Don't miss these London events

From Francis Bacon and the Turner prize to wildlife photography, here are the must-see and must-do things on this autumn.

Francis Bacon and the Turner prize Tate Britain has two crowd-pullers. Francis Bacon, which opened last month, has been described as unmissable. Bacon, acknowledged as one of the greatest painters of the 20th century, is famous for his twisted images of people and animals. The exhibition includes his infamous portraits of Pope Innocent X and triptychs such as Three Studies for a Crucifixion. You have until 4 Jan to see it. The nominations for the Turner Prize, the contemporary art award, always attract controversy. The four shortlisted this year --three of them women --have their work shown in the basement until 18 Jan, with the winner announced on 1 Dec. See Cathy Wilkes's installation, I Give You All My Money, comprising a pair of supermarket checkouts dotted with dirty dishes; next to these are two female shop dummies, one with a cage on its head, the other sitting on the loo. >> On now. Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1. Tickets: Francis Bacon, adults £12.50, children 12-18 £10.50; Turner Prize 2008, £8, children 12-18 £5. Booking fees apply. Tel: 020 7887 8888 or visit tate.org.uk

Body Worlds and The Mirror of Time
Gunther von Hagens's original exhibition of real human bodies - so not one for the squeamish. The scientist, along with physician Angelina Whalley, makes the study of the human body - once exclusive to the medical community - accessible to all. Using plastination, the polymer preservation of anatomical specimens, human bodies are presented in dramatic and aesthetic displays. >> Opens 24 Oct. The 02 Bubble, Greenwich Peninsula, SE10. Tickets: weekdays £12, children 6-17 £8, families £29; weekends £14, children £9.50, families £34. Visit: theo2.co.uk

Speedboating on the Thames
The RIB Voyages - an action-packed hour-long boat trip speeding down the Thames - are the latest way to discover the river. With a maximum of 12 passengers in each Rigid Inflation Boat (RIB), you really feel closer to the water as you race under the bridges - view the online video to see what it is like. >> Ticket office underneath the London Eye on the Millenium Pier, SE1. Tickets: London Eye to Canary Wharf Voyage (50min) £32.50, children £19.50. London Eye to Thames barrier (80min) £45, children £28. Visit: thamesribexperience.com and londonribvoyages.com

Annie Leibovitz and Ghosts
Over 150 photographs by the celebrated photographer Annie Leibovitz are here, from more personal family images to her shots of high-profile celebrities - including Nicole Kidman and Brad Pitt --and assignments such as the election of Hillary Clinton to the US Senate and the siege of Sarajevo. The National Portrait Gallery was the inspiration for the Polka Theatre's new production 'Ghosts in the Gallery', which features the adventures of a girl who gets locked in the gallery on Halloween. You can experience spooky goings-on at the gallery from 6.30pm to 9pm on 31 Oct as actors from the show make an appearance. Expect the unexpected! (Over-eights.) The 'Ghost in the Gallery' production runs until 1 Nov at the Polka Theatre Wimbledon. (£9.50, polkatheatre.com) >> Annie Leibovitz opens 16 Oct. Ghosts in theGallery 31 Oct. National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Place, WC2. Tickets: £11, concessions £9.£10, children under 12 free. Ghosts in the Gallery free. Tel: 0870 013 0703 or visit npg.org.uk.

London Film Festival
The 52nd London Film Festival, which showcases films from around the world here in London, has many highlights include W, which premieres on 23 and 25 Oct, the Oliver Stone-directed portrait of the 43rd President, George W Bush (Josh Brolin). As well as showing how he met his wife Laura (Ellen Burstyn) and found God, it chronicles the days leading up to the Iraq invasion and conversations with Tony Blair (Ioan Gruffudd). On 28 and 29 Oct there are screenings of Easy Virtue (on general release on 7 Nov). This classy adapation of the Noël Coward play stars Kristin Scott Thomas as a glacial English mother and Colin Firth as her unhappy husband. Check the website for other films being screened and their venues. >> From 15 to 30 Oct. Various venues; prices vary. Visit: bfi.org.uk

Hadrian
The Empire and Conflict exhibition is soon to close, so this is the last chance to discover the life, loves and the legacy of one of the most enigmatic Roman emperors, who took over a struggling empire and strengthened it with the building of fortresses and walls - including Hadrian's Wall. With objects from 28 museums worldwide, the artefacts include bronzes and busts, a gladiator's helmet, and a writing tablet with a line from Virgil. >> Closes 26 Oct. BritishMuseum, Great Russell Street, WC1. Tickets: £12, 16-18s £10, children free. Tel: 020 7323 8181 or visit britishmuseum.org

Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Be inspired by the latest winning entries in the world's most prestigious showcase of wildlife photography - the images of nature give visitors an insight into the beauty of our natural environment. On Friday 31 Oct until 10.30pm there is a chance to enjoy the exhibition in a special after-hours opening with jazz and Latin music at the champagne and cocktail bar in the Central Hall, with tapas being served. Pre-booking advised. >> 31 Oct-26 Apr. Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7. Tickets: £7, concessions £3.50, family £18. Tel: 020 7942 5000 or visit nhm.ac.uk/wildphoto

London Craft Fair and The Duchess The London Craft Fair (on until Sun) is an opportunity to buy a unique piece of work directly from 300 of the finest contemporary craft makers, with this exhibition housed in pavilions within Fountain Court - which featured in the film The Duchess.To learn more about the setting for this blockbuster, take the free 45min guided tour on 1 and 15 Nov. On Thurs (16 Oct) in the evening there will be a late-night opening of Origin, with hands-on activities. On Mon (20 Oct) there will be fun family drawing workshops (11am-1pm and 2pm-4.30pm) at the Learning Centre in the South Building (check the website for other family activities) and be sure not to miss Wouldn't It Be Nice - Wishful Thinking In Art and Design - a fresh and funny look at modern design. >> Craft Fair until 19 Oct, Wouldn't It Be Nice until 7 Dec. Somerset House, Strand, WC2. Tickets: London Craft Fair £12, 12-16s £10. Wishful Thinking £8, 12-17s £6, under-12s free. Tel: 0844 847 2393 or visit somersethouse.org.uk