Bloomsbury Festival returns for its 20th anniversary from 1 to 31 October 2026, filling more than 40 venues across Bloomsbury and Camden with art, music, theatre, science, literature and community events. There are over 150 events in all, including plenty of free exhibitions, walks, performances and screenings alongside paid and pay-what-you-can tickets.

Browse the official 2026 programme →

Start with these free events

We have separately checked these free festival listings, so they are useful starting points if you want to keep your October plans affordable:

These are only a small part of the programme. Use the official listings for the live availability, dates, access notes and any newly announced free events.

What is happening across the month?

The anniversary programme covers music, visual art, film, performance, science, talks, workshops and literature. Events take place in streets, parks, museums, galleries, libraries, churches and academic spaces, so it is easy to pair a festival stop with a day already planned around central London.

Officially announced highlights include the Discovery Hub at Holborn Library from 22 to 24 October, stargazing at The Imperial Night Sky on selected October evenings, and exhibitions, screenings and performances spread throughout the month. The festival closes on 31 October with a Diwali takeover and other Halloween-weekend activity.

The line-up includes both local work and artists from further afield. The festival’s 2026 theme, Create and Celebrate, looks back at twenty years of cultural activity while keeping the focus on new work and community participation.

How to keep the festival cheap

Filter the official programme by date and category, then open each event’s own page before making plans. Look for the labels Free, Walk-in, Pay What You Can and From rather than assuming every event under the festival umbrella has the same entry conditions.

For paid events, compare the ticket price with a free event in the same area on the same day. A short free exhibition or walk can make a booked performance feel like a fuller, better-value outing. For anything ticketed, reserve early and save the confirmation, as popular free events can reach capacity.

Getting around Bloomsbury and Camden

There is no single festival site. Your nearest station depends on the event, but Russell Square, Holborn, King’s Cross St Pancras, Euston, Tottenham Court Road and Chancery Lane cover much of the programme area.

Avoid trying to cross the whole festival map in one day. Pick one cluster of venues, check their exact start times and accessibility notes, and leave walking time between them. The official event page is the source of truth for each venue’s entry instructions.

Useful questions

Is Bloomsbury Festival free?
Not entirely. The programme includes free, pay-what-you-can and paid events. Check the individual listing before travelling or booking.
When does the 2026 festival run?
The official festival website gives Thursday 1 to Saturday 31 October 2026.
Do free events need booking?
Some do. A free price does not always mean drop-in entry, particularly for screenings, small performances and workshops.
Where can I find the full programme?
Use Bloomsbury Festival’s official What’s On page for the live programme, ticket links, venue details and any changes.

Source and last check

Details checked on 27 September 2026 using the official Bloomsbury Festival 2026 website and live programme. Individual events, ticket availability and prices can change, so recheck the specific listing before you go.