Here are some of the top events, activities and things to do in Britain in October.
2026 is the National Year of Reading, so it’s a great time to visit Bath Children’s Literature Festival in what promises to be its biggest and widest-reaching event yet. Plenty of big names in the world of children’s books will be in Bath for the event, including Michael Rosen, Dame Julia Donaldson, Cressida Cowell and Greg James. Plus, little readers will be kept busy with story time sessions and draw-alongs.
This annual festival is held in the Northern Irish village of Bushmills – the home of the world’s oldest licensed working distillery. Get stuck into whiskey tastings, artisan food markets and salmon suppers of every description – from smoked delicacies to sizzling barbecues. Take part in a huge range of fringe events: look out for live music, cooking demonstrations, foraging walks and more.
With over 60 food producers, chefs and experts, this annual gourmet gathering in the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) puts some of Wales’ finest bites on your plate. Join in the foodie fun at the Brecon Market Hall, a bustling setting for cooking demonstrations, star-studded talks and food stalls galore. Here, you can snap up everything from artisan chocolate and buttery fudge, to Welsh-brewed coffee and beer – alongside homemade pickles, jams and cheeses.
Celebrate local food and drink at the popular Broadstairs Food Festival, in the beautiful Kent seaside town. You’ll find every kind of producer here, from whisky and wine to cake and crisps, celebrating the Garden of England’s vast and plentiful produce.
Competitors race right through Cardiff city centre past iconic locations, starting at Cardiff Castle, and passing the Principality Stadium and Penarth Marina. Then it’s across the Cardiff Barrage and through Cardiff Bay, before finishing close to Cardiff City Hall.
Ready for the red carpet? The BFI London Film Festival is celebrating its 70th birthday in style. Expect premieres and special screenings aplenty, plus a must-see line-up of free talks and workshops across London.
9 – 11 October 2026: Durham Book Festival, north-east England
North-east England’s biggest and longest-running book festival is a bookworm’s paradise. Expect author talks, readings, workshops, and performances that celebrate books, storytelling, and the written word.
The game of conkers has been a popular pastime of British schoolchildren for decades. The rules are simple. Each player is given a conker attached to a piece of string and takes turns in trying to break their opponent’s nut using a swinging motion. The World Conker Championships are held on the village green in Southwick near Oundle, Peterborough, with many attempting to become the king or queen of conkers.
12 – 18 October 2026: Iris Prize Festival, Cardiff, south Wales
One of the world’s biggest LGBTQIA+ film festivals, this Cardiff cultural celebration takes place every October – with a £40,000 prize for the winner. It’s a must-visit for all movie fans, and also hosts fringe events such as music gigs and director interviews too.
17 – 26 October 2026: FilmBath Festival, Bath, south-west England
Soak up the special atmosphere of packed auditoriums as you enjoy screenings of previews, documentary features, F-Rated films (awarded to films directed by and/or written by women) and talks with directors, producers and stars at this Bath festival.
Dua Lipa will be the guest curator of this year’s London Literature Festival, presented as part of the Southbank Centre’s 75th anniversary year. The singer and bookworm will be hosting a takeover of the Royal Festival Hall on the London festival’s opening weekend, plus a series of events in conjunction with her Service95 Book Club.
23 October – 1 November 2026: River of Light, Liverpool, north-west England
River of Light transforms Liverpool’s waterfront into an illuminated wonderland with stunning large-scale installations. The 2026 edition marks the ninth year of the festival, which is free to attend.
As the autumn nights draw in there’s still so much to see and do, as the Cumbrian Dark Skies Festival shows. Wrap up and embrace all the wonderful outdoors activities that the Lake District National Park has to offer as darkness falls, from night-time canoeing on Coniston Water to swimming in Ullswater.
23 – 25 October 2026: Durham Jazz Festival, north-east England
New for 2026, this vibrant festival brings toe-tapping tunes to venues across the city, including Gala Theatre and Redhills Durham Miner’s Hall.
Celebrate the International Dark Sky Status of the North York Moors National Park at this annual stargazing Dark Skies Fringe Festival in October. The 10-day festival includes watercolour workshops, a night navigation experience, owl evening, moonlight coast walk, plenty of stargazing and more.
