September is the perfect time of year to visit London, with ample sunshine and warm temperatures to enjoy the great outdoors as well as a huge variety of post-holiday activities across the city. From fantastic culture and exciting festivals to delicious food events and hidden surprises, there is plenty to see, do and discover.
Read on for our guide to London’s best events throughout the month.
Kick off the month with a dedicated Brunch Fest
If you’re finding it hard to say goodbye to summer, ease into the new month with London’s dedicated brunch food festival.
Held at the stylish Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane, this weekend smorgasbord of breakfast delights takes place on 31st August and 1st September, making it a perfect day out for a leisurely Sunday.
You can look forward to a huge variety of delicious breakfast-inspired treats from local producers, including the iconic “breakfast in bed” – a hollowed out loaf of sourdough, packed with your favourite savoury dishes. And, as well as an enormous variety of food on offer, there will also be a programme of special talks, workshops and events to help you perfect your brunch-making skills.
If you’re staying in accommodation near Lancaster Gate, it’s easy to get to the Old Truman Brewery with underground connections to Liverpool Street just a short walk away.
Combine history and delicious food at the Tower of London Food Festival
Held on the 12th to 15th September, this distinctive festival is a fantastic way to experience the historic heart of London, as well as enjoy a fun weekend packed with tasty artisanal products and family activities.
Taking place around the Tower of London, the festival is a great opportunity to explore the infamous fortress and royal palace in a new light. As well as tours around the castle, you’ll also get to see a more contemporary side of London, with a huge range of events over the festival weekend. The food festival attracts popular names from the culinary world, including top chefs and food experts sharing hands-on workshops, where you can learn skills from the industry pros.
When you fancy getting out of the kitchen, head around the tempting stalls instead to try the vast range of gourmet foods on offer or soak up the atmosphere around the palace grounds, with live music, children’s games and a craft producers’ market.
To attend the festival, you’ll need to book tickets ahead of time. Tickets include a “Beefeater” tour of the Tower, providing a great value day out. Located by the river, it’s easy to get to by Tube, and you can find some great hotel deals in Lancaster Gate for convenient and affordable accommodation.
Celebrate the city’s river, with the month-long Totally Thames festival
The month of September is dedicated to celebrating one of the most prominent and diverse parts of London, the River Thames. All through the month, you’ll be able to take part in events exploring a variety of fascinating and thrilling activities.
Learn more about London’s lengthy history through interactive foraging workshops and talks dedicated to the treasures unearthed from the depths of the Thames over the centuries, and find out more about how some of the city’s neighbourhoods evolved with their relationship to the river over the years.
You’ll also have a chance to get involved, with the Regatta London, a unique event where you’ll be able to paddle through the scenic heart of London and take in the sights en route. Don’t miss out on visiting the breath-taking Ship of Tolerance exhibit, created by young people from around London, to celebrate the city’s immense diversity, in a beautiful and colourful installation.
Events for Totally Thames will take place all across the city, and if you’re looking for somewhere convenient to stay, hotels near Lancaster Gate are an ideal option, with great transport connections all over London.
Discover great design at the London Design Festival
Taking place between the 14th to 22nd September, the annual London Design Festival celebrates the best of the city’s design talent, as well as showcasing innovative work from designers from all over the world.
With a great range of special exhibitions taking part at select venues across the city in collaboration with the Festival, it’s a great opportunity to be inspired by the unique and thought-provoking exhibits and events on show.
This year, the Victoria and Albert Museum will be taking part as a partner, and you’ll find the museum filled with colourful and exciting creations from a variety of designers, including the captivating Falling Sky installation by Matthew McCormick. Featuring surreal, frost-like fragments seemingly suspended over your head, it’s a magical and engaging piece that will get you thinking.
The festival also features several other fun events across the city, including unique installations around Paddington Central, as part of the official Design Route. Perfect for a creative day out, start off with breakfast near Lancaster Gate before exploring the many sculptures and pieces on display, around the nearby Grand Union Canal, and further afield.
Get ahead of the latest trends with London Fashion Week
London Fashion Week is undoubtedly a highlight for any fashion lover’s calendar, and if you love keeping up with the latest trends, it’s a great time to visit the city. Taking place between 13th September to 17th September, the city is packed with the finest talent from the fashion world.
But you don’t have to be an industry insider to enjoy the week’s festivities. While there’ll be exclusive events and runway shows from the leading and emerging designers from the UK, London Fashion Week is also the perfect time for everyone else to enjoy more about fashion, and the Fashion Week Festival is a fantastic opportunity to up your style game. Expect talks to get your brain thinking hard on the impact of fashion on the world, try your hand at being a catwalk model or enjoy an invigorating yoga class, and enjoy a pamper with a spot of designer shopping and indulgent beauty treatments.
What upcoming events in London are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments!
