London, London Restaurant Festival and London Cocktail Week, to Destination City, Black History Month and the NFL London series, there’s truly something for everyone to see, do, and eat in London over the next few months. We look forward to welcoming visitors from around the world to enjoy London’s magical Autumn season.”

For more suggestions on everything happening in London this upcoming season, check out our comprehensive guide to all things autumn on Visit London: 101 autumn in London ideas to fall for - Things to Do - visitlondon.com