London this week: film discoveries, poetry and a square full of celebration
The film festival has named its winners; now the diary turns to books on the South Bank and Diwali in Trafalgar Square. A few well-chosen stops make a better weekend than trying to see everything.
Four films to keep on your radar
London’s film week leaves a useful list to take away. As the 70th BFI London Film Festival ended on Sunday 18 October, the BFI named Sergei Loznitsa’s Imperium its Best Film. The other competition winners were Sompot Chidgasornpongse’s 9 Temples to Heaven, Asmahan Bkerat’s Concrete Land and Rahul Roye’s Aman, recognised in the first-feature, documentary and short-film categories respectively.
Think of those titles as the start of your next watchlist. The awards tell you what the festival juries chose; they do not mean all four are showing locally this weekend. Follow the BFI’s announcement for the films and their makers, then check separately for a screening or release that fits your plans.
Saturday can start with a book
For something you can put in the Saturday diary, head to the Southbank Centre’s London Literature Festival. The organiser dates this year’s programme from 20 October to 1 November, with Dua Lipa as curator. Our starting point is one of the smaller invitations: the free Book Swap at Royal Festival Hall, listed from 10am on Saturday 24 October.
The same morning, Poetry Day begins at 11am in the Queen Elizabeth Hall foyer, also listed as free. The National Poetry Library’s curated displays offer a way into its collection through hidden gems and new acquisitions. This is our pick for a less tightly scheduled cultural morning: begin with the book swap, then decide whether to spend more time with the poetry displays.
Sunday belongs to the square
Diwali on the Square gives Sunday 25 October a different rhythm. London City Hall lists the celebration in Trafalgar Square from 1pm to 7pm, with free entry and no ticket required. Music and dance from London’s Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities are joined by puppet shows, family activities and dance workshops.
There are vegan and vegetarian food stalls in the programme, too. For families or friends who want a shared afternoon without choosing a single seated performance, this is the weekend’s clearest invitation. Food purchases are separate from the free entry; check the organiser’s programme and access information when deciding how to spend your time there.
Give half-term its own plan
Visit London lists the October half-term period as 26–30 October. That makes the coming week a useful moment to look beyond the weekend’s headline events and choose a museum visit or children’s theatre outing. Check your school’s dates and each attraction’s booking requirements first, especially when fitting an activity around other commitments.
The literature festival continues through 1 November, so it is also worth returning to the Southbank Centre calendar after the weekend. Choose a dated event that suits your interests rather than assuming a festival pass or a free entry rule applies to the whole programme. The book swap and Poetry Day are specific free options, not a promise about every talk.
One for next Friday
Keep Friday 30 October in reserve for a smaller music outing. Vortex Jazz Club lists Rob Luft Quartet with doors at 7.45pm and music at 8.30pm. Luft on guitar is joined by Joe Wright on tenor saxophone, Tom McCredie on bass and Corrie Dick on drums, with two sets planned. It gives the following weekend a different starting point from a public-square celebration: an evening built around a quartet. Check the venue’s listing for tickets and the latest arrangements before setting out.
Written with AI assistance from local reporting and organiser listings; event plans can change. Times in the story are local to the city.
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