Things to Do in London: Weekend of September 19–20, 2026

On the weekend of September 19–20, 2026, London plays host to an exceptionally vibrant program ranging from outdoor festivals and special exhibitions to comedy clubs, historical walks, and nightlife. Here is a curated selection of events spanning all across the city:

Outdoor, Street Festivals, and Urban Experiences

• Water Lantern Festival (Clapham Common | September 19–20): Held at sunset on the Clapham Common pond, this festival lets you write your wishes on eco-friendly lanterns crafted from paper, natural wood, and LED candles before floating them on the water. All materials are retrieved from the water following the event.

• London Cycling Festival (City-wide | Sunday, September 20, 08:00–17:00): Mass group rides open to families and cyclists of all skill levels are organized starting from key hubs like Victoria Park and St Paul’s Cathedral. (Free)

• Open House Festival (City-wide | Through Sunday, September 20): The final weekend to explore London’s iconic and historic architectural gems—whose doors are usually closed to the public—through free guided tours. (Free)

• Bermondsey Street Festival (SE1 | Saturday, September 19, 11:00–20:00): Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the festival brings an intimate village-fair charm to the city with music and food stages at Tanner Street Park, maypole dancing at Leathermarket Gardens, costume competitions, and local market stalls. (Free)

• Yard Sale Trail (Southfields | September 19–20): Dozens of stalls set up by residents outside their homes, along with second-hand goods, crafts, and homemade treats at the St. Barnabas and St. Michael’s hubs, can be discovered using a trail map.

• Brick Lane Curry Festival (Brick Lane | Sunday, September 20, 12:00–19:00): Celebrating the culture and cuisine of East London’s Bangladeshi and South Asian community, the festival kicks off with a vibrant parade and street performances. Those who register in advance receive a 20% discount at participating restaurants. (Free entry)

• Pearlies’ Harvest Festival (Guildhall Yard & St Mary-le-Bow | Sunday, September 20, 13:30): Adorned in their signature button-covered outfits, the Pearly Kings and Queens perform dances at Guildhall Yard before leading a traditional harvest loaf procession toward St Mary-le-Bow Church. (Free)

Museums, Exhibitions, and Cultural Discoveries

• Letters to the Future (Southbank Centre | September 18–20): Curated under the leadership of Amelia Dimoldenberg, Ash Sarkar, and Olly Alexander, this program addresses vital issues such as the housing crisis, the future of digital media, and climate through panel discussions, live performances, DJ sets, and free concerts.

• Reviving Craft: Reflection of the Mind (Somerset House | September 16–27): A comprehensive Chinese craft selection bringing together ceramics, glass, textile, jewelry, and furniture works by artists including Shuang Xi, Ouyang Wendong, and Tang Zhenzhen, integrated with digital and digital-installation elements. (Free)

• Sacred Treasures from Kyiv (V&A South Kensington | From September 14): Seven rare, centuries-old Ukrainian religious art pieces brought from the historic Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery go on display in the UK for the first time. (Free)

• Waldmüller Landscapes (National Gallery | Through Sunday, September 20): Final days for Austrian painter Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller’s first UK solo exhibition, rendering views of Vienna’s Prater Park, the Salzkammergut lakes, and Sicilian landscapes with delicate light and detailed brushwork. (Free)

• Jock McFadyen: Underground (And Surface) (Guildhall Art Gallery | Through Sunday, September 20): McFadyen’s massive paintings of the London Underground merge with mechanical and melodic tube soundscapes recorded by Jem Finer of The Pogues.

• Moon Celebration Week (National Maritime Museum & Royal Observatory Greenwich | Through Sunday, September 20): A themed lunar week featuring moon mapping tours, expert talks, and astrophotography sessions.

• Crossing Borders (Horniman Museum & Gardens | Saturday, September 19, 11:00–16:00): Led by refugee artists, this community day features Afghan kite workshops, Honduran folk dances, Ukrainian music, and live podcast recordings. (Free)

• Visit My Mosque / Open Mosque Day (East London Mosque, Whitechapel | Saturday, September 19, 11:10–15:00): Taking place as part of the Muslim Council of Britain’s national initiative, this event offers guided tours and an opportunity to meet the community. (Free)

• St George’s Cathedral Tour (Southwark | Saturday, September 19, 14:00–16:00): Organized by the Victorian Society at the first Roman Catholic cathedral built in London post-Reformation, this tour includes Augustus Pugin-designed features, the cathedral’s survival history during the Blitz, and a visit to the Archbishop’s House.

Fashion, Design, and Culinary Workshops

• Judy’s Kensington Vintage Market (Phillimore Walk | Saturday, September 19, 10:00–16:30): Organized in collaboration with Opportunity Kensington alongside London Fashion Week, over 60 vintage specialists present upcycled designs and rare vintage items. (Free entry)

• Frock Me! Vintage Fair (Chelsea Old Town Hall | Sunday, September 20, 11:00–17:30): An established vintage market where over 60 specialists offer clothing, jewelry, and textiles spanning from the Victorian era to designer labels.

• Mexican Ceramics Workshop & Lunch (Los Mochis, Notting Hill | Saturday, September 19, 10:00–14:00): Following a workshop learning traditional Mexican hand-building techniques with stoneware clay, a special lunch featuring spicy salmon, ceviche, and miso black cod tacos is served.

• Mid-Autumn Festival Food & Craft (Yi-Ban, Docks | Saturday, September 19, 12:30–16:00): Held as part of Hong Kong’s traditional Mid-Autumn Festival, rabbit lantern making, a mooncake workshop, and a dim sum lunch are presented together.

• Chiswick House Dog Show (Chiswick House | Sunday, September 20, 11:00–16:15): A gathering spot for dog lovers featuring fun costume competitions judged by celebrity panels, obstacle courses, and stalls.

Stage, Performing Arts, and Nightlife

• Big Gay Beaver Day (Ealing / Paradise Fields & Horsenden Hill Farm | Saturday, September 19, 16:00–22:00): Benefiting Citizen Zoo’s project to reintroduce beavers to London wetlands, this event features daytime beaver enclosure tours, followed by evening drag shows, DJ sets, and a women’s arm-wrestling competition.

• Woolwich Works Big Beer Fest (Woolwich Works | Saturday, September 19, 12:00 & 16:00 sessions): Featuring independent breweries like Northdown, Bianca Road, Big Hug, Bexley, and Iron Pier, this festival offers over 20 draught beers, a wine bar, non-alcoholic options, live music, and a beer pub quiz.

• The Producers (Garrick Theatre | Final day Saturday, September 19, 14:30 & 19:30): Final performances for the West End adaptation of Mel Brooks’s legendary musical starring Andy Nyman and Marc Antolin.

• Love’s Labour’s Lost (St Bride Foundation | Final day Saturday, September 19, 14:30 & 19:30): Final day for the outdoor-style rock musical adapting Shakespeare’s classic comedy into a university reunion set to pop-rock hits.

• Sex & Disability (Artsdepot | Saturday, September 19, 19:30): A bold new play exploring love and relationships within the disabled community through the online romance of a young stroke survivor.

• Country Superstars (Fairfield Halls, Croydon | Saturday, September 19, 19:45): A tribute night featuring live orchestral renditions of hits by country legends such as Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash, and Shania Twain.

• The Candlelight Club 16th Anniversary Special (Secret South London Venue | Saturday, September 19, 19:00–01:00): Set in a 1920s jazz speakeasy concept, this party features a six-piece Red Hot Rhythm Revival band, cabaret shows, tarot readings, and vintage jewelry stalls.

• Scared to Dance (The Shacklewell Arms | Saturday, September 19, 23:00): At this independent club night, post-punk, indie pop, new wave, and art-rock rhythms spin till dawn with a guest DJ set by Prima Queen.

• The Evil Dead – Special Benefit Screening (Cinema Museum, Kennington | Sunday, September 20, 19:30): Sam Raimi’s 1981 cult horror classic The Evil Dead hits the screen presented by Ghost Light Cinema to benefit the historic venue’s preservation fund.

Sunday Comedy Specials (Sunday, September 20, 20:00):

• Sarah Keyworth (The Trafalgar, Chelsea): A work-in-progress show where the comedian tests fresh jokes exclusive to Chelsea ahead of a new tour.
• Sunday Night Comedy (BOX Piccadilly Basement): A high-tempo stand-up lineup featuring Darcy Moreland, Mo Magaleo, and Donatas Staneika.
• Michael Akadiri: Don’t Call Me Uncle! (Dugdale Arts Centre, Enfield): A preview of the new show by medical doctor and comedian Michael Akadiri.