Culture Digest: The best things to do, hear, see or watch in Europe this week

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The leaves are crisp, the air is cool, and Halloween is rearing its spooky head. Happy almost-October!

A new month always means lots of new things to look forward to, but this one is especially anticipated. Not only for its half-term school holiday, PSLs and costume parties – but because Taylor Swift’s 12th studio album is being released. But we probably didn’t need to remind you of that!

While the Tay Tay domination will be difficult to avoid, Swifties and non-Swifties alike can find escapism (and equal amounts of razzle dazzle) in the glowing installations of Welsh artist Cerith Wyn Evans at Lisbon’s MAAT. Alternatively, the pioneering processes of printmaker Georg Baselitz are on display at Bergen’s Kode Art Museum.

On the big screen, one half of the Safdie brothers brings us gritty sports biopic The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne Johnson, while Disney+ offers something lighter with their American football comedy Chad Powers.

Let’s get into it properly, shall we? Or rather: “It’s showtime!”

Exhibitions and events

Cerith Wyn Evans: Forms in Space… by Light (in Time) 

When: 5 October 2025 

Where: Museum of Art, Architecture & Technology (MAAT) (Lisbon, Portugal)

As the evenings grow darker, let the luminous spectacles of Cerith Wyn Evans brighten your spirit. The Welsh visual artist started out as a filmmaker before moving into crafting installations in the early ’90s. Finding inspiration from language, philosophy and movies, his works often feel otherworldly, conjuring curious meditations and a dream-like ambience. A large neon sculpture sits at the heart of his first ever solo exhibition in Portugal, cocooning visitors in a cosmic-like glow, and surrounded by creations from Evans’ wider career.

Georg Baselitz: A Life in Print

When: 3 October – 22 February 2026

Where: Kode Art Museum (Bergen, Norway)

Often hanging upside down, the works of renowned German artist Georg Baselitz distort reality through their bold expressiveness; figures falling through strokes of paint. Printmaking in particular remains core to his creations, with Baselitz developing new techniques in the medium since the 1960s. Over 250 examples from his six-decade career make up the Kode Art Museum’s new exhibit – the first ever survey of Baselitz’s printmaking. Both inspiring and educational, it allows print-enthusiasts to trace its evolution, exploring how Baselitz used centuries old methods to innovate its potential.

Prix Pictet

When: 26 September – 19 October 2025

Where: Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) (London, UK)

Prix Pictet, the world’s leading photography awards focused on sustainability return. Founded in 2008 to bring greater awareness to global environmental issues, each edition is called a cycle and address the different elements of climate concern. This year’s theme is ‘Storm’, encompassing the current volatilities of the world. From over 300 nominations, a shortlist of 12 photographers was chosen by a jury, whose works will be on display in a touring exhibition set to reach over 100 museums and galleries in more than 40 countries. Those based in London can see the images at the V&A, where the winner, Alfredo Jaar, was announced last week.

Bonus highlight: A reminder to see Grayson Perry’s ‘Delusions of Grandeur’ exhibition at London’s The Wallace Collection before it closes on 26 October 2025. 

Movies

The Smashing Machine

Where: European cinemas 

When: 3 October 

If you think your day is stressful, try watching something by the Safdie brothers! Their previous movies Uncut Gems and Good Time were great, but relentlessly anxiety-inducing. This time, Benny Safdie has gone solo – but his sports drama based on the real-life hardships of MMA fighter Mark Kerr (played by Dwayne Johnson) is likely to be just as heart-racing. Co-starring Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples, Kerr’s former wife, it tackles addiction, ambition, and the conflicting identities created in and outside of a fighting ring.

Filmoramax

When: 30 September – 4 October 2025

Where: Lyon, France

The annual Filmoramax festival specialises in showcasing shorts from filmmakers across the world. While it’s a category that’s often sidelined at major film festivals, shorts remain pivotal to the industry as a springboard for showcasing up-and-coming new talent. The line-up includes 20 films in the international competition, five in the regional, five from students, and 10 out of competition. At the end of the event, a total of nine prizes will be awarded.

Bonus highlight: Palme d’Or winner It Was Just an Accident is released in France on the 1 October. Stuned for our full review later this week.

TV series

Chad Powers

Where: Disney+

When: 30 September 

The writer of this weekly digest might be somewhat biased, but you can trust anything starring Glen Powell to have a hefty dose of charisma – and playful dress-up. In Disney+’s new sports comedy, Chad Powers, he plays a besmirched quarterback attempting a comeback by donning a disguise and joining a struggling football team. Inspired by the story of NFL player Eli Manning, who once went undercover for a YouTube skit, this fits neatly into the Ted Lasso (and more recently, Stick) template of cheesy-but-charming, feel good TV.

Bonus highlight: Wayward, a chilling new show set in an adolescent correctional institute (and starring Toni Collette – always a good sign), is now streaming on Netflix.

Music

Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl

When: 3 October 

It’s the cultural event of the year for Swifties, as their favourite (and ever-prolific) pop star releases her 12th studio album. Fresh off the back of last year’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ and her global Eras tour, TayTay’s world domination continues with a new collection of music inspired by her career as a performer. Fans will also be able to mark the event by attending cinema screenings of an accompanying film titled The Official Release Party of a Showgirl. Prepare to be hearing this one on repeat for the rest of the year.

Bonus highlights: Prolific pop rock duo Sparks release ‘Madder!’ – a companion EP to their 28th album ‘MAD!’ – on 3 October.