Two London autumn plans need tickets bought ahead: Halloween at Kew, October 16 to November 1, and Battersea Park Fireworks on November 7 and 8. For Electric Cinema Portobello, choose a film and check seats nearer the time. Richmond Park, Regent's Park and Dalston Eastern Curve Garden need no booking. Just check hours and notices before you set off.
6 London autumn choices at a glance
| Choice | Booking | Timing or catch |
|---|---|---|
| Halloween at Kew | Separate Halloween ticket, bought ahead | October 16–November 1; opens 6 p.m. through October 24, 4 p.m. from October 25; last entry 8:30 p.m. |
| Battersea Park Fireworks | Advance tickets only, none at the gate | November 7–8; last admission 8 p.m. Saturday, 6:30 p.m. Sunday |
| Electric Cinema Portobello | Book a screening online | Some screenings are members-only; no under-twos at standard shows |
| Richmond Park | No booking | Daylight visit; stay 50 metres from deer; check gate notices in November |
| Regent's Park | No booking | Opens 5 a.m.; gates close earlier as autumn goes on, 4:30 p.m. in November |
| Dalston Eastern Curve Garden | Free, no table reservations | Hours vary by day; groups of eight or fewer |
Dates and hours checked September 29, 2026. Confirm on each official page before you book or go.
Book ahead: Halloween at Kew, October 16–November 1
Halloween at Kew needs its own ticket. An ordinary daytime ticket to the gardens doesn't get you in. From October 16 to 24 the event opens at 6 p.m. From October 25 to November 1 it opens at 4 p.m. Final entry is 8:30 p.m. throughout, and the event closes at 10 p.m.
Timing also sets the tone. Daylight sessions before 6 p.m. are available during the later, October 25–November 1 opening schedule. From 6 to 7:30 p.m. is Twilight; after 7:30 is Moonlight, when the scares get stronger. Twilight is gentler than Moonlight, but it doesn't promise that nothing will startle a younger child. Anyone under 16 has to come with an adult.
The trail is about 1.5 km and takes an hour to an hour and a half. Some gradients get hard going when it's wet. If anyone in your group has access needs, read Kew's event FAQ before you choose a date. The 2026 announcement has the full run.
Book ahead: Battersea Park Fireworks, November 7–8
This is the weekend after Kew's run ends, not Halloween weekend. Tickets are sold in advance through Kaboodle only, with none on the gate. Everyone needs a ticket, babies included. Under-18s must be with an adult, and one adult can bring up to four under-18s.
Last admission is 8 p.m. on Saturday and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. Those are entry cut-offs, not display times, so check the event site for the evening's schedule. The terms and conditions cover the rest of the ticket rules.
If you need the accessible viewing platform, reserve it ahead. Seating and Blue Badge spaces are limited and not guaranteed. The accessibility page explains the current process, including companion requests.
Choose the day later: Electric Cinema Portobello
The Electric at 191 Portobello Road, W11 2ED, is a flexible choice of day, subject to the screening schedule and available seats. Public screenings can be booked online. Some screenings are members-only and booked separately. Don't count on walking in and finding a seat.
Each film's BBFC rating decides who can be admitted, and under-twos aren't allowed into standard shows. Wheelchair spaces and companion tickets are booked through the box office. The cinema's policies were updated in July 2026.
Decide on the day: Richmond Park and Regent's Park
Richmond Park is a daylight walk you can fit around the weather. Plan the walk around the deer. Stay at least 50 metres away, and don't feed, touch or approach them for a photo. Autumn is rutting season, so give them extra room. If you bring a dog, read the park's deer guidance first. Sightings aren't guaranteed. In November, closures can apply during the cull, so check gate notices and the visitor FAQ before you go.
Regent's Park opens at 5 a.m., and its gates close earlier as the evenings draw in. They close at 7 p.m. in October until the clocks go back, at 5:30 p.m. after that, and at 4:30 p.m. in November. The 2026 opening-times schedule has the exact dates. Gate times don't tell you when playgrounds, toilets or roads are open. Check the visitor FAQ for those.
Walk in: Dalston Eastern Curve Garden
The garden is at 13 Dalston Lane, E8 3DF, next to the Hackney Peace Carnival Mural. It's free and doesn't take table reservations. It can't take groups larger than eight.
October hours change by day:
- Monday and Wednesday: 1 to 8 p.m.
- Tuesday: 2 to 8 p.m.
- Thursday and Friday: 1 to 10 p.m.
- Saturday: noon to 10 p.m.
- Sunday: noon to 8 p.m.
Extreme weather can cut a day short, so check the visiting page or the garden's Instagram before you head over. There's wheelchair and buggy access and an accessible toilet, but some paths are bark chip.
Creators and sources
- London autumn list: @emsriley on TikTok
- Dalston garden visit, June 2024: @lostinsamuel on Instagram
- Current dates, hours and rules: the official pages linked above.
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