Events in London in September 2026: Festivals, Exhibitions + Things to Do
September is a fantastic time to visit London.
You’ll enjoy the last of the summer’s warmth and light evenings but without the crowds of the UK or European school holidays.
This guide focuses on the best events and experiences happening in London in September 2026 so that you can plan your perfect trip.
If you want to know what weather to expect in September and what to pack, read our comprehensive guide to visiting London in September.
Key events in London in September 2026
Buckingham Palace Summer Opening
You’ll still have time in September to visit the interior of Buckingham Palace which is only open to visitors for three months each year.
You can explore 19 lavishly decorated rooms within the palace including the Throne Room, the Blue Drawing Room, the Ballroom and the Grand Staircase. Your entry ticket includes a multimedia guide packed with interesting information and facts.
If you’re in London when Buckingham Palace is open, it’s an opportunity not to be missed.
Note that in September the palace is open Thursday to Monday only (it’s closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays), so plan your visit around this.
Tickets must be pre-booked in advance and are likely to sell out so book online in advance here.
- Where: Buckingham Palace
- When : July 9th – September 27th
- How to get there: Green Park or St. James Park
The Proms 2026
If you’re in London during the first half of September, treat yourself to a ticket to The Proms. This two-month festival of live orchestral music is held in the iconic Royal Albert Hall.
The music is wide-ranging so there’s something for everyone. Matinee and evening performances include music by Beethoven, Gershwin, Miles Davis and Mozart as well as a performance of Disney and James Bond themes plus other movie classics.
Tickets start from as little as £19 but prices vary according to the artist and day of the week you’re attending. The famous Last Night of the Proms on September 12th sells out very quickly.
The full schedule and prices can be found here.
- Where: The Royal Albert Hall
- When: Friday 17th July – Saturday 12th September
- How to get there: It’s a 15 minute walk from South Kensington and High St. Kensington tube stations. You can also catch a number 9, 52, 70, 360, 452 or 702 bus to get to the hall.
London Sheep Drive across Southwark Bridge
Fancy something a little different? Then watch sheep cross one of the busiest bridges in London! This quirky English tradition happens once a year and dates back to medieval times. It’s a rare opportunity to see a London bridge closed to traffic!
Known officially as the Woolmen Sheep Drive, the ‘drive’ consists of Freemen of the City of London herding 50 sheep across Southwark Bridge to celebrate their ancient right to herd sheep across London Bridge without paying a toll. Today the fun event raises money for local charities.
In recent years the sheep drive has become best known for its celebrity herders which have included actor Damian Lewis and Mark Rylance. The sheep are driven across the bridge at 7-minute intervals for around 6 hours so you’ll have plenty of chances to see them.
At the north end of the bridge is a Livery Fair with sheep-shearing demonstrations, woollen crafts, music and street food. Visitors cannot take part in the drive but you can watch the drive on the bridge as it goes past. It’s an eccentric tradition which is great fun to watch!
- Where: Southwark Bridge
- When: Sunday 27th September, 10am – 4pm
- How to get there: Cannon Street or Mansion House tube station
Royal parks in September
Enjoy the last rays of summer and celebrate the arrival of autumn in one of the capital’s famous parks.
Choose between St. James Park, Green Park, Regents Park, Kensington Palace gardens, Hyde Park or Greenwich Park.
Alternatively, head to Kew Gardens, London’s largest UNESCO site. September 2026 events include the largest collection of outdoor sculptures of renowned British artist Henry Moore, outdoor Tai Chi, forest bathing, guided tours and temperate yoga in Kew’s famous glasshouses.
- What: Henry Moore: Monumental Nature
- When: May 9th 2026 to 31st January 2027
- How to get there: Kew Bridge overland station or Kew Gardens tube station.
London Festivals in September 2026
Open House Festival
For nine days each September, hundreds of buildings across London open their doors to visitors free of charge, including many that are normally closed to the public.
The 2026 festival is the 35th edition, with more than 800 buildings taking part across all 33 London boroughs. It’s a wonderful way to see inside historic livery halls, government buildings, private homes and architectural landmarks you’d otherwise only admire from the pavement.
Many buildings are drop-in, but the most popular ones require booking. Bookings for ticketed visits open at midday on 19th August and the best places go quickly, so check the festival programme and set a reminder.
- Where: Venues across all 33 London boroughs
- When: 12th – 20th September
- How to get there: Check the programme for each venue; most are close to a tube or rail station.
Live Music Week at Regent’s Park
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre hosts a live music week starting on September 22nd.
Acts include Echo and The Bunnymen, Doves and Cafe Del Mar Classical. It’s a great opportunity to see big acts in an iconic, intimate venue.
- What: Regent’s Park Live Music Festival
- When: 22nd – 26th September
- How to get there: Regents Park tube station or Great Portland Street tube.
Totally Thames Festival
This month-long festival celebrates the heart of London, the River Thames. Festival events take place along the entire 42-mile length of the river.
You can view free art installations and enjoy live music or boating events. Alternatively, make a souvenir at an artist workshop, join an environmental talk or give back to London and participate in a river clean-up.
It’s a great opportunity to rub shoulders with locals and experience a much-loved but less-celebrated piece of London.
Check September’s schedule of events here.
- What: Totally Thames Festival
- When: 1st – 30th September
- How to get there: Take the tube, bus or boat to individual events as parking will be very limited.
The Great River Race
Known as London’s river marathon, the Great River Race sees hundreds of traditional rowed boats race 21 miles up the Thames from Docklands to Ham in Surrey.
Expect everything from Cornish gigs and Chinese dragon boats to Viking longboats, many crews in fancy dress. It’s free to watch and any bridge or stretch of riverbank along the route makes a good vantage point; central London bridges catch the fleet in the first hour or so.
- Where: The Thames, from Millwall to Ham
- When: Saturday 12th September
- How to get there: Tower Bridge, London Bridge and the South Bank are the easiest central viewing points.
Soho Jazz Festival
Back again this September, the Soho Jazz Festival attracts jazz lovers from all over the world. It’s not just big name acts that attract visitors but also the famously intimate venue.
It’s so popular that people book tickets even before the line-up is revealed in July. You can check the 2026 line-up here.
- Where: Jack Solomons Club, Great Windmill Street
- When: 16th – 19th September
- How to get there: The club is a two minute walk from Piccadilly Circus tube station.
Outdoor theatre and cinema in September
Most outdoor theatres and cinemas close in September but you’ll have a few options left to choose from.
Regents Park open-air theatre is performing the musical ‘Cats’ and a family friendly show of West African and Caribbean folk tales called ‘Anansi the Spider.’ Evening and matinee performances are available with tickets starting from as little as £15pp. Regents Park is best reached by Regents Park tube station or Great Portland Street tube.
The most famous outdoor theatre in London, The Globe, is performing modern adaptations of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, a flamenco-inspired version of ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost’ and ‘As You Like It.’ Evening performances cost £10 for standing tickets and between £25 and £65 for seats.
The schedule varies from day to day in September so check here which show is being performed on the day you’re visiting.
- Where: The Globe Theatre, Bankside Cultural Quarter
- How to get there: London Bridge, Blackfriars, Mansion House, St. Pauls and Southwark tube stations are all within a 10-15 minute walk of the theatre.
Exhibitions or events you won’t want to miss in September 2026
The Bayeux Tapestry
This world famous tapestry was made nearly 1,000 years ago and, for the first time since it was made, it is going to be on display in England at the British Museum. This exhibition is one of the most anticipated London events of 2026.
The 70-metre long tapestry depicts the historic Battle of Hastings and the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. It portrays one of the most pivotal events in the history of Great Britain.
One important note: tickets for September to December 2026 sold out soon after going on sale in July. If you have a ticket already, you’re in for a treat. If not, keep an eye on the British Museum website for returns, and for the October release of tickets covering January to March 2027.
- Where: The British Museum
- When: 10th September 2026 – 11th July 2027
- How to get there: Tottenham Court Road, Holborn, Russell Square and Goodge Street are all within a 5-10 minute walk of the museum.
Queen Elizabeth: Her Life in Style
This exhibition is THE London event this summer.
It showcases the largest ever collection of clothing worn by Queen Elizabeth II. We visited earlier in the summer and highly recommend it.
You’ll see over 200 pieces of clothing, jewellery and accessories from throughout the late Queen’s life including her christening gown, wedding dress and coronation dress. It’s a must visit for Royal fans but also for fans of fashion.
We recommend booking your tickets for September as soon as possible here as it’s likely to sell out.
- Where: The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace
- When: 10th April 2026 – 17th April 2027
- How to get there: St. James Park or Green Park tube stations
London’s major museums and galleries
Most major museums and galleries in London are free to enter but will charge admission fees to limited-time exhibitions, including the ones listed below.
If you love modern art, head to the Tate Modern for ‘Frida – the Making of an Icon’ featuring the works of Frida Kahlo plus exhibitions of the works of Ana Mendieta and James McNeill Whistler.
Alternatively, visit the Imperial War Museum for their sobering exhibition ‘Beauty and Destruction: Wartime London in Art’
One of the many exhibitions the V&A is hosting this September is ‘Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art.’ Alternatively, you can visit the new V&A East Storehouse to see their collection of David Bowie memorabilia. Check the schedule of events here.
Whilst it might not have the buzz and packed schedule of summer, we think London in September is a fantastic time to visit. It offers something for everyone – and the chance to enjoy the capital without the crowds.
Read more – Events in London in July | Events in London in August | London in October
