October 2025 in London and across the UK is not dominated by official bank holidays, but by school half-term breaks, cultural festivals and seasonal traditions that shape the autumn calendar. While England and Wales have no statutory public holidays in October, Scotland marks local autumn holidays through council observances, and Northern Ireland transforms into Europe’s Halloween capital, with Derry hosting spectacular parades and fireworks. In London, world-class highlights such as the BFI London Film Festival (1–12 October), the Thames Festival along the South Bank, and the city’s atmospheric Halloween celebrations bring international attention. Families benefit from the school half-term holidays in late October, when museums, theatres and parks offer special programmes. This unique mix of school breaks, regional traditions and global festivals makes October 2025 one of the most dynamic cultural months in Britain – reports The WP Times.

National Public Holidays in October 2025

October is one of the few months in the UK calendar without a nationwide bank holiday. However, local councils and cultural traditions still shape the public rhythm of the month.

  • England & Wales – No statutory public holiday in October 2025. All schools and businesses remain open until the autumn half-term (27–31 October 2025).
  • Scotland – 6 October 2025 is observed by many councils as the Autumn Holiday. While not a national bank holiday, cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh traditionally grant a day off to schools and some public offices.
  • Northern Ireland – 31 October 2025 is not a statutory bank holiday but is celebrated as Halloween, especially in Derry/Londonderry, which hosts Europe’s largest Halloween carnival with parades, fireworks and concerts. Preparations often begin in the final week of October (26–31 October 2025).

London in October 2025

London in October 2025 offers a dense cultural calendar that mixes world-class festivals, seasonal traditions and family activities. The city becomes an international stage, drawing tourists, artists and locals to a wide range of events.

  • BFI London Film Festival (1–12 October 2025) – The UK’s most prestigious film event, featuring hundreds of screenings across the West End, Southbank and independent cinemas. Red-carpet premieres attract global stars, while workshops and panel talks give insight into the future of cinema.
  • Thames Festival (early October 2025) – A celebration of the River Thames with large-scale art installations, light shows, fireworks and live performances along the South Bank. The festival also includes food markets and family-friendly cultural activities.
  • Halloween in London (31 October 2025) – The capital embraces both history and modern nightlife: spooky ghost tours at the Tower of London, themed club nights in Shoreditch and Soho, pumpkin trails in Kew Gardens, and West End theatres offering special Halloween-inspired productions.
  • London Literature Weekends (various dates in October 2025) – A series of literary gatherings at the Southbank Centre and the British Library, where international authors, poets and thinkers present readings, debates and discussions.

London thus combines international film and literature festivals with deeply rooted autumn traditions, making October one of the busiest and most attractive months for cultural tourism.

Regional UK Highlights in October 2025

Beyond London, regional Britain offers a variety of distinctive cultural highlights in October 2025. Each nation and city contributes its own traditions, from harvest festivals to world-famous Halloween parades.

  • Scotland – Autumn Holiday and Halloween (6 & 31 October 2025)
    Many Scottish councils, including Glasgow and Edinburgh, grant an Autumn Holiday on 6 October 2025, rooted in harvest traditions and often used as a short school break. Later in the month, Edinburgh hosts large Halloween parades with Celtic influences from the ancient festival of Samhain, combining fire shows, costumes and street performances.
  • Northern Ireland – Derry Halloween Festival (26–31 October 2025)
    Recognised as Europe’s largest Halloween carnival, the Derry Halloween Festival transforms the city into a stage for parades, fireworks, concerts and ghostly storytelling. The week-long programme attracts international tourists and celebrates both ancient Irish folklore and modern Halloween culture.
  • Wales – Apple Day and Food Festivals (21 October 2025)
    On 21 October, Wales celebrates Apple Day, particularly in rural counties such as Herefordshire and Monmouthshire. Traditional cider-making demonstrations, apple tastings and village fairs are combined with food festivals in Cardiff, showcasing Welsh produce and culinary traditions.
  • Manchester & Liverpool – Literature and Music Festivals (throughout October 2025)
    Northern England offers a strong cultural programme in October. Manchester Literature Festival (4–19 October 2025) brings international writers, readings and debates, while Liverpool focuses on music festivals and live concerts, keeping both cities vibrant throughout the month.

Together, these highlights show that October 2025 in the UK is not only about London’s global stage, but also about regional traditions and festivals that reflect the diversity of British cultural life.

School Half-Term Holidays in October 2025

The autumn half-term holidays are the most significant school breaks in October across the UK. Though they are not classified as official public holidays, they strongly influence family schedules, tourism, and the cultural sector. Dates vary between the nations, ensuring that different regions of the UK experience their break at slightly different times.

  • England & Wales – 27–31 October 2025
    Schools close for one week at the end of October. Families often travel domestically or abroad, and cultural institutions in London, Cardiff, Birmingham and other cities provide special children’s workshops, museum trails and theatre matinees tailored for the half-term.
  • Scotland – 13–20 October 2025
    Scottish schools take their autumn holiday earlier, coinciding with the Autumn Holiday (6 October) in some councils. This week is popular for hiking trips, family visits and short city breaks within Scotland, particularly in Edinburgh and Glasgow, where museums and science centres prepare special events for younger audiences.
  • Northern Ireland – 27–31 October 2025
    The half-term coincides with Halloween week, making it a particularly festive period. Families in Belfast, Derry and other towns use the break to participate in parades, fireworks and storytelling events. The overlap with the Derry Halloween Festival (26–31 October) makes Northern Ireland especially attractive to tourists at this time.

These breaks are essential for families and tourism. London’s museums, theatres and parks offer tailored half-term programmes for children, while destinations such as the Lake District, Edinburgh Castle and Welsh national parkssee a surge in visitors.

October 2025 in London and the UK is less about national holidays and more about culture, festivals and family life. London shines with the BFI Film Festival, Thames Festival and Halloween events, while regional Britain offers unique traditions: harvest and apple festivals in Wales, autumn breaks in Scotland, and Europe’s biggest Halloween in Derry. The autumn half-term ensures millions of families can take part, making the month a colourful bridge between summer and winter.

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