What's on in London
This September, London pairs big autumn openings with a river festival that runs all month. The Bayeux Tapestry arrives at the British Museum on 10 September for a ten-month stay, Totally Thames fills the riverbanks until 30 September and Open House unlocks hundreds of buildings between 12 and 20 September. On stage and in the arenas, Sam Smith plays the London Coliseum on 15 September, the Laver Cup brings tennis to The O2 from 25 September and First Aid Kit play the Royal Albert Hall on 29 September. Candlelight concerts light up Southwark Cathedral and Central Hall Westminster, and Tate Britain closes its Whistler survey on 27 September.
Official events calendar for London
The festivals and public events below are the ones on London's official events calendar for the month, and each card links the organiser's listing with dates and venues. For the permanent sights, start with things to see in London.
Totally Thames Festival
When: 1 to 30 September
Where: Along the Thames, from the foreshore to the bridges
A month of art installations, boat races, foreshore walks and live performances along the river, listed as free by Visit London.
Open House Festival
When: 12 to 20 September
Where: Buildings across London
Hundreds of buildings, from private homes to skyscrapers, open their doors for one week, with most visits free of charge.
London Design Festival
When: 12 to 20 September
Where: Installations and venues across London
Designers from around the world present installations, workshops and talks across the capital.
Soho Jazz Festival
When: 16 to 19 September
Where: Bars and clubs across Soho
Live jazz, neo-soul and afrobeats in small Soho bars and clubs, now in its tenth year.
London Fashion Week
When: 17 to 21 September
Where: Venues across London
British and international designers unveil their new collections, with talks and shows around the city.
Vitality Westminster Mile and 10k
When: 26 and 27 September
Where: The Mall and St James's Park
A family-friendly mile and a 10k run over one weekend on a central route that ends near Buckingham Palace.
Concerts in London this September
Hilary Duff: the lucky me tour
Hilary Duff: the lucky me tour plays The O2 on 15 September at 18:30.
Sam Smith
Sam Smith plays London Coliseum on 15 September at 19:00.
Candlelight: Disney Love Songs
Candlelight: Disney Love Songs comes to Southwark Cathedral on 17 September at 19:00.
Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer
Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer comes to Central Hall Westminster on 18 September at 18:30.
Vivaldi's Four Seasons by Candlelight
Vivaldi's Four Seasons by Candlelight comes to St Mary le Strand on 19 September at 18:00.
Home Free
Home Free plays Union Chapel on 22 September at 18:30.
LiSA
LiSA plays Troxy on 22 September at 19:00.
Ward Thomas
Ward Thomas plays The London Palladium on 23 September at 19:30.
First Aid Kit
First Aid Kit plays Royal Albert Hall on 29 September at 18:30.
Henry Grace
Henry Grace plays London Barfly on 30 September at 19:00.
Nik West
Nik West plays Blue Note London on 30 September at 19:00.
Theatre, sport and shows in London
Phantom of the Opera
Phantom of the Opera plays His Majesty's Theatre on 14 September at 19:30.
The Book Of Mormon
The Book Of Mormon plays Prince of Wales Theatre on 14 September at 19:30.
The Producers
The Producers plays Garrick Theatre on 14 September at 19:00.
Much Ado About Nothing
Much Ado About Nothing plays Shakespeare's Globe on 15 September at 14:00.
My Neighbour Totoro
My Neighbour Totoro plays Gillian Lynne Theatre on 15 September at 19:00.
Sinatra the Musical
Sinatra the Musical plays Aldwych Theatre on 15 September at 14:30.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Stranger Things: The First Shadow plays Phoenix Theatre on 15 September at 19:00.
Twisted Tarot
Twisted Tarot comes to Glaziers Hall on 18 September at 18:30.
The Jury Experience: The 20 Million Dollar Heist
The Jury Experience: The 20 Million Dollar Heist comes to Greenwood Theatre on 19 September at 16:00.
Into The Woods
Into The Woods plays Noel Coward Theatre on 22 September at 19:30.
Laver Cup - Session One
Laver Cup - Session One comes to The O2 on 25 September at 11:30.
Zuffa Boxing 11
Zuffa Boxing 11 comes to Copper Box Arena on 26 September at 17:00.
Current exhibitions in London
James McNeill Whistler
Until: 27 September
Where: Tate Britain
A survey of the American painter and printmaker, from his Thames nocturnes to the portraits.
John Constable, views of nature
Until: 4 October
Where: British Museum
Drawings and prints of the English landscape and its weather, with free entry.
NIGO, From Japan with Love
Until: 4 October
Where: Design Museum
The Japanese designer and DJ across fashion, music and collaboration.
Anish Kapoor
Until: 18 October
Where: Hayward Gallery
A major show of the sculptor's work at the Southbank Centre.
Henry Moore, Monumental Nature
Until: 31 January 2027
Where: Kew Gardens
Sculptures by Henry Moore placed across the gardens, with related drawings in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery.
The Bayeux Tapestry
Dates: 10 September to 11 July 2027
Where: British Museum
The embroidered account of the Norman conquest, on loan from France for ten months.
Smithsonian Starstruck
Until: 31 October
Where: Science Museum
A virtual reality journey through the universe, made with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and booked in timed slots.
World Press Photo Exhibition 2026
Until: 30 September
Where: MPB Gallery
The winning pictures of this year's World Press Photo contest, on show in London until the end of the month.
London tickets and tours
Keep the city and national holiday calendar in mind
Public holidays change the rhythm of a visit more than most travellers expect. Banks and offices close, many attractions switch to a holiday timetable and public transport runs a reduced service, so a day built around a single museum or market can fall flat. England and Wales share one bank holiday calendar, and it sets 8 dates for 2026. Two of them stand apart: nothing runs on the Transport for London network on Christmas Day, the Boxing Day service is limited, and Visit London warns that most attractions, shops and restaurants close on both days.
National holidays in England and Wales 2026
- 1 January New Year's Day
- 3 April Good Friday
- 6 April Easter Monday
- 4 May Early May bank holiday
- 25 May Spring bank holiday
- 31 August Summer bank holiday
- 25 December Christmas Day
- 28 December Boxing Day (substitute day, as 26 December falls on a Saturday)
Local holidays in London 2026
London adds no local holidays to that calendar: the England and Wales list above is the only one that applies in the capital. The extra dates kept elsewhere in the United Kingdom, among them 2 January and St Andrew's Day in Scotland and St Patrick's Day and the Battle of the Boyne in Northern Ireland, are not holidays in London.
The Greenwich tourist information desk keeps its 10:00 to 16:00 hours on bank holidays. The other centres publish their opening times on the official pages linked above, and it is worth checking them before a holiday weekend. On Easter Sunday large shops in London have to close by law, while small shops may open.
More about London
Things to do in London
The London guide on Tourist Office gathers a one day itinerary, the twelve landmarks worth booking ahead and what the city offers for free.
London tourist information
Where the 7 official visitor information centres are, when they open and which bank holidays change their hours.
United Kingdom highlights
Beyond the capital, the country guide covers Stonehenge, Edinburgh Castle, the Lake District and the food worth trying.