October is Black History Month, which is fast approaching its 40th birthday. Find events across Greater London on www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk.

Lifeworld, the installation by Danish artist Olafur Eliasson, illuminates Piccadilly Circus for the last 3 minutes of every day (11.57 pm to midnight) until November 30.

Kensington Palace turns the spotlight on itself and its staff over the past 300 years in a show called 'Untold Lives' (until October 27).

From October 3, London's Month of the Dead celebrates everything from Moonlit Monuments to Witch Bottles in its annual festival in support of the city's 'Magnificent Seven' cemeteries.

Tate Modern opens its Ghost and Spirit show of American artist Mike Kelley's work (lock up your soft toys) from October 3 to March 2025.

The BFI London Film Festival occupies screens across the capital from October 9 to 20, with subjects ranging from war to Elton John.

The annual festival of contemporary movement Dance Umbrella leaps into actuation from October 9 to 31 with shows, talks and workshops across the capital and online.

Art lovers with a bit of spare cash should head to Frieze London in Regent's Park (October 9-13) while those with less make for The Other Art Fair on Brick Lane (October 10-12).

The much-loved Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition opens October 11 at the Natural History Museum in South Kensington - where else?

Prickly little devils: it's the hard-fought Peckham Conker Championships on October 12 - buy a ticket to participate in the hope of winning the Golden Nut...

Aspiring scientists and those who are generally fascinated should get to ExCel October 12-14 for New Scientist Live! with talks, experiments, 70+ speakers and 80+ exhibits.

Whooo-Kew! Halloween comes to the famous botanic gardens at their most spectacular time of year - not that you can see autumn colours in the deepest dark... Opens 18th, booking essential.

The Bloomsbury Festival celebrates the life of the mind with music, art, community theatre, spoken word, books and brilliance (October 18-27).

The Southbank Centre presents its mighty annual celebration of the written word, the London Literature Festival, from October 23 to November 3, with writers of every age and type.

Enter the beguiling, multi-faceted world of director and creative original Tim Burton at the Design Museum in Kensington. The World of Tim Burton runs from October 25 2024 to April 21 2025.