From art exhibitions to sensory play sessions, see what’s on this October in Islington

Writing Ecologies at the Barbican Conservatory

Barbican Conservatory, EC2Y 8DS
Sunday 5 October–Sunday 1 February

Explore your relationship with the natural world through a series of writing workshops and talks in the Barbican Conservatory. Whether writing is your career, creative expression, or lifelong dream, we invite you to dive deeply into humanity’s relation to nature and ecology in this unique series of writing salons.

Each session will open with a question-and-answer session with an established author, who will then set a writing prompt, followed by time to write in the lush setting of the Conservatory. Exploring themes of interdependence, activism and healing, these workshops run alongside COP 25 and the Dystopia is Not the Future season. Writers of all backgrounds are welcome.

Bringing together established authors and local writers, the series will finish with the creation of five pieces centred around ecology and shared in a literary day and live performance reading on 1 February 2026.

£10 for a single event in the programme and £40 for all the events. Find out more and buy your ticket for Writing Ecologies at the Barbican.

Cooking with Pride with forum+ at St Luke’s Community Centre

St Luke’s Community Centre, 90 Central Street, EC1V 8AJ
Tuesday 7 October, 6 – 9pm

Join with LGBT charity forum+ and St Luke’s Community Centre for Cooking With Pride! At this cookery class and social support group, participants learn culinary skills and enjoy a delicious meal. Connect with others in the kitchen at St Luke’s while learning how to cook low-budget, nutritious meals.

At each class there is a focus on a different cuisine and there have been special cultural celebrations, for example Irish food enjoyed for St Patrick’s Day and Indian cuisine showcased on Diwali.

Six spaces are reserved for LGBT members of St Luke’s Community Centre and can be booked directly by contacting St Luke’s at info@slpt.org.uk and six spaces are reserved for forum+ with registration via Eventbrite.

Free to join and for LGBTQ+ people aged 18 or over. Booking is essential. Find out more and book your place for Cooking with Pride.

Mini marvels sensory play for under-fives

Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, 39a Canonbury Square, N1 2AN
Wednesday 8 October, Wednesday 12 November, Wednesday 10 December, 10–11am

Explore the Estorick Collection’s interactive and sensory play space, designed for families with young children under five.

Ketty La Rocca Saturday morning exhibition tour

Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, 39a Canonbury Square, N1 2AN
Saturday 11 October, 10–11am

Discover the bold art of Ketty La Rocca with a Saturday morning tour of the Estorick Collection’s Ketty La Rocca: you you exhibition – the UK’s first museum exhibition dedicated to this groundbreaking Italian artist. Known for her powerful and playful work, La Rocca explored big ideas about language, identity and feminism.

Although she passed away at just 38, her art continues to inspire. This special exhibition brings her creative and thought-provoking pieces to a wider audience.

See full details and book Ketty La Rocca morning tour. Tickets from £1.

Relaxed mini marvels sensory play for under-fives for neurodivergent families

Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, 39a Canonbury Square, N1 2AN
15 October, 19 November, 11 December, 10–11am

Explore the Estorick Collection’s interactive and sensory play space, designed for families with young children under five. This relaxed session is suitable for neurodivergent families.

A Black History Celebration with Light Project Pro International

The Exchange, Watkinson Road, N7 8DE
Saturday 18 October, 1–5pm

A Black History Celebration 2025 will be a month-long educational project highlighting the richness of Black history and culture.

Throughout October, The Exchange is hosting workshops, talks, and creative activities for all ages. The project will finish with a vibrant community event on Saturday 18 October, featuring a Black enterprise cultural market, an art exhibition, performances and presentations by residents, culturally inspired food, and networking opportunities.

This celebration aims to inspire pride, promote understanding, and spotlight the achievements of Black individuals, while bringing together people from all backgrounds in a spirit of learning, unity, and cultural appreciation.

Free. Find out more and book your ticket for A Black History Celebration. See what else is happening for Black History Month.

Drama School for a Day with Fourth Monkey

The Monkey House, 97–101 Seven Sisters Road, N7 7QP
Saturday 25 October, 10am–4.30pm

An open day like no other! This is your chance to experience first-hand what it’s like to train at Fourth Monkey drama school, taking part in workshops with practitioners teaching on our accredited courses and hearing from current students, alumni and the school’s founders. You’ll get the complete drama school experience. Take part in workshops and classes, get advice and insight from students and staff and ask questions directly to the artistic director and director of training.

The ultimate open day and the only way to know whether drama school training is right for you. Free for everyone aged 14 –25, but booking is essential. Find out more and book your place for the drama school open day.

Family art day

26 October (Halloween session), 30 November, 14 December (Christmas session), 10am–12noon
Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, 39a Canonbury Square, N1 2AN

Join for a special out-of-hours gallery activity designed for children and families of all ages.

Make a Scene! Drama fun with Oliver with The Charles Dickens Museum

Charles Dickens Museum, 48–49 Doughty Street, WC1N 2LX
Thursday 30 October, 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm

The Charles Dickens Museum’s Victorian actor needs your help to put on a scene from one of Dickens’ most famous books! Learn performance skills and take an on or offstage role in the smallest theatre in the world. at Charles Dickens’ own home.

For ages nine to 12 years. Maximum of one adult with up to three children – all children must be accompanied. Sessions last one hour.

Free, but booking is essential. Find out more and book your place on drama fun with Oliver.