London news · 18 October 2026
NFL returns to Wembley as Texans face Jaguars in final London game of 2026
The Houston Texans played the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon, closing out the 2026 NFL London Games series.
BFI London Film Festival closes with Jesse Eisenberg's 'The Debut'
The 70th BFI London Film Festival wrapped at the Royal Festival Hall with the UK premiere of Jesse Eisenberg's musical comedy, with jury winners announced on the closing night.
'No to Digital ID' march winds from Marble Arch to Whitehall
Thousands joined a planned Saturday-afternoon protest against proposed digital ID cards, marching from Marble Arch along Oxford Street to Whitehall.
Throbbing Gristle mark 50 years at the ICA with free anniversary gathering
The Institute of Contemporary Arts hosted a free day-long TG50 event with surviving members Chris Carter and Cosey Fanni Tutti, marking 50 years since the band's provocative 'Prostitution' show.
Lion Green Road council housing wins RIBA Stirling Prize 2026
A council-commissioned housing scheme in Coulsdon, Croydon, by Mary Duggan Architects and RUFFARCHITECTS was named the UK's best new building.
Prince Charles Cinema signed to a 25-year lease, future secured
The independent Leicester Square cinema announced a new 25-year lease without a break clause, ending nearly two years of uncertainty.
Rules, London's oldest restaurant, donated to the National Trust
A £11m-plus gift from owner J-P Mayhew puts the Covent Garden building that has housed Rules since 1798 permanently into National Trust care.
Palantir and Mayor's policing office settle £50m Met contract row
Palantir and the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime jointly withdrew their High Court claims after an agreed statement said the blocked AI contract had been refused on procurement and value grounds, not values.
London bus and tram fares to rise 10p to £1.85 from 1 November
TfL confirmed a 5.7% increase in bus and tram fares from the start of November, the first rise in three years, after the Mayor extended his fare freeze from July.
Oxford Street to go car-free from 26 October as pedestrianisation begins
Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed that the first stretch of Oxford Street — from Orchard Street to Great Portland Street — will be closed to vehicles from Sunday 26 October, with Westminster Council and traders raising unanswered questions.
Diwali on the Square returns to Trafalgar Square on 25 October
The Mayor of London confirmed the free annual Festival of Lights celebration will fill Trafalgar Square with 200 dancers, puppet theatre and vegetarian food on Sunday 25 October.
Camberwell to get its own lesbian pub as Dorothy's prepares to open
Southeast London's queer scene is set to grow with Dorothy's, a lesbian and sapphic pub promising queer brands, kitchen takeovers and a pool room.
Soho's Golden Union Fish Bar in the running for UK Fish and Chip Restaurant of the Year
The Soho chippy was named one of the top 10 contenders for the National Fish and Chip Awards' 2027 Fish and Chip Restaurant of the Year title.
Savoy opens a new wine bar with 120 wines by the glass
The Strand's grand hotel launched a dedicated wine bar using tech-led preservation to pour more than 120 wines by the glass, including rare vintages.
London's New Year's Eve fireworks tickets go on sale on 23 October
Mayor Sadiq Khan announced that the first batch of tickets for London's New Year's Eve fireworks on the South Bank will go on sale at noon on Friday 23 October.