Best Things To Do In The UK This Autumn 2026

The time of crisp, bronzed leaves, greyer skies and transitional fashion is upon us. Stuck for suitable ideas and events? Whether you're in need of some spooky happenings come Halloween, seasonal favourites like pumpkin picking, or a variety of indoor-ready activities and outdoor pursuits when there's an occasional sunny day, our list of fun things to do this autumn in the UK has your back.

Last edited by Jasmine Lee Kennedy

Last updated on 4th December 2025




Hastings: Sounds Familiar Music Quiz

@ Blackbox on Friday 13th February 2026 and 2 other Fridays

The only music quiz to have played Glastonbury more times than David Bowie, Sounds Familiar Music Quiz is a buzzing night out that promises killer tunes and a party atmosphere. This event is coming to Blackbox in Hastings this November, costing just £7.50 per person to attend.

There'll be lively rounds full of chart toppers, indie tunes, power ballads and more. Brush up on your musical knowledge, and get ready to show off your skills.

Lincoln: Game Saints Escape Rooms

Game Saints Lincoln turns the city's old Magistrates' Courthouse into an unforgettable escape room adventure. With many of the building's original features still on show, you'll duck and dive through cells and chambers as you plot a way out.

Whether you pit your wits against Mystic Alley, Ripper's Road, In The Slammer or any of the other crime-themed rooms, you'll need the mind of a detective to make it out in time.

UK-Wide: Alcotraz

Celebrate autumn 2026 in the UK by donning a suitably orange jumpsuit and diving head-first into an immersive cocktail experience. Alcotraz's prison bars are getting you to smuggle in your favourite liquor, which will be whipped up into bespoke drinks while the drama unfolds - whether you're in London, Cardiff, Manchester or beyond.

UK-Wide: Taste + Liquor

Whether you're in Leicester, Nottingham, Birmingham, London or Manchester, Taste + Liquor's food and booze-based events are sure to warm you up or see you partying through these cooler months. Yup, that's RnB, Ayia Napa and throwback-themed brunches for you to enjoy.

UK-Wide: Paintvine

Paintvine are one of the UK's leading paint and sip companies, hosting events everywhere from Glasgow to Birmingham or Liverpool. They offer both painting and sculpting sessions, both with expert instructors and all the materials you need. Each event has a different theme, from Bob Ross sunsets to flower bouquets, and there's a fully stocked bar available at each.

UK-Wide: Coyote Ugly

With venues in Swansea, Blackpool and beyond, Coyote Ugly is a Nashville-inspired party bar that guarantees a cracking night out. Whatever day of the week it is, you can find something fun going on here.

Their Hoedown Bottomless Brunch takes place every single day, promising 90 minutes of unlimited pizza, prosecco and beer. Plus, you can enjoy dance classes very Saturday, complete with a mimosa reception.

UK-Wide: Flight Club

The reach of Flight Club's social darts brunches is far - we're talking a nation-wide affair here, including in Oxford. So, head to one of their venues to get busy in the oche for an hour, alongside enjoying another 60 minutes in the bar, all while munching on bottomless pizza and sipping a bottle of prosecco each.

London & Birmingham: The Big Bakes

Let things take an all-the-more wholesome turn by heading to The Big Bakes in Birmingham or London, where you and your chosen partner will be pitted up against the other ticket-holders. Can you whisk and whip your way to success at these autumn activities for adults? There's only one way to find out.

London, Derby, Bristol, Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester: Wing Fest 2026

Running into the autumn with its Bristol, Manchester and Sheffield events is Wing Fest, a whole three days dedicated to all things chicken wings. The festival brings together the finest traders to battle it out across multiple categories, with wings costing £1.50 each so that you can try as many as possible and vote for your favourites.

Aside from that main event, you can get involved further via wing-eating and hot wing contests. Entertainment also comes in the form of everything from BBQ cooking demos to water splash zones, live music and DJs for a real festival feel.

UK-Wide: UKG BINGO

Whether you're in Nottingham, Leeds, Cardiff or beyond, there's pretty likely to be a UKG BINGO event near you. As the largest bingo brand in the UK, you can expect lively events full of hilarious rounds and other quirky games, all led by your fantastic host. There's also the chance to win some seriously cracking prizes, and you can take part in dance competitions too. Tickets start from just £17 per person, promising all best throwback tunes on top of everything else.

Leeds, Manchester & London: Electric Shuffle

With venues in Leeds, Manchester and London, Electric Shuffle is a fun activity bar boasting interactive shuffleboard tables where you and your mates can get competitive over all sorts of fun minigames. Their electronic tables count up all your scores for you, capturing the best moments on film. These boozy events promise an entire bottle of prosecco per person, alongside unlimited pizza, while you enjoy an hour of gaming, followed by another hour in the bar.

London: Live Band Karaoke

Spend your time sheltering from the changing weather at one of Live Band Karaoke's events across London. Here, you'll get to pretend your the lead singer or solo performer like your favourite artists, belting out all their hits in front of a friendly crowd.

UK-Wide: YO! Sushi Events

YO! Sushi are offering some of the top things to do in autumn across the UK, especially if you're a foodie. Their classes see you put together a range of delicious items, but not before enjoying a special history class, a welcome drink and tasty gyoza.

Birmingham: Luna Springs

Head to the Digbeth area of Birmingham to discover Luna Springs, one of the city's biggest event spaces. They've got a huge heated and covered outdoor area to bring alfresco dining into the autumn, hosting all kinds of brilliant, themed bottomless brunches, with ABBA hits, RnB classics, karaoke and so much more.

UK-Wide: Puppy Love Events

Whether you're in Birmingham, Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester, Derby or Cheshire, Puppy Love Events are bringing you some of the most adorable goings-on this September. Their pooch therapy sessions are all about giving you a dopamine hit while also teaching the puppies how to socialise. Expert dog trainer Jodi Harvey will be leading the group, and you can also enjoy tasty drinks and snacks while you're there.

Edinburgh: Best Ghost Tours

Widely known as one of the most historical cities and even for dark events of the past, it's no surprise that Edinburgh is also a great place for ghost tours. See our top picks here to make your spooky season scream-worthy.

Manchester: The Best Walks This Autumn

That's right, we've selected six of our favourite rambles around this gorgeous city; from wandering along the canal to admiring the red brick buildings of the city centre or trekking nearby country parks. Topping it off? There's pubs, bars and restaurants to fuel up at after these autumn celebrations too.

Wales: National Parks To Head To

Autumn holidays in the UK were made for a quick local getaway. But where to head? Wales' National Parks are calling your name if it looks like the weather will hold, boasting sweeping landscapes, gorgeous walks and cosy inns.

Scotland: The Best Staycations

The best places to visit in the UK in October and other autumn months? Scotland is calling. From the historic streets of Edinburgh to hunkering down in a cosy log cabin or seeing The Glenfinnan Viaduct (a.k.a the setting for that Hogwarts Express scene), this gorgeous country is sure to wow.

UK-Wide: Quirky Bars Where You Can Drink In A Cave

As the nights draw in and autumn rolls around, there's no better time to cosy up underground with a drink in hand. Forget your average watering hole - we're talking sandstone sanctuaries, lantern-lit hideouts and crypt-like bars where the atmosphere is as rich as the pours. From secret speakeasies buried beneath Nottingham's historic streets to Brighton's beachfront caves and London's legendary cellars, these subterranean spots are serving up serious character alongside your cocktail.

Whether you're sipping wine by candlelight at Gordon's, soaking up live music beneath The Malt Cross' Victorian arches or uncovering hidden spirits in Nottingham's Lost Caves, these bars are proof that going underground is the ultimate autumn adventure. So wrap up, head down below, and discover the UK's quirkiest cave bars that truly rock.

UK-Wide: Pretty Cities To Visit

One of the best things to do in autumn is to check out its many gorgeous destinations for a city break. Each unique place has its own vibe, history and lineup of places to eat and drink, so what are you waiting for?

UK-Wide: Pumpkin Picking

Autumn activities for kids and older don't get much better than pumpkin picking, which also offers some of the best events in the UK this October 2026. Check out our choice of the best farms and patches, including those fronting apple-slinging games, spooky maize mazes and more.