London news · 20 October 2026
Oxford Street Goes Car-Free Next Week in Historic First
Nearly one kilometre of Oxford Street will become traffic-free on 26 October 2026 in a long-awaited live-testing phase, banning cars, buses and cyclists from Orchard Street to Great Portland Street including Oxford Circus junction.
Angel Tube Station Could Close for a Full Year Over Failing Escalators
Two of Angel station's three decades-old escalators have failed or are on the verge of failure, and TfL is privately warning that a full 12-month closure may be unavoidable once replacement design work is completed.
London Bus and Tram Fares to Rise for First Time in Over Three Years
TfL has announced that bus and tram fares will increase in November 2026, ending a freeze that Mayor Khan extended seven times since March 2023, with a single adult fare rising 10p to £1.85.
Croydon Housing Estate Wins the RIBA Stirling Prize 2026
Lion Green Road in Coulsdon, south London — a 157-home star-shaped development by Mary Duggan Architects — has been named the UK's best new building at the 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize.
Bon Jovi Announced as First Headliner for BST Hyde Park 2027
Bon Jovi will headline BST Hyde Park on 25 June 2027, the band announced on 19 October, returning to the festival they headlined at its inaugural edition in 2013 and sending presale tickets live the same day.
J Cole Plays Second Sold-Out Night at the O2 Arena
J Cole performed the second of his three London dates at the O2 Arena in Greenwich on 20 October as part of his Fall-Off World Tour, his first solo headline run in five years.
Hokusai's Complete 'Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji' Opens at Dulwich Picture Gallery
The first UK showing of all 46 prints in Hokusai's iconic Fuji series — including an exceptionally rare 'Blue Fuji' and three impressions of 'The Great Wave' — opened at Dulwich Picture Gallery on 20 October, running until 17 January 2027.
London Korean Film Festival: Seven Films to See This Year
Time Out London published its guide to seven unmissable films at the London Korean Film Festival on 19 October, as one of Europe's largest Korean cinema showcases opens across BFI Southbank, the Barbican and other venues.
Spiritland Listening Bar Opens at the Barbican
Spiritland, one of London's pioneering listening bars, launched a new 100-cover outpost at Level 2 of the Barbican Centre on 20 October, with a bespoke audiophile soundsystem and a European-Japanese food menu.
Dorothy's: A New Lesbian Community Pub Opens in Camberwell
Dorothy's, a new community-focused lesbian pub near Burgess Park in Camberwell, south London, opened in October 2026 with queer-brand drinks, seasonal food by queer chefs, and a live programme of music, cabaret and drag.
The Savoy Opens a New Wine Bar with Vintages Back to 1975
The Savoy Hotel on the Strand has opened a glamorous new wine bar offering bottles from 1975 to 2025, First Growth Bordeaux, mature champagne, wine cocktails and live music.
Soho's Golden Union Fish Bar Shortlisted for UK Fish and Chip Restaurant of the Year
Golden Union Fish Bar on Poland Street in Soho has been named among the top ten contenders for Fish and Chip Restaurant of the Year 2027, recognising the retro Soho chippie as one of the UK's best.
Solis, a South American Grill, Opens Its First Permanent Home in Soho
Solis, the South American-inspired grill concept from Tātā Eatery founders Ana Gonçalves and Zijun Meng, opened its first standalone restaurant at 26 Kingly Street, Soho on 20 October 2026.
London Assembly Scrutinises Policing Performance and TfL Budget at City Hall
The London Assembly's Budget and Performance Committee met on 20 October to question experts on whether Mayor Khan's policing investment is delivering measurable results and whether TfL can sustain its finances as travel patterns shift.
City of London Corporation Defends £191m Barbican Refurbishment After FT Investigation
The City of London Corporation issued a public defence of its spending priorities on 18 October, after a Financial Times investigation questioned its finances, reaffirming a £191 million commitment to refurbish the Grade II-listed Barbican Centre.